XXV

PRINCESS ROSHANNE

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

An hour later Roshanne found herself standing inside her father's office, Lady Giovanette was there, standing by her father's side... For woman who's in her early 50's, lady Giovanette rarely ages a day... She wondered what kind of sorcery she's doing? She's doing everything to remain in the king's favor for as long as she could.

"I didn't know you're engaged." Her father spoke, grimly. Roshanne never misses how lady Giovanette smirks.

"I was about to tell you about it in private... But someone decided to beat me to it." She spoke without looking at Lady Giovanette.

"Why Alastair? Give me one good reason why I should approved of this marriage."Her father asked her... Yeah? Why Alastair? Well Alastair was heavily favored by the knights and a lot of noble people despite being just a knight, she could use his influence to strengthen her own as well. Alastair has several good lords as an Ally, and they all sees him as more suitable Heir than any of their brothers if the king still refuses to name Roshanne as heir... So marrying him could get them on her side.

"Our relationship with the city of Cadalin is failing Father." She spoke to him with a hush voice, her father raised his brow. Of course she wouldn't tell him the whole reason.

"The Cadalin is a city, a rich city we have father, before you married the Viscount's daughter they are an independent city, they are lush with sea products and the trading system with them is booming. They are small... But a powerful city." She lick her lower lip.

"Your point?" He asked him.

"With the war on going, our coffer is slowly dwindling, as you know, war is expensive... The city of Cadalin isn't paying taxes for the past few decades because of the incident regarding prince Alastair's mother. We need their support father if you wishes to continue this war... We need their money." She told him.

" Viscount Nilus Castilon is rich, richer than any of dukes we have, be gained his riches through his voyages and trading... And he heavily favors Alastair... Think of it Father... Wouldn't it please him? To know his beloved grandson is to be married to the saintee of the kingdom?" She smiles when he sees the way her father eyes turned to the left... He's thinking. The thought of money is hard to pass.

"He'll give ten thousand ships and a lot of money as a dowry father." She added, and that sealed the deal for them.

" Very well... You have my blessing." This displeased the Concubine.

" But my dear? Don't you think this decision is a bit to haste? Why not offer her hand in marriage to the Prince of Telos, to gain their support? So we wouldn't have to go to war with them? No one could turn down the Sainte as an offer." She tried to persuade him... Roshanne's fist clenched... She trying to get rid of her. So she could place her second son Andrew higher in the line of succession, Andrew has the golden eyes, but his hair is blond and his blood runs red. But some people supports him.

" If the prince of Telos could give us ten thousand ships as a dowry, why not... But if they can't, I suggest you shut your mouth." The king spoke, venom laces his words making his bitch shut his mouth. Roshanne hide her smirk.

" I also have a favor to ask you daughter." Roshanne wore a sweet smile to please her father more.

" Anything for you, your grace." The king slowly rose from his seat.

"Look after my Dae.... I have heard that she favors you lot more than anyone. Help her adjust well in the kingdom, show her around if you can... I cannot spend more time with her as I am busy. Can you do that for me?" Roshanne almost snarls when he calls her name... What makes him think he owns?

"With pleasure father." With that She bows before leaving. She closed the door behind her... Next she will go to where Alastair is... His servants told her that he is in his room.

When she arrives she did not bother to knock, she pushed the door opened, just in time for her to find him atop a woman, mounting her like a savage dragon.

"Alastair!" She screams his name startling the two, Alastair quickly pulled away from the woman, he stared at her wide eyed. The woman quickly covered herself, fear and confusion eminent in her face. She doesn't recognize her, but from the looks of it, she's one of a noble lords Daughter.

"Sister? What are you doing here? I thought you weren't feeling well?" He asked, Roshanne ignored him for a moment and went to the woman, grabbing her by the arm and throwing her out of the room, followed by her dress. She doesn't care, if any one sees her... It wasn't a secret that Alastair himself is a lotharios man. He would fucked whomever he sees is attractive, and she wasn't bother about it. When the door slammed shut, Roshanne turned so fast that Alastair didn't have the chance to avoid the hand that was coming.

