CHAPTER 3

"My King," Nicholas asserted with respect as he walked into the throne room. Robert glanced at him; he turned to his servant beside him and ordered him to leave, which the young man did immediately. 

Realizing they were alone, Robert looked up at Nicholas, who stood still; he glanced behind the man and was surprised to see him alone. "What of your men?" Robert asked with keen interest. 

"My King," Nicholas proclaimed, his eyes fixed on the king before him, "They are at the outskirts guiding the kingdom, and I feel it's good I come here alone to give you this message."He let out.

Robert peered at the black man with a curious expression, " And what message do you have?" He asked.

Nicholas walked closer, his eye patch making him look deadly. "I got a message from a young man in this kingdom that a traitor lives among us here in your palace," he informed with worry written on his face.

A shiver of shock ran through Robert's spine; he sat up with an overwhelming face as he found it hard to believe, "A traitor?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes, your highness, a traitor," Nicholas replied with great concern. 

Robert stared at the man before him with an uneasiness arising In him, "This is a profound statement, Nicholas!" He let out in a severe tone.

Nicholas bowed slightly, "I speak the truth, my king; I can bring the man in so that you can hear from him," he said.

Robert stared at him with unbelieving eyes, "A traitor?" He mumbled softly to himself. He glimpsed at Nicholas, "Go ahead and call him; I need to speak to this man," he commanded.

Nicholas bowed and exited the room, his footsteps echoing down the large hall.

Robert stared around in disbelief. A traitor in his palace? Who?. No one will dare betray him! this has never happened, and the thought of it aroused anger in him.

Nicholas returned with a young man beside him. The young man looked skinny and ragged with torn clothes on him. His hair, unkempt, filled with dirt, and his appearance looked sick.

He walked towards the king alongside the hefty soldier beside him.

"Here he is, my king," Nicholas let out, presenting him.

The man stared at the king with an unsure expression which made Robert puzzled. 

"You said that a traitor lives among us; how did you find out about this?" Robert asked, intrigued, his eyes fixed on the strange man.

The young man stepped further; he bowed but didn't say a word. He glared at the king mute, slowly he looked around the throne room and returned his gaze to the king.

"A traitor lives with you, my king; during your coronation last night, I heard some men discussing this, but I couldn't see their faces. I tried all my best to get closer to them, but they moved away faster, and I couldn't. After hearing this, I informed him, and he promised to let you know about this," he explained with keen attention, turning his gaze to Nicholas.

Robert glared at the man for a while; he turned his eyes to Nicholas, who stood waiting for his words, "He can leave now but make sure you keep an eye on him. Later, I will send my words across to you," he said, dismissing them. 

Nicholas and the man left immediately.

Robert sat puzzled, words going through his mind. Quickly, he called his servants and ordered them to send forth his top officials, informing them to come down to the palace. His servants left quickly; Robert stood up from his throne and walked down to his chamber. He sat on his royal sofa with unsettled questions. He passed the throne as king of this domain yesterday, and just a few hours after his coronation, trouble came knocking. 

A few minutes later, a servant came to inform him of his officer's arrival. Quickly, he got up and went out of his chamber, down to his throne room. As he came in, the older men looked up at him and bowed in respect. Robert walked up to his seat, sat down, his eyes hard but filled with worry.

"You all must be surprised by my sudden call." Robert let out, his eyes studying them one after the other. 

"I got a message from the king of Dunham giving the order that he wants a piece of our trade land, the land connecting our kingdoms which I know belongs to Linerdo. The king pulled up a threat that if we don't abide by their request, my soldiers and I should get prepared for war," Robert announced, his eyes surveying the men.

The throne room became calm as the men stared at each other with disbelief.

"Outrageous!!" A man let out, stepping closer with angry eyes, "My king, we can't let them take that land; it is our bond that signifies our sovereignty over neighboring kingdoms" The old man turned back to his colleagues who agreed, nodding their heads.

Robert diverted his gaze to the man who stood forward, "You are right, and I can't let them take what rightfully belongs to this kingdom. I will try and negotiate with them because I don't want to go into any war with them." Exhaling, Robert stared at the men, "Tell your men to get ready; I will send words across to you. The safety of this domain is my utmost priority, and I will make sure I protect it by all means." he said, lost in deep thoughts. 

