Heir's & Enemies: Breaking Bloodlines

Chapter 2: Court

~King Ruhn's P. O. V.~

The travel from my kingdom of Illsena to the neutral kingdom of Odriya was long and tiring. They decided to host Court in case any power struggles broke out. I was the third to arrive. The first was a king from a distant land that I couldn't pronounce worth my title in salt. His house crest was a seahorse holding a white rose in it's tail. The colors were teal and gray. I have to admit, I admired his banner. The one before me was from the kingdom of Odriya itself. Their crest was the Lyrebird fitted in the middle holding a dagger in it's claws. The colors were violet and gold. We were shown to the grand hall where there was a proper round table.

"King Ruhn, King Huowain , welcome to Odriya. King Ruhn, as I understand it, this will be your first time presiding as a king?" This older king looked tired. Graying black hair, cloudy eyes that had sagging skin under them. Wrinkles are prominent everywhere on his face.

"That is correct. I have an urgent matter I wish to discuss." I stood straight as I smiled at this wise king.

"The others should arrive momentarily. I am sure you are both eager to get started." King Huowain spoke.

"Of course. Gentlemen, if you will." He motioned for us to take our seats.

"King Godfrey!" Another older king came in, they gave each other brotherly embraces.

"King Artrais, my dear friend. Welcome back to Odriya." I smiled at their interaction. Not every king gets along as well as these two do. I have a feeling that today I will be making an enemy instead of a friend.

The other kings and princes filed in and took their seats. Each introduced themselves and their sons. I would have brought my 3 brothers if I had the choice. They actually wanted to come. However, since none of them are heirs to the throne of Illsena or my own children, they could not attend. I could have brought one of them, yet the other kings would look down on me upon taking this action. I thought it best that they remain home to protect the women. They are wonderful fighters and could push any real invasion back.

"Alright, let's get started. Each of you gathered here today has some matter to discuss. We all know that with the passing of King Mathias, his son, King Ruhn, had taken up his crown. Another issue would be the passing of King Tiltalus. His queen and daughter are left without a man beside them. Now we can either have her be betrothed to one of the princes in this room, or we can give it to another kingdom, in which case, his queen and daughter become commoners." King Godfrey explained to us. Princess Kaileen is a marvelous woman, as is Queen Genevieve. I stood, having all eyes turned on me.

"I shall take up the honor of having Princess Kaileen as my betrothed." The gasps and smiles of everyone I was on good terms with filled me with joy.

"King Ruhn, are you positive? That would mean that her kingdom and yours will be joined." Another king asked.

"I know. I have met her on several occasions. And I feel as if she would make a fine queen for me." I saw heads agreeing with me and they finalized the betrothal.

"Are there any other matters we wish to discuss today?" King Godfrey asked.

"I do." Prince Teilo stood and spoke, "It is about my betrothed." He smiled evilily. Looking me directly in the eye. "I would like to move up my date to wed Princess Rowen." My hand immediately went to grip the pummel of my sword.

"And pray tell me why you want the date to move closer?" King Artrais narrowed his eyes at Prince Teilo.

"Why not?" He put his hands behind his back, "She is going to be mine anyway. Why delay it until next spring?"

I stood tall, my hand still on my sword. "That actually brings up my topic to this Court." I hardened my posture. The whispers began to stir in this hall. I pulled out my blade and placed it on the table. This was a show of hatred towards the person the blade pointed at.

"King Ruhn?" His father questioned, "What have I done to offend you?"

"You have done nothing. Your son has." My voice laced with venom as I stared down this lowly prince. "You see, I have met Prince Teilo once before. When you visited my father on one of his remaining days," I began to walk a little closer to this prince. "I do not wish to know how you run your kingdom now, King Ira. Yet, your son poses a threat to my sister." The gasps and whispers only got louder.

"Silence." King Godfrey told the room. I looked right into Teilo's eyes. My hatred is burning in them.

"How so?" Another king questioned?

"On that day, we talked, he told me how his kingdom was prosperous and filled with more gold than even yours, King Godfrey." I wanted to tear this child's head off before I even let him near my sister. She is only 9 years younger than I. "I had wished him and my sister all the happiness in the world." I glared at him, "He had this to say. 'Why should her happiness matter?'" His father looked at him with an outrage, "'She is only to bear me an heir and to keep her mouth shut.' Were your exact words, I do believe." My hand caressed my sword as I picked it up once again. Pointing it at Teilo.

