Realms of power

By dawn, Consort Renee had retired to her palace, her anger and frustration boiling over. She stormed out of her chambers, her silk robes fluttering behind her, and yelled at the maids who were busy sweeping the courtyard.

"You're all useless!" she shrieked, her voice echoing off the marble tiles. "I'll have you beaten for your incompetence!"

One of the maids, a young girl who was trembling with fear, was dragged forward by the consort's guards. Consort Renee's eyes blazed with fury as the girl was dragged away to be beaten, her anger and frustration momentarily sated.

But her son, Prince Victor, was not so easily fooled. He had heard the ruckus from his room and knew that his mother was in a bad mood. He wished she would take her bad mood somewhere else, but he knew that was unlikely.

Prince Victor was a handsome and elegant young man, with piercing blue eyes and jet-black hair that fell to his shoulders. He had a strong jawline and a small nose, giving him a refined and aristocratic look. He was tall and lean, with broad shoulders and a muscular build that he maintained through regular exercise.

Despite his mother's emotional outbursts, Prince Victor was unmoved. He was a cunning and precise young man, hardly swayed by emotion. He knew exactly what he was doing, and he was not about to let his mother's tantrums dictate his actions.

As Consort Renee's angry footsteps approached his room, Prince Victor prepared himself. He rose from his bed and bowed low, a flattering smile spreading across his face.

"Mother, you look lovely today," he said, his voice smooth and soothing. "I trust you slept well?"

But Consort Renee was not pleased. She glared at her son, her eyes flashing with anger. "You think you can flatter your way out of this, Victor?" she spat. "You are a good-for-nothing son, always claiming to be sick and avoiding your duties! What happened last night? Why did you not attend the banquet?"

Prince Victor sighed, a look of mock resignation on his face. "Mother, I told you I was sick," he said, his voice dripping with innocence. "But I know what really happened. You are angry because Prince Liam stole the show, are you not?"

Consort Renee's face darkened, her anger boiling over. "How did you know?" she demanded. "Were you spying on the event?"

Prince Victor chuckled, a low, smooth sound. "I have my ways, Mother," he said. "But, I do know that Prince Liam is a threat to our family's power. And I know that Sarah, the prime minister's daughter, is the key to getting the throne. Why do you not let prince Liam get all the attention for now mother. It will not do him any good in the long run. Believe me."

Consort Renee's eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing. "What are you going to do about it, Victor?" she demanded.

Prince Victor rose from his bow, his eyes glinting with determination. He took his mother's hands in his, his grip firm and reassuring.

"Do not worry, Mother," he said, his voice low and soothing. "I will take care of everything. I will steal everything from Prince Liam, including the beloved Sarah. And I will make sure that our family's power is secure."

Consort Renee's face softened, a look of relief washing over her. She smiled, a cold, calculating smile, and nodded her head in approval.

"I knew I could count on you, Victor," she said, her voice dripping with satisfaction. "You are a true son of mine."

***

Prince Liam walked into the palace, his footsteps echoing off the marble floors. The sound resonated through the high ceilings, and the intricate tapestries that adorned the walls seemed to vibrate with the noise. He was greeted by a maid, who curtsied low, her eyes cast downward in respect.

"Your Majesty, Queen Lauren is awaiting your arrival," the maid said, her voice soft and melodious. "Please, follow me."

Prince Liam nodded, taking a seat on a nearby couch. The cushions were plush and comfortable, and he sank into them, feeling the softness envelop him. He waited patiently, his eyes fixed on the door as he awaited his mother's arrival.

Queen Lauren emerged from her chambers, her hair tied back in a loose bun, revealing her elegant neck. Her clothing was less formal than usual, but still exuded an air of refinement and sophistication. She smiled calmly as she took a seat beside her son, her eyes warm with affection.

"How are you, Mother?" Prince Liam asked, his eyes scanning her face.

"I'm fine, Liam," Queen Lauren replied, her tone of voice neutral, but her eyes betraying a hint of displeasure.

Prince Liam noticed the subtle tension in her voice and asked, "Are you satisfied with my progress on Sarah, the prime minister's daughter?"

Queen Lauren's expression softened, a hint of pride in her voice. "Yes, Liam, I am. You handled yourself well at the banquet, and I hear that Sarah is quite taken with you."

But Prince Liam sensed that there was more to his mother's mood than just pride in his accomplishments. "Why do you look displeased, Mother?" he asked, his eyes narrowing.

Queen Lauren's expression turned cold, her voice dripping with venom. "Consort Renee is my problem, Liam. She stepped into the banquet and your father forgot that I, the empress, was by his side. All he did was stare at her." She paused, collecting her thoughts before speaking again. "I am concerned about Consort Renee's influence on your father."

Prince Liam's eyes narrowed, understanding dawning on him. "She has been a threat to your power from the very beginning" he asked, his voice low and serious.

Queen Lauren nodded, her eyes flashing with anger. "Consort Renee has almost made me lose my throne a number of times, I hope you remember? If not for my family's power, maybe I would have lost my empress seat. Her family is powerful too, and so Renee is a foe, and so is her son Victor. I hate them both!"

But Prince Liam dismissed the threat posed by Victor. "Victor hardly participates in affairs that bring him to the limelight, Mother. I do not see him as a threat."

Queen Lauren's expression turned stern, her voice warning. "Do not dismiss Victor as an unlikely foe, Liam. He may not seek the spotlight, but that does not mean he is not a threat. Be careful, Liam."

Prince Liam's confidence was unwavering, his voice rising in anger. "I know exactly what I am doing, Mother. No one can stop me."

Queen Lauren's eyes narrowed, her expression unconvinced. "I hope you are right, Liam. But I fear you are underestimating Victor and Consort Renee."

Prince Liam's anger boiled over, his face reddening. "You do not trust me, Mother?" he demanded, his voice rising. " You treat me like this again?"

Queen Lauren's expression softened, her voice calm. "I trust you, Liam. But I also know that you are not infallible. You can make mistakes, and I fear that you are making one now."

The air was thick with tension as Prince Liam glared at his mother, his anger and frustration simmering just below the surface. Queen Lauren's eyes never left his, her expression firm but worried. She did not trust him, but she was determined to help him win.