Chapter 6: The Jewel in the Palace

Word of the princess' return to the land of Sapphiria spread like wildfire. The King's court was eager to meet the new heir to the throne. Alas, the King forbade anyone from meeting the girl until he was certain that the realm was safe enough. It's been weeks since her arrival. Eternia spent her days with her governess, tutors, and the queen who ensured her plans were carried out. 

Since their first meeting, the queen has decided to create the perfect princess. She thought that it would take months before the princess could cope and act like a true noble girl. She's greatly impressed by the princess' performance. She was quick to learn etiquette as well as dances. She worked the girl from as early as seven until half past five in the afternoon.

The King sat with the Queen for lunch. There was an awkward silence between them. Though that's nothing new. They've had an arrangement since they were wed. The King would join her for at least three meals a week. 

Alexa decided to break the silence in an attempt to lighten the mood. "The princess is a prodigy," she says, "She's as intelligent as any prince could be, if not more. She's quick to learn the manners of a princess her age as well as dances."

"You honor her," he says, "I haven't had the chance to thank you for treating her as your own and ensuring her proper upbringing. Thank you, Alexa."

She blushed. He rarely calls her by her name. 

"Did I say something to offend you?" he asked, a little surprised by her reaction. 

"N-no," she assured him, "I'm just glad that you appreciate my efforts."

"I always have," he tells her, holding her hand. He released her hand quickly and returned to his meal. He didn't want to give her false hope of affection.

Alexa's heart was left fluttering. She watched as he ate his meal, wondering if he'd spend the night with her. She highly doubted that. Tomorrow's the banquet for the princess. He'd be incredibly busy. 

"You know, Your Majesty, what surprised me the most is her skills in fencing," she tells him with much enthusiasm. "She's also a capable archer. Her swordsmanship is quite advanced for her age."

"I heard the stories from Magnus," he replied, "She's quite the little warrior. I am surprised that you allowed her to train in such pursuits. It's uncommon for a lady to…"

"Forgive me for being rude, Your Majesty," she says, "But I'd like to stop you right there. I believe that she should be able to know these things just as any prince should. So, I beg you not to stop…"

It was Aurelius' turn to stop her. "I won't. I was just amazed that you allowed her to train," he smiled genuinely. "Though I am curious. Do you not have any plans on giving me a son?" He found it quite odd. Any woman in her right mind wouldn't do what she's doing. She should want her blood on the throne; not a princess of divorce.

"Of course, I do, Your Majesty," she said shyly, "I just wanted to give the princess the same opportunity as any child of ours that we may have in the future."

"I never give you enough credit for how wonderful you are as a person," he says, "Genuinely, thank you. My daughter hasn't had the best childhood so far. It means a lot to me that you're treating her as your own."

"Will you visit me tonight, Your Majesty?" she asked almost pleadingly. 

His eyes widened. He should visit her. They haven't been performing their duty for three weeks now. Rumors will spread. In response to her, he simply nodded. 

"Really, Your Majesty?" she asked. 

"If we're to have an heir, then we must keep trying," he said, "I'll see you tonight then." The King didn't bother to finish his meal and left the queen. 

Alexa smiled. Perhaps she was right. Perhaps the key to his majesty's heart is through his daughter. That concluded, she decided to visit the princess' dance class. The queen entered the room in secret, watching the princess practice the steps for the banquet's dance. If she's to impress everyone, she must make no mistake. She has to be as perfect as a doll. 

"What brings you here, Your Grace?" Adrian asked from behind, startling the queen. He examined her with bored eyes, arms crossed over his chest. 

"What the!" she exclaimed, quickly regaining her composure. "That's right," she thought to herself, "It's said that she came with a pet and a friend." She examined the boy from head to toe. He didn't seem like an all-powerful warlock. He's just a kid. "I came here to see that the princess is performing up to the standards," she replied finally, "You must be the boy they called Adrian. Nice to meet you, child."

"I'm titled the Princess' Protector," he corrected, "I'm no child."

"That's true," the queen acknowledged, "However, shouldn't you be practicing your magic rather than watching the princess? You should enhance your talents instead of wasting them here. You might distract the princess from her lessons."

"Trust me, Your Grace," he says, "I'm not distracting her. And as for my talents, I am practicing them. I just don't feel comfortable leaving the princess for long periods of time." Lies. Protecting her is like a curse. Given that he's still bound to her, just a simple thought of him or a call would be enough for him to appear by her side. 

"I'll ask the King to give you a more suitable role in the palace as a reward for protecting the princess," she says, "Excuse me." She then proceeded to approach the girl and her tutor. "She lacks more grace," she said, pointing at her face. "Eternia, if you mean to become your father's pride, you must remember that your face is as dangerous as any weapon you could hold. The way you look uncomfortable says a lot about you. Think of your face as a shield. Put your guard down and there shall be an opening for an enemy to strike." Alexa bent over and cupped the princess' face. "More grace," she said before releasing her. 

