Of Thieves & Kings

Queen Mother

Cassian:

"Regality suits you, my dear," I heard the queen spoke up from standing next to Gaius. As soon as we set foot on palace grounds, she hastily barked orders that a banquet ought to be held in the new king's honour. "It is naught but a blessing in disguise that the Great Sage has come to his senses."

Gaius did not respond to eagerly to his mother's flamboyant flattery.

At the amphitheatre, Uncle had pulled both of Gaius and me aside to speak with us about the upcoming midnight rendezvous to the temple and stated that my father had not been wrong when he said that Emberland's future rested in both our hands and that the late king had not made a mistake to name me heir. Gaius must have felt discouraged to pursue his role in our late father's plans as he is named king of Emberland in title only, however, he was present at Father's deathbed to hear his last wishes. Uncle Haris promised that he will explain everything to us at the temple.

I watched the queen proudly strutting amongst the nobility with a satisfied smile on her face, Uncle Haris's words of the night before swiftly forgotten. The Great Sage crowned her son, thus it meant that she now paraded with the title of Queen Mother.

"We must send out word to have the fairest of maidens be brought to the harem," she spoke to her son. "The sooner your sire an heir, the better. It will mean that no one will neither question your birthright nor try to usurp your throne!" Her black eyes festered on me. "However, it seems we might still have a thorn in our side…"

I rolled my eyes and pretended not to listen to her remarks, yet Uncle has warned me that Sophia might try to convince Gaius to get rid of me. I stood at the side of where Gaius, Yasemin and Sophia was sitting on a dais that overlooked the banquet hall. Advisors and noble families living within the city mingles amongst each other, musicians playing festive music and young maidens dancing about the centre of the hall while young men kept themselves occupied at the feasting tables and drinking plum wine. I sipped on a cup myself, brooding on how people can effectively mourn the passing of a so-called beloved king yet drink themselves to a stupor the minute a new king is crowned.

"Cassian," I heard a female voice call my name. I glanced down to see Nilay. She was the daughter of one of my father's advisors. Her golden mane was tamed and pulled back into an elegant updo, and her violet eyes sparkled in the firelight. She wore a red dress that flowed about her figure that exposed too much skin which left little to the imagination. Her neck and smooth shoulders were gleaming with scented oils and perfumes and the very fact that her hair was pulled back make me swallow hard.

"Lady Nilay," I greeted her absentmindedly. "A pleasure."

"You know you can drop the formal tone," she said with a roll of her eyes. "We have known each other since we were in diapers; we get to be casual with one another."

"Do we?" I arched an eyebrow at her.

"Oh, forget it! I just came here to see if you're all right. It looks like someone took a piss in your wine."

"No, you didn't," I mused, chuckling at her foul language. "You came here to bother me because events like these bore you to death."

"That and because I really do care."

"Since when?" I let out a quiet laugh when she slapped my arm. Our quiet banter attracted the party sitting on the dais with Queen Sophia frowning darkly, probably because I am having a playful conversation with one of the royal advisors' daughters.

"Why is she so full of gloom?" Nilay commented. "Isn't she supposed to be delighted that her son is crowned king?"

"I'm the problem." I shrugged unapologetically.

"Why?" the blonde asked. "Because you would obviously make a better king than her timid mama's boy?"

"Hush!" I reprimanded her but laughed. "Careful, or she'll have your tongue and execute you for treason."

"Then I'd gladly die. Poor women who are to become part of his harem…" Nilay grabbed hold of my goblet and chugged down the rest of my wine.

"I was going to finish that," I told her.

"No. No, you weren't, because you have been swirling that goblet since I saw you." She placed it down on a nearby table and pulled on my hand. "Come on, you old grump. Dance with me."

"Who are you calling old?"

"Well, not everyone who are young has a white streak in their hair, now do they?" I knew she jested about the fact that I had a white streak of hair while the rest of it was dark. My hair was also not as smooth and silky like Gaius's, rather it was a mess of curls which I rather tamed by tying it back to my head.

"Nor do I know of anyone with freakish eyes like yours." Nilay smiled back at me. She always complimented me on my exquisite looks – the curly hair, the tall frame, the white streak in my hair, the fact that I have eyes of distinct colours: one was as gold and vivid as my father's; the other as dark and mysterious as my mother's, or so I was told.

