MY KINGDOM

(CHAPTER TWELVE) FOR LOVE AND POWER

King Henry was standing high on the terrace when he sighted the soldiers bringing in the wounded prince. “Tell them to bring him straight to me at once.” He said to the soldier with him.

“Yes your majesty.” The soldier said and went off.

So the prince eventually came in a few minutes later. “Greetings father.”

“I’d like to be alone with my Son.” The King said and all the soldiers left the room immediately.

When he was certain that they had all left, he turned to the prince. “Where were you last night?? and don't think of lying to me.” The King said with a very firm look.

But the prince didn't utter a word.

“I believe that I just asked you a question. And what happened to you, why do you have bruises all over?? Did someone attack you??” The King asked.

“Nothing happened to me, father. I just fell off the mountain.” The prince said, groaning in pain intermittently.

“So that's where you were?? Are you saying that you spent the whole night on the mountain?? How is that even possible, it snowing literally all through the night.” The King said, looking very confused.

“I'll tell you everything but I just need to sit down first.” The Prince said.

The King came a bit closer. “Since when do you need my permission to sit?? I thought you were own man. Have a seat.”

So the prince sat down on the nearest seat. “Thank you, father.”

“So I'll ask you this one more time. “Where were you last night?” The King asked again.

“I was at the only place in the whole Kingdom, that I find peace.” The prince said.

“What do you mean by that??” King Henry asked in confusion.

“I'll explain. My own father has decided to rob me of my happiness, so I decided to go and find it elsewhere. That's what I mean.” Prince Levi Said confidently.

The King sighed on hearing this. “I know that you were upset, but you should have run off by yourself. You couldn't have gotten more hurt than this. We have a lot of enemies in the Imperium, you know and by running off yesterday, you were opening a window for them to attack you.”

“But nothing much happened, I'm hale and hearty.” The prince said, showing no sign of remorse.

King Henry sighed again. “Listen Son. I know that you are very upset and so am I, but I believe that we can sort things out without making a ruckus. I do not want the crown to divide my family. I am first your father and then your King. So today I am giving you the opportunity to talk to me as your father and not the King of Orion.”

“Father, I have agreed to take up the crown. But I have one request; please give me a year to digest your request, I can't just marry a woman that I have never met before. Just give me sometime.” Prince Levi said.

The King came closer and placed his hand gently, on the prince’s shoulder. “Alright son, you can take as much time as you need but have it in mind that I am not going to be here forever. Nevertheless I will not allow my fear and impatience to rob you of your joy.”

“Thank you father, I will do that unfailingly. I'll take my leave now. I need to see the royal doctor.” The prince said with a smile.

“Alright son. Take care of yourself.” King Henry said with a smile.

As he was about to leave, the King called out to him. “Levi. Your brother is very furious, at the moment, so I need you to be very careful with him, you know how he gets when he is upset.”

“Yes father.” Prince Levi said and exited.