The slap echoed around the room... Rendering him speechless.

"Who... Told you flaunt about our engagement?! Didn't I tell you specifically! Little brother that you are not to speak about it unless I have given you the order?!" She roared. Alastair stared at her and there was genuine fear in his eyes.

" F-forgive me sister... I... I didn't mean to, i-i was so drunk." He told her, squirming under her intense gaze.

" Do this to me again brother and I will send you to the eastern border to spend your miserable life in there!" She warned him, Alastair looked down in shame before nodding his head. Roshanne huffs before turning around to leave him... The naked woman was still standing by the door awaiting them.

"If you ever fall pregnant, trust me you'll be giving birth in the isle of bastards." She stated before walking pass her... Too much... Roshanne thought, she had too much in her mind. She was glad though that she was able to come up with a clever idea to persuade her father... She would just have to sent Alastair tomorrow to Cadalin to try and persuade his grandfather into giving ten thousand ships as a dowry and lending them a few thousand coffers... Roshanne had only met that old man for short period of time, but she knew how much he loved the son of his favorite daughter, he wouldn't be able to say no.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

LADY DAE

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Dae was startled awake by the sudden loud ringing of the bells. She quickly sat up and looked outside the window, the sun had already set, the rooms and corridors of the castle had already been lit, save her room, who remained dim. She looks at the chair besides her bed and saw Neviska, sleeping... She never left her. She thought.

The loud ringing of the bell again made her heart leap, she don't know why, but something about it sounds like a warning to her.

"Neviska? Neviska wake up." She shake Neviska, who slowly opened her eyes. She yawned first before rubbing the sleep away from her tired eyes.

"Yes my lady? What is it? Do you need something?" Dae shakes her head.

"No, but do you know why the bells are ringing?" Neviska paused for a moment and listen to the bell, before her eyes widen.

"Oh my! I forgot to tell you my lady... Your father arrives tonight, that must be them." Neviska quickly stood up, and went to Dae's closet looking for something she should wear... While Neviska was busy looking for something she should wear Dae remained in her bed, looking pale... Her father was there... She swallowed thick, meaning he'll be there to control her, to watch every steps she make. She bit her lower lip.

"What would you like to wear my lady?" Neviska asked her... Dae stared at the green dress and the bluish dress adorned with gold dress... The green dress she recognized, it was a gift from her father on her 15th summer.

"I like the green dress." She told her, Neviska nodded her head and helped her get dress... Although she would wince every now and then... She also chose the green dress for the very reason that it hides her body well.

"Would you like me to braid your hair?" Neviska went to her dresser and put out different hairpins and hair ornament that she could find.

"Where did you get those?" She asked her, when Dae had arrived here in Solvira her father didn't give her any jewelry, saves from a few necklace and dresses.

"The princess gave this to you. She bought you a lot of gift this morning. She ordered for us to place it in your dresser." Dae stared at the hairpins and other hair ornaments and saw that it was made of beautiful Jewelries. She touched each master pieces... All was beautiful, and all share the same design, if not flowers then butterflies... They vary from colors to sizes.

"Can you.... Put this in my hair?" She asked pointing the red gold butterfly. Neviska smiles pleased with her choice. Dae sat in front of the mirror and watched as Neviska do her job, she wasn't used to someone braiding her hair, because the maids in her tower have heavy hands and always pull at her hair harshly, so she prefers it more to just let her hair loose... But Neviska on the other hand... Was gentle, she works around each knot in her curly hair.

"There my lady... What do you think?" Neviska asked her once she's done... She had placed the clip on the side of her head, just above her ear... And it looked beautiful... Her hair was neatly pun in a braid... And she looks fresh... Though her smile disappears when she saw the clear mark of the king on her neck.

"Can you cover this up?" Neviska nods her head and did as what Dae asked her to do. Neviska did her work, and once done... There wasn't even a trace of it.

