Flame of two kingdoms

Royal decree

The news of a clash between the two kings was rife throughout the palace and Bianca saw this as an opportunity to set her plan in motion. She discreetly arranged for King Damien to receive a forged invitation supposedly from Princess Selena, requesting a private meeting in her chambers to discuss some pressing issues. At the same time, she ensured that King Morse would be informed of this supposed meeting between the both of them.

King Damien on getting the letter made his way to Princess Selena’s chambers, unaware that he was walking into a carefully laid trap. Meanwhile, King Morse, fueled by suspicion and anger, made his way to his daughter’s chambers, determined to confront the both of them for what he considered the highest transgression.

King Damien arrived at Princess Selena’s door and hesitated for a moment before knocking softly. The door creaked open, revealing Princess Selena’s surprised expression as she saw him standing there.

“King Damien, what are you doing here?” she asked, confusion evident in her voice.

"I received your letter, requesting my presence". he answered

"letter?, wait I didn't send any letter"

Before he could respond, the door burst open, and King Morse strode into the room with an air of authority. His eyes blazed with fury as he took in the scene before him.

“What is the meaning of this?” King Morse thundered, his voice echoing off the chamber walls. “Explain yourselves at once!”

Princess Selena stepped forward, her eyes wide with shock. “Father, I assure you it's not what you think, there is nothing bad happening here. I did not send for King Damien.”

King Damien spoke up, his tone measured yet firm. “I received an invitation purportedly from Princess Selena requesting my presence here tonight. I assure you, I meant no disrespect.”

King Morse’s expression hardened the more he listened to their explanations. His mind was already racing with what scandal this would generate for his family and how his daughter's marriage plans could potentially be ruined with this.

"you disgrace!!!!! " he charged at princess Selena but was blocked by king Damien who took the hit instead.

king Morse realising the gravity of the offense he just committed by hitting another king, stood still in shock .

" I'm going to accept the blame here and not seek retribution for that blow but I ask that you listen to us and accept the fact that we were set up, someone clearly wanted you to find us in this compromising position" .

After hearing their accounts and considering the implications of their alleged tryst, King Morse made a decisive proclamation.

“Enough,” he declared, his voice commanding attention. “It is clear that there has been a grave misunderstanding tonight. However, it is also evident that our kingdoms would benefit from a union between Princess Selena and King Damien.”

Princess Selena looked at her father with disbelief, while King Damien remained composed but inwardly troubled by this sudden turn of events.

“Father, you cannot force such a decision upon me,” Princess Selena protested.

King Morse fixed her with a stern gaze. “It is not just for our family but for the future stability of our kingdom. This alliance will strengthen our position against potential threats.”

Facing king Damien he continues. “King Damien, I am deeply disappointed in your actions. You have brought shame upon my family by dishonoring my daughter, Princess Selena.”

King Damien: “Your Majesty, I assure you that I have the utmost respect for Princess Selena. I would never do anything to dishonor her or your kingdom knowingly.”

King Morse: “Words are not enough, King Damien. My daughter’s honor has been tarnished, and it is your responsibility to rectify this situation. You must marry Princess Selena to restore her honor and uphold the dignity of our kingdoms.”

King Damien: “I understand your concern, King Morse, but forcing a marriage under these circumstances is not the solution. Princess Selena deserves to marry for love, not out of obligation.”

King Morse and King Damien stood facing each other, their expressions steely and determined.

“King Damien,” King Morse began in a voice that brooked no argument, “you have dishonored my daughter and brought shame upon my kingdom. You will make amends by marrying Princess Selena.”

King Damien squared his shoulders and met King Morse’s gaze unwaveringly. “I cannot comply with your demand,” he stated firmly. “I have not dishonored Princess Selena, and I will not be coerced into a marriage under false pretenses.”

"Then in that case get ready for war".

" Seriously war?, you want to put your people through war over what you know is a lie, with all due respect king Morse I expected more from you ".

" How dare you utter those words?, you betrayed my trust after I let you have free reign of my home just like I would my son and now you stand here and speak of respect, you've clearly shown that you lack it ".

As the tension between the two kings reached a boiling point, the doors to princess selena's room burst open. Queen Irene, Princess Selena’s mother strode into the room, her face etched with concern. She quickly assessed the situation and approached her husband, King Morse.

“My dear husband, I have heard of the scandal surrounding our daughter,” Queen Eleanor began, her voice quivering with false emotion. “I am devastated by the dishonor that has been brought upon our family. But please, let us put aside our differences and focus on helping our daughter through this difficult time.”

King Morse, taken aback by his wife’s sudden appearance, softened his stance. “Irene, you are right,” he said, his voice trembling with emotion. “This is not the time for us to be at odds. We must come together to sort this problem which has arrived at our doorstep soon and as quietly as we can.

However, King Damien was not so easily swayed. “I will not let this go away so easily, I was set up in your kingdom and no matter what happens tonight I must find the culprit responsible for it” he declared, his face reddening with anger.

“And when I do find out who is responsible, If King Morse cannot guarantee his punishment, then I will take matters into my own hands, that I promise. ”

" with all that is being said and done I just want to say one thing, the issue at hand is my priority I want a way where my daughter's reputation won't have to suffer for someone's else's misdeeds, finding the one responsible is not really the issue we should be focusing on, it's how to get ourselves out of this mess".

" there's only one way to get ourselves out of this mess and if you're too scared to say it, I'm going to be glad to voice it out for you". Queen Irene spoke facing king Damien.

" you're going to have to wed Selena, that's the only thing you can do to salvage this situation, as it is the whispers have already become loud, and by daybreak the whole kingdoms will be aware of what happened in this room tonight. I will not have you ruin my daughter's life simply because you're too scared to commit yourself to a woman ". she spoke without a care.

king Damien's eyes hardened. " you speak like you actually do care about her in the first place, all of a sudden she's this beloved daughter to you when it benefits your interests, I doubt you noticed she even existed all these while, spare yourselves the theatrics your majesties. your daughter doesn't deserve all this, and if making her my queen helps her escape this prison you her parents have created for her, then I would gladly do it ". he accepts and turns to Selena.

" we shall be wed a week from today ". he says before walking out.

king Morse and queen Irene both stare at each other and then walk out.

with everything that was happening, no one noticed Bianca watching from the shadows with satisfaction at having manipulated events to her advantage.