Bad Plans
[I have to get rid of his mother], Queen Zyne thought.
She hadn't had rest since Seth came into the palace.
* * *
"I am not supposed to be disturbed the way I am at this point in my life. I planned for a peaceful transit after such a busy schedule ruling this kingdom; just for Zain and me to enjoy our old age", Queen Zyne said.
[Then, he went to sleep with another woman. Yes, I had forgiven him for the act but seeing what it had produced has caused the pain to come back all over again. Now, it feels so fresh in my mind seeing Seth roam about with that demonic eye]
The Queen of The Red Kingdom was immersed in thoughts.
"Fanis! Get in here"
He rushed into her room.
"I have important assignments for you that require the utmost secrecy"
"Whatever it is, Your Majesty"
"Listen carefully. Go to these two kingdoms... ", she began.
* * *
Ling had a very uneasy feeling in his spirit.
A signal telling him something was coming, and it was not something positive.
But he couldn't place his finger on what it might be. Ling couldn't even take a guess. His mind went to Prince Seth, then to The Queen... and The King.
[Maybe they were ill], he thought. But, if they were, a messenger would have come to take him to them.
He decided to take a stroll to clear his head.
[I was getting too old for the worry I put my mind through sometimes], he thought.
* * *
In The Ziviel Kingdom...
The Usurper woke up that morning feeling pleased with himself.
[Maybe I should get a wife that should start producing heirs for me], he thought.
He felt accomplished and proud. He had finally gotten what his heart wanted all his life. He believed that in this life, you had to grab what you thought was yours, nobody would do it for you. Good things hardly came to you on a platter. You had to fight for it.
His soldiers had found the bodies of the king and queen. They buried them in the mass grave of the kingdom. He didn't think they deserved any special ceremony. They weren't supposed to have sat on the throne in the first place.
There was a problem nagging his mind though. He knew they had a daughter with hair as red as crimson but no one had seen her, alive or dead. He comforted himself by saying; "She is a woman, what can she possibly do? If it were a son, I would have been so worried, I'd have sent out a search party to find him"
Learning earlier on that the so-called princess ran away the day of the final invasion.
[Hahaha... with her tail between her legs I'm sure]
[It is time to consolidate my win and reign. Who can oppose me now? I have crushed my enemies. How smart I am]
He walked all over the palace gardens watching as they made repairs to the destroyed buildings. They were working at a nice pace and that pleased him.
His mind wandered to the beginning of it all. The planning, the waiting, the execution, and the pretense. The hypocrisy he displayed happened to be his favorite among all the stages.
He made a mental note to tell his generals to bring their daughters. There was going to be something that resembled a maiden contest for him to choose his bride.
[They must all be virgins]
He was no longer going to accept things that have been used by others from now on. He was a King now.
* * *
Meanwhile, In The Red Kingdom...
Ruby and Anthony got dressed ready for their journey. The princess had told Greta not to go with them for now. Someone had to be in the house to take care of their belongings, and she didn't really need Greta now. Her time would come, she assured Greta and left after giving her a tight hug.
That warmed Greta's heart and the feeling of dejection she had been experiencing melted away.
"Suddenly, I feel unsure. What if one of these kingdoms we are going to visit is in tandem with the traitors back at home?"
"Let's just hope that is not the case. We can't know from here, and we can't allow what ifs stop us"' Anthony replied.
Ruby was grateful she had him by her side. She needed every help she could get right now.
She looked beautiful, she knew that, and it added to her confidence.
They had gotten two black, strong horses that would take them to and fro.
The closest to The Red Kingdom was The Predor Kingdom. Ruby and Anthony had gotten there long after sunset. It was a whole day's journey.
Paying for two small rooms in an inn that they found after entering the border-they were sure it was strategically situated for travelers- they rested for the night.
First thing in the morning the next day, they set out for what they had come to do.
Before this visit, Anthony had sent a messenger seeking an audience with the king. He had indicated in the letter that it was The Princess of The Ziviel Kingdom who sought to talk to the king.
* * *
Princess Ruby arrived in the Predor Kingdom, dressed in an elegant dress made from velvet that had a deep, rich green color. Greta had braided the front of her hair and used tiny ropes to tie each braid, leaving the rest of her hair falling behind. She made her lip redder with a plant that they called the 'lip flower'. Her lips matched her hair and the contrast to her pale skin was splendid.
Her presence was announced; "The Princess of The Ziviel Kingdom"
She stepped into the throne room.