I was a freak to the courtiers.

As Nilay pulled me to the dance floor, I eagerly took hold of her waist and lead her through enjoyable routines. I always danced with her regardless of what event took place within the palace. She was one of the first and only friends I have made, however she was strict on keeping out friendship the way it has always been. I found out the hard way when I was but a lad of sixteen years of age when I attempted to woo her. The kiss we had shared was sweet but afterwards nothing came of it. It was as if nothing ever happened. Perhaps it was because her father was a royal advisor and to have an affair with a bastard child after the king had married Sophia was deemed improper.

"Advisor Lucien! May we have a word?" I heard Queen Sophia call for Nilay's father. The music ceased, as did the dance. I held Nilay at a distance as Nilay's father slowly sauntered towards the dais. The old advisor gave a generous bow before her and the rest of the royal party.

"You have called for me, my queen?"

"You have your daughters attending the banquet along with you, is it not?"

I narrowed my eyes at her.

"I have, Your Majesty. Would you like me to present them in front of His Majesty?"

"Oh, bollocks," I heard Nilay breathe as the advisor's gaze landed on her by my side. "Wish me luck, I am to be traded like a brood mare." I let her go.

Nilay and her younger sister, Lillian, curtseyed before the king as Sophia took in their appearances. Gaius's eyes took their own venture when he looked at the siblings. Both of them are blonde and had violet eyes, however, Nilay was the shorter and more curvaceous one.

The queen hummed in approval. "You have two beautiful daughters, indeed, Advisor Lucien. They will make fine suitors for my son, the king." Her cold gaze found mine once again and she wore a smug grin. I grit my teeth, knowing that she has always known about the blooming friendship between me and Nilay, and that she only called out for her father to entertain me. I mentally rolled my eyes at her childish endeavours. What is she hoping to gain?

"I beg your pardon, Your Majesty, but both Nilay and Lillian are not permitted to be the king's suitors," the old advisor spoke up, pulling the queen's gaze from mine. "His Majesty, King Darius, has promised my daughters that they ought to marry for political gain of the empire."

"And your king now requires every eligible maiden to warm his bed," Sophia argued, nonchalantly. "Your deal with His Majesty came to an abrupt end the moment he let out his last breath, thus the promise is no longer in consideration."

The nobility gasped and I frowned. Uncle and I were right about our suspicions in Sophia wanting to rule Emberland through her son. Was Gaius such a wuss for letting his mother make decisions on his behalf?

I gave him a questioning look.

Do something, I told him in my mind. That must have encouraged him to stand up and place a hand in his mother's.

"I am sure my mother means well, Advisor Lucien. However, I admire your loyalty to my late father. Your daughters, although both of them are beautiful, are free to marry in pursuits of aiding the empire through alliances. It will only do us good."

"But you do not know what the best for the empire is just yet, Your Majesty. Allow me to manage this situation. You will need to sire an heir to stabilise your reign." She patted her son's hand and looked at the advisor once more. "Your daughters will enter the harem, Advisor Lucien, regardless of what the late king has promised you."

"And the king has stated that they shan't!" I saw Nilay clench her fists as her father spoke up. "It will be for the benefit of the empire to form alliances!"

"And it will be for the benefit of the empire for the king to sire an heir almost immediately," the queen argued. "Who are you to stand against my word? I am the Queen Mother!"

I felt fury gather in my veins, just as it had when I witnessed an enemy approaching on the battlefield. My hands found the hilt of my one sword and my fist clenched around it as I stepped towards the dais, the crowd parting a path for me to walk through.

"And that is what you are," I spoke up. "I believe King Gaius stated that the promise of King Darius is still ongoing, regardless of his death. Advisor Lucien's daughters will marry for the benefit of the empire. Who are we to question the king's last word?"

The nobles started to whisper amongst themselves, yet I did not back down. Even if Gaius were raised attached to his mother's hem, it did not mean that the Queen Mother could have done what she had wanted. Gaius was of age; he needed no regent to make decisions for him. Albeit it was just like Sophia wanting to force her way into the realm's business with her son having her making his decisions for him. No wonder Father named me heir – he knew his wife's true intentions.

