Chapter 2 The attack

CHAPTER 2

♦Prince Leopold POV♦

"All rise, his Majesty king Alaric valenor, the great king of eldoria, is entering the court" the announcer announced, as I stood up all the other court members also stood up including my mother queen Rowenna Valenor, I watched as my father king Alaric walked to his throne with his advisor Baron Marcus and his knight Sir Akbel and some guards behind him, his advisor and knight walked to they seats before he walked up the steps and sat on his throne, before me and my mom sat down followed by the court members "what's on today's agenda" the king asked, as usual he is going straight to the point.

Duke Sebastian stood up "I greet his Majesty the king of eldoria and her majesty the queen of eldoria and the prince" he said the king nod in response "the empire is in perfect condition your majesty, and I believe under your leadership it will always be" duke Sebastian said.

As usual he is trying to please the king with his words.

"Eldoria is a peaceful kingdom, a regal kingdom with a long history my family has ruled this kingdom for generations, since my ancestors have built it and they have maintained the peace of the empire, that's why I always try my best to make sure the kingdom is in peace" the king said "and I hope this peace can last forever" he added gaining lot's of praises from the court.

"may your highness live long and prosper more across the country" duke Sebastian said before he walked back to his seat and sat down, then suddenly general Arthur the head of military stood up and walked to the middle of the court "eldoria is a very peaceful kingdom as you said your majesty, but unfortunately some people are trying to disrupt our peace" he said gaining everyone's full attention.

"disrupt our peace?" the king asked before general Arthur nodded "yes your majesty, some soldiers from kingdom Ravenna have started attacking some parts of the kingdom, they have started attacking emerald vale( A lush, fertile valley famous for its agriculture) and as you know your majesty that's the main source of food and cotton of the kingdom, lots of famers have been killed, livestock's and plants have been destroyed....." before general Arthur could continue, a soldier walked into the court with blood all over his body and clothes.

My eyes widened as I look at the injuries on his body, the soldier almost collapsed on the floor but managed to regain his steps he bowed down and said "I greet his Majesty the king of eldoria" the soldier was about to speak again but was cut off when lord Harrington said "and who dares enters the courts without the king permission" he said in his usual calm but threatening voice "you have a dead wish don't you?" he asked the guard.

Hearing that the guard went down on his knees immediately and said " I apologize for my informal behavior, but the news I brought cannot wait my lord" "and what is so important that you can't wait?" duke Soren asked.

"I am a soldier from the Shadow wolves, as usually we were going round Ravenwood (a part of the palace, mostly forest) doing our usual survey when we were suddenly attacked....." the soldier said before his body began trembling "who dares attack our territory" lord harrington said.

The guard brought out a paper from his pocket "I have been send to deliver a message to his Majesty" he said "from?" general Arthur asked, the soldier's body began shaking before he said "from a commando of kingdom Ravenna" by now everyone in the court has widen their eyes waiting for him to continue "may I read the message your majesty" the soldier asked the King was quiet for a while before he said "go ahead" the soldier nodded before he opened the piece of paper.

"the great King of Ravenna, king Godric lethwynn greets king Alaric of eldoria, this message is to inform the king of eldoria that the great king of Ravenna has taken interest in the kingdom of eldoria and wants it to be one of his territories, so he will advise king Alaric to peaceful surrender the empire to him, if not they will be a flood but not of water, instead it will be flood of blood" the soldier concluded, "they have already taken over ravenwood" the soldier said.

I was angry by now and you could feel the anger of everyone in the court, general Arthur stood "who do they think they are?" he shouted at the soldier, the soldier started shivering before the king said "go back to your sit Arthur" general Arthur was angry but had to go back to his seat.

It was quiet obvious everyone in the court was angry, including the king but knowing him he would never show he is angry, I looked at my mom who by now was tensed it could show all over her body, the later must have affected her, my mom is a very loving caring and peaceful person so am sure she doesn't like the content of the later.

