บท 19: The Start of The Issue
Christian felt his stomach clenched.
"Prince Garret was there to try and stop her," Constantine replayed, "His highness and her highness were upset."
They stared at him and he knew what they were conveying through their looks. The other kingdom saw the display and it would happen again. War. Gritting his teeth, he waited for them to continue with a nod.
"Lynn coughed out blood and fell unconscious against Prince Garret," Constantine continued fisting his hands, "King Valor did not like the display."
Richard nodded with a scowl, "He was livid and demanded King Alastir to have his daughter marry Prince Garret for this farce."
"The worst part is he agreed," Constantine slammed his hands and stood, "Our king, the great King Alastir played into King Valor's hands!"
It as quiet for a moment as Christian took this in.
"Queen Annabelle," he started holding back his anger, "She to agree?"
Richard reached his hand out to grab Constantine's elbow to calm him.
"She disagreed but had no say when the princess spoke in agreement for marriage," Richard glanced at the hallway where the sleeping girl is now awake.
Christian stared at his daughter as the stillness in the room deafen. She looked so tired, so small like she was a child once more. Eyes, heavy with sleep and hair unkempt from rolling in her sheets.
"I wish to speak with him," her soft voice was rough from lack of talking.
Christian stood up and walked over to his child and felt her lean against him. Letting out a sigh, he picked her up into his arms and headed to the door.
"Let us see him then," he said and open the door.
Constantine and Richard stood up, adjusted their uniform and left the house. All four walked the stone paved path to the castle. The girl in the arms of the elder coughed softly against his shoulder.
"Are you alright dear?" Christian asked as he held her tighter, "We'll be there soon."
He felt the nod and he walked faster to the castle. When they arrived, the knights at the door glanced at them and quickly opened the doors. Entering, Christian walked up to the steps to his king and queen.
"Before we begin whatever you requested of me," Christian stated, "I must see the prince."
"He is occupied," the king supplied looking at his daughter.
"We must see him," Christian narrowed his eyes, "I ask nothing, but this from you my king. Just this request."
It was quiet in the throne room and Christian stood his ground. Enough was enough.
"Very well," the king nodded and stood.
Walking down the halls, Christian could feel his daughter's hands clenched and unclenched his tunic. Keeping his composure, he followed the path to his destination.
When the door opened, Christian's eyebrows furrowed seeing the state the prince was in. Stepping behind the royals, they stood before the bed of the prince.
"Papa," her small voice filled the empty space and he looked down at her.
Lynn wanted to get down, so he let her. He watched as his daughter got onto the bed and tucked her head against the prince's neck.
"Garret," she whispered gently against his cheek.
A groan sounded and the queen gasped.
Lynn leaned back slightly to watch those green eyes reveal itself. Hazy and a little disoriented, they turned to her and she smiled.
"Lynn," he said quietly as placed a hand on her cheek, "You're okay…"
"Sleep Garret," Lynn closed her eyes and felt the hand on her cheek left as his arm wrap her.
Both the prince and his knight fell asleep.
Everyone, but the healers, left the room and stood in the hall.
"My king," Christian cleared his throat, "What was the reason for your request?"
"You will escort their highnesses from the Kingdom of Harte," the king looked away to his wife, "… for marriage."
"My king," Christian grit his teeth for a moment, "When?"
"You will leave in a weeks time," King Alastir looked at his son and his knight from where he stood, "The 7th day, they will marry."
"My king?!" Constantine blinked out surprised.
"Enough!" The king shouted rubbing his temples as he walked off with his queen, quieter than she normally was.
Christian looked back at his daughter lying beside her prince. Like vines wrapped around his heart, he was put in a position he never wished to be.
The kingdom's happiness or his daughter's.
"I must speak with Kurt," Christian stated to the other knights, "Let me know when she wakes."
They nodded and he walked through the halls with heavy legs. The mage had to know what is happening to his daughter. He had to know this would happen!
Banging on the door, he stood tall and solid as a tree but his mind was a hurricane of despair.
The deep golden knob turned.
"Christian," the mage in his robe greeted.
"We must talk," Christian stated with his gruff voice and a frown.
Kurt nodded and stepped to the side letting the bear of a man enter.
When Christian walked into the familiar space, he noticed there was something off. The lingering scent of sage once soaked into the wooden walls and floor was now absent. The candles that littered the room ready to burn past the darkness were now missing. Scrolls of ancient magic on the shelves no longer resided where it once sat.
Turning his brown eyes to the mage, still hooded in royal purple, he wondered why the room looked empty like the magic healer did not sleep in his own room. Crossing his arms, he stood in front of the door.
"What is happening Kurt," he said in his gruff voice, "What is going on with them?"
Kurt was silent for a moment as he felt the deep pressure against his spine and shoulders. Wincing slightly from it, he let out a deep breath through his nose.
"Do not worry Christian, they will be fine," he told the knight.
Truth was, they would be. Eventually.
"Fine?" the larger man narrowed his eyes, "My daughter looked as though the life is drained from her and the prince is in the same state! How could they be fine!"
Kurt knew the knight before him would react this way. He always tended to act first.
"I heard King Valor wants to wage war if Prince Garret does not marry his daughter," Kurt steered the conversation.
"Yes," Christian's mouth set into a thinned line as his eyes narrow deeper like he could see Kurt's true intentions.
Kurt looked at that large book on his desk, staring at him as if it had eyes. He had always hated magic, but he had to use it to help-
"Kurt," Christian spoke up unwrapping his arms around himself, "Why are you more quiet than usual, what are you hiding?"
"Christian," Kurt paused and turned to look into the man's brown eyes, "It was no mere accident the gem broke."
The knight's eyes widened as his mouth parted to ask what he meant.
"No mere arrow can pierce the gem," Kurt sat straighter as he stood up walking toward the burly man, "Unless it was dipped in magic."
Magic? Wait, was Kurt not the only mage left in the kingdoms?
"I do not understand. Are you telling me that there is another," Christian balled his hands.
Kurt turned away and went back to the comfort of his chair, due to the weakness he felt like brittle bones sanding down into nothingness. It must be true that she was alive.
"It is possible, yes."
"Kurt –" Christian softened his gaze as he placed his hand on the mages shoulder and squeezed.
"If King Valor is hiding another mage," Kurt looked right at Christian's eyes, "We must expose the person. Their intentions are cruel; they wanted her to die, Christian. It is her will that kept her alive until I reached her."
Christian nodded and removed his hold on him and the warmth dissipated through his robe.
"Then let us stop them," the knight stated and Kurt felt the pressure against his spine lessen like a sleeping snake wrapped around its prey.
"Yes, let's."
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