"Are you suggesting that I intend to disregard His Majesty's decisions of this matter, Sir Cassian?" the raven-haired woman questioned me. "I am merely looking out for the crown's future! His Majesty need to sire an heir to secure his reign! Heavens forbid that unfortune befalls on the dynasty! Without an heir, the dynasty of the Emberlandian empire would come to an end!" Her eyes ventured over the nobles who nodded. Sure, under desirable circumstances, wanting the king to sire an heir was of major concern.

However, things were far from the norm.

"Is it not a dowager queen's duty to ensure her young son and her king continue the dynasty, Sir Cassian? Or do you suppose the line of succession should continue through you? A bastard?" She laughed, though it was more modest than the witch's cry from the night before.

I inhaled. "The matter in question is not me opposing His Majesty's line to continue, my queen, but I do oppose the breaking of alliances that have yet to be formed by the marriage arrangements for Ladies Nilay and Lillian. Advisor Lucien has already confirmed with my father, the late King Darius, that these two ladies are promised to other men for the sake of the empire. Would you dare oppose your late husband's wishes?" I arched a brow and smirked at the irony. She was already opposing Father's dying wishes and had gone as far as calling him a psychotic man!

Queen Sophia knew she was outsmarted. I, too, know how to play this game. Alas, the rug was pulled from underneath me as she made the following statement, "Oh, I know why Sir Cassian is opposing these two lovely ladies joining His Majesty's harem." She smiled wickedly. "Has the king no right to take any woman he deems desirable? Is it not the king who is to be consulted before other noblemen wish to court women or to bring fair maidens into harems of their own?"

What is she getting at? I asked myself.

"Say, Sir Cassian, wouldn't you rather confess your crimes against His Majesty in front of all these people here?" I felt my blood run cold. Would she dare share confidential information with the rest of the nobility? Would she make me off as the villain? A king slayer?

"Confess what exactly, my queen?"

"Do you deny your affections for Lady Nilay, Sir Cassian? Do you oppose her joining His Majesty's harem because you would like to court her instead?"

Bollocks, this woman had no end!

A scoff sounded through the room. It was Nilay.

"Sir Cassian and I share nothing more than a great friendship," the blonde argued. "We have known each other since we were both fed by our mothers' breasts. These insinuations are both absurd and treacherous towards a prince of the empire."

I felt my jaw drop. The rest of the nobility gasped.

Nilay and Queen Sophia challenged each other, a battle raging between their stares.

"Your Majesty," the queen called for her son standing behind her. "Do you suppose this woman will be of use enough to sire an heir?"

"Mother," Gaius breathed. I scrutinised his fidgeting behaviour, not wanting to disappoint his mother with the wrong answer.

"Well?" the queen pressured her son. "Do you want the woman in your harem or not?"

"I… yes."

"I refuse!" Nilay exclaimed. "I refuse to have any part of this!" Guards came in to escort her out of the banquet hall with force. "Father!" she called. "Please, I don't want to! Let me go, you bastards!"

I struggled forward, wanting to rescue her from Queen Sophia's spitefulness.

"Cassian!" she called as her violet gaze met mine. "Please, I don't want to!" Her squirming form disappeared from the banquet hall to a hallway which led to the harem, though her cries for help could still be heard.

But I was held back by other guards as soon as I started for the hallway. Not wanting to risk anyone else's safety, I rested my swords on my back, but struggled towards the dais but halted as I saw Advisor Lucien practically fall before my brother's feet.

"Your Majesty, I beseech you. Please, reconsider! Reconsider what your father would have wanted!" He bent down and kissed Cassian's purple robe, a robe he was switched to upon arriving at the palace earlier. "It is for the sake of the empire. Please, don't take my beloved daughter away from her family!"

"You should have considered our proposition rather than objecting it." Like a predator looming over its prey, Queen Sophia hovered over the older man. She turned her gaze to a wide-eyed Lillian before smirking. "And as your punishment, not only will you be thrown into the dungeons, be stripped of your title and dignity, you will watch as both your daughters be taken away from you." She motioned for a few more guards to take Lillian away.

"Father!" she cried. "Please, no!"

I was furious! How could Uncle crown Gaius if he knew such chaos would occur within the palace? How could I trust his word as I witness such lunacy happening before my very eyes?

"You can't do that!" I roared, freeing myself from the guards. "You have no right to force your will upon others and make it off as His Majesty's! Strip an advisor from his title? Who are the traitors among us if you are not one of them?"