When Dae stepped out of her room she was greeted by the sight of other servants working with a hurried pace... Coming back and forth carry various objects... From plates to lamps, from pillow to bed sheet.

"What's going on?" She asked one maid who was passing by.

"Your father have arrived my lady... And the he brought with him ten thousand troops." The maid exclaimed before walking away.

"Ten thousand troops? That's a bit too much my lady. Do you have any ide about this?" Neviska asked her, Dae shakes her head, but by the looks of it, she knows her father went overboard. From what she knows of the agreement between him and the king, he was only ever allowed to bring two thousand of his troops... And her father brought 1/3 of his troops.

"Call for the stable masters! Have someone open the dragon dome to accommodate the drakes." She heard the head butler command. Why did he bring so much? Isn't it basically a warning? Is he threatening the king? She bit her lower lip and made her way quickly to where they were.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

PRINCESS ROSHANNE

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

"Ten thousand of his troops?!" Lady Lara asked in disbelief upon hearing the news... They were at the council meeting room, all sitting in disbelief when Dae's father arrived at the gate of the City of Kings along with his ten thousand troops.... It caused a commotion among their people, they thought they were being invaded, Roshanne along with her other siblings had to flew their Dragon in order to assess the situation.

"How are we supposed to accommodate such people? They wouldn't fit inside the castle!" Lord Glen asked, Roshanne could see that he is agitated by the situation... Who isn't, everyone was shaken by this sudden event, they were summoned from their Houses in a hurry because of this.

" I asked the Dragon masters to open the dome to let the drakes in for the time being, the king is in a private meeting with the lord of Titus at the moment." Duke Hendrix spoke, he stood their in place of the king.

" Alone? What if something happens to him?" Lord Boromir asked them.

" If he does something he wouldn't make it out alive." Roshanne reminded him.

" He may be, but our people would be put in danger." She sighed and massage her temple.

" Can we not think of assassination at this moment? The lord of Lysos isn't dumb! For now let us speak of what we should do about this troops. Where we could let them stay and how can we feed them without running our coffers drain." She grumbles, and everyone agrees at her suggestions. But before they could continue a Knock on their door interrupted them.

" Pray forgive me your highness for interrupting your meeting... But the king summons you and Lord Boromir to his office." The head butler spoke. She looks at everyone in the table before nodding her head.

" Marchioness Eufreme.... I leave this meeting in your care." The Marchioness nods her head accepting the reign before Roshanne excited from the room followed by lord Boromir.

" I could smell their stinks from a mile away." Lord Boromir grumbled and Roshanne couldn't agree more... It was the stink of their drakes that causes this rancid smell in the air.

"Have you any idea why they brought so much? " Lord Boromir inquired, Roshanne had only one thought in mind.

" It is a silent declaration of a threat from them." She told him, looking at him.

" They know that we lack soldiers to protect our people, half was sent in Adari, the rest are scattered in the borders. Untrained and inexperienced young men were all that is left here." She told him surprising lord Boromir. It was true, young inexperienced men are all that is left in their kingdom, making her want to place Alastair as head of the knight academy as well as head of the City guards to beat some sense as well as to train this young people. But she still doesn't have the power... That power still belongs to Kaspian as the heir. Speaking of which, she hadn't seen that bastards in days.

"Where is Kaspian?" She asked lord Boromir. He cleared his throat and avoided her eyes.

"Well, last I heard that Prince is in the street of flesh." Roshanne stops.

"The street of flesh? What the fuck is he doing there? Scattering his bastards? To give more abomination?" Lord Boromir didn't speak. Roshanne sighed and squeeze the bridge of her nose, she would have to check with the Treasury department to see where the bastard is spending the royal money that was given to him.

"I swear he should be gelded like his horse... Who the fuck does he think he is flaunting around the City of flesh while carrying the title of Heir?" She grumbles, Lord Boromir didn't object, he knows it! He could see just how incompetent he is! And there are actual people who supports him!

