Probably a Dauntless Queen

Chapter 2

*KING RICHARD POV*

Everyone feared me. No one dares to even stand up to me, even if my ways are are injustice and inhumane. I am known as a brutal king and I don't mind erasing each and everyone who annoys me. Even if it's my wife, Isabell or my close people. I don't hold any special affections for them. Even my father did say that ice runs through my veins. 

Isabell and I have been married for 6 years, but she was childless. I married her for political purposes since her father is an influential duke and their family is known for their riches. Years came by and she was still childless and her family's riches were stolen during the war and they are not as powerful anymore. I also heard from my close companions that Isabell is having a relationship with one of the palace workers. I already got no need for her and I did not get anything much from her anyway. So when she secretly went to her lover, I ordered an ambush and I ordered my men to erase their presence and leave a single trace. I ordered my secretary to announce that the cause of death of the queen is because she's been careless and she secretly had an affair with a man lower than me and she doesn't deserve to be in the palace once and for all. Her family has also been replaced by their rival family and is now the current duke of that place. 

After a month, I decided to get marry once again. And this time, I'll pick perfectly and find a woman who's good enough to sit by my side and someone who won't give me a headache. I ordered my men at the court to present me ladies that suits my taste. When the news about this reaches the high priest, he went to me and presented an old paper. 

"What is this?" I ask. "Your highness, it is a letter containing about your marriage." 

"What nonsense is that." I read the letter and saw that I am suppose to marry this woman from the Hellion family. "Hellion? Its first syllable is quite menacing, don't you think." The priest was just quiet. "Nonetheless, I am not interested. I don't even know there's such a kingdom named Imperium. They might be low for not being part of the kingdom I am targeting to get attached with. I got no use for such low people like this." 

"But Your Highness," the priest replied, "This letter was made by your grandfather and the woman's grandfather. If you won't be doing this, then we will all be cursed. You might suffer for all eternity for not following your late grandfather's request." 

"This is bullshit. Just where did you saw that?" I asked to him. 

"It was been with me the whole time. When your father died because of his illness, he gave this to me and he wants me to make sure you'll be married with this woman." 

"You did not interfere when I married Isabell. Could it be that you were expecting that I will dispose her?" 

"You could say that. But I was anxious at first since I did not expect your relationship would last until 6 years. So I made a move since you don't seemed to be getting rid of her soon." 

I wasn't expecting that reply. "So you were the one who let Isabell and that man meet? You planned for her to fell for that man?" The priest nodded. "How creative. Thank you for pushing me to kill her. I did find her irritating but I haven't made a move on disposing her since I wad busy with my job and seeing other capable women who's more worthy of her." I said with a smile. 

"Now with Queen Isabell out of the way, what are you planning to do?"  The priest asked 

"I really don't know anything of this Eris Hellion girl. But since you've been loyal, caring and helping me with anything, then I guess I should marry her as my  compensation for you. After all, killing a person is not a big deal for me. I can kill her anytime I want if she ticks me off. I wouldn't be as patient as I am with Isabell since it was not me who chose her, it was my grandfather. So sure, bring her." 

The priest bowed. "Then I shall deliver a marriage proposal to her a long with this letter, Your Highness." 

"Yes. I want this wedding next week." 

"That quick? I thought you want to know her first?" The priest asked wondering. 

"Let's begin the wedding quickly so we can end it early." I smiled. "Curse doesn't matter. I doubt it even works. But the important thing is I already married her right? Then it doesn't matter what happens to our relationship anymore. I'll be controlling her like how I control the others. Easy as that." 

The priest bowed. "Understood." 

"After all, whatever happens to her doesn't really matter. Its not like a big loss for her since she is just a nobody anyway. She's not even well known. Not a big issue if one day her head is on a stick." After saying that, I left the room. 

While I was walking at the hallway, I noticed I saw a painting of Isabell hanged on a wall. I stared at it for a moment. I called a servant and ordered her to take that painting away. "No one would need that painting since I'll be replacing it with the new woman's face. I wonder what he looked like and what she is like."

I summoned one of my traveler friend named Tristan. 

Tristan went up to me and bowed. 

"Tristan, its been so long. Do you still remember any  of the news you hear every time you travel?"

"Of course Your Highness. I record every intriguing news I hear from places I visit. Is there any particular type of news you would like to hear?"

I went closer to him. "Ever heard of this Princess Eris Hellion from the Imperium Kingdom?"

Tristan was silent for a moment and he picked up his notebook. "As a matter of fact, of all the news and rumors I heard from women, hers is the worst of all." 

"Explain."

Tristan scanned the pages and when he found the page he was looking for, he looked at me. "I haven't met this Princess Eris but it was said that she's really poor in etiquette, childish, not talented and all she ever do is get in trouble. Its not really womanly. In short, she's a huge mess. You wouldn't want to have business with her your highness. She's nothing and she got no special things for you to be interested in. She'll just bring humiliation."

"And what about their family status?" 

Tristan looked at his book before replying. "Well, there is nothing special and they are just the average kingdom you know... Ah, also, I heard that she was once engaged to King Gilbert from the Kingdom of  Liberty."

"Oh? That Kingdom is also highly respected by neighboring kingdom next to ours. What happened?" 

"Well, it seems like King Gilbert's mother doesn't approve of this woman." 

I laughed. "That woman isn't even worthy of that Princess title. What type of a father would like to have that kind of daughter?" 

"If you don't mind Your Highness, why would you like to know about this woman? She surely isn't your taste."

I turned my back and walked around. "Exactly, she isn't my taste and I don't want to involve my self with her. But a letter was made from my grandfather that I need to marry this woman."

"How unfortunate." Tristan replied

"I actually pity this woman. She's been living wildly and suddenly she'll be put up with me. Her happy days will be over. She better enjoy more of her days since it will be limited. I'll be replacing her with a woman worthy of me." I stopped walking and smiled. "Everyone are just tools. And their job is to be useful to me. I guess, I would like to have a child with this woman so I can pass my throne one day to that child. Though, I wonder if my future child would like to have a mother like that." I just laughed.