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King Rhett stared at his son standing before him. He slumped in his chair, his index finger tapping in a slow rhythm. He wondered where he went wrong in raising the boy for him to do such a thing. All he did was protected Cormac from the truth. The very truth that came back and bit him. The truth that made his son propose to a fifteen in front of the whole Kingdom.
Cormac stood quietly. It was because of protection him from the truth, feeding him with lies that he had to resort to such measures. "Thank you father." he broke the silence that settled between them. King Rhett titled his head slightly to the side, raising a rather bushy brow his son way. "Thank you for feeding me such lies. If you haven't I wouldn't be in such a situation. I made my own judgement, forge my own path not what you had wanted." King Rhett stopped tapping his finger, anger eating away at his insides.
"You even allowed me the chance of meeting my destined partner. I really should thank you." He bowed to the King, a smile on his lips. Cormac raised his head, "This Kingdom will be washed away," King Rhett remembered those very words. "And be born anew. Look forward to it father."
King Rhett burst into a fit of laughter. ' Has he gone mad ', Cromac thought. King Rhett was glad he didn't share all his secrets with his heir just yet, otherwise his son would be turning to those Relufians for further help. His scheme had cause great a damage already. Having the Relufians involved will have the King removed from his throne. That is if Cormac could win them over.
King Rhett wondered back to the boy. Phoenix he recalled, a bitter stain in his mind at the sight of the boy. He looked up at his son, "I think you have it all wrong son," he began. "If anything I would love to support this idea of yours." Cormac was visible shocked. "My rule and ways seems to be over. It's time for a strong willed person like you to show this Kingdom what a true ruler looks like."
Cormac didn't know whether he should believe his father or not. He could just be pulling at his leg. There was no way he would allow it so easily. Cormac would proceed however he liked. With things going great, he also managed to stop the war that would start with Peruel.
"About your wedding," King Rhett proceeded to ask. "Shall we Wed you two on the same date as you and Princess Ximera or a sooner date will be more suitable?"
"That's something for me to decide." Cromac responded. Phoenix had yet to given him a respond to the proposal. He left with a rather sour expression. Cormac knew it was his fault, he hadn't informed him of him and Ximera. He had yet made another mistake. "There's something I would like to ask you father,"
King Rhett sat up in his chair, propping his elbows onto his desk as he joined his finger. "Why did the former King Malachi build the Iron Fortress?" he asked. "The Laqum Kingdom loves their people more than anything. I can't see him building such a thing knowing what was going to be inside."
The King wasn't going to question where Cormac learnt about King Malachi. His recent visits to the Kingdom might prove it. King Rhett didn't see a need not to answer his question. There would be no benefits to his son. "He built the Iron Fortress." he said short and simple.
Cormac took the short and rather simple answer and deciphered it on his own. Thinking that Malachi didn't know what was going to be placed inside. "What happened to Arabella's father?" He shot another question the man way.
"He's dead." King Rhett replied quickly, making Cormac raise a brow.
"About Aperia and the castle--" King Rhett raised a hand to stop him. Cormac thought it was the best time to get the answers he needed from him.
"Commander Amir should be here soon." he said. "I'm sure you have to bid Princess Arabella and Ximera off. After all they don't have a reason to stay anymore." Cormac didn't say another word as he began to take his leave. "About that boy," Cormac looked back at his father, his hand still on door knob. "How much do you know about him?"
"Not a lot," he responded. "But I do know I love him. Isn't that enough?" With that he left.
He was resolving issues one by one. Cormac hoped he could meet the Kings of Peruel and give his deepest apologies and even get some advice from the two. He was new to a relationship, Phoenix being his first. Cormac would though long and hard if the kisses and touches were fulfilling. As a beginner he kept comparing himself to the man he saw Phoenix with.
How he deeply hated that someone else had the opportunity to do things to him that he had yet to do. Was he starting to be possessive?. Cormac kept making another mistake after the other. The last one made him feel like he was thrown into a deep abyss. He didn't want to feel like that again.
"Your Highness," Someone said, pulling him form his thoughts. He looked to see a shorter boy. He's seen him with Iker most of the time. "I came to deliver a message." Cormac gestured for him to proceed. "Iker said that the Princesses are about to leave. They are waiting in the court yard by the carriage."
