Chapter 10: A desperate bargain

King Fredrick had summoned all his noblemen to the castle's courtroom for a meeting concerning the people of Adernia and how foster their growth in farming. As Lord Arcturus stumbled upon a hidden part of the palace making his way to the courtroom, he witnessed a shocking scene.

Princess Sophia, the eldest daughter of King Frederick, was passionately involved with a commoner dressed as a palace servant at a dark and secluded area . A twisted smile played across Lord Arcturus' lips as he realized the leverage he now possessed.

" Princess Sophia!", he echoed as she immediately turned and saw him. Realising that she had been caught by her father's most special advisor, she quickly pulled down her gown and signalled on the servant to hide.

" Lo...Rd Arcturus.... what brings you here? I... wa...s ju...st....", she starmmed as he had had to cut her short.

" There is no need to lie princess ,I saw everything and I am aware who that servant is, I only fear what would become of you, when the whole kingdom gets to find out about this", he said smiling sheepishly.

Confronting Sophia with his knowledge, Lord Arcturus threatened to expose her secret affair to the entire kingdom, tarnishing the reputation of the royal family. Panicked and desperate to protect herself and her family's honor, Sophia pleaded with him to keep silent.

" Please ,my Lord, I'm sure we can both fix this . My family's reputation would be at risk and I would be completely destroyed. Can this be kept between us?", she said.

Lord Arcturus, reveling in his newfound power, saw an opportunity to exploit the princess. He proposed a sinister deal. In exchange for his silence, Sophia would have to comply with his demands. He insisted that she spend a night with him, asserting that he could use his influence to find her a charming prince who would wed her and secure her future.

" Your secret can only be kept if you come over to my chambers tonight by midnight. You would also never see that commoner anymore. You are a princess and you deserve more than a commoner. Be with me tonight and I would ensure you wed a prince before the end of the next season",he said.

Sophia's heart sank at the cruel ultimatum. She was torn between the fear of scandal and the violation of her own dignity. Reluctantly, she agreed to Lord Arcturus' terms, knowing the weight of her decision would haunt her forever.

" Alright, I give in , as long as this secret is kept between us. I will be at your chambers tonight", she replied as she left the dark path , running off with here face looking frightened.

Deep in the shadows of the palace, a dark pact was forged. Lord Arcturus held the secret over Sophia, ensuring her compliance and setting in motion a series of events that would shape the destiny of the royal family.

It was already midnight as Sophia sneaked out of her chambers , making her to that of Lord Arcturus. she knew she had to be careful going there. The whole castle was surrounded with lots of guards who watched the every move of everyone.

" It would have been better , if we were to meet in the dark gardens of cottage ,than his chambers. This is so fucking dangerous", Sophia said to herself as she kept sneaking her way into his residence.

Soon she was already in his chambers, she knocked as the Lord's chamberman opened the door.

" I am here to see Lord Arcturus", she said as the chamber man immediately led her into his bed chambers as though he already knew what she was there for.

They walk into the room , while the chamber man leaves , shutting the door behind him.

Lord Arcturus , sitting on his wooden sit which was fixed close to the window ,seemed to have seen her when she got into the environment.

" Over here princess", he said as she walked closer towards him. He gets up from the sit and removes his robe, stripping himself naked completely.

Sophia appears scared, looking at the sixty five years old man making his way towards her. She begins to move backwards.

" Why do you appear scared , come over here ,let's be done with this", he said as he grabbed her and forcefully had his way.

Minutes later Sophia appears vulnerable, she had just made out with her father's advisor, a scandal that if heard ,could ruin her life completely.

She dresses up immediately ,she must get back into the palace chambers before someone gets to find out that she was missing.

" We meet again tomorrow night Princess", Lord Arcturus called out as she tried opening the door.

" What ? I thought we had an agreement. We said once my Lord. Please don't do this"she begged.

" Well I changed my mind , we would keep meeting until the end of the season. Don't you want the prince as I have promised, or do you want this scandal of yours to be heard?", he replied.

Sophia was so traumatized, she immediately made her way out of his chambers, regretting her actions. She knew that she dare not tell anyone, she would be penalized and frustrated and he might not loose anything.

She was the first daughter and if her scandal was known ,than she would affect the marriage of her younger sisters , who were to look up to her.

She got into her chambers and couldn't think straight. She knew she must stay away from Isabella. It would be easy for her to detect that she wasn't fine. She thought of running away ,but she knew more dangers cane with it.

After much deliberation , throughout the night ,she decided to keep seeing Lord Arcturus, after all he would keep the secret and at the end of the season he would match her to a prince who would marry her and take he out of the kingdom where no one would be able to say anything about her anymore.