I Refuse to be a Named Character

Part 5

"And the third?"

"The third is the loyalty of your kingdom." He grinned, his eyes slightly dilated as he continued to talk. "Nine Lords control territories in the central plains. Each of them bears a key. The keys unlock a special royal treasury, where the next king's crown and seal are kept. "

I thought it over. "That doesn't sound too difficult, if there's nine keys."

"You need five to open it."

"That's a bit tougher."

"Exactly." Graham chucked at my tired expression, looking slightly dazed as he spoke. "The token and the Tarif allow the Princes to participate in a set of three parties, which are used to convince the Lords to give up their key. Of course, it's a test of diplomacy and skill... but also of trust."

I set down my spoon. "What do you mean?"

"You have to have people at your side you can trust who can help you talk to the Lords. There's not enough time to intensely bargain with each one. You need people who won't betray you. I need someone by my side." Graham's face was turning red, he tugged his collar open as if to help himself breathe better. "You know... someone like you."

"A hunter?"

He leaned forward, his unfocused gaze taking a while before fixating on me. "A trustworthy person." He swayed in his seat, looking dizzy as he fumbled with his bowl and spoon. "You don't know how rare you are. How much I want you. And I don't even know your name!" Laughing loudly, he almost fell out of his seat.

The prince was giving me increasingly warm glances, but as I watched him, I felt my heart turn cold. I stared at him, watching him sway in place, losing more and more control of his words and actions.

"Why aren't you smiling?" Graham spoke up loudly, standing up, knocking his chair over. "You always smile at my brother, but you've never smiled once at me!"

I sighed. "Why should I smile at you?"

"Because you belong to me!" His smile turned fierce. "I decided that you have to love me! You'll be my woman."

"Don't be foolish." I shook my head, and his face turned quickly from angry to sorrowful.

"No one has ever cared about me! Don't you know I'm going to be king?! I'll treat you well! I'll let you be queen! Just love me, and not my brother, okay?" He reached out a hand towards me, but I avoided it. "Don't run away! I love you!"

I paused at those words, staring at him icily. "Is that why you tried to drug me?"

"I... what?" He blinked at me, surprised, barely able to stand upright.

"I never drank the tea you made me. In fact, I mixed several spoonful into your stew." I glared. "How much did you put in my tea, for you to be so affected by just a small amount?"

Graham leaned on the table barely able to stand. "Your eyes are too clear. You see right through me. You don't want anything." He reached for me again, but I easily stepped away. "This is all your fault! I came all this way to see you, but you didn't care at all! If you appreciated my efforts I wouldn't have had to use that potion!" His eyes were wild, filled with obsession. "I need to stain you with this dirty world. Make you need me. Only then will you stay with me."

I grabbed his arm, and pushed him down to the chair once more. Looking down at him, I felt a strong disgust rising in the back of my throat.

"You're wrong."

"What?"

"I do want something." Smiling coldly, I leaned down to whisper in his ear. "I want to never see you again."