11: Standing with the queen

King Javier and Queen Tamira marched towards the throne room striding side by side with each other. With their entourage six feet away from them. Close sufficiently to attend to them in case needed and far enough not to overhear their conversation.

"I do not wish to rush you but have you made a choice?" Tamira inquired.

Javier shook his head. It was too short of time for him to decide what to do. As a King, he understood that he had to be fair to his queen as she is also his subject. However, as Soren's lover, he found it hard to act as King.

Tamira gracefully ambled forward. She watched the king keenly, the day might not give her his love nevertheless she was confident that it would open the doors to his heart for her. She had found the perfect opportunity to be better than the other queens that have come before her.

"I don't wish to add burdens on your shoulder, your majesty. Nonetheless, my fate rests in your hands," she uttered adding fuel to the fire.

The King took a deep breath. He weighed his options. Desponding the queen would mean finding another to replace her. A process he wished to avoid. There was no telling what kind of woman he would be forced to marry next. Or if she would be as understanding as his queen.

Giving in to her request also sounded dangerous. Soren might or might not understand such a decision. Which could either lead them to drift apart or break off their relationship. A future Javier couldn't bring himself to imagine.

King Javier felt torn between doing right by his queen who has been the best queen he had ever had. And being faithful to Soren the one who owned his heart.

He sighed.

"The King and Queen have arrived," the head court lady announced. The doors to the throne room were opened.

Javier and Tamira walked in. The King found his mother, his council, and his mother-in-law in the throne room. It seemed they had started the discussion without them.

They walked up to their seats and took their respective places on the throne. The queen sat on the right side of the King while the imperial queen mother sat on the left side of the King.

"Greetings to the King and Queen of Arendar," the council greeted. The King raised his hand permitting them to raise their heads.

"Zarlos," the imperial queen mother uttered. "I believe it's about time that it came under Arendar. Don't you agree Javi?" she asked.

Javier looked at his mother. Wondering if she was aware of the kind of request she was making. Claiming Zarlos would not only start a war but can cost his queen her life.

"I believe it's the right time," his mother-in-law declared openly before the court. King Javier took a glance at the queen. Tamira played nervously with her fingers. Everyone was making decisions that directly affect her life without giving care to her opinion.

Until that moment the talks of making claim to Zarlos were merely talks. Now they were becoming a reality and it terrified her.

This was a ploy by her mother to get the King on her side. Regardless, the plan was risky and one that put a target on her back.

She swallowed nervously. Her legs started shaking, and she tried to compose herself but it was impossible with the discussions around her.

King Javier reached out and placed his right hand on her lap. Tamira raised her head in his direction and locked eyes with him. His hand was able to stop her from shaking. An assurance that wasn't missed by anyone in the room.

"This plan is dangerous for Arendar and the queen," Javiet cut in.

"Every war has risks, Javi," The imperial queen mother spoke up. Not giving mind to any negative comments over the discussion. She wanted to give attention to the importance of conquering Zarlos. Not in the risks that they were taking by making such a step. "Your father spent his whole life trying to conquer Zarlos. Allow his soul to rest in peace by granting his dying wish," she added.

Javier clenched his fist. Angered by the audacity of his mother to try and emotionally blackmail him into taking such a step. By using his dead father as a means to achieve her greed for more power.

"I have to think as a King, a husband, and a father to my nation not only as a son to my late father," the king fired back at her sternly. "Taking this step would endanger the lives of my queen, my subjects, and...."

"With Soren fighting alongside you. Zarlos won't stand a chance to harm anyone," his mother in law asseverate before the court. The people in the room nodded.

Soren was a storm and they all acknowledged it. With him fighting on their side it wouldn't even be a war. It would be a battle, one that would hardly last a day before victory was theirs.

"We can't use Soren in such a way. He is a person that deserves respect," Queen Tamira pitched in before the king could speak. Javier was surprised by her stance. It was close to what he wanted to say. Javier was impressed by her. "Soren isn't a warrior of Arendar we can't put this on him," she added.

Speaking word to word what her mother told her to say. Words they both knew Javier would love to hear. One that would allow the king to open his heart to her. Seeing as she understands him and views Soren the same way he does.

"I agree with you, my queen," Javier spoke out. Queen Tamira glanced at him in shock. It was the first time the king stood with her publicly. Tamira smiled. "I won't even entertain the idea of Sore..."

"You claim that you are thinking as the king, a husband, and the father of the nation. Yet, here you are making a declaration that endangers all of those people," his mother interrupted him. Using his own words against him. "If you cared for Arendar as you claim. You would request Soren to help us," she dared to add.

Javier felt cornered. His council looked at him with pleading eyes. Begging him to consider the proposal the imperial queen mother made. He tensed.

"I understand why you can't ask Soren to help," Tamira said. "I will make claim to Zarlos and we will fight this war without Soren's aid," she declared to the court.

King Javier ran his hand over his hair. The queen's claim was a suicidal mission. With their dead certificates signed and delivered to their enemies.

His mother and mother-in-law seemed determined to get Zarlos. One way or another with or without his consent he saw the war coming to pass. As a king, he couldn't let his people sacrifice themselves for a cause that wasn't worth the blood of his people.

"We will lay claim to Zarlos," he let out. Queen Tamira stared at him surprised to see him stand with her. Her heart warmed up to see him refer to them as 'we'. She smiled. "Soren will fight with us," he declared.

A glass of wine dropped to the ground with a thud. Attracting everyone's attention to the door. Javier hastily stood from his seat, his jaw dropped as he locked eyes with Soren.