18 Arrow

"Let's race Fraser," his brother, Estevan said as he galloped with his horse.

Fraser laughed and followed his brother.

The surroundings became deadly dark. Fraser shouted for his brother but never received a response.

Opening his eyes, 'Another nightmare,' he thought.

"Your Majesty, your bath is ready," his maid said, lowering her head. Hiding his discomfort, he went to take a bath.

He got out dressed in a dark blue outfit with silver at the collar, hem and pocket. "You are limping because of the fall yesterday. I was about to punish you because of your lack of seriousness in handling your work, but now I do not have the need to," he said, stuffing a bit of egg in his mouth, savouring the same taste he was used to.

Fraser smiled at the maid's unbothered face. She was trying hard to ignore him for days. Many times, he would notice her lips moving, but she would press them. He wanted to know what she was about to say.

She never feared him, or that was what she showed him at least. She kept her emotions tight around him; the only exception would be that day when she fainted. The revelation shocked him. A monster! He missed that name. Since he took the throne, no one dared to say something like that. At the battles he fought, they called him a monster and many worse things.

It was never a surprise for her to think that way. They were enemies. He allowed her to be near him for a reason. After the accomplishment of the mission, he would silence her while her kingdom would turn into dust.

After wiping his mouth, he went to the podium. Fraser grimaced, remembering his meeting court with the old officials.

"Your Majesty," Trent greeted. He stood at the end of the hallway, waiting for him.

"Did you send the contract to the trader's community?" he asked.

Trent stopped walking. "Yes, but the negotiation is not going well—" he said.

"If they were unconvinced by speech, we will try another method," Fraser interrupted.

Entering the podium, his officials greeted him like usual. They tried to be youthful in their scream, but their tough voices were more like the groaning of a dying enemy.

Fraser sat on his mighty chair opposite the old foxes. "Let's start with the tax reduction," he said. Last week, he dropped the idea of tax reduction, but the old men didn't welcome the idea.

"Your Majesty, must I say, your father, the previous king set the tax fees. It will not be a good decision to remove one of the previous king's legacies if it will have no harm to the kingdom," Count Jassie said. He was an old man with power.

Fraser held his hand tight under the table. "My father, the king, did the right thing. I never questioned his authority before and never will. Now, things were different. The kingdom was peaceful. I found no reason for the tax law to remain as it was. I suggest lowering the fees to half," he said, and the podium broke in an uproar. Whispers between the ministers got higher.

"Your majesty, the situation in the kingdom appeared to be perfect, but you have to think about the future. The peace between us and the Valians is hanging on a thin thread. Whereas the Lysium Kingdom in the West are not to be trusted. With the low price of taxes, the nobles will never accept their source of profit to be taken away. The last your majesty wants is a rebellion inside the kingdom," Marquis Veron said.

Fraser listened carefully. In which, what the Marquis said was right. When he took the throne as the only heir to the crown, he promised himself to do what his brother wished. To protect the kingdom with all that he could. He never liked to be bound to a chair, managing a kingdom. He felt free yielding his sword getting through battle after battle, till the end.

They debated for more time and agreed to lower the fees to one-sixth of the old tax fees.

"Your Majesty, I have another topic to discuss. Your Majesty needs an heir. After years of marriage, there was no news about Her Highness' pregnancy. I think the king shall take another wife."

"That's out of the question!" Fraser said. His hands fisted. He wanted to punch someone so badly. His personal life was his and no one would intervene.

Witnessing how his mother cried for an undeserving father who knew nothing but to be angry at them. His childhood memories haunted him deeply.

"Then the queen—" Fraser glared at Count Monberg. "Forgive my impudence, Your Majesty."

"You are dismissed."

Fraser burst the door opened, and went to his working room. "Bring a towel and follow me," he ordered and went out.

Old foxes! What courage they had to offer another marriage request! All the men agreed to the idea, waiting for his acceptance so they could offer him their daughters.

'D**********'

"Your Majesty, if I did something wrong, please ignore it. Spare me from the punishment," a terrified voice from behind made him halt in his steps. Looking at the woman standing with her head high, her clear blue eyes examined his expression.

Fraser turned around and walked slower than before. 'She thought I would drag her to the penitentiary again?' His lips curved.

Arriving at the training ground, "Get my sword ready," he shouted. The knights stopped training and greeted him.

"Your Majesty, what brought you here?" Hank, his knights' Captain, said. A playful grin cast over his face.

"To stretch my body," he answered.

"It's been a long time. You brought the mouse with you!" he said, walking toward his maid. Fraser frowned at Hank's friendly behaviour.

Fraser shifted his gaze to the recruits bringing his sword and spared with them. After a while, they were lying on the ground, panting.

"Easy for them," Jun, the vice-captain said.

"Draw your sword," Fraser ordered, pointing his sword at Jun.

"With pleasure," Jun answered.

The two fought like they were enemies in a battle. The clinking of their swords increased. Fraser moved faster, aiming at Jun's waist, but he stepped back. Fraser sprinted and struck from above. Jun failed to stabilize his body, avoiding the hit with his sword. The two battled as their swords intertwined.

"You got better," Fraser said.

"Thanks for the compliment," he replied.

The two jumped backwards. As they prepared for their next move. Jun pushed him backwards when an arrow pierced Jun's arm.

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The ML POV. Tell me what do you think? Vote and add to your library.