As dusk descended upon the Naviel Kingdom, the Palace came alive with warm, golden light. The setting sun cast a gentle glow upon the majestic structure, as if the heavens themselves were bestowing a blessing upon the royal residence.
Within the Palace walls, the evening's rhythm unfolded like a symphony. Servants in crisp, black-and-white attire flitted about, attending to their duties with practi
6 up y byced efficiency. The air was filled with the soft murmur of conversations, the clinking of fine china, and the sweet scent of roasting meats wafting from the kitchen.
In the grand hall, Castellan Teftler stood tall, surveying the bustling activity before him. His eyes twinkled with satisfaction as he watched the maids expertly arrange the silverware and crystal glasses for the evening's dinner.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Chef Emma and her team worked their culinary magic. Pots clanged, and pans sizzled as they prepared the night's feast: roasted quail, steaming vegetables, and an exquisite Naviel cream cake. The aroma of freshly baked bread wafted through the corridors, enticing the Palace's inhabitants.
Upstairs, in the royal chambers, the two Queens prepared for the evening's festivities. Queen Jasmine, smiled warmly as her lady-in-waiting, Dehlia, helped her into a stunning gown of sapphire silk. Her six rambunctious boys, Princes Erics, Derrick, Fredrick, Daniel, Henry and George, were momentarily quiet, watching with wide eyes as their mother's hair was styled into an intricate crown.
In another chamber, Queen Cordelia, laughed as her lady-in-waiting, Catherine assisted her into a breathtaking gown of emerald green. Her four daughters, Princesses Crystabel , Helen, Sonia and Sofia chattered excitedly as they waited for Catherine to finish dressing up their mother.
In the Palace stables, the chief groom, Mr. Thomas, supervised the evening's routine. Stable lads, dressed in worn leather aprons, busied themselves grooming the royal horses. The soft whinnying of the animals filled the air as they were fed, watered, and prepared for the night. The sound of horseshoes being polished and saddles being cleaned echoed through the stables, accompanied by the occasional chuckle or whispered conversation among the stable hands.
As the Palace's inhabitants busied themselves, the sound of laughter and music drifted from the east wing, where the King's minstrels rehearsed for the evening's entertainment. The melodies danced through the corridors, mingling with the scent of candle wax and wood polish.As night descended upon the Palace, the Naviel Kingdom's seat of power transformed into a warm, golden haven, filled with the gentle hum of activity, the soft glow of candles, and the promise of a magical evening ahead.
Meanwhile prince Authur sat in his study table going through one of his novels while waiting for his chamberlain Beniah to inform him about dinner.He was dressed in a velvety black doublet with matching pant hose.On his fourth finger of his right hand sat a ruby ring.Outside his window he could hear servants talking with one another as they went about their various chores.Prince Authur was really enjoying the evening.
His peace was cut short with a knock on his door.
"Who's that?" Prince Authur asked grumpily.
"Martins, your highness" replied Martins the chief guard.
Prince Authur began to wonder why Martins was here to see him as he had never for once visited him in his chambers, nevertheless he granted him audience as he knew this must be really important.
"Come in" prince Authur said and Martins came in.
"Good evening my prince" Martins greeted, bowing down slightly.
"And to what do i owe this visit?" prince Authur asked, closing the book he was reading before Martins came in.
"Am so sorry for disturbing your peace your highness, but your father the king demands your presence right now in his chambers".
"And do you know the reason he's asking for me to come see him?"
"I have no idea, your highness"
Authur wondered why his father was calling him so late this evening but couldn't find any answers to his question.
"Okay give me a moment" prince Authur said and quickly picked up his cloak draping it around his shoulders and followed Martins out.
King Alfred sat on a couch in his chambers.The royal king's chambers were a grand, opulent sanctuary, reflecting the monarch's power and majesty. The room was dimly lit, with soft, golden light emanating from the numerous candles and torches that lined the walls.
The walls themselves were adorned with rich, velvet tapestries, depicting scenes of great battles, mythical creatures, and ancient legends. The tapestries were intricately woven, with threads of gold, silver, and precious gems.The floor was made of polished, dark wood, covered with a plush, crimson carpet, soft beneath the feet. The carpet was embroidered with the royal crest, a golden lion rampant on a black background.
