Chapter 2

A guard burst into the throne room. "Highness! I've received word from our spy. Phase one is complete." Brandon turned toward his father, King Benton, for an explanation. His father thanked the guard and then dismissed him. "What phase?" Brandon snapped. "Who's lives do you plan on ruining next?" "I plan to take Adoni." Brandon wasn't sure if he should laugh or leave. He did neither, instead, he stood there and waited for his father to continue. For the past three years, his father has been expanding his rule, often the leaders didn't surrender, and that pushed him to take it by force. Once his rule had been confirmed, his father would send his lackies to be sure all rules were being followed. These lackies were an alien species capable of changing to look like humans. "Take Adoni how." Brandon prompted when his father failed to answer. His father smiled down at him. "By marriage." "Excuse me?" "Princess Emma is a stunning girl. Only one year younger, but how do you suggest we keep Prince Ka occupied? I hear he's a curious one." Brandon's mind wandered back to the time when he accompanied his father on a trip to Adoni to pay a visit to King Saul. The memory was still vivid in his mind even though it had been years. As he strolled through the corridors of the palace, he caught sight of a young girl with a headful of curly blonde hair and striking blue eyes. It was Emma, and she was standing majestically in the throne room, looking every inch the queen she was destined to become. The sight of her left a lasting impression on Brandon, and he couldn't help but be captivated by her beauty and grace. She was charming, but he wouldn't admit that to anyone. Much less his father. Brandon snapped. "Marriage? I'm sure there are-" "You are a mere child yourself. And no, this isn't a suggestion, it is an order." Brandon opened his mouth to protest but closed it under his father's stony glare. The mark on his cheek stung from where the kind king lashed out at him when he was seven. His father had been having lunch with King Saul and his wife, bored, he wandered the halls, his curiosity piqued by the unfamiliar surroundings. He stumbled upon a silver box left ajar. His eyes were immediately drawn to the gleaming golden dagger nestled inside, adorned with sparkling diamonds and rubies. In awe, he reached out to touch it, but before he could even grasp the hilt with his fingers, it was cruelly snatched from his hand. A sharp pain erupted on his cheek, and he felt a warm trickle running down his skin. Trembling with fear, he looked up to see his father towering over him, a ferocious look on his face, teeth bared like a lion ready to pounce on its prey. Through gritted teeth, Brandon replied, "Of course, Father." "Wonderful. Now, if there's anything you must report back to me get in contact with the lackies or the spy." "Why no letters?" "Because boy, it'll be traced back to us. Do you want that?" his father hissed. "That'll compromise everything I've worked so hard for." Brandon couldn't help it, he snorted. A maid then entered the throne room. King Benton sneered. "State your purpose." "The plots have alerted me that Prince Brandon's ship is ready. They would like to know when he plans to leave for Adoni." The king stroked his mustache. "Tomorrow mid-day." Brandon massaged his temples. "When you get back from the docking stations run me a bath." "Or course." Brandon folds his arms. "I'm going to retire to my chambers." "Please do. Can't be prince charming without beauty sleep." his father chuckled at his joke." Brandon stormed from the throne room. His little sister Catherine was sitting on the grand stairs with wide eyes. Her lips were in the shape of an "O" and she clutched a stuffed bear in her arms. "You know how father is about that." Brandon hissed. "Where's Owen?" Catherine pursed her lips. "I dunno. I hear Princess Emma is very beautiful. I don't think you stand a chance, but if you smile more and frown less maybe." "Well, Father says that I am marrying her." Catherine got to her feet, blonde curls bouncing. "Once you've had your bath meet me in my chambers." Before he could say anything, Catherine turned and started skipping down the hallway. Brandon sighed and dragged himself into his room. Owen was flipping through a book on his bed. The maid from earlier emerged and Brandon was surprised, perhaps he'd been in too much of a mood to notice, but he'd never seen this maid before. She had pale skin, long silver hair, and deep-set blue eyes. Like all the other maids, she wore a cotton dress. "Prince, your bath is ready." Owen snapped his fingers. "Could you get my clothes ready for the light to Adon, Ashlyn?" The maid blinked. "O-Of course." Ashlyn quickly left the room. "Trip to Adoni?" Brandon exploded. "What use are you there?" "Well, pops said it's my job to keep Emma's brother occupied. Father said so." Owen tossed the book aside and frowned slightly. "But he also said if he starts getting suspicious I could use any means to be rid of him." Brandon rolled his eyes. Imagine having a father who never held back his words, no matter how harsh they were. That's what it was like for them - his big mouth had no filter, especially when it came to his own kids. He never sugarcoated anything, and that made for some interesting family conversations. "Why don't you go check on Ashlyn? Make sure she's doing everything fine." Owen jumped from the bed. "Good point. See you tomorrow." Brandon collapsed onto his bed. What a day.