"Thank you." He said surprising Dash.
Cormac went towards the front doors. Ximera along with Arabella and Iker awaited him. Princess Arabella waved him over. He joined the three. They had all become such great friends in the time they spent together. Cormac didn't have to worry about being lonely in the castle again, he had these three and most of all he had Phoenix.
"You look as if this is our last goodbye." Princess Ximera was the first to speak. "You can always come and visit us in Laqum. That is if my father doesn't behead you for refusing me." She laughed after, letting it be known to Cormac that it was a joke. "Or we could come and visit again. See the work you've put into this Kingdom."
"Again, I'm sorry Ximera." Cormac apologized.
"One of us was bound to find the person we truly love. You just got a few steps ahead of me." She chuckled, waving him off. "If you're worried about my father he won't be as angry about the situation. It was beneficial to both of us. I quite enjoyed my first trip here."
"I'm glad you did despite all that's happening withing the Kingdom." Cormac responded. "How about you Arabella, Did you enjoy your stay?"
Arabella clasped both her hands to her cheeks, grinning from ear to ear. "I most certainly did." she responded, suddenly elated. "I feel like we're someone alike now Cormac. We both went into the Iron Fortress and found someone that was breathtaking." She covered her face, trying to contain her smile.
"What is wrong with you?" Princess Ximera asked, trying not to laugh at Arabella.
"I believe I know what's happening here." Iker spoke up. "She had met Siobhan. I believe that's her name?" Cormac nodded in confirmation. "I think she's taking a liking to her." Princess Ximera covered her mouth from shock as she looked to Arabella.
"She's so beautiful and-- I was captured upon first sight." Cormac nodded as he tried containing his own smile. It was the same for him and Phoenix. "Could you bring her to Laqum on your next visit?" She pleaded with her eyes. "And those two adorable babies of hers. We could have a picnic by the lake...." Arabella drifted off into a list of things she was planning. "Can I just stay?"
Cormac laughed, thinking if that was how he acted. "I will see what I can do." He told her. Not entirely sure if Siobhan would want to leave. Phoenix had a hard time just going to the castle. Going to another Kingdom would be even harder.
"I'm the only one without a partner." Ximera pouted.
"I-I'm also without." Iker chipped in. Ximera pulled him close and pretended to cry.
Cormac thought he shouldn't hold them back further as he asked his last question."How far away is the Kingdom of Peruel from Seridina?"
"Half a day; maybe a full day." Princess Arabella said unsure. She has never been to Peruel before. "Why?" She then asked the question all three were thinking.
Cormac started to share his thoughts on the King and Peruel. "I'm not sure as yet. Though, I think that my father wanted me to marry Princess Ximera so he could get access to Laqums military assets." He looked between the three as they listened. "I think he was going to go at war with the Kingdom of Peruel." They all gasp, piecing together all that had happened. "Now that I've broken of the engagement, I've stopped the war. I'm going to visit Peruel to be sure."
"It's time for us to go Arabella." Princess Ximera said. She had gotten more information than she expected. Her father would love to hear about this. Iker along with Cormac bid them farewell, watching as the carriage left the yard. Iker didn't need to question why the Prince had come up with such a thought.
He had also thought of King Rhett doing something bad when Princess Arabella had told him of the Kings marriage. "When are you planning on leaving?" Iker asked as they entered back the castle.
"Right now." Cormac responded. "The sooner I go the surer I'll be back. I also want to get a few advice." Iker knew well enough. "Keep an eye on things while I'm gone. I can't trust that my father will not do anything. As for the man he has locked away, I'll see to it when I get back."
They conversed more until Iker went to get another carriage ready. Cormac went to his chambers to grab a few things, looking towards the Iron Fortress as he bid his beloved farewell. Hoping he won't be too angry at him. Cormac left for the Kingdom of Peruel soon after.
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"There's a boy who wishes to enter the Kingdom my Lords. He's without a pass and claim to be from The Kingdom of Seridina." The messenger spoke as he knelt to the ground, his head hung low.
