Chapter 4 King's Regret

THIRD PERSON'S POV

King Roderick has gathered all of his councilmen and his closest allies in his private chambers. The formerly proud king looks quite troubled after the crown rejected all of his prestigious sons. His wives look even more embarassed as they sit next to their king.

"I wish to express my deepest regrets for the disgrace that this ceremony has turned out to be. Remember that the bitterness you feel mine is twice as much," King Roderick expresses.

"Bitterness?" King Whimsford of Shadowmoon scoffs. "Honestly I would never have wished for a better day. You dragged us here to glorify your sons so they would reign over us. But the crown was wise enough to refuse them," he adds with a laugh.

One of King Roderick's councilmen angrily rises from his seat, "Choose your words wisely, King Whimsford! We all know that only one of our great Princes can be the heir to Elowen's crown," the councilman insists. Then his face wrinkles with an astonishing realization. "Unless the crown has chosen . . . his majesty's most unwanted son, Abel Everhart," he adds in a shaky voice.

Gasps of shock fill the room as the refined Royals and councilmen react to the unexpected news. King Roderick and his three wives appear most dumbfounded. But the ravenous king soon overcomes his shock.

"Yes, I have another son!" he exclaims, shooting up from his seat. "My favourite son, Abel Everhart, must be the heir to the crown!"

"Surely you do not intend to hand over the mightiest crown to that bastard son of a commoner," King Roderick's first wife bitterly complains.

"We all know that Abel Everhart is a disgrace to -" his second wife begins but he cuts her short.

"You wicked witches! How dare you speak ill our chosen emperor when your pampered brats have brought me nothing but great shame?" King Roderick bursts. "Your foolish insolence will be severely punished! You will pay for the pain you have caused my son!" he firmly declares.

None of his queens utter another word as they recoil in shock and fear. Never has their husband been hostile them before now. He pampered them as one of their sons was expected to be the heir to the crown of Elowen.

"Now, where is my dearest son Abel?" King Roderick questions his beta whose eyebrows rise in surprise.

"Your Majesty, your son has been a slave for many years. There is only one place he could be if he is alive," the beta answers.

King Roderick seems to panic as his hands and lips shake. "Bring my son here now!" he orders. "I will clean and feed him myself."

The beta hastily leaves the room and King Roderick settles back in his seat.

"Before your new son is crowned as our emperor I want all of my gifts back so I can hand them to him personally," King Draco states. "Baby dragons only belong to great rulers, not the losers that were rejected by the crown."

"I assure you that your tributes will be granted to the heir of the crown. Even I am taking back my gold and expensive pearls and will present them to the true emperor," King Roderick assures his fellow werewolf kings.

Minutes later his beta returns into the room with an anxious face. Sir Bowman follows behind looking even more troubled.

"Where is my son?" King Roderick sternly demands.

"I . . . am greatly sorry your majesty. Our slave master informs me that he sold your son to Princess Rowena of Silvermere and she immediately left for her father's kingdom," the beta informs in a quavering voice.

The gathering of Royals and councilmen is speechless for a long moment before King Roderick furiously springs up from his seat, seething with range.

"You sold my son without my consent?" he roars, causing Sir Bowman to tremble like a leaf.

"I . . .I had no idea that you cared for him, your majesty. Princess Rowena offered a thousand gold coins to buy him as a gift for her father. I thought you would be impressed by the deal," he defends.

"Traitor!" King Roderick yells. "Take him and hang him with the other criminals," he orders.

Three of the guards that were in the room match forward and drag a screaming Sir Bowman out while the king's three wives observe with dread.

King Roderick's attention then returns to his beta. "I want my son back! Gather some men and go after Princess Rowena's convoy. Our emperor must be back in this palace by nightfall," he commands.

"That is not how our laws work, your majesty" King Draco interjects. "Once a slave has been sold to a new master and the key to his chains handed over to her he cannot be reclaimed. The Princess of Silvermere is now the rightful owner of your son as she paid a hefty amount to buy him as her slave,"

The rest of the gathering nods in agreement to the reminder. King Roderick however shakes his head in denial.

"I did not consent to the selling of my son! Go tell the Princess of Silvermere that I will pay ten times the amount that she bought him!" he states

The beta bows and hurriedly leaves the room.

* * * * * *

ABEL EVERHART'S POV

As the horses gallop down the dusty road I cannot shake off the feeling that we are fleeing from something. But the overbearing look on my mistress's face make sure I wouldn't dare ask what. She seems to communicate her orders to the crew without uttering a word.

I noticed a sudden sense of relief on the faces of the crew after we crossed the borderline and we were finally in the kingdom of Silvermere. It's as if we were escaping my father's kingdom.

But the most concerning issue to me right now is my diminishing energy. I haven't eaten in days and the wounds on my back ache terribly.

My vision starts to blur and I let my eyes close. But I feel something touch my lips and I immediately force my eyes open.

I am astounded to see Princess Rowena's hand holding an apple against my mouth, but the expression her face remains impassive.

"Eat," she orders.

My hands are still bound behind my back, so I have no option but to eat from her hand. Her crew doesn't appear surprised. Which makes me wonder if she is really this tolerant with slaves. Her demeanor spells otherwise as she gazes at me like a piece of property that she shouldn't lose.

"Thank you . . . your highness," mutter after finishing the apple. She offers no response as she withdraws her hand and one of the crewmen hands her a white cloth to clean herself with.

I look out at the passing landscape outside in an effort to keep myself from staring up at her beautiful face in a manner that a slave isn't allowed to.

Finally the horses start to slow down as the sight of a huge, majestic castle comes into view several metres ahead. The sound of a trumpet blast comes from the top of one of the watch towers behind the towering walls and massive gates open soon after.

They reveal an incredibly imposing imperial palace, adorned with intricate architectural details that symbolize power and authority. A sculpture of Princess Rowena grasping a sword stands tall next to the gates, looking like a fierce guardian of the kingdom.

As the convoy halts at the Palace courtyard, a procession of curious servants and officials gather to stare. But none approaches the carriage.