unwanted TREASURE

chapter eight

Richard

It was early in the morning when the guards found me in the courtyard, the sun just beginning to rise, casting long shadows across the stone ground. I was lost in thought, thinking about the negotiations and my father's willingness to accept peace at any cost. The last thing I wanted was more of this nonsense.

"Get me Prince Richard," my father ordered with a sharpness that immediately caught my attention.

The guard nodded and left, soon returning with me in tow.

"You called for me, Father?" I asked, trying to mask my frustration.

King David nodded, his gaze serious. "I have something to discuss with you."

I crossed my arms, bracing myself. "Okay, what is it?"

He paused for a moment, his eyes glinting with something I couldn’t quite place. "Your mother yesterday made me realize that we might be making a mistake by accepting a piece of land as a symbol of peace."

I couldn’t help but smile. For once, I was glad to hear that my mother’s perspective had caught my father’s attention.

"So, what do you suggest?" I asked, my voice low.

King David’s expression grew more serious. "Your mother suggested that we ask for the princess's hand in marriage."

I froze, feeling my heart skip a beat. "What? No! I’m not marrying anyone from that side. I hate those people to the brim."

King David sighed, understanding but firm. "I understand your feelings, Richard. But marriage is the only way to keep peace."

I clenched my fists. "I would suggest war, then."

He looked at me sharply. "My son, violence is not the solution to every problem. I’m not forcing you to marry, but think about it."

Without another word, my father turned and walked away, leaving me standing there in the courtyard, alone with my thoughts. Marriage. Peace. The two concepts didn’t sit well with me. I wanted to protect my people, not tie myself to those I considered enemies.

---

The next day, we made our way to the Middle East, preparing to finalize the peace treaty. I could barely keep my mind on the journey, thoughts of the marriage proposal swirling in my mind. When we arrived, the kingdom was waiting for us, a crowd gathered with curious eyes.

"I’m glad you came," King Edward greeted us, his voice tinged with arrogance. "I thought you’d chicken out."

"I’m not like you," my father responded, his tone steady.

King Edward smirked. "You did it a lot back in the days."

"Can we get to business?" my father demanded, growing tired of the small talk.

"Of course," King Edward replied.

Desmond, King Edward’s right-hand man, stepped forward. "Good morning, your majesties. Yesterday, we agreed on a land for a peace treaty..." he began, but my father cut him off before he could continue.

"I changed my mind," King David said loudly, drawing everyone's attention. "I can’t take land for a peace treaty."

Whispers filled the room as heads turned to stare at my father. Desmond’s mouth hung open in surprise. "Silence!" he commanded, his voice sharp, and the room fell quiet.

"For many years, kingdoms have taken land as a symbol of peace," my father continued, his voice calm but resolute. "But that peace was never kept. So I’m proposing something else."

King Edward raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "What is your proposal?"

"I want your daughter’s hand in marriage as a peace treaty," King David said, his words hanging in the air.

A stunned silence followed, and then Cyrus, King Edward’s son, stood up in protest. "I object! None of my people will walk in your kingdom."

King Edward held up a hand, silencing his son. "Sit down, Cyrus," he said before turning back to my father. "What do you mean, King David?"

My father met his gaze unflinchingly. "With one of your own walking in my kingdom, I’m sure the peace will be kept."

"No," King Edward said firmly. "My daughter won’t marry into your kingdom."

"This is the only way the two kingdoms can become friendly again," my father said, his voice hardening.

King Edward shook his head. "I won’t jeopardize my daughter’s happiness for a peace treaty."

"I’m also jeopardizing my son’s happiness," King David shot back, "but for peace to reign, this is the only way."

"Absolutely not," King Edward said, his refusal final.

"Think about it and give me your answer," my father said, turning to leave. The tension in the room was palpable as he walked away with his advisers and my brother, leaving me standing there in stunned silence. I hadn’t said a word the entire morning. My mind was too preoccupied with what had just been proposed. Marrying Princess Sydney? That idea didn’t sit well with me at all.

---

After the meeting, King Edward returned to his chambers, clearly wrestling with the decision. I could imagine him pacing, torn between pride and fear, trying to figure out how to deal with my father’s unexpected proposal.

Back at our camp, my father sat with his advisers in the throne room when Queen Alice walked in. As the door closed behind her, she turned to him. "How did it go?"

"As I expected," my father replied, a hint of frustration in his voice. "At least King Edward refuses to give his daughter as a symbol of peace."

The queen sighed, disappointed. "That’s bad. I thought he would be reasonable."

My father’s eyes narrowed. "You do realize the only person reasoning here is you, right? I don’t want this marriage."

Queen Alice raised an eyebrow. "Stop right there. I know what you want to say, but I won’t allow you to accept his refusal. No. Have a nice day." She walked out, leaving my father with a look of disbelief on his face.

---

I bumped into her on my way out, and Harry was there too, his expression curious. "Is anything the matter, Mother?" he asked, wrapping his arms around her neck.

"I heard that King Edward refuses to give his daughter as a symbol of peace," she said, her voice heavy with concern.

"I’m glad he said no," I muttered, unable to hide my relief.

"Richard, don’t be like that," my mother replied, her tone soft but firm.

Harry raised his eyebrows. "What did I miss? What do you mean he refused to give her daughter?"

We all entered my mother’s chambers and sat down on her bed. The tension in the room was palpable.

"Richard is supposed to marry Princess Sydney of the Middle East as a sign of peace," my mother explained.

Harry’s eyes widened, and a grin spread across his face. "Richard, are you kidding me? I’d marry her in a second. She’s so beautiful. Let me marry her if you don’t want to."

I shot Harry a look, irritated by his lightheartedness. "You’re still young, Harry, and have you met her?"

"Yes, I have," Harry replied with a smirk. "And I must say, she is one strange child."

My mother smiled. "That’s for me to judge, and say." She turned to me. "Richard, this is important. We can’t afford to let this opportunity slip."

I sighed, the weight of the decision pressing down on me. I didn’t want this marriage, but could we really afford to turn down the peace it promised?