Sleeping Dogs

Upon hearing the news of the prince's comeback, the king rushed to his cell. Anger was evident in his eyes as he banged and slammed anything on his way.

"You're a disgrace to this family!" King Phillip roared at Prince Liam when he stormed to his cell in the castle's lone tower, where they put any royal family member in house arrest. The prince was brought back to the kingdom, not as a prince but as a captive. "Are you not going to say something?" he yelled.

"What's the point father?" prince Liam replied, infuriating the king more.

"Leave us!" king Phillip ordered and his fully armed guards left at once.

"What did you say?!" the king thundered, pouncing at his son.

"I said, what's the point... your grace! Do you even care about my version of the event?" prince Liam said, challenging his father's fury. King Phillip's chest rose and fell, trying to keep his sanity. Prince Liam was his only son after all and he loved him dearly.

"You shall be hanged for committing treason!" king Phillip said as he turned his back at his son. Prince Liam kept a straight face and he didn't give any comment. The king's shoulder fell as he held onto the cell rails tightly.

Then there was a commotion outside the cell. They heard people screaming. "Where is my son?" lady Amelia screamed to the guards, trying to get inside.

"The king has ordered everyone not to enter! And that includes... everyone! That's an order, my lady!" one of the guards said as they stood side by side.

"That's ridiculous!" she exclaimed. Her voice now became more determined. The guards were taken aback by her temper yet their allegiance to the throne was strong enough to withstand their fear of this woman.

"Your Majesty! Open the door, I beg you," she shouted, pleading to the king.

"Am I also not allowed to see my mom? Even for the last time?" prince Liam told his stern father.

The king, cunning as always, saw an opportunity. "Only if you wash your hands clean," he replied with a faint grin.

Prince Liam cursed under his breath. "You know I can't do that. Those people are innocent. I can't just blame them for what happened," he muttered.

"So, you're willing to sacrifice your title for those peasants?" king Phillip mocked. "The reputation of this family, the honor and trust that I have built all these years, these things... are they nothing to you?"

"Father, that is absurd! You know that this family is more than anything to me. That is a fact," he argued. "But... what would become of this empire if we turn our backs to our people. Isn't that questioning our vow to protect our people regardless of who they are?"

"Being a king comes with greater responsibility. And responsibility comes with sacrifices. If you want the longevity of our reign, you have to make tough but wise decisions!"

"Responsibility? Does that include turning a blind eye to save your own skin? Is that wisdom or just plain cowardice?! You speak of longevity and prestige, what's more disgusting than lying and killing innocent citizens?"

"Sometimes, a monarch should learn how to turn a blind eye for the sake of his people. A king must learn how to sacrifice the few for many. Clearly, you don't understand that. Clearly, you're not fit to be the next in line to the throne!"

"What?!"

"You heard me, Liam! I will give you the last chance to clear your name otherwise I'll reconsider you as my successor! I am not speaking to you as your father but as your monarch! Clear your name, that's an order!"

Prince Liam kicked and punched the railings of his cell in frustration. What is he going to do now? He knew his father so much so he knew that he wasn't joking about stripping him of his titles.

"What should I do?" he exclaimed. He could still hear his mom lament as the king didn't give her permission to visit him. This added to his ordeal. He knew that the king was giving him emotional and mental strain.

He was in a dilemma. If he didn't clean his name, the controversy would shake the royal family to its foundation. But if he clears his name, his conscience will bug him for the rest of his life. And he couldn't stand watching innocent people publicly ridiculed and executed. He disputes his father's opinion. For him, failing to save the few means failing the many.

"Fuck!" he cursed, brushing and pulling his hair with his hands. Now that he needed his mother's wisdom the most, she wasn't there.

"Hey! Pssssst!" Liam whispered to one of the inside guards. "Come over here."

The guard leaned over but he stood as he were. "As much as I respect you, your highness, I advise you to stop talking to us otherwise we will be sacked on the grounds of disobedience," he patiently explained.

Liam was distraught. He was lost. Little did he know that this was just the beginning of his ordeal. The storm was yet to come.