Cage of Deceit(9)

“Why don’t you save us both a lot of time and get to the point?” Darmik said. He leaned back on his chair, crossing his legs.

“My country is in need of Emperion’s protection,” Prince Zek declared, trying to regain his composure.

Allyssa admired the fact that he was willing to marry her in order to protect his kingdom. It showed loyalty, duty, and a sense of honor on his part—something she hadn’t learned listening to him drone on and on over the course of the past few weeks. However, she wondered what Fia needed protection from. The ten kingdoms on the mainland had lived in relative peace for the past decade. She’d heard whispered rumors that Russek was bullying its neighbors, yet that was nothing new or worth being concerned about.

Rema folded her hands on her lap. “You come from the small kingdom of Fia, which has little to offer us. Why would we allow you to marry our daughter?” She kept all emotion from her face, but Allyssa knew her mother well enough to know she was leading the poor prince right into a trap.

“Russek has invaded the kingdom of Melenia,” Prince Zek stated. “My parents fear Russek will invade us next.”

Russek invaded Melenia? Allyssa opened her mouth to question Prince Zek when Rema shook her head. Allyssa withheld her question and sat there silently, waiting for her parents to respond. Since neither of them appeared to be shocked or outraged, this information wasn’t new to them.

Darmik stood and paced about the room, appearing deep in thought. Allyssa tried not to roll her eyes. Her parents were master negotiators and planners.

“I have a proposition for you,” her father began. “Your kingdom is in need of protection. We will give you the resources you seek.” Darmik stopped walking and turned to face the prince. “If Fia joins the Emperion Empire.”

“What?” the stunned prince asked, his eyes wide.

Darmik smiled. “Fia will become a region within Emperion. Your parents will retain their titles and land. However, they will pay taxes to Emperion. Their army will join with my army. That is what I’m offering you. No need to marry my daughter.”

Prince Zek sat there, fumbling with the edge of his cuff, not looking at anyone in the room. If his parents deemed him capable enough to come here to Emperion, the largest kingdom on the continent, and seek her hand in marriage, thus securing an alliance, surely he could speak on their behalf regarding this matter.

“I’ll, uh, need to discuss it with the king and queen,” he answered.

Rema abruptly stood. “You do that. Until then, we wish you well.” She was dismissing him. He was no longer welcome in their castle under their protection.

The prince stood, his chair scraping against the stone floor. After he exited the room, Allyssa sank back against her chair, sighing.

“Interesting move on his part,” Darmik said, folding his arms and staring out the window.

“How so?” Allyssa inquired.

“He didn’t even attempt to negotiate,” Rema answered. “It makes him appear weak.”

“Do you really think his parents will agree to it?” Was the threat from Russek so severe that the king and queen of Fia would willingly join the Emperion Empire?

“I do,” Darmik answered.

“Why didn’t you tell me Russek invaded Melenia?”

Before either of her parents could respond, Neco, Darmik’s best friend and Mayra and Marek’s father, entered the room.

“Your Majesty,” he said, bowing to Darmik, which seemed oddly formal for him. Usually, there was an unspoken casualness between her parents and Neco. “Our spies have returned,” he said, clasping his hands behind his back and not once looking Allyssa’s way. “Russek has established control in Melenia. The king and queen were publicly executed after being forced to watch the executioner decapitate their three children.”

Rema squeezed her eyes shut as Darmik said, “Allyssa, out of the room.”

Her parents had never been so quick to dismiss her before. “King Drenton of Russek did this?” she asked, a chill overcoming her.

Darmik’s attention snapped to her, and his eyes narrowed.

“Sorry,” she muttered as she stood. “I’m leaving.”

“One more thing,” Rema said as Allyssa headed to the door. “I want you to give the weekly report this afternoon. Alone.”

Allyssa froze. She’d never addressed the people of their kingdom without her parents at her side. “Is this because of Russek?” she asked.

“No. It’s because you’re sixteen now,” Rema answered. “We’ll be increasing your duties so you’ll be ready to rule Emperion when the time comes.”