13

Peter walked over to me and smiled. Once he reached me he took my hand and kissed it.

"I pledge to be loyal to you, as you will be my wife. I promise to do everything I can to support you as we lead our kingdom into a new era prosperity." He said in front of everyone then was at my side once again. He was showing the front of a partnership saying your people are mine. He wanted a pledge in return which was very clear.

I responded accordingly "I pledge to remain by your side as my loyalty is to you. I will do whatever it takes to protect the kingdoms people as it is lead into a new era."

Aka I will follow your decision as we are on the same side. I'm not a threat to you.

I hate that I have to roll over but I also know that I don't have the power to get my revenge yet and it's not him that I'm after. I want revenge on his mother and my father since they took our chance at my mother away. Everyone in the ball room was aware of what he had said and of my response, but it didn't change the fact the import people had just pledged there lives to me. Which meant I would likely work to move my people up and grow my influence which is what I intend to do. Most of the people who pledged were already seen to the people as war hero's and had the peoples trust. Which meant when word of this hit the kingdom the common people would likely support me as they people they see as hero's and trust due to this support me. The opposing faction would be destroyed as the common people were the main pressure on the king and nobles to try and have a different person crowned.

I think Peter also realized this after hearing what I said as his smiled widened as it meant his position was completely secured thanks to his fathers choice in a bride. They both knew that if his cousin got to me first and I agreed to an engagement that it would of meant that Peter would of lost his title and potentially his life. If the our father didn't back down it would of likely lead to a rebellion, but with me on there side that wouldn't be an issue.

Our father stepped up and spoke "Iris for your birthday present I will have a castle created for you and you will be in charge of a new order order of knights. Called the Order of Iris."

"Thank you your majesty."

"Don't call me that, address me as Father from now on. After all your my daughter in law."

"Thank you father, I'm honored by your generosity."

The people were shocked not even the crown prince addressed him as father in public. Yet he was asking me to. I watched it all click in the queens head. He had figured out that I likely was his blood and so had she. My brother stood behind our father and smiled, the king placed his hand on his shoulder and said "You did a good job raising her, son."

Nobody thought twice he was just calling him a name that was common for to address those who were younger and of lower stature then you, but I could see in my brothers eyes and face. He knew. He had figure out who we were, my brother had taken after his pitch black hair but after his mothers eyes.

The people knew my brother was in the kings favor and was one of his closer officials. The queen face showed she was piecing it all together in her head. From the beginning it should of been nearly impossible for my brother to of gotten us both titles and of counts as that. She also knew that he was up for the position rank of Duke.

It made sense our father moved us up into these positions. I don't know how long he has known but it was clear that the 4 of us were all aware that we were his children. We had survived and risen in ranks with only our power and proven to him we were worthy of his time and acceptance.

"I would like a private audience with the both of you. Peter can you lead the event for a few moments while I steal a word with your bride."

It was a statement that it didn't matter what he said, it was an order.

"Of course, my king."

He then kiss his queen and whispered something that made her turn white in the face again and made her eyes fill with fear for a moment.