"Is this true?" King Ira stood.

Teilo scoffed at my accusations, "Even if it is, she is still mine."

"This is why I brought this matter up. I vote against him being my sister's betrothed." I heard the others shifting uncomfortably in their chairs.

"And who would replace him?" King Artrais leaned forward and looked directly at me. I did not have an answer for him. Another prince, Prince Elias, steps forward, bowing to the court.

"I am Prince Elias, son of King Demetrius. I will take his place." I suspiciously looked at him.

"Very well, if the vote is in favor of Elias being Princess Rowen's new betrothed, say aye." King Godfrey stood and gestured to the court.

"Aye!" Most said in unison. All but King Ira and Prince Teilo, that is.

"The masses have it. Congratulations, Prince Elias." King Artrais stood down Prince Teilo.

"It is my honor. A princess is an equal and should be treated as such." He crossed his arms with a faint smile playing on his lips. I hope that father can forgive me when I meet him in the afterlife.

"If that is all for today, gentlemen, then I suggest you adjourn to your rooms. Other matters will be discussed tomorrow. Have a good evening, my lords." King Godfrey bowed and was the first to leave. I wanted to get to know Elias more. Shelthing my blade, I walked up to him and his father.

"King Ruhn, it was a pleasure to meet you." King Demetrius and Prince Elias bowed to me. I hated formalities.

"Please do not bow. Prince Elias, may I have a word?" I smiled and hoped he would say yes.

"Of course, your highness." He looked at his father. "Have a pleasant night, father." I had him follow me to the courtyard and out of hearing range from the others. "My lord?" I was pacing a little.

"I need to know if I can trust you with my sister. You saw Teilo's reaction in there. Tell me, can you protect her?" As a king, I had a duty to stay cordial and polite, as a brother? I felt that no one was good enough for her.

"I can and will with my life. Let my father and I come to your palace. I will prove that I am a worthy suitor for her." I stopped pacing and looked at him. I smiled, knowing that he wanted to prove to me his worthiness. It made me hopeful.

"Very well. You have until I leave from here to get your father's approval." He bowed to me and went in. I followed behind him shortly after. A slap was heard from inside the grand hall. I stopped to witness the scene.

"You blundering fool!" King Ira yelled. Teilo had a fresh red handprint on his face. "I set you up with a wonderful princess and this is how you thank me? By saying she is nothing?!"

"All women are nothing!" Beg his pardon?! I wanted nothing more than to sever his head for thinking that way.

That earned him another slap from his father. "I thought we raised you better. If your mother were alive today, she would be disgraced by your actions." Queen Victoria was a wonderful friend of my mother. It's actually because of her and my mother's bond that the arrangement with Teilo happened.

"She is mine! I will have her!" A cleared throat caught our attention. King Demetrius came into view.

"She is no longer yours, Prince Teilo. If you want a war between The Kingdom of Saoclaud and yours, then by all means, try and take her from my son. Elias will be the better for her." With those words said, King Demetrius left the room. I went behind the door, trying to pass as if I heard nothing of the conversation. It would seem I was too late to not get noticed by him at least. "I apologize, King Ruhn. Please. I know my son will treat her well."

"He wants to prove himself. Even went as far as asking me for yourself and him to join me at my palace." I leaned on the wall. Waiting for his answer.

"That was a marvelous idea. When Court is finished, he and I will return with you. Good evening, King Ruhn." He bowed to me and left for his room.

"Good evening, King Demetrius." I bowed back. Leaving Teilo to be punished by his father once more, I headed to my room. The doors that held my crest opened and I found a servant dressing the sheets on the bed. Once she noticed me, she bowed and left. I closed my doors and went to the desk they provided. Sitting down, I wrote to my family.

Mother, Rowen.