At the room's center stood a magnificent, four-poster bed, draped with luxurious, silk curtains.The bed's frame was carved from solid oak, adorned with intricate, gilded patterns.
Near the bed, a large, ornate wooden chest, bound with iron straps, held the king's most precious possessions. The chest was adorned with a delicate, silver lock, shaped like a royal lion.
Against one wall stood a beautifully crafted, wooden desk, where the king would sit to attend to matters of state. The desk was covered with parchment, quills, and inkwells, as well as a magnificent, leather-bound tome, adorned with gold filigree.
Near the desk, a comfortable, cushioned chair, upholstered with rich, blue velvet, invited the king to sit and ponder. The chair's arms were carved with scenes of hunting and warfare.
In one corner of the room, a small, private chapel beckoned the king to prayer. The chapel's walls were adorned with vivid, stained-glass windows, depicting scenes from the Bible.
On a nearby pedestal, a magnificent, golden statue of a lion, symbol of the kingdom, stood watch, its eyes gleaming in the candlelight.
Everywhere, the room was filled with the scent of old leather, parchment, and wood smoke, mingling with the faint hint of exotic spices, carried on the breeze from the castle's gardens.
The royal king's chambers were a true sanctuary, a place where the monarch could retreat from the demands of ruling, and surround himself with the symbols of his power, wealth, and majesty.
The king's countenance was that of anger as he was visibly angry about something.Just then his chambers door swing open and prince Authur, his last son accompanied by Martins the chief guard entered.
"Your Majesty" Martins bowed and left the chambers.
"Father you sent for me" prince Authur said.
"Yes i did" the king said visibly angry.
"Is anything the matter, father?"
"Off course there is and you're that problem"
"Me?" Prince Authur said shocked as he still didn't understand what was going on or where his father was driving at.
"Ohh please spare me the pretence,you know exactly what am talking about"
"No off course not"
"Well let me not waste my time" king Alfred said going straight to the point " I want to know why you beat up Rufus Sewell and when being confronted by his father you splashed mud water on him"
"No father, i did no such thing, instead it was Fredrick who did so and when I tried to intervane on behalf of lord Sewell he splashed mud water on him"
"You still deny it?" king Alfred said angrily as he slammed his hand against the handle of the couch.
"I have no reason to lie to you father"
"Even when all evidence points at you as the culprit?"
"What evidence?" prince Authur asked
"Martins!! Martins!!!" the king called out towards the door of his chambers.The door opened and martins walked in.
"Yes your Majesty"
"Go get me prince Frederick and Rufus Sewell at once"
"Yes my king" Martins said making his exist.
At the eastern wing of the living quarters of the royal household was the chambers of prince Frederick.Prince Fredrick's room was a testament to the opulence and grandeur of the royal family. The room's walls were adorned with rich, velvety tapestries, woven with threads of gold, silver, and precious gems. These intricate tapestries depicted scenes of ancient forests, mythical creatures, and serene landscapes.The floor was made of polished, dark wood, covered with a plush, emerald-green carpet, soft beneath the feet.Against one wall stood a stunning, stone fireplace, where a warm, crackling fire burned on chilly evenings. The fireplace was adorned with delicate, carvings of vines and leaves. In front of the fireplace, Prince Fredrick, a handsome young man of twenty-six, sat in a comfortable, cushioned chair, upholstered with rich, crimson velvet. His brown eyes sparkled in the firelight as he smiled, his well-built physique evident even in repose, and beside him sat a young man, dressed in simple, yet clean attire, with a bandage wrapped around his head. The young man was no other person but Rufus Sewell.
Prince Fredrick held a goblet, filled with a rich, red wine.On a nearby table, a beautifully crafted, wooden flask, adorned with delicate, silver filigree, held the wine. The flask was surrounded by an assortment of sweetmeats, cheeses, and fresh fruits, a testament to the prince's love of fine food and drink.
Near the window, a beautifully crafted, wooden dresser, adorned with delicate, silver handles, held the prince's personal belongings. A delicate, golden mirror, framed in intricately carved wood, hung above the dresser.Everywhere, the room was filled with the scent of old leather, parchment, and wood smoke, mingling with the faint hint of exotic spices, carried on the breeze from the castle's gardens.