"Let him in." King Waylon said, earning a look from King Enzo. The messenger ushered out the room, the doors closing softly behind him.
"What do you mean to let him in," King Enzo spoke, not pleased in the least. "For all we know he might actually be the prince. The son of the man who wants our head. Even worst a trap."
King Waylon cupped Enzo's cheeks, pressing a kiss to the man's forehead. "You need to stop worrying so much. Prince Rhys along with Queen Zelda has sent us a message. The prince had caused an uproar in the Kingdom. We know for sure that he's nothing like his father. To prove our further luck, they found the boy." He then kissed his King, stopping himself before he could lose all his control.
Cormac was released upon the arrival of a messenger. He rolled his shoulders to relax then, rid the feeling of the strong guard that kept a hold of him. It was stupid of him to not come with a pass. He rather his father not know about his visit, hence, him coming without a pass.
He followed the messenger along two guards who walked behind him. His first visit to the Kingdom of Peruel was a bit rough on first start. It was a small price to pay for his father's deed. Cormac looked around the Kingdom. He noticed that their were a lot of crops being grown. If he recalled correctly, Ipera was known for its trade. It produced goods and traded with the other Kingdoms. One of its many traits, but the most outstanding one. Peruel had not left that behind.
He watched as men along with women tended the fields. Horses running across wide acres The Kingdom felt like a homely place. It's green and yellow colours representing the lush and sunlight. Their crest that of a person holding soil in one hand and a plant in the other. Nothing better than to sum up the Kingdom.
They arrived at the castle. Cormac was led to a large room and met with two older men. They sat arm in arm, making him remember Phoenix. The both looked at him unexpectedly, one not too fond of his visit. "My apologies for the sudden visit." He apologised. "I'm here on personal business and in order to seek some advice." He bowed to the two.
"Crown Prince Cormac Serdian," King Waylon was the first to speak. "I believe this is your first time to our Kingdom." Cormac nodded. " I hope you're not here for our heads." He joked, earning a slap on the arm from King Enzo.
"I'm here to apologize for my father's wronging." he began. "To wager war against you just for marrying the person you love. I'm sorry for any inconvenience we may have cost you."
"How are we so sure your Kingdom won't come breaking our walls down?" King Enzo said, still not convinced.
Cormac found the need to explain everything to them. "With my engagement to the Princess of Laqum now off, my father will no longer be able to access their army for an attack against Peruel." Waylon rubbed his chin, he would have to inform the others about the news.
"I heard you caused a ruckus at your coronation." Waylon said.
"How did you know of that?" Cormac didn't expect for news to travel so far.
"Well Prince Rhys informed us after he asked your people. Queen-- " Enzo cut him off. Waylon was trying to test his knowledge. Almost letting a secret slip.
Cormac had heard that name before, "King Ezekiel brother?" Why would he be in Seridina and without knowledge to him and his father. Enzo was the one to nod. "I didn't know he was in the Kingdom." It was something else for him to think about.
"You said you wanted some advice also." Waylon changed the topic at hand.
Cormac nodded. "There's this person I'm deeply in love with. He's the first person I've been with." He admitted embarrassingly. Enzo's eyes widen from shock at the word he, not expecting for the boy to say that. "Hence, I'm new to the whole thing. I keep making mistakes after the other and I'm not sure when the time comes of I'll be able to --" he was far too embarrassed to finish.
"I understand." King Waylon said, suddenly remembering his first of everything with Enzo.
King Waylon proceeded to talk with Cormac, sharing how he and Enzo came to be. Waylon had been chasing Enzo like a cat did its tale. They had a rocky start but he came to warm up to him. He had frequent Ipera to see him, confessing his love to him one day. Enzo had refused. Waylon said it was due to his stubbornness.
Enzo of course started to argue with him. Cormac watched as they bickered. There so no hatred just love. King Enzo warmed up to Cormac, sharing a few stories of Waylon that he had of his own. As Cromac looked at them, he wanted something like that, or even greater with Phoenix.
It was nightfall by the time they had finished talking. Cormac agreed to return home the following day. Waylon had pulled him aside, whispering a few tips that made him red up to his ears. He was glad he came to visit, creating a bond with the Kings that could lead to an alliance in the future.
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