MY KINGDOM

CHAPTER FIVE(FATHER OR FOE)

“Son!! wait up. Where are you heading to??” Queen Merab called out to the prince as she rushed after.

“Return to your chamber mother, I have unfinished business with my father, who happens to be the King and dictator of my destiny.” The prince said sarcastically as he advanced towards King Henry's chamber.

“Wait up son, don't do anything that you'll regret.” The Queen said as she paced even faster.

Prince Levi finally arrived at the entrance to the King's chamber. “Greetings my Prince.” The guards at the entrance chorused.

“Greetings to you too, is my father in at the moment?” The prince asked.

Before they could reply him the Queen arrived at the scene and interrupted. She held him by the arm and pulled him to the side. “Son, what are you doing?” She whispered, still trying to catch her breath.

“Mother, I just need to talk to father urgently. I won't say a thing about the wedding.” He said with a forced smile.

“Please do not be overwhelmed by your emotions. I strongly recommend that you put yourself together before going in to see him.” Queen Merab said passionately.

“Mother, I'm fine. I just need a word with him before breakfast. You know how busy he gets sometimes.” He said with another forced smile.

“Please son, don't tell your father about what we discussed. I do not want him to feel that I have betrayed him by violating our agreement.” She pleaded.

The prince chuckled, this time with authenticity. “You have my word mother.”

“Thank you son. Now run along before he gets out and sees us here.” She said,

So the prince returned back to the guards. “You may go in your majesty.” One of the guards said.

“Thank you gentlemen.” The prince replied.

So he walked to the door and knocked gently. “Father, it's Levi, may I come inside?” The prince asked. When he didn't get a response he decided to knock again, repeating the same words that he used the first time.

“Yes Levi, you may enter.” King Henry replied.

“Good morning father.” He greeted the King with a smile.

“Good morning son. Come sir with me.” The King replied with a more cheerful smile.

“Would you like some tea?” He asked politely.

“No, thank you.” He declined with a less authentic smile.

“So what brings you by? it's quite early you know, must be something serious.”The King asked.

The prince breathed out heavily. “Father, as you know today is the tenth day of agreement, so I have come to make my decision known to you.” He said with a very stern facial expression.

“I'm all ears.” King Henry replied.

The Prince's countenance suddenly became serious. “Father, I have given much thought to everything that you have said but I need to ask you a very important question before revealing my decision to you, is that okay??”

“Sure, you can ask me anything.” The King replied anxiously.

The prince sighed deeply again.

“Is there anything that you are hiding from me?”

On hearing this the King began to laugh hysterically. “Why would I hide anything from you my son, and why do you seem all emotional?”

“Nothing at all father, I just want to be sure that I can still trust you.” The prince said with a passionate tone.

Then the King placed his hands on prince Levi's cheeks gently. “Son, you can always trust me. I’d lay my life down for you, if I have to.”

There was silence for a bit. “So tell me your decision, Son.” The King asked politely.

Then the prince sighed deeply again. “I will do as you say, but I have conditions.”

The King smiled, but the prince's last words stole his smile swiftly. “And what might that be?”

“Two conditions actually. First; you will do everything in your power to make sure that this decision doesn't affect my relationship with my brother. Secondly; He will rule beside me as second in command.” The prince said.

“Done.” the King replied confidently.

“Thank you father. I'll take my leave now. See you at breakfast.” He said with a brief smile.

“Don't mention son, see you soon.” The King said. So the prince got up and headed for the door but just as he held onto the door knob, the King called out to him again. “Son, wait, I forgot to mention something.” He said, after which he got up and came closer. “Every King needs a Queen, so I have also made arrangements for your wedding.”

On hearing this his facial expression became pale. “What does that mean father??”

“What I meant to say is; I have proposed an alliance to the King of Thrace, and he has accepted it. So his oldest daughter Laylah will be betrothed to you. Did I forget to mention that she is exceptionally beautiful.” The King said with excitement.

“I'm in love with someone else, Father.” The prince said with a frown.

On hearing this, the excitement on the King's face faded immediately. “I don't understand, I thought that you would be excited about this.”

“Father, marriage isn't just something that you can just stroll in and out of, it's serious business.” The prince cried.

The King didn't utter a single word after this, he just turned around and went back to his seat.

The prince on the other hand didn't move an inch. “Father, how could you go ahead and arrange my own marriage without soliciting my consent. I know that you are my father and the most powerful King in the Imperium, but I'm not some asset that you can toss around at will, I have a will of my own you know.”

King Henry still didn't utter a word. “Father why aren't you speaking?” The prince cried out in annoyance.

“What do you want me say!! Tell me what you want me to say!!” The King bursted out.

“Father, I respect and love you with all my heart but you need to understand that I have a will of my own. You are forcing the crown on me and as if that isn't enough, you're forcing a wife on me.”

At this point the King stood up again and came closer to the prince. “Force the crown on you, you said?? Son I'm not forcing anything on you I'm only helping you to embrace your responsibility. You're going to be King after me, I can't allow you to just marry anyone.”

“Father I have accepted the crown but I will never marry princess Laylah.” The prince said sternly and walked out of the room.