Sweet Waters Throne

Chapter 43: Chapter 4

After a long journey, well it certainly wasn’t that long. It was just three months, but what really made it seem like a long way back home were the events taking place in the capital. From the declaration of war between Maldonia and Prophis for the first time in a thousand of years, to being denied s to wed Aurora – it was all too much for Artemis to bear.

However the burden was lifted off the moment Artemis stepped out of his royal golden carriage and welcomed by a running Aurora racing to him. Artemis’s smile widened and he walked faster to meet Aurora half way. It was like a play the love between these two.

Artemis kissed Aurora passionately and fondly with his eyes closed and his hand on Aurora’s chin. Thank God there were no local citizens to gossip since the welcoming was done inside the gates of the palace, perhaps the servants who by then were aware of the king’s promise to Aurora.

“My betrothed...” said Artemis kissing Aurora’s lips again.

Aurora replied with a smile between the kiss “My betrothed” and she continued kissing Artemis with lust.

By that time all the lords had gotten out of the carriage too, Lord Akirbus and Lord Angun joined their fellows, Lord Balrus and Lord Dagon. The four were now complete, what was regarded as the highest members of the king’s council.

Lord Akirbus asked “I hope you haven’t beggared the realm my lord ever since I left you in charge as Master of the coins?” the question was meant for Lord Dagon who smiled and promised Lord Akirbus the Sweet Waters banks were as safe as it was the kingdom.

.....

“Safe? Are we even safe...?” Lord Angun intervened.

“King Castellan has declared war and raised its banners, it’s rather soon than we expected” replied Lord Balrus.

King Vaith joined the lords since Artemis was so distracted by Aurora, no one seemed to want to interrupt the two young lovers. That’s when Princess Aeryn walked to the lords with haste to meet the handsome king.

When Princess Aeryn arrived, all the lords stopped talking and they addressed her “Princess....” But they didn’t bow.

King Vaith was awestruck and it’s not so usual for a man like him who have seen and tasted all to be shocked by the beauty of Princess Aeryn. He took his time into looking at the princess from head to toe.

Then King Vaith took out his folded turban on top of his head as a show of respect and greeted the princess. However, Lord Balrus intervened “How silly of me... Your Grace may I introduce to you -”

King Vaith cut Lord Balrus’s speech “Princess Aeryn, the princess of Maldonia, and Lady of House Arteides” he finished the sentence looking straight at Princess Aeryn. “I am awestruck my lady, you are as stunning as they say you are”

Princess Aeryn was flattered “You flatter me Your Grace, King of Santagar and Master of the blue sea”

“You know what they say about the seas in Santagar, my lady?”

“Enlighten me Your Grace”

King Vaith took his turban and threw it to a servant nearby who was carrying his things to his chambers. Then he exhaled and paid attention to the princess “Perhaps I should take you there myself, if your brother permits”

Princess Aeryn chuckled softly and then she looked at Lord Balrus and walked away from the group. Princess Aeryn joined her brother to welcome him home after such a weary journey. Aurora walked inside the palace and left Artemis to have a solo conversation with his sister.

“Welcome back brother” Aeryn kissed Artemis in his cheeks and they stood so close facing each other.

“Thank you sister, how have you been?”

“As you might imagine. The war is coming, and we are all nervous in some way”

Artemis locked eyes with his sister, and it was clear that he was weary from his travels and a bit worried. His eyes were reddish, lips dry and probably he hasn’t been sleeping for days.

“Father ruled for over twenty years of peace and prosperity. The kingdom was silent and the people were safe. When the elves invaded the kingdom we only lasted two years prior his death, wars take people from us”

“And it’s our duty to keep our men from the graves, the nights will be long but I’m sure morning will come afterwards” Princess Aeryn sighed and then she reached out for her brother’s hands. “I wrote to our uncle Arcadia, Lord of Marinus”

Artemis was shocked “You did what?”

“Shsh...” Aeryn shushed Artemis using her index finger and then she turned to see if anyone was eavesdropping to their conversation. “I only asked of his help”

“At what capacity? He is a traitor sister, our father banished him because he wanted my throne”

“I know, alright... I just thought you could use a word of wisdom in these times of need”

“From a man who wants my head of a pike”

Aeryn hissed while grabbing Artemis’s hands harder “He doesn’t, I had no one to confide to regarding this issue with you and -” Aeryn paused and started to cry. There was something more to the story and Artemis knew of it.

“What is it?” asked Artemis concerned because even after everything that happened between them, Artemis still lived by his father’s last words which burdened him with his sister’s protection.

And Aeryn was aware of her effect towards Artemis, hence she cried “It’s Lord Balrus. He has a hold of the letter which I intended to send to our uncle, and now he is threatening me with it. He wants me to wed the King of Santagar so I can be shifted off to God knows where... and I don’t want to brother”

“Aeryn...”

“Please brother don’t send me away. I have to be by your side, I am your only blood and the only person you can trust in the whole kingdom. I would never do anything to hurt you nor would I watch as you destroy yourself”

“But you have to marry sister, you have come of age and as we always say marriage is just a political arrangement”

“For men! A political arrangement to men, but for us it’s a burden placed on our heads. We can’t even move nor breath because of how heavy it is”

“Alright sister, I will speak to Lord Balrus...”

“No, I don’t want you to”

Artemis was exhausted at his sister’s complaining “What would you have me do?” he asked softly and it was vivid he needed a rest.

“I will marry King Vaith, but we are staying here in the capital”

“Alright if that’s what you want, however -”

Aeryn knew exactly what her brother will propose, and that was if the husband would be willing to let her. She didn’t want that hence she interrupted “You are the king, just one command from you and he will listen to you. I know we need his camels and men but I am not travelling to Doha and stay in the desert, my home is right beside you”

At some point in the midst of the conversation Artemis was rather impressed with his sister’s courage. It didn’t seem long ago they were racing who would reach their father’s courtyard sooner, or fight over pastries but here they are talking politics and weddings.

“I agree sister, your home is right here beside me” Artemis pulled Aeryn in a tight hug and kissed her hairs.

Well, that was a weird show of affection to Lord Balrus who thought the siblings were wroth with one another. He longed for a rodent to whisper to him but the conversations were rather tight.

The other place where conversations were tighter were inside Princess Sansa and Lord Balon’s castle. Lord Balon didn’t utter even a single word to his lady wife the moment he stepped inside the hand’s castle.

Princess Sansa asked lots of questions “My love, how was your journey? Did you see all of Maldonia? How fascinating were the houses sigils?” but she was met with a morbid silence from Lord Balon.

“Are you deaf?” asked the princess “Or did they cut out your tongue?”

“I do not feel like talking to a whore” finally Lord Balon raised his voice to the princess with his frown look. A look of disgusting and being ashamed of his wife’s infidelities.

“I am not a whore Balon, I am the mother of your daughters and a lady of Nemphis”

“You are nothing! Just a common whore looking for a new cock every single night without a care for her husband’s respectful position. You...” Lord Balon raised his index finger towards Princess Sansa while he trembled “You are a disgrace to our family. Now I know why your father banished you from his kingdom”

“Because I married a penniless lord of sheep and goats” Princess Sansa raised her voice so high and insulted Lord Balon. However, she regretted her decision to speak back to her husband when Lord Balon raised his right hand and slapped her, Sansa fell down on the floor.