The two of them stops in front of the her father's office, there arrival was announced by the guard before it was opened... Upon stepping inside, the first thing Roshanne noticed was the large man standing by the side of her father's office, looking at his trophies... The man has has unmistakable reddish brown hair... And he... Roshanne swallowed feeling intimated by his sheer size... He was literally big. Then her eyes went to the man that was sitting, who's already looking at her.... Unlike that man who's standing this one is of a smaller physique, but still bigger then most men, he was still taller than Alastair whom she reminded everyone is already taller than their average men...

"Daughter, lord Boromir come in." It was her father's voice who snap her out of their staring competition.

"I'd like you to meet Lord Titus and his son and heir Lord Marcus." Lord Titus slowly turned around, his face... She noted was marred with scar, from the look of it, it seems that it was burned. Was he one of the people who suffered when she attacked to protect the small village of Shreen? But impossible, she. Would have remembered him... Or was this the cause of Aureus? Anyway it wasn't her problem.

"Pleased to me you my Lord." She greeted them both, before turning to her father.

"I called you here to discuss something." He stated motioning for her to take a seat. And they did.

"Lord Titus here have volunteered to send his troops in the golden hills." His father began, she looks back at the Lord who stood still with a small smile in his scarred face.

"In exchange for what?" She quickly asked, she knows that he wouldn't just give something for free without asking anything in return.

"In exchange for a place in here. In my council." Her eyes widen... She looks back at the two men, the son remained with a stoic expression but his eyes never left hers.

"In your council father? As a councilor?" She asked trying to clear things, he's father nod his in conformation head.

"But my Lord... That is too much to demand... We couldn't trust them!" Lord Boromir spoke, he was about to say something but Roshanne stops him.

"What position would you give him?" She inquired.

"I was thinking of giving him the position of lord Boromir." Roshanne looked at Lord Boromir who looked insulted.

" Father, pray forgive me... But giving him Lord Boromir's position is an insult to him... His family have served you well for the past decade. Why give him the position?" She turns to regards the father and son.

" That's why I called you here. To ask who you would rather replace?" Roshanne bit her lip, even more surprised that her father is letting her decide. Well there are 10 councilors.... Lord Boromir is the councilor for war, Lord Glen is the peace Councilor, Lord Carlstin is the Treasury councilor

Lord Becknam... Councilor for the security of the city.

Marchioness Eufreme, councilor for the knights

Lord Craeven, their councilor for spy masters.

Lady Meera the councilor for Foreign affairs... And of course there is lord Wolfguard... Councilor for the strategic warfare and her, as the moderator and as well as the councilor that represents that church. But among all this councilors there is one position that she is willing to give him... Lord Titus is planning something and he would want to be close to the king, that's why he offered something, and Roshanne isn't a fool to turn it down, they badly needed it. They will need him until she gained the support of the city of Cadalin as well as the city of mines.

"I suggest placing him as councilor of strategic warfare." This seems to surprise them more. It's a high position, higher than that of lord Boromir, coming third in the position of peace Councilor.

"We need his experience in war. So I suggest letting them work with lord Boromir." She suggested, she couldn't give him another higher position but she also didn't want to insult him by giving him a lower position in the council room. So it was the safest thing to do.

" Is that enough for you my Lord?" The king asked him. Lord Titus smiles and nods his head.

" That is enough." He looks back at her and Regarded her.

" Once my troop have rest well enough I will send them to the golden hills to aid your men, and allow them to retreat to recollect themselves, my son Ignatius will be the one to lead them. But I would suggest you send one of your siblings to oversee the situation and fill them in." Shit, Roshanne hadn't taught of that. Lou and Aiden are both dead, they are the only one who knows about the true state of the war. Sending Kaspian to oversee it is like sending an idiot to lead an army to their death, and she couldn't send Alastair to war either. She needs him by her side.

"Well ... Who do you have in mind?" The king asked.

"I suggest sending his highness, prince Nicholas, princess." Lord Boromir suggested making her look at him. And Roshanne couldn't agree more... Nicholas the 4th prince, and more trusted than anyone.

"Yes father... He'll be the best choice."