{Buried Pasts}
The next day, Azriel sat on his throne. "Forgive my son for his terrible habit" King Leopold Thompson said.
"Habit? Do you allow your son to indulge himself in such habits in your kingdom Leopold?" Azriel asked.
Leopold scratched his neck. "It's my fault. He wasn't disciplined from the very beginning" He said.
"Does this mean you allow him take advantage of your subjects and you turn a blind eye to everything?" Azriel asked.
"Not really...."
"I don't care what you do in your kingdom. Your son has insulted me in my kingdom. He accused my knight and took advantage of my maid. That Leopold is something I cannot turn a blind eye to" Azriel said.
"I apologize on his behalf for every damage he caused you and your people. I hope this doesn't affect our partnership" Leopold said.
"This is the end of the partnership for your kingdom. Importation and exportation from Vellialan is now considered illegal. Anything that comes from Vellialan would be burned to ashes. Today marks the end of our friendship and you will no longer step foot in my kingdom" Azriel said.
"Your majesty that's a bit excessive? We've been trade partners for decades now. Ending it now would cause war. Don't forget there are other kingdoms and countries who benefits from my kingdom" Leopold said.
"Then tell them how you were unable to discipline your son. Tell them the reason why i ended the trade between us, i'm sure they would be thrilled with the news" Azriel said.
"Isn't there another way we can settle this?" Leopold asked
"If it's settlement you're after then return to my kingdom twelve years from now, then we can talk about forgiveness" Azriel said.
Leopold left the throne room together with Tristan. He hits Tristan hard across the face.
"You had one job to do but somehow you had to screw that up. Do you have any idea the disaster you have caused? The war you've ignited" Leopold asked.
"It wasn't my fault" Tristan said. "Not your fault? I thought you would be as reliable as your brother but you are a god-damn embarrassment" Leopold said.
"It's not my fault" Tristan said. "Are you saying you didn't rape the maid or perhaps your look alike snuck into the bathroom just to watch them wash themselves?" He asked.
"I.... It...." Tristan stuttered.
"To think you were outsmarted by a woman. You are a disgrace to our family. You've single handedly managed to destroy decades of planning and partnership. The main reason you came here wasn't even fulfilled"
"I wouldn't say my coming here was in vain. I was able to find out the emperor is attached to a girl here" Tristan said.
"How's that supposed to help. It's a competition where he can find his bride, it's only natural he'll be close to one of them" Leopold said.
"I did some digging and I found out she is his wife somehow but no one is aware of it. He's overprotective when it comes to her" Tristan said.
"What's her name?"
"Guinevere Whitestone" Tristan said. "Guinevere Whitestone.... that must be Demetrius' daughter" Leopold said.
"Do you know her father?" Tristan asked. "He's an old friend of mine.... It's high time I paid him a visit" Leopold said.
Later that evening in the Whitestone mansion. Count Demetrius was informed that a man of royal blood was there to see him, he felt terrified for a moment. Did that bitch finally ruin our plan?
Demetrius met Leopold sitting in his study. "King Leopold? What brings you here?" Demetrius asked.
"Demetrius old friend how long has it been?" Leopold asked. "Five years" He replied with a nervous laugh.
"Ah yes, five years since you left me for your wife" Leopold said. "Your Majesty I am a married man. I don't wish to continue such acts"
"Your Majesty? Why so formal? I remember how you screamed my name and begged me to go deeper" Leopold said.
"That's enough... This is my house and you would respect me in my house" Demetrius said.
Leopold laughs. "Things has never been the same since you left. I understand that you're a family man, so am I but you've ignored my letters. Refused to come visit me and worst of all you pretend to be a devoted husband"
"That's in the past"
"In the past? You don't look at Fiona the way you look at me Demetrius"
"Would you like a cup of tea?" Demetrius asked. Leopold folds his arm across his chest.
"Tea? I didn't come here for tea Demetrius" Leopold said. "Then why are you here then?"
"Where's that daughter of yours? The filthy one? What's her name again?" Leopold asked. "Anastasia... Sadly she passed away" Demetrius said.
"Who is in Azriel's castle then?" Leopold asked. "That's my... beloved daughter Guinevere" Demetrius replied.
"So you are telling me your daughter is in the castle as we speak? I'm curious tho as to who is in montaubana with the Marquis's son?" Leopold asked.
Demetrius gulped subconsciously. "I'm sure you won't give your bastard child such liberty old friend" Leopold said with a smirk.
"What exactly d..do you want old friend?" Demetrius asked.
"I want your bastard child dead. She has ruined my kingdom with that loud mouth of hers and she must be punished"
Demetrius cursed under his breath.
"Why don't you kill her yourself?" Demetrius asked. "Because.... She's under Azriel's protection. From what I was told he seems to value her a lot"
"I knew she could pull it off... She isn't completely useless after all" Demetrius said.
"I noticed strange vein like marks across her body.... I began to ask myself what it was for"
"Marks? What marks?" Demetrius asked in confusion. "It's all over her body.... I was hoping you might have the answer to that"
"What has she done? It would be difficult for Guinevere to take her place now" Demetrius said with gritted teeth.
"I want her head Demetrius and I want it by the end of the week" Leopold said with a smile.
"I can't do that. If she's close to the Emperor, what do you think he'll do when he finds out the truth?" Demetrius asked.
He doesn't have to know the truth. We'll call this another casualty.... A misfortune" Leopold said.
