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Chapter 6 Princess Alex

  • "The princess wishes to see you," one of Karl's guards announced.
  • Karl gestured for the guard to see her in. Gina continued caressing him.
  • "Do you want me to leave?" Gina asked.
  • "No," Karl said. "I'll like to see how this goes."
  • The Princess entered inside the tent with her maid. Karl saw her gaze avert from him to Gina. This made him smile.
  • "You wish to see me?" Karl asked.
  • Alex's eyes darted upwards, and he watched her struggle to compose herself even as she stood erect with her maid doing the same behind her, her gaze returned to him. "Yes," she said.
  • "Please, sit," he said, gesturing for her to sit.
  • Gina planted a kiss on his neck, her hands continued to travel underneath his shirt.
  • Timidly, Alex sat, her gaze darted from Karl to Gina.
  • Karl got the silent message and said, "Gina, love?"
  • "Yes, Karl?" Gina replied.
  • "Give me some time with the princess. And don't go too far."
  • Gina retracted her hands, took to her feet, and she walked out of the tent.
  • Karl waited for Alex to begin, but there she sat resolute, watching him. She looked as beautiful as when he had seen her this afternoon. Although, this time, she was simply dressed in a white gown with no adornment, and a white cloak perfectly covered her hair, shoulders and lightly revealed the bumps on her chest.
  • Karl was proud this was less tempting compared to how he saw her this afternoon. But he wondered what she looked like beneath her outfit, and it gave him a bit of stirring.
  • "Your Grace?" Karl said. "Something you wish to discuss."
  • "My mother sent me to talk with you about the final arrangements," Alex said. "She wishes to hear your take on all she proposed."
  • Karl sent his hand to the banquet before him, and his finger caressed an apple. Alex's gaze followed the light touches he made on the apple, and he wished he could see into her mind.
  • "It's as earlier proposed," Karl said, and her gaze returned to him. "Your mother has the largest force in the city, and some of these contributory lords may try to undermine her rule and start a civil war which wouldn't be good for Strongfall considering you are surrounded by enemies. But if these lords come together, their forces could very well be sizable, matching your mother's. My job is to discourage such. Besides, I could see it in their eyes. They want your mother to marry you off so that they can quickly dispose her off the throne. Again, why I'm here. To discourage such. However, let's not ignore the fact that king Elton may be conspiring this with the lords of your mother's court to propose this ridiculous arrangement."
  • "Why would you say it's ridiculous?" Alex asked, surprised he would say that. "It's marriage. The act isn't pleasing."
  • "That's where you have it wrong, princess. Marriage is supposed to be pleasing."
  • "I've heard the discussions of some of the ladies of the court. They all say the same thing. It's only duty. Pain follows the act."
  • "I'm stunned to find this ideology among royals," he said. "But then again, I shouldn't be surprised. And I don't know why I am."
  • "What do you mean?"
  • It seemed they had derailed. But that didn't matter. He could easily trace his way back to where he left off. But to indulge her, he said, "This act is the most pleasing in the entire world. It's above the desire for gold, and in the hands of a skillful lover, you could very well ascend into the stars."
  • Alex countered him by saying, "I've read books about the ways of the people across the sea. All that isn't done here. The chaplain says it's a sin."
  • Karl laughed. "What does your chaplain know? I'm sure he is one of these aristocrats who can't see past his belly."
  • "He's quite lean."
  • "That's not the point. I mean, they are short-sighted. The lot of them. But it seems we have derailed." Karl saw her swallow, and he knew he had deflated something in her. "Mercenaries can be bought. I won't doubt that. But since your mother came to me first, automatically, I'm hers to command." That wasn't true, but he wanted the Princess to be certain he was on their side. "Whenever she wants her enemies crushed, all she has to do is give the order for me to march."
  • "Is it true no enemy sees you coming?" Alex asked.
  • Karl loved her mind. She seemed like one who liked fantasy. But in this case, it was true. "Yes. No enemy sees us coming. We easily blend in all societies, and we only array what we want the enemy to see."
  • "Why the screaming lady?"
  • She was inquiring as to his flag. "Because it's a sigil of horror. Screams are loud and sharp." She probably wasn't allowed to ask many questions. Maybe, this was the first time she was having a normal conversation with someone outside the court. "The black colour of the flag represents the Night, and a presence that can't be felt. The white outline of the lady means we move light. Of course, there are different tactics, as there are times we march up to the enemy."
  • "How would you engage king Elton if you were to see him fall?"
  • The candles flickered to the light air that circulated the room.
  • Karl looked at Alex. It wasn't her business. But he liked her mind. "If I was to engage king Elton, I would go under the cover of night. I'll sneak into his city, and pretend to be one of his citizens."
  • "You think that's possible?" Alex asked.
  • "Yes. All my men are from different nations and kingdoms across, far, and beyond. Sometimes we talk, they tell me of lands and axis I've never seen or crossed. There are mysteries when you listen to them. Also, they are all interested in gold. So, I don't need a scout to assess the kingdom. All I have to do is speak with those from Highfox, or those from nations that do business with them. In a week, or less, I'll have everything I have, and I can make my move."
  • "So, it's a deal, then. Absolute discretion?"
  • Karl curtly nodded. "Absolute discretion. And watchful gaze upon this city, and those who would do you, and your mother harm, of course."
  • "Thank you," Alex said, and took to her feet. "I'll let her know of the agreement we reached."
  • She turned her back to him, and in his mind, he reached to hold, and kiss her. But in reality, he watched her leave, then he sent a guard to fetch Gina. He would see Gina start a flame, and see it quenched by pleasing her and himself in turn.