"what should we do about this your majesty" lady Vivienne asked, I looked at dad waiting for his response but he was quiet, knowing dad he won't result to war he will probably ask to negotiate with them "war isn't a choice" queen Rowenna said, making everyone's attention to turn to her.

"I agree with you your majesty" duke Soren said, I looked at my mom angry at what she said, I knew It, they wont result to war, I looked at general Arthur waiting for him to at least try to convince them but he was quiet, I then sighed before I turned and looked at dad, " since their have already started attacking our territories I don't think their will be willing to negotiate" I said gaining everyone's attention I could see mom looking at me unbelievable, but I ignored her and continue " so obviously war is the best option".

By know mom was glaring at me, unlike my parents I hate peace, I don't know why but seeing blood makes me feel relaxed and calm, I like the sound of flesh being torn apart, but my parents here are peace makers, my mom already knows the type of person I am, but kept on doing her best to change me, I was 17 when she realized she couldn't change me, cause that just who I am, she realized that when I killed her dear kitten, since childhood I have been killing all sorts of pets in the palace, especially the ones that belongs to my dads concubines, whenever I do that mom will sat me down and give me a lecture about the consequences of what I have done, she will say my dad will be angry and will never talk to me again but that never happened, instead even after my dads concubines went to him and create all sorts of lies, sometimes they are even crying he has never punished me.

Instead he will feed me all sorts of candies while telling me not to do it again, I guess they all taught I was doing that because I was young and naïve, unknown to them it just feels good whenever I tear the flesh of the animals apart, it feels more good when I see their blood all over my body, my parents realized the type of person I was when I killed that kitten, my mom loved that kitten so much because it was the only child her late cat had, I didn't meant to hurt her, but I did that was when she cried the whole night, and ignored me for two days before we went back to how we where before, but dad never stopped lecturing me, he will always find time and call me claming he wants us to chart, but all he ever those is find ways to tell me that I should try to be more peaceful, and calm.

The king looked at me before he said "war isn't an option leopold" I was about to speak when mom said "I agree with that" I looked at her and she gave me a soft look obviously asking me to please shut up, I sighed angry before I turned and face my front.

"since their have taken over Raven wood, general Arthur you should send some soldiers to deliver a message that I will like to meet the king of Ravenna" king Alaric said, "as you ordered your majesty" "General arthur rreplied.

General Arthur then stood up bowed a little to the king before he turned and walked out of court, immediately also Duke soren stood up walked to the middle of the court and bowed a little "I request to leave the court early your majesty, as I am not feeling so well your majesty" duke Soren said, the king was quiet for a while before he said "You may go Soren" king alaric said.

"thanks your majesty" duke Soren said before he turned and bowed in front of queen Rowenna before he turned and walked out.

am angry, I am angry, my heart is pounding hard against my chest, my vision is becoming blurry, I can't hear, see or think well, I have to find a way to get out of here, before I loose control, my mom can't see me like this, even though she knows I loose control of my mind when I am angry, I keep on trying to show her am okay, I know she knows am not but since I kept on insisting I can't show her am not okay, I have to keep my perfect composure.

I glanced at my mom direction and my heart beat began to slow down, my mom was looking at me worriedly, I could see tears in her eyes, she is worried about me, I didn't thought she will figure out the situation I am in this quick, I gave her a soft forceful smile to show her am okay, but she did what I didn't wanted her to do, she stood up and said " I have to take my leave your majesty, the crown prince and I have something important to talk about " dad turned and looked at her before he said "you can go my dear" she smiled at him before she looked at me "let's go Leopold" she said.

She turned and walked to the corner door which we the royal family use, I stood up and bowed a little to the king before I walked behind her.

We walked into the palace halls, the palace floor was made of marble with massive pillars the entire hallway was lighted up beautiful with beautiful chandeliers and flowers, I hate the lights actually, I like darkness, I like to seat alone in darkness. and the hall was silent the only sound that could be heard is the sound of our footsteps.

With each steps I take I could feel myself calm down, I could see clearly, I wasn't seeing black anymore my vision was becoming normal, I kept on taking deep breaths so as to calm down.

