Chapter 2
"Dad" why is uncle will here" Anemone asked her father.
"What do you mean? He belongs to the palace" her father said smiling on his throne
"Why do you keep smiling dad? I could see his contempt right through him, uncle will's face smiles but not his eyes, his eyes rather tell of trouble, of desperation; it can't be just me who see right through" she said
"Humm" he sighed still with a smile on his face
"He is still my brother, he is just like Austin to me"
"Of course I know uncle will is your brother, it doesn't change the unease I feel towards him, he came in at a rather auspicious timing, whenever he is near, I feel shivers all over, I know something isn't right, dad" she said
"Leave adults matter to the adults, there are so many things you are yet to know about the world " he said
"But this auspicious feeling says otherwise, my dreams refuses to speak less of the impending dangers of a visitor ready to shake our world, if only I can…" she said and was cut short by the king's furious voice
"That again, princess at this age of yours when are you going to act like it? Who is supposed to guild your brother on his path to becoming a successor and there you go spouting about an abomination" he gets up from his throne and moved closer to where she was
"You should know better Anne, if you go into the lion's den, you should be aware of the dangers that lies therein…" he continues in a lower voice
"My dream are not sorcery and even if it is, we should be worried about the danger about to unfold not…" she said unable to look him in the face as he cuts her mid way
"The audacity to speak of an abomination in my palace, do not misuse my fatherly love for I will take action on whoever goes against my country for they are against me "
"So you would choose the kingdom over me?"she fired
"If you choose to defile the kingdom" he shot back. She fell silent after he spoke.her father sighed as he saw her dejected look.
"Of course princess but it is to be kept hidden and done away with" he said moving back to his throne
"You should go to your brother and Will, treat him well, you know he remains your uncle, my brother " he said sitting on his chair
"He used to carry you when you where much younger, you should get along with him" she left the kings court and wipes her teardrops behind the door
"Take me to Advisor will courtyard" she said firmly to her chief maid by the door.
"Yes, my highness"
(Describe the grand royal dining)
"Uncle will tell me about the north, I want to hear" Austin skims from across the table to Will as he smiles putting one grape in his mouth
"The north is so cold, the snow is heavy, it is surrounded with gates, very tall walls that makes it impossible for an enemy clan to attack, I built that… he said"
But daddy says that the citizens of our country joined to do this willingly, he said the world is voluntary" Austin said curious still playing with his food
"Voluntary, he said so " he scoffed
"They did but I headed the mission I worked for years"
" I worked years in there, forgetting I am a royal blood to make my father proud"he concluded in anguish taking a grape from Austin , throwing it in his mouth and chewing aggressively
"Now you are back" Austin said sweetly
"I am, aren't I" he responded
"You are, I guess" a female voice appears from the shadows "William" she called out excited
"Claire" Will called out to the feminine voice
"I see you refuse to let go of your obsession for me" she smirked and walked into the light
"My princess" he said stretching his hands for her and placing a kiss on her hands
"A man of vigor has once again been called back into the palace, I had almost forgotten what you looked like " Claire said while Anemone walked in
"Anne, Anne" Austin called out to her "come sit" he said as she moved towards the table and her flowery gown followed her.
"Hello princess Claire" she said as she takes her seat
"Hey princess" she fired sharply "you are here"
"I am very loved I keep getting a lot of surprise visits" will said
"You wouldn't have left in the first place if you were" Claire said rolling her eyes and he laughed it out
"I had to do it for my subordinate, I have to make (name of land) thrive by all means" he said and Claire gets up to leave and he asked facing her "so soon"
"Leeches, I hate leeches" she turned to say
Anne scoffed silently
"But the servants do a very good job cleaning always, maybe you saw it wrong" Austin said with an innocent smile on his face
"A very smart boy, isn't he?" Will said as he gets up to leave with Claire "little ones, I'll be seeing you
They walked out the door into the luxurious walls of the great palace
***
****
Will and Claire faded from the dining to appear in the gran hallway of the palace and so they spoke in an undertone voice probably whispers…
"Spicy, aren't you " will said
"And what is so spicy about everything" she responded
"Your eyes look like it would devour those kids"
"Your tongue cannot wait to devour them"
He said pausing in intervals and his voice echoed in the deserted palace hallway of (kingdom name)
Pillars soared, not as mere supports, but as living monuments. Each was carved depicting the stern, regal visages of past emperors and empresses. They weren't static busts; their forms flowed upwards from the base – robes became fluted stone, outstretched hands dissolved into intricate capitals supporting the impossible weight above. Their eyes, inlaid with polished moonstone, caught the ambient light and seemed to watch you pass, ancient gazes heavy with the dust of centuries. Between them, the walls were panels of gilded bas-relief, telling sagas of conquest and celestial pacts in shimmering, intricate detail.
" you seem to have forgotten why you are here, you have forgotten what they did to you" she blotted
"You think I can?" He asked as he showed his face to the golden trails in the ceiling and let out a mischievous laughter
"The victory will be ours, we just have to wait for the right moment " he continued
"I still can't stand them, king? Austin?? You own that title brother" she said fiercely
"On their father's throne, should you be seat…" she added but was cut shut with will finger on her red color lips
"Shush… Good things, they say… comes to those who waits" he said and walked away fading into the endless passage.