The Plan Begins

King Alastir sat on his throne with his face straight, chest puffed, and hands on the arms of his throne. Though he looked calm and strong as a king should, his mind was repeatedly going over what was decided between his mage, his knight, his queen, and himself.

King Valor and the hidden mage must be stopped.

He felt a hand land on his left and he turned to the person beside him. Finding his lips curl, he lifted that hand and laid a kiss on it. She sent a smile and tightened her hold on him, reassuring him that all will be fine. Sending a nod, he turned back to the front and glanced at his mage.

Kurt London.

He still remembered when he was brought to him by his knight. So young, so despondent, so lost. He felt empathy for the young boy. A war he had no part in and yet lost everything. He offered his kingdom for the boy to stay, to be well and if he wished to leave, then he may. The child with silver hair and purple eyes just stared at him. Placing a comforting hand on his shoulder, the king squeezed gently before standing up and leaving.

A few days later, the young boy joined his kingdom and have grown excellently. So young and so willing to learn as much as he could. His own son would choose to play even as an adult instead of studying, but the last mage soaked in information like a sponge. Yet, later in the years, Kurt because even less talkative, reclusive, and only showed up when sent for. He looked tired, as if he was forcing himself to stand and move.

When the king asked, the mage only said he just needed to rest.

Looking at his mage now, standing tall under his royal purple robe, he looked stronger. Was it because the evil one will arrive? To not look weak in front of the enemy. Alastir understood.

"Your highness," Constantine, one of his loyal knights rushed in and kneed quickly, "They have arrived."

Alastir stood up as his heartbeat fast willing himself to be prepared. He held out his hand for his wife, who placed her hand on it, and walked down the steps to the front of the castle. Doors opened wide, he watched the carriage from the distance came into view and the horses carrying others. Eyebrows furrowed seeing Queen Annabelle on a horse and Princess Arora along with his son also on a horse. This was not… what he expected.

"Annabelle knows," Celeste had spoke softly to him as they all watched the royals rolled in, "She will assist us. Do not worry my king."

"Mage," he kept his eyes on the guests, "Everything is prepared, correct?"

"Yes, my king," Kurt nodded, "The others will be arriving before evening tomorrow. Once we gather all the proof, you may expose them."

King Alastir hummed in approval and took another step down. Pasting a smile on his face, he watched as the carriage door opened to reveal two people: the traitor and the poison.

"Alastir!" Valor shouted out happily as he strutted over to him.

Hands clasps and Alastir itched to go wash where the other king touched.

"Valor," he greeted and watched as a woman walked toward them.

"My king, it is an honor to meet one as handsome as you," the woman bowed to reveal her cleavage.

"Well I thank you. What is your name?" Alastir questioned as he heard footsteps near them.

"My name is Hilda," the woman smiled with eyes that said more to her answer. Alastir felt his skin itched. Indecent! Intolerable! Telling himself he needed to hold it together. He must reveal the truth before the others visit.

"It is nice to meet you," the red headed king bowed and was about to place a kiss on the back of her hand, but the sound of the horses neighing loudly stopped him.

"Ah, sorry my king," the young knight bowed slightly, "The horses are upset."

Alastir let Hilda's hand go and sent a silent 'thank you' to Lynn.

"Go, take them to the shed for rest," he stated and looked over at Christian who walked over with the queen.

"Queen Annabelle," he greeted with a genuine smile, "Lovely as always."

"You as well Alastir," she smiled and turned to the other queen, "Celeste, my dear friend."

Both women hugged and proceeded to walk into the castle, so Alastir invited the rest of the guests inside.

"Wow! So beautiful," the princess exclaimed, "I knew it would be beautiful, just like my prince," she sighed.

Garret felt a sweat dropped. He didn't like lying, but this princess… he was going to give up if she kept this up. The constant squeezing of his arms where she hung is going to bruise, he just knew it. He followed his father and his mother as they gave the party a tour.

