Castle Part 3

"And so what if it's me?" George said as he walked toward King Adrian, his voice calm but commanding. "You disrespect my messenger, but now you bow your head? Why does it matter now?"

King Adrian stumbled backward, his spine pressing against the table behind him. Captain Roland reacted instantly, drawing his sword and leveling it at George's face.

George's expression hardened. "You think I need to go through you if I wanted your King dead? Put that sword away; I have no need to take your pitiful lives."

"Lower your sword!" King Adrian whispered urgently, using Captain Roland as a shield, fear creeping into his voice.

George strode confidently to a chair beside Michael and sat down, his eyes never leaving the King. "What are you waiting for? Sit."

Hesitantly, both King Adrian and Captain Roland obeyed, sitting in their chairs.

"I'll ask you once more," George said, his tone icy. "Do you agree to add my name—my symbol—to your flag?"

King Adrian squeezed his eyes shut, his heart pounding in his chest. The request weighed heavily on him. Refusing meant dishonoring the tradition of Veridiana and risking the wrath of Oz. Accepting meant bowing to an outside force, something the people of Veridiana would never forgive. Worse still, he feared that Oz, like other wizards and witches, would bleed his country dry with endless demands and taxes.

"This shouldn't be a difficult decision, Adrian," George said, his patience thinning. "You should feel honored to have this opportunity. I don't offer it to just anyone. Don't make a fool of yourself—make up your mind."

Michael, sitting beside George, squeezed his eyes shut. 'What are you doing?' he whispered urgently to George, but George ignored him, staring down the King.

For years, King Adrian had felt superior in negotiations, whether with other kings, queens, or even wizards. But now, his mind drifted back to a memory from his youth, a defining moment with his father.

---

"Father! Just listen to him! He'll kill you! Accept his demands!" a young Adrian had shouted, his voice raw with panic.

King Adrian III, his father, stood tall, his face set in disappointment. "No."

Adrian, younger and full of anger, had exploded. "He'll kill you! Is that wand more important than your life?"

His father turned to gaze at the throne, his hand resting gently on it. "Do you know what this throne represents, son?" he asked, his voice calm.

Adrian nodded impatiently. "It's a symbol of your power over Veridiana, but it means nothing against that wizard!"

The older King shook his head. "You still don't understand." He ran his fingers over the throne's armrest. "This throne doesn't represent power. It represents the people."

"This isn't the time—just give him the wand!"

King Adrian III stood firm. "When I sit on this throne, I remember I am nothing without the people. They are the foundation. And they expect their King to stand tall, to never bend to unreasonable demands. If I die today, I die as a King who stood for his people."

He sat on the throne, his voice steady. "As a King, your duty is to listen to no one but your people." He gestured toward the soldiers. "Take the Prince away—and bring that wizard here."

Young Adrian had screamed, struggling as the soldiers dragged him out. "Father! You can't do this! Father!"

---

The memory faded, and King Adrian IV opened his eyes, his gaze locking with George's. This man before him, pretending to be Oz, was a more powerful wizard than the one his father had faced. But deep down, Adrian knew what his father would do.

"Great Wizard," King Adrian said, his voice steady. "My answer is no."

"My King, please, think this through!" Captain Roland urged. "At least consult with your advisors."

"I already know what they'll say, and I know what's expected of me." Adrian glanced at Roland, then back at George. "But I can't do it."

Captain Roland shut his eyes, his face contorted in frustration, struggling to contain his emotions. His loyalty to the King was unwavering, but he knew the consequences of this refusal could be fatal.

George leaned forward, his eyes narrowing, lips twitching as if barely holding back his anger. "You're certain that's your final answer?"

King Adrian's hands trembled beneath his robe, but he held his ground. "Yes. That is my only answer." He shut his eyes, bracing himself for the inevitable. "If you're going to take my life, then do it—but leave my people out of this."

A tense silence filled the room. Instead of the expected spell or the sharp pain of death, King Adrian heard something unexpected: clapping.

Opening his eyes, he saw the Wizard of Oz—George—applauding. "Of all the kings I've met, you're the only one worthy of seeing me."

"So… I get to live?" Adrian asked, still in disbelief.

George nodded, standing up. "Do you know why Emerald City doesn't have allies, Adrian? It's because, in every other country I visit, their leaders are cowards—too quick to bow to a higher power. If someone stronger than me showed up, do you think I'd trust those kings to remain loyal? Of course not. They'd switch sides in an instant."

George stepped closer, extending his hand toward Adrian. "But a king who remains loyal to his people? That's a king I can trust. You would make a perfect ally."

King Adrian looked at George's hand in stunned silence, then back up at his face.

"So," George said, his tone lighter, "what do you say? Allies?"

The King hesitated for a moment before smiling and chuckling. "This… this was a test, wasn't it? Hahaha!" He glanced upward, his eyes misting slightly.