The Game Plan

Marcus sat down and let out a long breath as he brought his eyes up to look at Katherine. He gently shook his head and propped his elbows on the table so that he could rest his chin on his hands.

After he was sure his father would not have another outburst, Charles took a seat as well.

"The last thing we should do is give in to treasonous demands. If we let them undermine us for even a second, then they will find a way to destroy us," Marcus said in a calm but firm tone. "Were your advisors really going to let you give up your crown?" he asked her in disbelief.

"No. They basically told me the same thing you did, but at the end of the day, it's my decision," Katherine said without meeting his gaze.

"Well then it's a good thing the rebels asked for all of our crowns and not just yours, otherwise you and your mom would be dead by now," he replied with sadness in his voice.

"Father," Charles warned.

Marcus looked across at his unwavering son, and then sighed as he rubbed his face with his hands. It was a good thing Charles was there to keep the two of them level headed and civil.

"The best thing we can do is put up a strong, united front between all the lands in Titanus. We need to show the people that we are unbreakable and unmoving. Tomorrow morning, I'll call Bella and Samuel to let them know what is happening so that Selene is prepared as well. Now that the rebels have attacked Helios, undoubtedly, our lands will be next once they have the means."

Katherine had never spoken alone to the King and Queen of Selene, so she was grateful that Marcus would take care of that for her. She had no idea what their reaction to the news would be.

"How can we put up a united front apart from just saying it? How can we show that the royal families are sticking together?" Charles asked his father.

"The first thing would be to share our resources. Katherine, I know you said your army took a hit today from the rebel's turning the tables and surprising them, so I will happily dispatch some of my men and women to help on the hunt to find your mom. We will let the rebels know that if they attack one of us, they've attacked all of us," Marcus answered.

"I would appreciate that," Katherine said, and she truly meant it. Finding her mother was her top priority, and the more people who were out there looking for her, the better.

"There's something else that we're going to need to do to prove that we're in this together, because simply sharing resources is not enough to show our loyalty to each other," Charles noted. His eyes were fixated on his father.

"You're right, son, that's why you and Katherine need to get married as soon as possible. What better way to show our loyalty to each other than by joining our families, lands, and bloodlines?" Marcus said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Katherine felt her blood run cold. "No," she immediately answered as she shook her head. "I'm not letting the rebels control my life to that capacity."

Marcus laughed and threw his hands up in the air as he responded loudly, "You were just about to give up your entire lifestyle and everything you have because the rebels asked you to, but you're not willing to get married when that's something you always knew you were going to have to do? The idea of you and Charles getting married and joining our families isn't new. You've known since you were young that you would marry each other. It would have happened within the next year regardless of what happened today, so planning it a few months in advance isn't that big of a change to the original plan."

Katherine sunk back into her chair. Just a couple of hours ago she had planned to give up life as she knew it so that she, Jasper, and her mom could escape to the woods and live together as a happy family, and now she was still stuck with the crown, still without her mom, and getting married to a man she didn't love sooner than she had anticipated.

For someone who had total control over everything as Queen, she had next to no control over her own life.

She looked up and across at where Charles was sitting. He hadn't said a word, and for once, there was no visible emotion on his face, so Katherine had no idea what he was feeling about their arrangement.

Charles sat as motionless as a stone, and he did not look at his father or at Katherine.

"Fine." Katherine finally said after some time had passed.

Marcus let out a breath of relief and clapped his hands together as he said, "Good. We can broadcast the two of you announcing it tomorrow. We'll show those rebels that we are strong and that they messed with the wrong kingdom."

Neither Charles nor Katherine responded to Marcus's words, so he cocked his head slightly before he said, "You two should get some rest. I think we've done all we can for tonight. We can reconvene in the morning. And Katherine?"

At her name being said, she looked over to Marcus and waited for him to continue.

"Don't tell anyone from home what we discussed today. Not even Eric. Until that spy is caught, it's not safe. For now, the only people you can trust are me and Charles, understand?"

Still too upset and exhausted to further engage, she simply nodded her head.

"Goodnight," Marcus said as he pushed his chair out, stood, and left the room.

Katherine and Charles made no attempt to move. Both of them were still processing what had just happened. Within a matter of minutes, both of their lives changed completely, and neither of them knew what to say about it.

After some more time passed, Katherine heard Charles let out a long breath. "I'll show you to your room," he finally said.

Without waiting for her like he usually did, Charles got up and walked to the door.