"There's one problem with that plan"
Leopold glares at Demetrius. "If you kill her now it would be a waste. I mean we could just threaten her till she convinces the emperor change his mind" Demetrius said.
"If she doesn't cooperate?"
"Then I'll deliver her head on a silver plate"
Leopold laughs maniacally. "Good.... I expect good news by saturday. If I don't get results by then I'll have to do things myself"
Demetrius let's out a sigh of relief. What has she done to piss him off this bad?
Leopold grabs him by the waist pulling him closer. "What are you doing?" Demetrius asked.
"Meet me at our usual spot. I'll be waiting for you" Leopold said. "That life is behind me... I.. I don't wish to continue"
Leopold kissed his neck, Demetrius let's out a short gasp. "I've fucked a lot of people but their moan doesn't turn me on the way yours do"
"Stop it, I'm in my house. What if my wife sees us like this?" Demetrius asked. "Then I'll kill her" Leopold said.
"Have you suddenly gone mad? You can't kill my wife" Demetrius said. "Why can't I?
"Because..."
"Why won't you love me the same way you love her?" Leopold asked.
"She's the mother of my children"
"I'll give you things she has never dreamed of. I'll spoil you with things you desire. I'll fuck you so hard, you'll forget your last name" Leopold said.
"Stop this.... Please" Demetrius said. "I'll end your bloodline if it means you'll have to spend the rest of your life with me"
"Leopold stop this madness"
"Not until you agree to meet me" Leopold said. Demetrius sighs in exhaustion.
"It's just one meeting right? Fine I'll be there" Demetrius said. "How about we continue from where we left off?"
"No, I'm only agreeing to see you one last time" Demetrius said as he massaged his head.
"Then promise me you'll come whenever I send for you" Leopold said softly.
"I'll show up.... There are you happy now?" Demetrius asked. Leopold bent down and kissed him.
Demetrius struggled but Leopold pinned him against a bookshelf causing books to fall to the ground.
Leopold pulls away slowly, he looks at Demetrius. "Kissing you always turns me on" Leopold said. "Don't say such things"
Leopold kissed Demetrius' palms. "I'll be waiting" He said.
Leopold left the mansion. Dementia slowly sat on the floor, burying his face in his hands {Why now? I've tried so hard to keep this side of my past buried. Why does this monster have to surface now?}
{Leaving that life five years ago wasn't easy. I practically ran for my life and somehow it managed to catch up to me because of Anastasia. It's that witch's fault, she would pay for this}
{Back in castle}
Anastasia stood in the courtyard in a daze, her brain kept twitching. Zain was kneeling before her. She had convinced him to rise to his feet but he refused.
"I, sir Zain swear to forever be by your side as your knight" Zain said. "Eh??"
Anastasia tried to compose herself. This wasn't in novel so she doesn't know how to react. {Perhaps if I faint here maybe he'll quit the idea} Anastasia thought.
"Zain!!! Do you wish to give up everything just to become her personal knight? Have you forgotten how many years it took you to get here?" Charles asked.
"I am forever in her dept" Zain said. "Ahem... The prince is correct. I helped you without ulterior motive, if you want to repay me then I suggest you continue to be the emperor's knight"
"Is that what you want?" Zain asked. "Yes... Seeing you prosper would be my greatest reward" Anastasia said with a bright smile that could melt the sun.
"I will make you proud" Zain said. {Make me proud? Why does he sound like my child?}
"Now raise" Anastasia said. Zain stood to his feet. "I have one last request" Anastasia said.
"Whatever you need name it and I'll get it done" Zain said.
Anastasia gently caressed his cheeks. "Promise me you'll marry her. Crystal right?" Anastasia asked trying to figure out his beloved.
Zain hugged her as tears falls from his cheeks. "Thank you, thank you so much" Zain said.
"Woah, woah... That's enough emotions Zain, even for you" Charles said as he tried to pull Zain apart.
"Don't forget the emperor is watching from above" Charles whispers to Zain.
"Ahem... I'll be in the training ground if you need me" Zain said as he left. "What did you tell him Charles?" Anastasia asked.
"Don't fret Guinevere, I just reminded him about his practice with the new recruits" Charles said.
"How was your trip with Luke? I can sense him on you" Anastasia said. Charles sniffs himself. "Sense him on me?"
"Yeah his scent is all over you... It's faint but it's there. Like a fragrance that's stuck in your brain" Anastasia said.
"What does he smell like?" Charles asked. "For a man who spends all his time mixing potions, he sure smells like cherries" Anastasia said.
"Cherries? How long have you noticed I carried his scent?" Charles asked.
"I think ever since you returned from the church.... Did something happen?" Anastasia asked.
"Yeah... We kissed...."
"As I suspected from the very beginning... You guys are destined for each other" Anastasia said. "I wish I didn't know that"
"What do you mean?" Anastasia asked. "We're both men in case that didn't occur to you... There's no future in this" Charles said.
"Everyone has a future. It doesn't matter if he's a boy, a girl or a kangaroo. The fact still remains that you love him. I believe there's a world where men fall in love, get married and people don't see it as a big deal" Anastasia said.
"In a world full of delusions maybe"
Anastasia chuckles softly. "You're funny.... I would really like to see how your story goes" Anastasia said.
"Do you see a future of us together?" Charles asked.
"The wizard was destined to die but you saved him. Your future is like a book that's filled with blank pages and the quill is in your hands, write your own story" Anastasia said.