38. I have been disgraced.

Barak smiled inwardly as he thought to himself that the queen was more calm than the king. More composed, she seemed to be his check-mate. The one to keep his anger in check.

He could not help but wonder if Ria would one day have that sort of power over him. The power to be his check-mate. To control his anger.

He took his seat as the queen had instructed.

"I must tell you, Prince Barak, the rumors are not always true." She smiled gently. "Right, My Lord?" She turned to her husband and he seemed to have calmed down after staring into her eyes.

Eyes that were green and almost as beautiful as Ria's, Barak thought.

"Ah, aye, I am certain you must have heard rumors of the unrivaled beauty of my daughter, princess Neriah, and also how she has a bit of a fiery temper." The king chuckled with his wife.