The King

It felt like it was almost midday as I followed my grandmother from shop to shop. In reality, we hadn't even spent up to an hour.

She was trying to purchase new equipment she'd need. The king intended to hold a duel of sorts for the kingdom's entertainment. He intended for men of valor and skill to step forward, with the reward being knightship. I wanted to attempt it, but I knew some of the men who intended to sign up. They would kill me instantly.

As per what I heard in the carriage, my grandmother was against such an event. She wasn't wrong when she said the event was merely for the king's entertainment. Having served under the man, I was astonished that his guards and retainers treated him as they did.

He was loud and pompous, as well as cruel to his wife and children. I envied his position, but I resented the man he was. When he set out to give speeches to the people, he had a kind appearance, whereas he was a horrible man on the inside.

The knight who trained me, Sir Michael, claimed the king was once a fearsome and respectable man. The kingdom we resided in, the walled nation of Lahore, was invaded by forces from outside the nation numerous times before I was conceived. Apparently, the king's late father, as well as the king himself, dedicated their lives to ending the endless attempts and the wars raging all around. The king had finally succeeded about twenty years ago, brokering peace with the nations around him. But it seems war suited him better than running a kingdom.

From his tall and athletic figure, I could believe the stories of the king's former glory. But like my grandmother, I could never bring myself to respect him, regardless of his history. The only difference between myself and my grandmother was that if she was left alone with the king for just a minute, she would be sentenced to a hanging immediately.

Anyway, I followed my grandmother around like a chick to a hen. Once we were done, she found yet another carriage, and we started making our way towards the castle. I knew barely an hour had gone by, but I was relieved to finally leave the city.

"I should have had you wear something more fancy," my grandmother said, looking down at my clothes. "We just might see that fool of a king today."

"Grandmother!" My eyes sharply darted to the man at the front of the carriage. If he had heard what she said, he didn't show it.

I looked back at her and frowned. "You can get hanged for that."

"Who told you I'm afraid of dangling from a little rope, boy?"

Rolling my eyes, I looked away. She was too cocky for an old woman. I hoped the man in front hadn't heard anything, though. There were some in the city who wouldn't hesitate to sell out information to the king in exchange for a few pieces of silver.

"I wonder what he intends on doing today," she pondered aloud. "It's way too early to announce the duels. The crown can't afford that sort of luxury at the moment."

"Grandmother!" I exclaimed again.

"Everyone knows the kingdom is in debt, boy. Stop trying to silence me." She crossed her arms and looked outside. "The aid we received from Kasavi, unfortunately, came with mountains of gold in return."

She was right; everyone knew it. This was why the kingdom was in a state of slight panic when the king held a parade for his daughter's birthday. Of course, everyone had enjoyed it, but it later came to bite them back in the form of a six-month famine. Luckily, the king had competent advisors who helped him regain stability.

"I hope it's just another one of his boring speeches. That man couldn't convince a hungry lion to eat anything, much less motivate thousands."

I buried my face in my palms. I loved my grandmother and liked the fact she never failed to speak her mind. Maybe the king was a great man a long time ago. He wasn't anymore. And he sure as hell wouldn't take her words lightly.

"We've arrived," the man up front said, halting his horses.

The castle gates stood tall and firm, with two guards stationed right in front of it, ensuring whoever went in and out wasn't a threat to the royal family. My grandmother got off the carriage and tossed a few pieces of silver to the man, who caught them wordlessly and turned his carriage around. I felt slight panic build up in my chest, but I chose to say nothing, watching the man as he left.

"Madam Liana," one of the guards called out, bowing his head slightly. He wore a full set of iron armor, with a longsword strapped to his waist. In the middle of his armor was the sigil of the royal family. The deer. "We're glad to have you here once again."

"Or you're just glad to have my silver, Jamie," she teased, tossing him and the other guard three pieces of silver each.

Grinning from under his helmet, Jamie clenched the fist with the silver and banged the gate three times. It swung open barely two seconds later, making way for us to get through.

"Sneaking off to see Sir Michael as usual aye?" Jamie whispered into my ear as I walked past him.

I smiled and nodded, chasing after my grandmother, who had picked up her pace. Nearly everyone in the castle was aware I was training under the king's guard, bar the king. I suspected my grandmother knew as well, but if she did, she didn't say anything.

As we hurried through the courtyard, we passed several maids who were attending to the flowers around the courtyard. They gave me and my grandmother a warm greeting, but my mind wasn't focused on them.

On the other side of the courtyard sat the princess. Now, I know I was a peasant who was just lucky enough to be related to an important person, but I couldn't keep my eyes off the princess. She had long golden-brown hair tied in a ponytail behind her head. Her mesmerizing grey eyes met mine as I stared stupidly at her. She sat on a stool, running her hands through the flowers, while engaging in a conversation with two of the maids. She smiled at me and waved. I am ashamed to say that I nearly passed out.

Her small, red lips. Her porcelain, white skin. Her small, gentle frame. Her beautiful face. She looked like something right out of a fairy tale. Of course, she was the princess, so that was the bare minimum. She was seventeen, just a year older than I was, and betrothed to a thirty-year-old prince from Kasavi.

The unpleasant thought was enough to break me out of my trance. I waved back and turned away from her, my entire demeanor transforming. I knew I had no chance, but such a thought left me deflated regardless. Besides, she thought of me as a brother. A peasant like myself couldn't compete to acquire such beauty.

We headed into the main building of the castle and began heading up the stairs to the queen's quarters when a loud voice stopped us.

"You must be Liana! My wife's clothier!" the man said. "And you must be her grandson."

I reluctantly turned around, cursing myself for letting this happen.

In front of us stood the king, wearing chainmail and iron leggings and boots. He had fierce grey eyes, unlike his daughter, and rough golden brown hair that rested under his golden crown.

"Mind walking with me for a bit?"