King Arnold Ambrose of Heavengate kingdom was ruthless. He was devoted to alcohol, mischieves and women. Whoever catched his eye ended up in his bed, irrespective of her consent. The king did not care for his wife or his children. He was so much engrosed in gluttony and lust.
One fine day, king Arnold was staring at his kingdom through the window of his bed chamber. He loved how he was blessed with very fertile land, flowing water resources, mines of extremely precious minerals and many other things. Finding the day to be pleasant for the animals to roam freely, he decided to go hunting in the forest situated at the border of his kingdom.
"Charles!", he screamed for his loyal servant.
"Yes, Your Majesty", Charles bowed down to his king. He wore his red cloak over his shoulder and a sword in his hand.
"Prepare my horse. I plan to go hunt. Let's enjoy some death".
Charles head rose to face his king with fear for him in his eyes. "I beg your pardon, Your Majesty, but today is full moon. It isn't safe to be far from the palace".
The full moon night was known to be the night of the witches who were believed to be staying in the forest at the end of the kingdom. It was believed that no one returned alive when encountered with one of them. Because of this, whenever a witch was seen, she was killed at once for if not, she might harm the people of the kingdom.
"You think I don't know that", the king rolled his eyes. "I do not fear those filthy witches. Besides, I plan to return before the sun sets. I promised my wife a lovely dinner tonight".
"As you wish, Your Majesty", Charles came out of the king's room but he was concerned for the king. He did not want any harm to bestow upon his king or his kingdom. So, he chose to speak with the only person he thought could change his king's mind.
Queen Amanda Ambrose, was sitting in her chamber with her son on her lap almost drowsing to sleep.
".... and then the shepherd and his wife lived happily ever after", her elder daughter read from the book sitting on the front couch.
"How beautifully you read the story, Amelia dear", the queen praised her daughter.
"Thankyou mama", the princess said with a wide grin on her face, happy to gain her mother's appreciation. "Look mother", she gestured towards her younger brother, "Aaron is feeling sleepy again. How is he ever going to learn?"
The queen chuckled looking at her five year old son on her lap who was almost reaching his dreamland. She touched his head full of black shiny hair with her cheek said, "If you want, you can take a nap till lunch, Aaron".
"Did Amy finish the story, mother?" Little Aaron inquired rubbing his eyes with his tiny fists.
"Yes darling, she did", the queen caressed her son's cheek.
Instantly, little Aaron's eyes widened and he screamed in happiness.
"Yay! Now I can go and play". He jumped out of his mother's lap and stormed out of the room with all the energy in the world, leaving his mother chuckling and his sister frowning.
"He did not listen a word from my story, mama. I will not read for him again", Amelia complained to her mother.
"He is a child Amy", the queen consoled her daughter and kissed her cheek. "When he grows up, he will know how lovingly his sister read for him. Do you want to rest now or do you want to go play with him?"
"I will sit here and read another book, mama. I don't want to play out. It is very hot today."
The queen smiled looking at her eldest child who would say the same thing on a snowy day too, to avoid playing. Amelia chose another book engrosing in it as if the world outside is not worth a glance.
The next moment there was a knock at the door.
"Come in", the queen said.
"Good Afternoon, Your Majesty, Your Highness", Charles bowed to the queen and the princess.
Princess Amelia did not spare him a glance, her eyes fixed in her book but nodded her head nonetheless.
Queen Amanda nodded too and asked, "What is the matter, Charles?"
"His majesty asked me to prepare his hunting team for he wishes to go hunting in the forest at the end".
The smile from the queen's face instantly vanished. She was aware of the full moon today. But that was not the only reason of her distress. One cannot identify a witch directly by looking at her. She might look just as human as any of them. But some are believed to be so extraordinarily beautiful that most of the men found it impossible to resist them. And king Arnold was obsessed with beautiful women just as much as stars are obsessed with the sky. It is said that if one harms a witch in any way, that person was made to see hell by the powers they possess. No matter how her husband was, she still cared for him.
She always ignored when he left her to be with any one of his mistresses. She looked the other way whenever he gazed hungrily at a beautiful women. She closed her eyes whenever he touched another women inappropriately in front of her. She swallowed all her pain whenver she found him smiling after spending the night in other women's arms. Some women liked him for he was a king. Some liked him for his handsome face and virile body. Some was there just for the facilities he provided. Some hated him for his misbehaviour and usually left crying from his bed. But witches could do much more than crying. They could as well make the king cry. And under no circumstances could the queen allow her husband to meet such a fate. No matter what, he was still her husband.
"I reminded him of the full moon today but he won't listen, Your Majesty". Charles said with fearful concern. "I can only hope if Your Majesty could try to change His Majesty's mind. The day today is dangerous to be in the woods. Although His Majesty says he plans to be back before sunsets, certain situations might arise which can hold us there once His Majesty starts enjoying hunting".
"Oh dear", the queen exclaimed.
" Let me go talk to him"
The queen rushed to the king's chamber situated adjacent to hers.
Entering his chamber, she found her king getting dressed in his hunting clothes with the help of his servants.
"A fine day, isn't it?", the queen said as she walked towards him. She gestured for the servants to leave and they left after greeting her.
"Indeed", the king replied, smiling at his wife. "I plan to go hunting and you better don't ask me to cancel it." He cocked a brow.
"Well, I don't want to. But you do remember you promised me a private romantic dinner tonight."
"Of course I do, my love. I will return on time. But I do want to enjoy the fine day before."
Queen Amanda found it difficult to make the king change his plans. But she still kept trying. She placed her hands on her husband's chest moving closer towards him. Placing her mouth near his ear, she whispered, "I want to enjoy this fine day too. Would you like a glass of wine in my chamber?"
King Arnold smirked and said, " We have all night for that, my love. I will be back from the hunt and then you can enjoy me as you please."
The king removed her hands from his chest and moved to the table where his servants has placed his bow and arrow. Taking it, he started to move out of the room but the queen placed her hand on his arm stopping him.
"How about a stroll in the garden with the kids. Aaron would love it if you teach him your shooting skills", the queen said.
King Arnold removed the queen's hand from his arm and spoke angrily, "Hell no. I am not going to waste this day on my kids. I am going for the hunt and no one will stop me".
The king stormed out of his chamber ignoring the queen's pleas.