The King’s move

Elena barely slept that night. His presence lingered, pressing against her like an invisible weight. His words echoed in her mind. This isn't over.

Hours later.

She heard a knock at the door. Her pulse spiked. It was too early for visitors. Too early for anything. The sun had barely begun to rise. Another knock on the door, this time more forceful than the last.

She got up and went straight to the door. As she opened it, she saw two men in sharp black suits standing before her.

"Elena Romano?" One of them asked.

"Who's asking?" She responded.

The man pulled out an envelope with the shiny royal crest of her kingdom.

"His Majesty specially request your presence at the palace immediately."

She knew this was just a request, but a summon. A cold chill ran down her spine. She was hesitant at first, but then she knew the importance of honoring such invites and the implications of not.

She kindly requested for time to fix herself. About an hour later, she joined them to the palace. The same palace she had tried to never visit again.

Power didn't need to be announced, it was felt. And right now, Elena was walking straight into its grip.

King Maxwell wasn't just a ruler by tradition. He was sovereign in every sense of the world. Commanding both the crown and the trade markets. Dictating the pulse of power with just a simple nod.

Elena sat stiffly in the backseat, as th car drove down the long driveway. She hadn't agreed to come, but there was no room for refusal. This was an official request from the King and not just her husband.

As soon has the car stopped at the entrance, Elena received a grand royal reception. The sheer number of staffs waiting at attention, and the cool breeze brushing against her skin as she stepped down.

Her heels clicked on the polished floors, her pulse steady even as her nerves burned. She may have been away from royalty for a while, but she knew how to make a grand entrance.

The grand doors swung open as she walks towards them. And there he was. Maxwell. Sitting majestically, waiting for the arrival of his lost queen.

King Maxwell sat at the head of a long shiny marble table, dressed in his royal regalia. He was surrounded by men whose wealth and power dictated the course of industries, media and the government. Billionaires, CEO's, political leaders. This wasn't just a meeting, this was a statement. And she was the centre of it.

Elena didn't falter. She stepped inside with the door closing behind her. She neither felt low nor intimidated.

Maxwell's gaze found hers instantly, assessing and calculating every step she took, like a king studying his subject. He slowly leaned back in his chair with one hand resting on the table and the other hand on his jaw.

"Elena." He greeted

"Your Majesty." She greeted, lifting her chin and slightly crossing her legs in a royal manner.

But there was no amusement in his expression. Only cold unshaken authority.

"Have a seat." He commanded.

She moved forward to take the only seat available at the bottom end of the table, like it was specifically reserved for her.

"You received my petition."

" yes I did." She responded, tossing the envelope on the table. "But whatever it is this meeting is about, my answer remains no."

A ripple of tension ran through the room. The men exchanged glances. Some intrigued, others wary. She was bold and outspoken.

Maxwell however, didn't flinch. He exhaled, leaning forward, resting his jaw against his palm. "You misunderstood, Elena." He leaned further with a more dangerous gaze. "This wasn't a negotiation."

Elena held his gaze. "Then this is a mistake."

Maxwell let out a chuckle. "You truly believe you can fight me?"

"I believe my son is not a business deal for you to win." She refused to waver.

Maxwell stood up in anger. The air in the room shifted. "Elena." He roared. "You know I don't loose."

She tilted her head, meeting his gaze without fear. "Then I guess there's a first time for everything."

"You take my love for you for weakness, Elena. But this time, without hesitation, I'll be forced to put you in your place. We'll see."

And just like that, the war officially begun.