King Khalil's Doll

Chapter 2: Outspoken Captive

The soldiers had entered the royal gates and their hoofed horses walked towards the courtyard leading to the main gate. They stopped and the General of the army stepped down as he waited for Prince Khalil to come outside.

News had been brought to Khalil as he smashed his booted feet on the marble floor leading him down the stairs. He walked down graciously as he didn't want to strip on the stairs.

Everything about this young man reeked with power, his temerity was something someone could ever gulp down in just a sip, and envy will rise if he doesn't control himself.

As he descended the last stair, the guards who stood at the bottom immediately stood at attention Praising him as he walked down towards the front door.

He was used to being formal, so it didn't bother him that much.

A footman who stood by the door always prepared to do his job did it so graciously.

With a nod on his head, he walked out of the castle as the cool breeze soothe his tanned skin.

His eyes met with those who played the trumpets and the moment his hand went up, they stopped instantly respecting his commands.

Prince Khalil's eyes swept around the courtyard as he searched for his father. He thought maybe he had not yet arrived till he saw the General of the army approach him with a solemn look.

Prostrating before Prince Khalil, he gives a formal greeting.

"May the Prince of Mount Paragon live long," he chanted.

Khalil brushed aside his greetings and searched his eyes still searching for the king.

"Where is King Khalil?" he questioned.

The entire army became mute as they shared the same look from one person to the other.

General Austin stood on his feet as he stared once more at Prince Khalil, wondering how to break the news to him.

"I am sorry, Prince Khalil, but you will have to know that we tried out best in the war," he started.

All his words were pure dragon to the Prince's ears as all that interested him was to see his father.

In anger, Khalil dug his nails in General Austin's arms as he shook him violently, fear already gripping his entire body.

"Answer me before I release the beast in me," he let out angrily.

Prince Khalil could be a beast if he chose to, and today, he was in one of the dangerous moods that he did not want to be.

As a reply to his threat, the General looked at his troops and shook his head as if ordering them to abide by a command he just passed.

Before everyone's eyes, a stretcher carrying a man was brought in front.

The stretcher had four ends, and two soldiers stood on the front row carrying it as if it was a light task. The other two soldiers followed their movements as they moved to the front row.

The content of what they were carrying was concealed with a thick blanket, and it was only the form that made notice that it was a person who was being carried in it.

Confusion creased Prince Khalil's forehead as he looked at the stretcher weirdly. Again, his attention drifted from the stretched to the General and back to the stretcher.

"What is that? and how does it relate to my question?" Prince Khalil asked.

Instantly, realization dawned on him as he paired the pieces together.

It couldn't be that... no it can't be the king who was in the stretcher.

"Who is that?" he thundered staring at the Soldier that stood before him.

He became mute, as he found that the truth might cause his life. As a reply, General Austin showed his hand towards the stretcher which had now been laid on the floor, urging him to take a peep at it.

Slowly, Prince Khalil approached the stretcher.

The ideas that ran through his mind were so delirious.

'Who could that be in the stretcher, why did the General not reply to his question at once, but rather asked him to check out himself?' Several questions bubbled through the young Prince's mind.

He panicked wondering if it was worth trying it or not, At first, he sent a foot forth but stopped. Gave a silent prayer wishing that what he is thinking should not be the absolute reality. If it was, he would surely pass out before they notice it.

Once again, he gave a second step forth before stopping.

At this moment, his heart was in his mouth, his air had become ragged as the redeem of his heart gave a this each time he looked at the stretcher.

Instead of him walking directly towards the stretcher and unveil its content, he stood at the mid-section from him and the wood structure, staring at it as if it didn't exist.

It is not that he didn't have the courage to open the damn thing, just that he feared that the content of it might stir tears to his eyes, something he didn't plan for.

Swaying his head around the crowd, he noticed their solemn expression. While the women stood at the corner watching with tears from the back, the men and fellow soldiers stood bravely beside their horses, as they didn't dare breathe a word.

Yes, soldiers are well-trained people, but that didn't mean that they don't have sentiments, they have a wide heart that loves and protects the kingdom at large.

Still, among the people who were present, I could not spot out dad's handsome face which was covered with a bearded chin and a sweet mustache that lined up his upper lips. To me, it was perfect, he was flawless and so at his legacies; the numerous territories he won during battles and how he expanded his Kingdom.

Since I wasted a lot of time to react, a voice suddenly cut through the entire courtyard which was already as quiet as a graveyard.

"Who is this snail? if you can't open the blanket to reveal the content, then I'll tell you who it is__King Khalil I of Mount Paragon,"

Prince Khalil was startled by this revelation and when he lifted his head, he was faced with the most beautiful creature he had ever seen.

Her audacity was striking and as well short-lived when the Commander who was behind her slapped her and she came flying off from the horse's back to the graveled courtyard where she came tumbling.

Immediately, she stopped moving as she must have lost consciousness.

"Order, Commander, let go of her," Prince Khalil said as he walked towards them pushing the Commander aside while kneeling close to the lifeless girl.

"Real men don't fight with ladies, they protect them," he blurted out.

"Prince Khalil, the girl is responsible for King Khalil's death," he blurted out.

"Father is dead?" he inquired freezing halfway.

"Yes, she killed him," General Austin blurted out.

I was caught midway trying to protect my own enemy.