Damien

The kingdom of Reshketh is in chaos. Why? Well, that's very simple. In 14 years, there has never been a killer who escaped my clutches. In 14 years, there has never been a murderer that has failed to be convicted. Well, not ever since I came into power, when I was thirty. But now am 34 years old and my people are counting on me to protect them from a new terror.

"This murderer has not only killed Scott Reynolds. The fiancée of a powerful, greatly feared and respected lady of the Sullivan family. But he has killed many others like him Daniel carnal, Garret stone and Jack Hussein are gone as well. How many more will he kill next? Killing them off one by one and never daring to leave a trail." Ericson one of my advisors on the counsel spoke.

"And we are now worried for your safety sire." I sigh having been through this conversation for three months now. "Four great, honest and trustworthy men have lost their lives. And the kingdom is still in deep grief. And as if that isn't enough lady Sullivan is to be crowned the hair and succeed her father in a months' time." He continued in a disapproving tone.

"I don't know what Jonathan is up to, but a woman being a part of the council. It is blasphemy." Why though? I wanted to ask but I figured this wasn't the time but I would bring it up in our next meeting.

"And how are the people taking this news?" I asked curious and awaiting his answer. He scanned the entire room of people then proceeded to give his answer.

"They adore her, your majesty. Ever since she lost her fiancée, and took over his companies and projects. She has been the beloved friend of the people. Moving from one area to another taking care of the impoverished in our society. And tending to the homeless people on the streets. In truth sire." He paused taking in a gust of air. "The people think she should be made queen." I knew that my people wanted a new queen but I had no time to sort one out. I had a busy schedule and looking for a wife wasn't priority number one. 

"They want me to marry her?" I asked in horror. The whole room stared at Ericson patiently awaiting his answer. 

"No sire…" he said his entire body shaking in fear. And I didn't understand why? Till I heard the next words that came out of his mouth that almost made me leap from my seat. "They wish you be dethroned and her made ruler over Reshketh." This was insanity. What was so special about this lady Sullivan? That she could turn my people against me. No! Never! I would never let that happen. Not whilst I still drew breath. "Your majesty!" there was a cry from Ryde as I stood abruptly. But I payed my Ryde no mind as I turned to leave but then I stopped just before I reached the door and said. "Ryde. Arrange a meeting with this lady Sullivan. Because I would really love to meet the woman who is trying to steal my people's hearts and thoughts." Immediately I started to speak the room went silent. "Yes sire." Ryde answered without hesitation.

"This meeting is dismissed. The council must make sure they look into the matter of the killings as soon as possible. And I need someone to inform me as soon as they find anything out about the killer." Then they all cried out in unison. "Yes your majesty." And like that I turned the knob and left. Quietly deciphering my next move as king.

The day went by in a daze as I was swarmed with meetings after meetings, projects after projects and problems after problems. Which I strived to address one by one and in record time. So when evening arrives and am seated in the dining hall at the head of the table quietly consuming my food. I hardly pay attention to my drunken brother seated next to me, calling me and wanting my attention. 

"D! D! What's up with you today?" his word pronunciations sluggard. I sighed not wanting to lecture him again on his drinking habits. Having been too exhausted from the day's work. 

"Is it a woman?" he asked taking my silence as a cue to continue. "There not worth it. I tell you dear brother." I smile, deciding it couldn't hurt to hear his opinion on the matter.

"Not even when they are trying to dethrone me?" his shocked expression catches me off guard and my smile grows. And when he goes rigid I decide his not completely drunk yet.

"Dethrone you which slut would do that?" I frown at his wording and accusatory tone. How can he taint the reputation of a woman I have not even named yet?

"Not a slut but a lady, Lady Lorrain Sullivan." His entire demeanor changes as he relaxes. His expression showing nothing but a smirk and a knowing glint in his eyes.

"Do you know her?" I ask my curiosity at its peak.

"I might have shagged her a few times." I expected him to say they might have met or he had made an attempt but failed but I didn't expect him to say this. "Her mom introduced her to me at this ball I had attended. And we kind of hit it off really, but when she'd proposed marriage I told her I wasn't ready for that kind of stuff yet." Ouch!!! That must have stung. I wasn't even surprised my brother was not the type to be considerate he took after our mother's brother in that sense. In fact he looked more like uncle drew. His golden locks and pale skin exactly the same the only difference were his eyes. Those looked more like mine which where silver same as our dad.