"Adrian was right all along," Eternia thought fearfully, "The warmer a person appears, the more dangerous they are… And my stepmother… I'm scared of her." She quickly composed herself and smiled. "I apologize, Your Grace," she said, "I shall do as you say. I thank you for the wisdom you bestowed."

"Your Grace," Lady Isadora, her governess said, "She's but five. We can't expect her to be a master dancer yet. And besides, it has only been a week since we started schooling her."

Alexa's eyes darkened, frightening the child and her teacher. "Do you question my authority, Lady Isadora?" the Queen glared, "She is the daughter of our king. She needs to be perfect just as any prince is!"

"Forgive me," said Isadora, "I spoke out of line."

"Then you shall remember that for next time I shall have your tongue ripped out by my daughter herself," the Queen warned. Really, it was a promise. 

"This woman is just as cruel as Marcella, if not more," Adrian ponders, "She's a dangerous player the King fails to see. I'm assuming that she used to be a pawn her family used to get to the King." Adrian soon left, leaving the princess at the hands of her stepmother. 

Meanwhile, everyone was buzzing like bees in the great hall where the King was seated. The only topic there was the jewel in the palace. Eternia was still a mystery to them. To most courtiers, the princess is a new prospect. Rumors about the queen's inability to produce heirs were already surfacing. So should she fail, the princess is the best pawn to have their lines on the throne. 

Duke Gareth Sapphirepeak, ruler of the illustrious House Sapphirepeak and sovereign of the vast Sapphirepeak Duchy, strode into the grand hall with an aura of authority that demanded reverence. Known throughout Sapphiria for his cunning and unyielding demeanor, he cast a formidable figure against the backdrop of courtly intrigue. As whispers of the princess's return reached his ears, Duke Gareth's interest was immediately piqued. With eligible sons in tow, the prospect of securing a marriage alliance with the royal family ignited a spark of ambition within him. Behind his steely gaze lay a mind calculating every opportunity, every advantage, as he assessed the unfolding political landscape with a keen eye. 

The King met Gareth's eyes and gestured for him to join his table. There was no doubt in Aurelius' mind that the Duke came to confirm the news.his facade of composure faltered, revealing the simmering disdain that lay beneath. Gareth's reputation as a womanizer and his ruthless conduct during wartime had long fueled Aurelius's disgust. Yet, despite his visceral distaste for the man, Aurelius knew all too well the power and influence that House Sapphirepeak wielded. Thus, he begrudgingly extended an invitation, knowing that cutting ties with the Duke would be no simple matter.

As Duke Gareth Sapphirepeak drew closer, his striking presence commanded attention. His platinum blonde or silver hair cascaded in sleek waves, framing a face of sharp angles and rugged masculinity. Piercing eyes, reminiscent of molten silver or stormy skies, held an enigmatic allure, betraying none of the secrets that lay behind them. A confident smirk played at the corners of his lips, hinting at a charm that had ensnared many a noblewoman in its grasp. Clad in fine garments that bespoke his noble status, Duke Gareth exuded an air of effortless elegance and power, a formidable figure indeed.

"Your Majesty," he bowed, greeting the king with utmost respect. "Forgive me for being late. There was an urgent matter that had to be dealt with."

"Take a seat," the King gestured.

Gareth sat with the men, a self-satisfied smirk playing across his features. Magnus of House Azure and Theodore of House Verdant were present as expected, their expressions tight with tension in his presence. However, the absence of the Duke of Solaris Crest caught him off guard. There was never a moment when the king's group wasn't complete, and the missing Duke's absence stirred a flicker of curiosity in Gareth's calculating mind.

"I suppose you heard the news, Duke Sapphirepeak?" said Theodore, "That the princess has finally returned to the Kingdom of Sapphiria."

Gareth nodded, taking a sip from his wine. "Why yes," he replied, "I suppose I heard a rumor. It's all the ton ever talks about." Changing the subject, he then asks, "Where is Duke Solaris? I never imagined a meeting where he's not present."

"His wife is ill," replied the king, "He sends his apologies. He shall be at the banquet tomorrow with his son, Alexander. Say, don't you have a number of sons as well?" Since he was bound to bring his son to meet his daughter, there was no point in delaying it. 

"I have three," replied Gareth.

"Three bastards or three legitimate?" slipped out of Magnus' tongue. He had no regrets though. He found Gareth's presence unnecessary. 

"You should bring your kids to the banquet," the king suggested, "It would do well for my daughter to have friends."

Gareth ignored Magnus' jab. "So the rumors are true. There's a jewel in the palace," he said. 

And so the game begins with the players placing their pawns at the table. The men in the room are thirsty for power. They don't care how bloody it gets or what they need to sacrifice. The prize is worth it after all.