Song of Crowns

Episode 2: Trump

"Dear, I wish you knew better. Of course, it's chaos out there. But didn't you know? Kingdoms start with marriages. You are going to be part of one."

Marriage? I knew marriages start Kingdoms. When a royalty or nobility marries another royalty, they are to start a Kingdom. If they have the wealth to do so, it is easy to penetrate the royal bloodline.

However, there are no royals left. Not that I know of? They probably are just bluffing.

"You seem bewildered, your Highness." Alfonzo quacks. "Don't fret, everything will go smooth with our supervision."

"Oh yeah? With me in shackles? Is this how you would run your Kingdom?"

"Oh yes. If it's going to go my way, I will do whatever it takes. Besides, you have no one to protect you. What are you gonna do? Throw me a teacup?" This caused another wave of laughter. This time, the senator is no longer laughing.

"I have no obligation to heed to your wants. I am no longer royalty. I have no Kingdom to rule." I told them, trying to act like I'm still shackled. Whatever the man that helped me did, it's working. My wrists are free.

"I understand that, Princess. The Sarkis bloodline is a goner. No Kingdom citizen left but you. So basically, you are just a stowaway." He crouched down at my level. "But the fools out there doesn't know that."

I glared at him. How dare he manipulate the people who are scared?

"Listen, it's an easy proposition. All you have to do is become the Queen. Marry my son and then make him King." When he said son, I felt my forehead crease. How dare he marry me off with some stranger? He's not even my father!

"How is that doing you any good? If I marry your son, I'll still be Queen. Therefore, I hold the reins."

Alfonzo gave out a breathy laugh. "Oh but princess you must have forgotten... I told you my son will be King." He holds the armrests of my chair. "In a Kingdom, King trumps Queen."

As if I have been caught, Alfonzo peeks at my loosened wrist. However, he does not mind it when he moved away from me. He is probably testing me if I'd dare run away. I would, if only his men weren't blocking my way to safety.

"Take her Highness to his room. Let's make this meet cute fast and get my son a crown already." The senator left the room and the men are feasting. They seem to like this man to be celebrating.

---

I was left in a bedroom with no shackles. The room seemed ordinary enough. A bed covered with a thick blanket and a desk with a lampshade on it. The walls are thick and is painted dark blue. As if the setting isn't already too dark, why paint a room even darker?

Before I could even scale the room with my eyes, the door propped open. Two figures stand by the frame. The taller one comes near me while the other lingers by the door.

"Oh sweetheart. I am deeply sorry for what my father has done to you." I assume this is the son.

"Nothing to be sorry about. It's my fault for trusting him." I told him as he held my hand and sat beside me by the end of the bed. I can clearly see the son now with the light from the open street outside illuminating the room. He has hazel green eyes and freckles.

"I'm not going to force you into anything. I am also arranged like you. I never wanted this marriage but my father is insistent." He says as if he is innocent. The man earlier told me to never trust anyone. I will not break that now.

"But you're willing to push through, right?" I asked. He didn't tense at that. He was probably expecting me to ask it.

"I will. For the poor people outside. They need a leader now more than ever." He says with gleaming hope.

"And you think I would help you?" I ask, pulling my hand away. I didn't realize he is still holding them. "I don't want to fool these people. Besides, why don't you scan for more princesses out there? I'm sure there are some."

"You are the only eligible one. Most of the royals and nobility that survived are either too old or too young for me." He said with full honesty. It irks me that he seemed genuine but his words are full of deceit.

"So I'm a fallback. An option. And to think that you lot are looking for women to wed for the sake of gaining a crown. I am ashamed to be in the same room with you." I told him. I then realized I don't even know this person's name.

"Please, sweetheart, don't think of it that way. I genuinely want to help the people. I had enough of politics. My father handles that for me. I am only here begging you for us to help others."

"First," I stand. I can't keep this conversation any longer. "Don't call me sweetheart." He shies away from the endearment. "Second, I don't even know your name. Why would I give myself trouble to marry someone I don't know?"

The man knelt down in front of me and took my hand. Without a second, I flicked his hand away, disgusted with the gesture.

"I am Adrian Alfonzo. Youngest of the Alfonzo family. Whatever you want, my princess, I will provide for you. Just help me with this."

I didn't speak. I don't want to show him even a glimpse of hope with my actions. I was told never to trust anyone in this place. I have no one to run to. And now that I have been kidnapped, I can't even trust my own heart. This man, Adrian, seems to have a pull at it.

When I didn't give him what he wanted, he bowed and left the room. I remembered that this is his room, and yet he left for my privacy. I guess he wants me to think about it.

Before they could've gone, the other man standing by the door faced my direction.

"Do not trust anyone." He says before closing the door behind him.

So he heard everything.

- End -