DRIVEN

Chapter 4

KRIPGIN KINGDOM

I've been thinking all night about how to get my father to allow me take his place instead at the battlefield, something tells me I'm the only one who can end this war.

I have to take this chance and do what's right, I can't guarantee my father's safety if he goes out there and then the witches words from last night keep on replaying in my head.

" blood everywhere, the beast is after blood!!, he won't stop till he has her, he's searched eternity for her and he won't stop, he wants to claim her, he has to claim her, only her can calm his beast and only then can peace reign in the valley".

what do they mean by that, would my going to the battlefield really change the situation of things. Those thoughts keep me awake all night as I think of a way to stop my father and take his place instead.

Morning comes faster than I'd like and still there's no solution to my problems, I don't even wait for my personal maid bianca to come and prepare me for the days activities, I hurry up and get ready by myself and rush out to see my father and try to see if I can convince him to not go to battle.

As I open the doors to my chambers I meet with a surprised bianca who isn't used to seeing me up and ready so early by myself. The shock shows so early on her face and before she can begin to ask questions and apologize for not coming earlier to wake me up and get things ready for the day if she had known I'd be going out so early.

I immediately cut her off, "morning bianca, how was your night?".

"morning my princess, I had no idea....".she immediately attempts to explain.

"No no bianca not a word of apology from those lips, It's not a big deal if I take care of my things my self you know, and plus I decided not to bother you quite early, I know you've been busy these past weeks with the war and all, don't worry it's fine". I tell her

I can see she still isn't okay with it so I change the topic." uhmm.... bianca, do you by any chance know where my father is?". I ask.

I immediately notice her mood changes to a solemn one." yes princess, he is in the queen's bedchamber, he hasn't come out of there since last night". she replies.

I understand the reason for her solemn mood so I give her a little smile and touch her shoulder as a sign of comfort. Thank you bianca, I'll be on my way now, I might be too busy today so why don't you take the whole day off".

" but princess wha....". she tries talking.

"shushhh... don't argue I know why I'm doing it, I know you've been so occupied that you haven't had the chance to go see your family for a while now and with things being so bad around here I know how much family means and the comfort one can only get around family, so go". don't worry I'll get someone else to help me Incase I need something". I assured her.

"oh thank you so much princess, I can't thank you enough for this". she said jumping up in joy.

" it's nothing now hurry up and get going, I have to speak to father before he goes out to see the council". I said while walking away.

"Thank you princess". bianca kept on saying till I disappeared out of her earshot.

I move on till I see the doors to my mother's chambers and I hasten up, i open the door to see my father already dressed for the day and just holding her hands, I can see he is about to move out and I'm lucky I got here just in time.

he turns and our eyes meet, he smiles at me and beckons me over.

I take a few steps to meet up with him and we both stand my her bedside.

he smiles lovingly at my mother and speaks." you know lucilda I wasn't always a good man, talk more of king, I didn't care about the responsibilities that came along with the crown, I was just interested in the power, then I met her.."

he pauses before he continues

" she was this charming ball of light that spread happiness and joy where ever she went but boy o boy, did she have a temper" he stops to laugh

"I remember hosting a party In the castle in honour of a visiting king and then boom I feel this energy and I stare into the crowd trying to find where it's coming from and then, I see her and I'm hooked, like I can't see anything or anyone else, it's like she can feel it too cause she stares right back at me and the rest well, let's say here we are".he concludes taking her hand.

" Everything will be fine father, I know it will". I say trying to comfort him.

" of course I know that lucilda that's why I'm going to go out there myself and get that cure rather than just sitting here and doing nothing, waiting for your mother to die". he says more to himself than me.

" But father haven't you thought of another option".I said to him.

"what option is there to think of lucilda". he says not paying me anymore attention.

" Father why don't I go instead". I say softly .

He whips his head so fast to look at me I think his neck must have snapped.

"what rubbish do you speak of lucilda, do you think the battlefield is like the training ground where I let you play with your sword all these years, those beasts out there won't hesitate to end your life, how can I let you go to your doom, what will become of me, what do I tell your mother happened to you". he shouts angrily

"But father I....". I attempt to make him understand.

"That's enough, do not speak of this to me or anyone ever again lucilda, I never want to hear this, sit right here and keep your mother company till I get back, I won't be long". he says and marches out angrily.

I sit down on the bed and try to devise another way to make me go in his stead, no matter what happens I'm going to make sure I'm the one at the battlefield in a few days time.