Mom was about to walk to the palace library but she suddenly stopped and turned and walked to the stairs, she climbed the stairs and I followed behind her, she walked to the massive doors of her chamber before she pushed the door open she walked into her beautiful decorated chamber, and walked to bed.

She sat on the bed and pat the other side of the bed signaling for me to sit beside her, I walked and sat down beside her before I rest my head on her shoulder.

"are you okay dear" she questioned with worries filled in her voice, I was about to speak when she said "you miss her don't you", my heart sank before I looked up at her, I could feel tension rise up through out my body, I could feel tears in my eyes.

"I do mom" I said with my voice breaking "son" she dragged from her voice I knew she was also at the verge of tears "she is okay where ever she is, and am sure she is happy also" she said, is quite obvious she is also trying to comfort herself and also trying to make herself believe that she is okay and happy, I sighed heavily before I stood up "I will get going now mom" I said as she looked up at me, she gave me a weak smile trying to his her sadness before she said "okay son go and get some rest" I nodded and gave a smile before I turned and walked out of the Chamber.

Mom said I should get some rest, she knows I won't but she still asked me too, so maybe I should try and get some.

I was about to open the door to my chamber when a voice behind me said "your majesty the king has summoned you" I turned and looked at the man standing beside me, it was Davis my right hand man, I nodded in response "where is he " I asked "the library your highness" he responded.

That means he is with some court officials, cause if dad wants to chat with me alone he will ask me to come to his resting parlor or chamber, but since it's the library its probably to discuss court matters.

I walked to the stairs with davis behind me, I descendant the stairs and walked to the direction of the library, Davis opened the door of the library and I walked in,but he stayed outside, as I thought, the library was filled with the entire court officials, all seated on the massive circular table, I walked to the right side seat of dad which is my usual sitting position before I sat down.

Mom wasn't here so the left side seat was empty, dad probably didn't call her so she can rest, dad was about to start talking when the door to the library opened, I looked up expecting mom cause she was the only one missing but my soft expression turned into a frown, when I saw Isolde, she is one of the kings concubine.

What is she doing here, she shouldn't be involved in court matters, everyone's attention turned to here as she walked to the left side seat of dad, I was looking at her angrily by know, what does she think she is doing, I was about to shout and ask her what she was doing here when the king said "what are you doing here lady Isolde".

She gave him that usually disgusting smile of her before she said " I wanted to join the court meeting today your highness" .

What does she mean by that she wants to seat at my moms chair she wants to replace my mom, I took in a deep breath so I won't do anything that will make mom sad when she finds out, I looked at dad waiting for him to send her away, but instead he turned and faced the court members, is he allowing to stay and seat in my moms place, he would probably wait and talk to her later and ask her never to do that again, knowing dad he wont want to disgrace her in front of the court members.

She gave me a side smirk before she dragged the seat, she was about to seat down when I stood up "DON'T YOU DARE" I shouted, everyone in the court was looking at me by know, I could see lady Vivienne smiling, she was also probably waiting for me to stop her, she is moms close friend so she must have also been angry about what Isolde was about to do.

As expected dad was just facing his front ignoring what was happening in his surroundings.

Lady Isolde gave me a daring look before she turned and looked at dad with an innocent look, but still dad didn't look at her "how dare you think you can replace my mom Isolde" I shouted at her, she was looking at me but she didn't say anything.

"get out before I ask the guards to throw you out, or probably for it myself" I said trying to be as calm as possible, I know she wanted to speak back after me, but since the king was here she wouldn't she always showed him she is innocent and fragile so she won't want him to see the kind of witch she is.

She gave a forceful smile before she bowed a little "am sorry for making you angry crown prince, but I didn't meant it that way I will never try and replace the queen" she said, from her voice it was clear that she was crying probably trying to get sympathy from the king and others.

"I will take my leave know" she added before she turned and walked out of the chamber, I inhaled and exhaled before I sat back down on my seat "calm down son" dad said quiet enough for only me to here, I nodded in response before dad began with the meeting.