I am writing to you with good news. Teilo has been revoked of his betrothal to Rowen and Prince Elias from Saoclaud has taken up the honor of marrying her. He and his father will be accompanying me on the journey home. Elias wishes to prove himself to you, dear sister. I had the pleasure of talking with him. I am certain that he will make a fine husband for you. I will also be having a princess come and stay with us. She is my queen to be. Yes, I have also found a fine young princess. Upon my return, I will give all the details I can about this. For now, let this victory warm your heart, sister.

I love you all.

Ruhn.

I rolled up the parchment and sealed it with my crest in wax. I felt lighter knowing that she would be with a prince that would see her as an equal. Not as a horse or dog just to bear his children. The seal set in moments. Picking the parchment up, I opened my window and whistled for my hawk. He would make sure that this got to Rowen and the others. He flew down and landed on the windowsill. Taking a ribbon, I tied this message around his chest. Giving him a quick pat on the head for his hard work. I had him climb on my arm as I thrashed it forward, making him take flight. Be safe.

~Princess Rowen's P. O. V.~

The sun had set hours ago, the stars twinkled brightly through my window as the moon cast its pale light on my room. I was sitting in the nook of the window, awaiting any news from Ruhn. My small clock read 11'o'clock as it started to chime. I was not ready for sleep. My mind kept wandering, trying to search for answers. I looked down from my window to see our knights on night duty holding torches. It has been 10 days since Ruhn left for court. I opened my window to look at the scenery before me. The moon was high overhead, yet the mountain was shrouded in darkness. Not a bad darkness, a mysterious one. I wondered what could lie upon it's surface at night. Would there be ravenous hungry animals? Or perhaps something even worse? A feather falling before my eyes had me look up. Ruhn's messenger hawk quacked and circled awaiting for someone to call it. I tried to remember the whistle Ruhn taught me. Once I was confident that it would come to me, I whistled for it. It landed before me holding its chest out for me to take the message. I untied the ribbon and opened the letter. I had to re-read it several times over. A smile spread on my face. I quickly ran out of my room.

"Mother!" I was giggling like a young child. "Mother, come quick." I ran to her room and knocked. She opened the door. Her eyes looked tired. I held out the letter. "It's from Ruhn, mother." She took it and read it. When she got to the end, she embraced me in one of her motherly embraces. I returned it.

"He did it." She and I started to tear a little in happiness. My commotion woke my siblings.

"Rowen? What happened?" My eldest sister asked. Her name is Rhoswen.

"Sister, it's late." My second eldest brother complained. Rodric was always the last out of bed.

"Let me see the letter?" My third eldest brother, Rhydian, held out his hand. He read it out loud for everyone.

"Thank goodness." Rhiain, my second eldest sister, held her hand to her heart.

"I hated that prince. I am glad he is no longer your betrothed, Rowen." Rhion, my last eldest brother, came and held me close to him.

"Me too, he never looked Ruhn in the eye. Such a coward." Rhiannon, my third eldest sister, crossed her arms and scoffed at the actions of Teilo.

"Hey, he is now in the past. This Elias is now her future. And he is coming here." The last of my eldest siblings, my sister Rhoslyn, kept looking over the letter herself. "To prove his worthiness, huh? I am happy for you, Rowen."

"Alright, alright, my children. It is late. Off you go, back to bed." Mother was as excited as I was. "Rowen, my dearest, Rowen. I am so happy for you." She pulled me into another embrace. "In the morning, we are going to prepare for a ball when your brother returns. I shall start the invitations and you have a dress to look for." A ball? I would be honored that mother is throwing a ball.

"Good night, mother." We all said to her. We returned to our rooms. I closed the door and window. The hawk had already left. I was full of enthrallment at Ruhn's letter. I wonder what Prince Elias will look like. And his father is to be there as well? To say that I was happy was an understatement. In 20 days, I will meet my new suitor. Court has 11 days left until it's conclusion. I laid down on my bed and held my pillow close to me as I squealed for joy. I think tomorrow, I will take Clover out for a ride. This was a happy day and she deserved to have a run.

I didn't want to sleep yet, instead I took out a fantasy novel about a dragon hording a princess in a tower. Lighting the candles on my bedside table, I read it. The smile that was on my face wasn't going away. In fact, I was more awake after reading his letter. I made it through half of the book when the sun rose. Signaling a new day. A brighter future. One I was happy about.