"Can you tell me anything about her specifically?" I asked wanting to know more.

"Apart from the fact that she's one of the hottest women I've ever shagged. Nah I don't know anything else." I sighed in resignation. This conversation was going nowhere. Apart from my brother's tumble in the sheets.

"Then I'll simply have to meet her and find out what she's playing at." My brother shook his head.

"Good luck with that bro."

It's been three days since Ryde sent that e-mail to Lady Sullivan. Requesting her presence in the castle but there has not been a single reply. Until she showed up on day four and demanded my presence in the middle of a meeting. 

"Tell her to wait for a few minutes. Am still in the meeting." I said over the phone making sure not to raise my voice even though I really wanted to.

"She says she won't be here if she has to wait another second for your presence." What kind of drama was this woman trying to create? I wondered as I adjourned the meeting and proceeded to meet her in the study. Immediately I opened the door I was greeted by emerald green eyes and a mischievous smile. She had a pant suit on that showed off all her curves and a maroon jacket that matched with the pants. Black high heeled shoes and a black hat atop her head. Black short gloves that held sunglasses. And her red lips only held the power of temptation in them and her hair the darkest shade of black flowed around her like a curtain. Her skin looked silky smooth and pale but her complexion made her more striking as she stood up from her seat.

My legs moved voluntarily towards her. "Your majesty," she said her voice lethal sweet yet serious. "And just in time too. I was about to show myself out." The arrogance in her words only made her much more appealing. "Lady Sullivan a pleasure to finally meet you." I said taking a seat across from where she was moments ago. She also walked back to her seat her smile now gone from her face her demeanor screaming bored. 

"Am sorry to say this your majesty. But you can skip the pleasantries. And cut to the matter at hand. As we both know there is no pleasure in this meeting." Her answer came as a shock to me and I didn't know how to respond right away.

"Am sorry lady Sullivan. Have I committed some sort of travesty against you that I myself am not aware of?" I asked extremely puzzled by the animosity in her tone. Did she hate me because of what my brother had done to her? Or worse did she think I was like Logan.

"Why have I been called to your castle your majesty?" she said in a tone that could have made any man quiver but I was not just any man so I ignored her rudeness.

"I only have but one question for you Lady Sullivan." I said as I stared straight into her eyes. "What are you doing to my people that is making you in their eyes more worthy to rule than I?" she was now beaming at me. She got up turned and started to leave when she paused at the door and said.

"Actions speak louder than words. Promise the people change and development and take longer to fulfill your promises then you lose your people's trust. But acting without uttering any promises then the people will happily lay down their lives for you." Just as she was about to leave I stopped her.

"Wait. And what is your gain in all of this." I could see the slight corners of her mouth twitch in amusement.

"Power your majesty and I will stop at nothing until I have it." Then like that she left without a word more.

Lorrain Sullivan was nothing like any woman I'd ever met before. There was just something about that woman that lured you in. she had no regards to whom she'd been speaking to and she certainly made it clear that she was after my crown. And she would do everything in her power to get it. Now the question was, was she so power hungry that she would threaten to kill me?

"I don't trust that woman to roam around my kingdom. I've got a feeling she's planning something big." I said to Ryde over the phone. And the way she spoke this afternoon made it clear that she thinks I cannot take any action against her.

"But sire…" I cut him off.

"I don't care what you'll have to do but make sure that before the end of 3 months she is staying here in the castle." And I hang up the call.

A few hours later I found out why Lady Sullivan was in such a hurry. She had to cook for the homeless on the east side of Santa Monica. Then she had a live televised conference in the capital. I watched quietly as her speech started. 

"When Scott left me a month ago. I didn't realize how much I loved him! How much I wished we had gotten more time together." Tears where falling down her cheeks and I had this weird urge to wipe them away. She looked so different from the woman I'd met hours ago. "That man treated me like the queen of his heart and even after death he made sure it would always stay that way. And for the kindness he extended towards me and for the love he gave me I will never forget him ever." The crowd roared in applause and Lorrain passed the mike onto another person saying it was too much for her and she left the podium. Then the man who had taken over where she had left off introduced himself as the mayor gave his condolences and went on to tell the people how much lady Sullivan had accomplished and done even though she was still in grief. And when he was done the crowd broke out in a chant screaming 'queen Lorrain'. Then I turned off the television. I had to find a way to end this and soon.