FOREIGN BODIES

Valerian was seated in the living room and Alexander was reading him a story.

"The Blue Prince." Its title was.

"He gazed up at the stars of the sky at night and closing his eyes he'd wish to find love." Alexander read.

"Did the stars listen to him?" Valerian asked.

"How about you keep quiet and let me continue?" Alexander replied.

"Alright." Valerian said.

"Apparently, what was life without love, could there be love in death.

Even so he still hoped one day, he would meet the love of his heart and feed him on a silver platter." Alexander said.

"Is it natural for Princes to love Princes?" Valerian asked.

"Not necessarily." Alexander replied.

"But it happens most of the time." Valerian said.

"Why do you ask that?" Alexander asked Valerian.

"I can't stop but wonder if you happened to be a pauper or if it were me.

Would we be accepted to love one another?" Valerian asked.

"In any life be it princes or pauper, I would always love you." Alexander replied.

"Even if it means forfeiting your Crown?" Valerian asked.

"Even if it means forfeiting my Crown." Alexander replied.

The two continued and they leaned on the bed in the radiance of the wan moonlight.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door of the bedroom.

"Come in." Alexander permitted the one on the door.

At once, the doors were flung open and in rushed Helren.

"Forgive me your Majesty for intruding in on your time." Helren said.

"It is after hours but as usual I suspect it is the King's duty to be ready at any time." Alexander said.

"I am afraid that there is some bit of News I must tell you." Helren said.

"Go on." Alexander said as he rose from his bed and tied his night robe around his body.

"The Prime Minister is here to see you urgently." Helren said.

"I can't leave my Queen alone." Alexander said.

"I am afraid that he says it is quite important." Helren replied.

"I can come with you." Valerian said as he slowly got up from his bed.

"Alright then." Alexander said.

"Take us to him." He added and at once they set out through the hallways.

Eventually, the two came to stop in front of the waiting room.

The doors were flung open and The King and his Queen walked in.

"Your Majesty." The Prime Minister said as he took Alexander's hand and placed it on his head.

"Your Majesty." He said as he kissed Valerian's right hand as well.

"Such an untimely visit at this late hour." Alexander said.

"I did not really mean to encroach on your personal time your Majesty." The Prime Minister said.

"I was reliably informed that you have some bit of important news but I am uncertain whether it shall be to my liking or not." Alexander said.

"It is awful." The Prime Minister replied.

The King and the Queen then travelled and sat down on one of the sofa.

"What is it?" Alexander asked.

"We have been notified that there are rebels with in the country.

Skartian as a matter of fact." The Prime Minister replied.

"Foreign Invaders?." Alexander asked.

"From the South Eastern lands." Valerian completed.

"Yes your Majesty." The Prime Minister confirmed.

"Why?" Valerian asked.

"Apparently, we also don't know the reason as well for the time being." The Prime Minister said.

"Can't you at least suspect something?" Alexander asked.

"Annexation or may be they are planning something." The Prime Minister said.

"At least we can come to a conclusion that they would wish to extinguish the Scoln crown.

Annex the land in other words." Valerian said.

"Then we should act your Majesty." The Prime Minister said.

"What is it that you have in mind if I may ask?" Alexander asked.

"Dispatch some soldiers and members of a secret police to round them all up.

We can not be sure if they are not sending any information outside to their superiors." The Prime Minister said.

"Have all the South Eastern boarders of the country sealed in the process." Valerian said.

"That could work as well." The Prime Minister said.

"Alright your Majesty." The Prime Minister said.

"You may leave." Alexander said.

"Yes your Majesty." The Prime Minister said as he bowed down his head and then walked out.

"What are you going to do now?" Valerian asked Alexander.

"Let us just get back to our room, don't stress about it and it shall all be under control." Alexander replied.

"Alright." Valerian said as the two departed and left for their bedroom.

Early the following day, the Royal couple were having breakfast in the dining hall.

Alexander was feeding Valerian and putting a couple of dishes on his plate.

The majority were all vegetables and some fruits.

"Rebels in the country, Don't you think that it is a little bit absurd?" Valerian asked.

"That shouldn't be you to worry about them." Alexander said.

"Why is every one fighting for the Scoln crown?" Valerian asked.

"Apparently, my father was a tyrannical King who was widely hated and feared.

Upon his death I am certain most people are confident that the chance to strike is now or never." Alexander said.

"May be non of that would have happened if your father focused on making more friends than foes." Valerian said.

"If he wasn't like that I wouldn't have succeeded in marrying you." Alexander said.

"Don't flatter me, especially now that a principle is at stake." Valerian said.

"So what do you suggest that we should do your Majesty?" Alexander asked.

"At least just sit down and come to a peaceful negotiation with one another." Valerian replied.

"The Scoln crown has never been in the position to negotiate." Alexander said.

"It doesn't mean that it can't." Valerian said.

"We are talking about men who are willing to give up their lives and do whatever it takes to make the Crown accept defeat.

If there is to be a negotiation then it is to make me a prisoner in my own kingdom and that is a thing I can't allow." Alexander replied.

"So apparently if you win the wars that shall come along with this you hope to scare them away.

You are going to rather be feared by your neighbours." Valerian said.

"There are weaker crowns on the continent and I shall make a living and wonderful example of them.

If they advance towards my boarders, even if it means going to war then I shall protect you." Alexander said.

"This is an absolute disaster." Valerian said.

"You should be less worried about it." Alexander said.

"You forget that we are short of troops in the time being and the country experienced a recess during the Queen mother's regime.

Exhausting our troops is the very least that you can do at this moment.

Besides, on top of that, you couldn't accept the women to come up with an army." Valerian said.

"You have a point but if we can round up all the rebels then there would be nothing for us to fear.

That way, we could scare away foreign attempts for the time being." Alexander replied.

"Alright then, you should do as you please but at least before you rid yourselves of the rebels, interrogate them.

They could help us with a word or two that we could use to our own advantage." Valerian said.

"I shall remember to do so my dearest Queen." Alexander said.

"Very well then." Valerian said.

The two continued and when they were done, Alexander escorted Valerian to the bed room.