Endure

"Your Highness, bad news. The Hydra kingdom closed the trading road connecting our kingdom and the Lysium kingdom," Trent reported, fixing his lunette. His face got paler as he read.

Fraser's brows lowered in a deep frown. He fisted his hands as anger rose within his chest. 'How can they do that?' he thought, gritting his teeth.

The trading road was an important passage. More than half of the transportation of the goods got through that road. The Lysium kingdom's main economic area was located in the Muriel, boarding the Hydra kingdom's northern side. 

If the Hydra kingdom set an order to close it, the Frowshire kingdom would be affected the most. 

Fraser's heart was filled with uncertainty. A pessimistic feeling grew inside him. Questioning himself about the last incidents, he pressed his lips in a thin line. From the moment, he found the dead traitor, everything in the kingdom seemed going wrong.

From his failed plan, the grain's insufficiency and now another kingdom wanted to rebel against them when no one could see its place without using the magnifying glass.

But why did they choose this time? Is it a mere coincidence?

"They said that the contract our kingdoms signed decades ago was invalid, and they wanted to raise the price by ten thousand gold coins if our kingdom wants to restore the contract," Trent added. 

Fraser listened carefully to the report. He jabbed the desk, enraged by his aid's revelation. "Ten thousand gold coins? When did they become greedy?" he remarked.

The trading contract was first applied during his father's reign, over two decades ago. The profit of the Hydra kingdom that entered its treasury was more than enough. The kingdom was just a causeway.

"Tell a letter to Commander Zion at the frontline, tell him to be ready for a war. It seems that staying behind my desk gave to some people the audacity to think that I didn't exist anymore," he said.

A sinister smile printed on his face as he gave the order. Trent bowed and hurried out, wiping the sweat from his forehead. 

Fraser leaned on his chair. A longing feeling overtook him as he missed going to the battlefield. Since he took over the throne, he didn't take a step and involved his knights in another war. But now, he was sure to take down the Hydra kingdom in less than a week.

Since they wanted to challenge him, then they had to face his wrath. 

….

Freya clutched her dress as she waited for Eric's visit. The advisor had asked for a visit two times already, and she could never shrug him off a third time, so she had to endure the discomfort and sit like nothing happened like she did whenever she met with her brother.

"Your Majesty, the Advisor from the Valian Kingdom is outside waiting for your permission," Joe informed.

"Allow him in," Freya responded, fixing her posture. 

Clear footsteps neared her. She raised her head to face the advisor's sullen face. Her heart tightened.

"Greetings to the queen of the Frowshire kingdom and King Kalian's little sister," he greeted, peering at every corner of the room.

Freya knew his words were like a sneer instead of a greeting. It was like a reminder of who she truly was and the contrast of how she was treated.

Freya forced a smile. "Advisor Eric, I hope you get comfortable staying here," she said, changing the topic.

Eric sat opposite her. "It is a wonderful journey. I wanted to see you earlier, but you were ill. I forgot to ask about your health. How is your condition now?" 

"Yes. It is good," she answered. She came up with such an excuse not to see him.

"However, a little birdie told me, you had a few meetings with the duke."

Freya's heart throbbed. Dread crept into her chest. The advisor wasn't easy to handle. Be it in the Valian kingdom or here. He was like a serpent. 

"Joe, bring black tea and snacks. Don't make them too sweet," she ordered. Joe nodded and walked out.

"You still know my preferring!" he exclaimed, smiling slyly. "You still remember those relevant things while you forgot your MAIN ROLE," he shouted not too loud.

"I thought you were smarter than this. Do you see what you did by yourself? The king sent you to be the queen in this kingdom which you have failed to complete. You didn't even get your husband's attention in a whole three years. THREE YEARS? *******"

Freya's lips trembled, but she pressed them hard. Clutching her hands tightly until her knuckles turned white, she breathed in and out slowly to calm herself. She wanted to lash at the advisor but her plan would be ruined. 

"What a failure of a woman you are. Your husband left you here in this isolated place while he enjoyed his life with his new wife. Tell me, what were you doing all these years? Growing plants? Check yourself in the mirror. See how you got weighty. How can you easily eat when the palace around you sees you as useless?"

Freya swallowed the lump rising in her throat. Her chest tightened with sadness and anger. It had always been like this. Hearing such words travelled her back to three years ago. Her brother was generous in his praises and ruthless in his mockery.

"You are indeed useless. Choosing you to be the bride was a bad choice back then. I don't see why the king sent you instead of his daughter. She was lacking in everything compared to you but knew how to win a man's heart."

The advisor stopped talking when Joe entered, putting the tray on the table in the middle. 

"This tea is fragrant," Eric said smiling like nothing happened.

The surrounding quietened afterwards. The advisor put his cup. "It was pleasing talking to the little princess and reminiscing about the old days. I have to go now."

As soon as the door was closed, Freya sucked in a deep breath. One after another. The tightness in her chest spread and her breath hitched.

"Ma'am! What happened to you?" Joe rushed over. Her eyes turned red. 

"I—I am f–fine," Freya managed to say when she calmed herself. 

"Ma'am, shall I call the physician?" she asked, rubbing her hands.

Freya shook her head and stood up. Her legs shivered endlessly. "Go and prepare my bath," she ordered. Joe flew to her chamber.

As she dived into the bathtub, her body trembled as she cried silently. The harsh words she heard from the advisor opened a scar from the past. 

  "Ma'am. Don't cry," Joe's shaking voice sounded behind.

Freya wiped her tears. "Why did you get in? I told you to wait outside."

"I saw you weren't feeling well, so I feared something might happen," she responded. Tears stained her white cheeks. "I will help you."

After she finished bathing, Freya lay on her bed motionless.

For how long and how much do I have to endure? I just want to rest.