"I believe you know why I called you here?" Prince Fredrick said to Rufus breaking the silence in the room.
"Yes my prince" Rufus replied.
"Good" prince Fredrick said nodding his head and quickly tossed him a small pouch which had been on his lap at Rufus." Don't let me down"
"I won't your highness" Rufus said as he quickly hid the pouch under his cloak.
"And one more thing" prince Fredrick said as he remembered something, his face very menacing.
"Yes your highness" Rufus swallowed his saliva.
"No one should hear about this, because if any other ears hear about this...." prince Fredrick paused as he looked at Rufus to see his countenance and as usual Rufus was afraid of him, which was what he expected.
"I believe you n know what would happen to you and those close to you?"
"Yes I do, your highness" Rufus gulped on his saliva again.
Just then someone knocked on the door of prince Fredrick's chambers.
"Who is it?" prince Fredrick asked visibly angry that someone disturbed his peace.
"It is Martins, my prince"
"Ohh come in" prince Fredrick's face lit up immediately he heard Martins voice.
"And what do I owe this awkward visit at this ungodly hour?"
"Am sorry for disturbing your highness, but your father the king requires your presence and that of Rufus here immediately"
"Okay lead the way" prince Fredrick said getting up and giving Rufus a last minute warning with his eyes.
"They're here your Majesty" Martins said breaking the silence inside the king's bedchambers.The king lifted his eyes from the paper he was looking at when he heard Martins voice.Prince Authur was still standing where he was.
"Father" prince Fredrick said pretending he didn't know or understand what was happening, likewise Rufus.
"I called for the both of you here to give me an account of what happened today at the blacksmiths place"
"Well father, Authur here had an issue with Rufus here which resulted into a heated argument, with Authur hitting Rufus with a stick on the head...."
"But you know that's not true!!" prince Authur said cutting prince Fredrick short."I did no such thing, rather it was you who did what you just said"
"My king, prince Fredrick is saying the truth.Indeed it was prince Authur who attacked me and also slashed mud water on my father, and I believed he would have done worst if not for the timely intervention of prince Fredrick" Rufus said supporting prince Fredrick in his tale of lies.
"Liar!! bloody liar!!! how much did he pay you?"
"Beg your pardon?" Rufus said, acting confused and like a saint.
"I said how much did your co-cohort here paid you?" prince Authur asked once more as he couldn't take it anymore.
"Enough!!!!" the king screamed, as he looked at prince Authur disgustingly.
"But father...."
"I said have had enough of your tantrums, what exactly is your problem Authur and why do you choose to bring disgrace to this royal family and a constant pain on my neck?"
"Surely you do not believe what they just said, father?"
"Even when the evidence is clear and staring at your face?"
"I repeat i did not and will not do something like that father...." prince Authur said still trying to make his father believe him, but the king wasn't being moved.
"Guards!!!" the king called out towards the door entrance, and martins came in accompanied by two guards.
"Yes your Majesty" they bowed.
"Take prince Authur here and have him locked up in the dungeons, and give him no food or water until i decide what to do with him" the king bellowed.
Martins and the guards immediately swung into action and arrested prince Authur despite his pleas and dragged him out of the king's presence.
"I am deeply sorry for what prince Authur did to you" the king said turning his attention to Rufus.
"There's no problem my king, am okay"
"Still i still need to compensate you for the damage he did to you" king Alfred said referring to Rufus bandaged head and getting up went to his big chest at the corner of the room and opening it took out a small pouch and gave it to Rufus.
"No am okay your Majesty, there's no need to do this" Rufus said trying to act polite.
"And i want you to have it" king Alfred insisted.
"No your Majesty...."
"It's an order" king Alfred said cutting him short.
"If it's okay, your Majesty" Rufus collected the pouch and bowed before leaving the king's presence.
Teftler walked in as Rufus made his way out.
"Dinner is ready ready your Majesty" he announced.
"Let's go have dinner" king Alfred patted prince Fredrick's back as a reply to Teftler.