War Princess

Chapter 4: Threatened

Zils has been bedridden for a month now. The chambermaids are required to standby by her bed. The royal physicians are checking on her everyday but no sight of Vrag at all. She still have many things to ask him, and of course to convince him that she worth nothing to win the war.

The War between Arethea and Slotia has been going for three years. It started with military showoff between two countries but it escalated to a war where both side wanting to expand their territories.

Vrag turns out to be the 5th Prince of Slothia, while Zils has heard about the dispute between Slothia Crown Prince and 2nd Prince over the throne, the rest of the Prince is not really well known. Slothia King is known to keep the biggest harem among the Kings. There is a rumor that he is keeping a harem of beautiful young men as well. 

Zils waste her time to observe the room she was staying. The room shape is round, with big windows around the walls. The chambermaids open the windows every morning and warm breeze will step in with sounds of birds chirping. The maids have said that during cold seasons the windows are closed. 

The physicians has advised to make her as happy as they can so her healing can progress better. They let her sit on one of the berandas with the morning sun and have her breakfast there. It was Spring so the breathtaking flower garden can be enjoyed fully from the high rise chamber she stayed. A fitting chamber for a royal, she admitted she enjoyed more than she should while staying here. She need to constantly remind herself that she is in an enemy territory. 

The flower garden brought her to a nostalgic memory she has forgotten long time ago. A tiny movement of the gate caught her attention and when the gate is opened she can view a garrison of horses ridden by white uniform men.

"Oh Your Highness is back." one of the chambermaid informing Zils. Zils can't help but think the maid has thought of her as Vrag's woman. She expected Zils to be happy with Vrag's coming home. Zils is keeping her distance with the chambermaids. They have been the kindest to her but they are still people from the enemy kingdom. She will get in trouble if she has grown attached. 

Zils just gave a faint smile. "I can't wait to have a talk with him." Zils didn't have a chance to talk with Vrag the last time they met. The doctors are summoned to the chamber to continue her treatment and that is the last time she saw Vrag. Vrag hasn't been in the palace for a month now. 

Zils has retire to the bed when she heard the door is opened. Vrag proceed to enter the room. He brought in a wooden box, put it on the table and proceed to hang his coat on one of the chair. He then remove his white military blazer and left with his inner white shirt. He removed the buttons on his upper shirt while eyeing Zils from the mirror in front of him. 

"How is your leg?" Vrag opened the conversation. 

"Proceeding well." Zils answered. 

Varg's blonde hair has grown a bit longer than what Zils remembered.

"Your physicians said I am able to try walking next week."

"I brought a present for you." Vrag bring the wooden box and placed it on her laps. Vrag casually sit beside her on the bed. Zils gave him a questioning look. 

"Open it."

Zils eyes are widen when she saw the familiar blue jewels inside the box.

"How do you get this?" 

"I got this from Corinth." Vrag just answered flatly. "It takes me three weeks to bring that city down and meet your brother." 

"What did you do to Edmund?" 

Zils can feel the horror seep in. Edmund is the 3rd Arethea Prince. Edmund is the only one that treated her nicely as a sister eventhough she is only the princess born from a chambermaid. Edmund and Zils' age is only a year apart.

The Queen only bear sons for the King so when Zils is born the King is so delighted. The Queen is not happy about the affair though and Zils was never announced as a Princess. She was still able to stay within the Palace walls. The Queen has always denied that Zils is the daughter of the King, spreading rumors that Zils' mother slept with many men besides the King but ironically as her sons take over her features, Zils is the only one take the King's features. 

The azure jewels Vrag brought can only be found in Corinth. Edmund is not so talented in war arts, but he is more interested on trades and economics. The King then placed him to govern Corinth where the biggest azure jewels mine reside. 

"I keep him in the dungeon so far." Vrag started to play with Zils hair, he really like her jet black hair the most. He didn't expect that he can feel the longing to touch Zils' hair after a month away. "Both of you didn't look that much alike."

"He is not a soldier, don't hurt him."

"Wether I have to take his life or not, it depends on you." his hand start to caress Zils's rosy lips. Zils slapped his hands away. Vrag gave her a deep look and pushed her down and kissing her forcefully. 

"Stop!!" Zils tried to push him away but she knew actually little can be done.

"So you prefer me to kill your brother then?" Vrag threatened her cowardly. Zils stop resisting and throw an angry look to Vrag. 

"Is that how low you want to sunk?"

Vrag started to laugh. 

"What is so funny?" Zils is taken a back with his reaction. 

"I will if I need to."

Zils just froze.

"Your answer." Vrag demanded. 

Zils just close her eyes, feeling the tears welling up.

"Do as you like." her answer came like a whisper.