THE EMPEROR'S LITTLE MISS

CHAPTER 10: Royal Scheme

In the private room of a high end bar, a man sat on a black leather chair, enshrouded in darkness. His face was hard to make out because he sat behind the lights.

But the air around him was imposing. It made one feel like they were in a dark room filled with venomous snakes.

He took a drag of the cigarette between his fingers, then blew the air. Finally his eyes rested on the person sitting a distance opposite him.

"I had much trust in you to destroy the Frauncis. Who knew you are this incompetent, wasting so many resources and achieving nothing." His voice was dark and haunting, it made one's soul tremble.

The man opposite him, crossed his legs casually. "I have my own plans, I don't do things in a haste. Besides the Frauncis family is one that is deeply rooted in this position for generations."

"Excuses. Nothing explains your weakness, and just so you know, there are so many other people that I can use to get what I want. You are just one of the option, not the only option".

The man stood up and walked away, using the backdoor.

Marcus smirked. One thing he hated the most was being bossed. This man thought that he needed him to achieve his plan. While it was true that the man had the connections and the recourses that made it easily to plot against the Fruancis family, he Marcus was no less competent.

He could take down the Fruancis family on his own. He didn't mind having extra hands but not when it's one who puts on airs in front of him.

Just wait.. when I'm done with the Frauncis family, I'll deal with you..

He swore to himself and then left the bar.

The man on the other hand, went up the elevator of the bar, to the penthouse at the top of the building.

He stood at the balcony with a glass of wine between his fingers. He swirling the wine but didn't drink it.

"Should we dispose him off Master"? A burly man dressed in suit asked. From his disposition, it was easy to guess that he was a bodyguard.

"Don't be so hot tempered Alexander. We just got here, it's best to let him do things ... at least for now. He's stupid and his pride will be his downfall. He is just a tool to test the real strength of the Sil's".

"If he is able to cause harm to them that means they are not really worth my time". The man smiled. His eyes had a glint of madness in it.

One would wonder what the Fruancis family did to him. Well nothing in particular. They were too patriotic and it's a bother. So he needed them out of the way.

"Err... Master. The Queen is calling". The bodyguard said awkwardly. His master had told him before to switch off his phone so that the Queen wouldn't be able to get through but he forgot.

The phone had been ringing for sometime now but he did not have the guts to tell his master. But then the Queen sent a message which he could never disobey, then proceeded to call again.

The man's hand that was half way through taking a sip from his wine, froze mid air. His playful gaze earlier changed to a frightening one.

The bodyguard felt dead and resurrected, then dead again.

"Answer"..

His body trembled at the haunting voice of his master. With trembling hands, he answered the phone.

"Get Augustus on call now"! A stern voice sounded from the other side of the fall.

Augustus gestured for Alexander to hand the phone to him, then placed it on his ear.

"Mom."

"I'm giving you 48 hours to be back to the country". The Queen said sternly.

Augustus rolled his eyes.

"Not possible mom. I'm here for some stuffs and can't leave for the time being".

"I know it's because I'm not your mother so you don't really want to do as I say. But the country and it's people needs you. Considering your position, you can't just leave as you want".

The Queen advised in a sad voice.

"Don't be like that mom. You know that I respect you and treat you as my mom. After all, you are the only mother figure in my life. I just can't come back now because I have business dealings here."

"When I'm done, I'll return to the country. For the meantime, I'm sure my good elder brother is capable enough to undertake the princely duties in my place".

All these while, Augustus maintained a soft smile, like he was discussing about the stars with his lover.

The Queen laughed indulgingly. "Okay, just make sure to come back as soon as you're done with business over there. The country cannot be without its Prince ".

She advised, then ended the call.

"I'm sorry council men. My son is a little bit childish. You know young people and their obsession with proving themselves".

"I think it would be best to hold off the plan a little bit, since it's something that requires the crown Prince's presences".

She said off handly.

The council looked at each other and had a hard time making a decision. It did not mean too much, to hold it off a bit. But until when was the main problem.

"If I heard correctly, the Crown Prince said it was no problem if his brother represents him. I think it would be best to have the first Prince carry out this duty, rather than putting it on hold."

One of the Council members suggested, to which they all nodded, except one who neither voiced his approval or dissatisfaction.

After they left, the Queen smiled. If you keep making things this easy for me Augustus, then I might reconsider and keep you alive. I'll only just cripple you and keep you in bed forever, well fed and breathing. With how good I've been to you all these years, no one would suspect me.

"The rest is left for you now son. I'm sure your father may be angry, but he will not disapprove since Augustus is not here".

"We have to use this opportunity, to snatch the crown from him. You are the first son after all. By tradition, the crown should belong to you".

"I know mom. I promise I won't disappoint us".

In another country after dropping the call, Augustus wordlessly stared at Alexander. His gaze was tainted with a dangerous aura for for a while before he broke into an eerie laughter.

"Betrayal... Wonder how God felt when his most trusted angel betrayed him".

Alexander immediately knelt. "Master.. I would not dare betray you. I sware on my life"!

Augustus tutted.. "Your life... Although filthy, I'll manage it".

Immediately the words fell, men in uniform came from no where and pulled Alexander away.

It was at this point that he knew he had messed up. His Master who always appeared harmless, was this evil.

If he had known, he would never had accepted to help the Queen.

Augustus took a sip from his glass.

"Regret... The most useless feeling one could ever have."

He took Alexander with him here beause he suspescted that he was a spy planted by the Queen. This call now confirmed his suspicion.

He had repeatedly told Alexander to switch off his phone but Alexander ignored it, which is something a servant would not do.

"Send an invitation to the President of Maraba as well as to the Fruancis family. I have to make my brother feel important on the day of the bouquet.

After all they spent so much effort scheming, just to have him be the spokes person of the royal bouquet".

Augustus didn't know when it started. Probably from the time he could talk. The Queen has schemed against him, her and her son. They did so while still maintaining their image of a good elder brother and good stepmother.

The little him never knew that they were building an image of a reckless and incompetent Prince for him.

From his birth, he was already the crown Prince because it was their tradition that only a direct Queen's son can inherit the throne.

And if the Queen had no son, then the son of the first concubine or so to say mistress would be considered.

Elizabeth had already birthed her son, before being Queen after the previous Queen, his mother's death. Therefore her son was not fit to be the Crown Prince.

Knowing that it would be too suspicious, and would be pointed to them if he was killed, they spent effort to train him into being useless.

At first he thought that he was being doted on, and therefore he loved his 'mom' and 'big brother'. It was until his teens that he understood. Since they want him that way, he would satisfy them to the fullest.

They still didn't know that he was aware of their scheme. They were probably suspicious, hence Alexander.