Gaius stared at me with eyes as wide as saucers. He knew I was right, yet he didn't have the guts to go against his mother!

"It is treason to go up against the dynasty!" the queen called. "It is treason to call a member of it a traitor!"

Like you have never called me a treacherous dog the night before!

"If Advisor Lucien is sentenced to the dungeons, then I, as well, ought to be, as I see what you are doing in the name of the king is treacherous and despicable!" I saw her ugly sneer with my peripheral vison as I glanced down at Advisor Lucien before offering him a hand.

Queen Sophia regarded the scene. "If that is what you wish." She waved a hand as a single and in a moment, Advisor Lucien and I were surrounded.

"Mother, I hardly deem this necessary," Gaius spoke up, but Princess Yasemin stood up to comfort him.

"It will be all right, Brother," the girl, the spitting image of her mother, said. "Let it be."

The advisor and I were marched down to the dungeons under the leering gazes of various nobles. My posture was rigid and perfect, and I schooled my features to being expressionless. Better having them see how the situation was not affecting me rather than creating a scene by attacking the guards who were only doing as they are told. It was not their fault their master was devious.

The dungeons were situated in the back of the palace, carved deep into the cliff on which the palace stood. Thus, it was dark and had a surprising wetness to the air, since the impressive building was situated next to an everlasting waterfall cascading down into the river that carved an oasis through the city below, despite it being situated within the midst of the Great Expanse. Advisor Lucien was shoved into a cell near the exit, while I was escorted further into the cave.

"Here you go," one of the guards said once we have reached the very end of the dungeons. A single torch was lit to illuminate the way and the steel bars were opened for me. Without them having to shove me into the cell, I voluntarily stepped into the cage and snorted with irony.

This part of the dungeons was reserved for the worst of criminals: rapists; murderers; assassins. Yet, here I was, as it was befitting according to Queen Sophia.

She accused me of murdering the late king, even though it was known within the secrecy of the troops that fought with me.

"Summon Sir Dante," I called for the guards. "I wish to speak with him with regards to something."

"You honestly think we are going to send His Majesty's guard to conspire with you?" The prison warden, one of Sophia's puppets, asked with an arrogant demeanour. "Not on my watch, bastard!" He spat in my direction. "Once Her Majesty will give word, your public execution will be held, and the king will have his vengeance on his father's murderer."

"You know very well that I have not touched a hair on my father's head," I argued back. "This is just Sophia's way to ensure her son's throne is not in jeopardy." I grabbed hold of the iron bars and sneered at the warden. "My father ought to turn in his grave once he realises you have awakened old traditions, much less to the instructions of a woman." My knuckles appeared white. "And that you support of the imprisonment of not only an advisor, but two innocent women of nobility!"

"And what of it?" the man lowly asked. "He's nothing but ash, so there is no grave for him to turn in."

"Mark my words, Warden," I stated. "Your queen and all her loyal dogs will get their day."

The warden nonchalantly took the only torch which provided light. "And our day has indeed come. How long we have waited for the old man to die!"

I cursed the man loudly, my voice echoing through the cave. "You will pay dearly for sullying my father's memory, you dog!"

My voice echoed back at me, and I sat down onto the ground. Closing my eyes, since it was already dark, I contemplated whether the Emberlandian throne was worth fighting for. Whether it was worth trusting Uncle Haris. Damn it, if only I had held my mouth shut with Nilay's situation! Not only am I not going to be able to visit the temple outside the city like planned, but Nilay and her sister has been forced into Gaius's harem and I am sitting in the dungeons like a dastardly criminal. Even though I am ridden with guilt for my father's death, I know I am innocent.

If only those who were with me on the battlefield can testify that…

My thoughts wandered as to why no one has stepped forward and said something, when a thought ran through my mind, making me yell in despair.

You stupid, stupid, stupid fool! I chastised myself.

Knowing how eager the guards were to fight me, my thoughts became as clear as day.

The queen has taken care of the men who fought alongside me in order to justify my execution.

Well, they won't kill me if I get out of here first, I mused and steadied my breathing in an attempt to calm down. The Great Sage will not have his brother's wishes be left ungranted. Father did say Emberland's future lied within both his sons' hands. Where my responsibilities as this empire's king lies is unknown.

I will just have to trust Uncle Haris…