His green eyes kept glancing at the woman named Hilda.

She must be the bad guy. He had met many people and he had never met her before. The young prince could also tell that his father felt uneasy around her and his mother would glare at her. From the travel, Garret knew there was a situation between the queen, king, and that woman. Walking slowly so there was a distance between the adults and him, he leaned over toward the princess who clung to him.

"Who is she?" He asked quietly and the princess looked over to the woman and scowled.

"Why are you looking at her for?!" Arora gritted out and tightened her hold.

"I am only curious," Garret pasted a smile, "Why your father is so close to her, that is all my princess."

The female did not ease her hold but proceeded to tell answer him.

"I'm not sure where she came from, but father brough her home and she looked terrible," the young woman stated, "She had bruises and scratches, like she crawled out of a fight."

"My mother cared for her until she was better. When she was better, she never left," her hold eased a bit as Arora turned to look at her mother, "My father… he likes women, but never stayed long with one. This I came to accept. But… Hilda never left and my father stopped looking for any other."

Garret looked over to Queen Annabelle and felt his heart squeezed. How sad it must be to watch the person you marry choose someone to stay with. His eyes moved to the young knight who arrived and bowed at his father. His lips stretched into a smile as their eyes met before she turned away and left once more.

He would never choose anyone else.

"Are you happy with that?" He wondered aloud.

"My mother doesn't care, so I won't either. Besides, my father is happy with that woman," the princess leaned against his arms as they walked.

That was… fair.

Maybe the princess doesn't know much… maybe she was too into getting married to notice anything wrong. From where he stood, Garret could tell Queen Annabelle isn't happy.

"My prince, I apologize for troubling you," the young knight bowed, "My king asked that I escort you to the mage's room."

Garret felt his smile turn into a grin. Nodding his head, he tried to excuse himself from Arora, but the girl hung on.

"I will go with you," she stated holding her chin high.

"There is no need," Garret patted her hand on his arm, "I shall return shortly."

"No! I will be your wife soon. I shall know what you are doing," she demanded with her lips in a frown.

'Oh no… how do I get rid of her?' He glanced at the adults who were already further away, then he glanced at the young knight who blinked at him with her brown eyes.

Swallowing the tight bundle of nerves, he smiled and leaned in to kiss the princess on the cheek.

"Do not worry, Princess Arora. I will always know who my wife is," he stated pulling away and quickly walking away, leaving a shocked red-faced princess behind.

'Walk faster, don't stop,' he told himself as he rounded corners and down the hall.

He felt a tug against his arm, and he turned, before letting out a deep breath. Leaning against the wall, he looked at Lynn worriedly before looking down. He just kissed someone else that isn't her… was she mad? She should be. Garret wouldn't like it of Lynn had to kiss someone that isn't him. He would be extremely mad.

"Garret," her voice was soft against his face, "I am not angry with you."

He turned his head to face her bare face, sporting a mirthful smile. Did she find this… funny? Frowning, he crossed his arms and looked away. This was hard! He doesn't want to lie! He wanted to tell everyone that Lynn was his wife!

"But I would be happy if you reassure me with a kiss," Lynn stepped closer into his space, "Just so I know you still love me, my prince."

Garret did not speak as he crashed his lips on hers. Of course, he loved her the most, always will! How could she think that he didn't! Hands against his face rubbed to calm his fervor, as the kiss decelerated like a slow dance coming to an end. Lips pulled away, but he wanted to kiss her more, to show her that he will only ever get intimate with her only.

"Remember," she pecked his nose and pulled away, "… to do what you have to. This is our only chance and then," her hands pulled his away from her waists and held them, "… then we can be more than this."

Though his heart hurts to know he would need to pretend and lie, it flipped each time she smiled. Nodding his head and squeezing her hands gently, he stood up and fixed himself. Watching her place her mask back on, he couldn't help the soft smile he had on.

'Soon, my love. Soon.'