The men bowed in respect and exited the room leaving the king filled with thoughts.

It was noon already; Robert retired to his chamber and wrote a negotiation letter to the rival kingdom. He called his servant and ordered that he deliver the letter to the rival domain stating that he wants no war. The servant left hurriedly without wasting any time.

After lunch, Prince Robert decided to take a walk around the palace. Accompanied by his servants, King Robert strolled around his beautiful castle adorned with flowers as maids went about with their heads bowed down as Robert walked past them. 

As he walked further, his eyes caught his mother, who sat a few feet away at the rose garden. He smiled and walked towards her.

Queen Arundel sighted him; she dropped the cup of tea in her hand and motioned him to come over, his servants following behind. Robert turned and dismissed them as he sat closer to his mother, worry written all over his face.

Queen Arundel narrowed her eyes as she glared at her son with mixed feelings. "What troubles you, son?" She asked with concern evident in her voice.

Robert glanced at his mother and back at the palace; unspoken words occupied his mind.

"The kingdom of Dunham intends we surrender our trade land to them," he let out, resting his gaze at his mum.

Queen Arundel glared at him with widened eyes, "That's impossible! I am a queen, and I know that I have no business with kings affairs, but that land has been in our position for year's" she let out with shocked eyes.

"I know, I can't give it out, but I intend to negotiate with them," Robert replied.

Queen Arundel sat up, her blue eyes piercing in him, "What if they refuse any negotiation, the king of Dunham is fierce and won't give up without a war," she implied.

Robert narrowed his eyes, he twisted his fist as he tried to hold the anger building in him, "Then if it is the war he wants, I will give It to him. My soldiers are ready at any time, so don't get worried, mother" he fixed his eyes on her giving her a reassuring smile. However, his body failed to resist the tense feeling in it.

Queen Arundel sighed, taking a sip of her tea, "This is one Of the reasons why you have to get married to Princess Diala as soon as possible; she will be of great help to you and this kingdom, anyway….." She paused, bringing out a letter from her bag. "King Williams has given his proposal that you should take his daughter as your wife." She announced, handing him the letter with keen eyes.

Robert stared at her and slowly at the letter, "A marriage proposal?" He asked, surprised at how serious King Williams is for his daughter's marriage. He has always known that he wanted his daughter to get married to him but bringing a marriage proposal was out of the way, which left him baffled. 

"When did this come in, mother?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

Queen Arundel let out a laugh, "This came in this morning; I planned to give it to you today but was surprised you came outside for a walk. Come on, take it," she gestured, taking another sip from her tea. 

Robert glanced at his mother; he collected the letter, opened it, and began to read line by line. "But mother, don't you think this is so soon?" He implored.

Queen Arundel dropped her cup with a severe expression on her face, "Soon?" She inquired, glaring at him, "You are the king now, and you must get married to your legal wife as soon as possible. Your father married me two days after his coronation, and I don't know why you are wasting time on this. Diala is a good girl and her kingdom, and yours are on the relevant terms when you two get married; this will positively benefit both domains; remember, she is also a warrior and will go on wars with you. This marriage is not something you have to deliberate on, I know how other kings are dying for such a proposal from her father, but he chose you instead; you should be happy about this son," she concluded, looking away with the cup of tea in her hand.

Robert glanced at the letter and back at his mother, "Alright, I will send words across to her father, then our marriage plans can commence," he noted, folding the letter and gradually placing it in his breast pocket.

Queen Arundel's eyes glinted in delight, "Wonderful!" She beamed, "And of course, you should invite her over tomorrow; this will enable you two to know each other better." she smiled. 

Robert nodded, "I will do just that, mother." he stood up, "I have to get back to the palace." Saying this, he walked away towards his castle. His servants walked beside him as they followed him into the palace.

Later that day, Robert sent words across to King Williams indicating that the princess should come over to his kingdom.

The following day, Princess Diala came over with her carriage and servants.

His servants announced her arrival, indicating that she awaits him in the garden.

Robert got dressed and proceeded down to join her. As he walked towards her, her pink gown flowed graciously, adorned with laces, beautifully made for a princess. Her servants neatly brushed her hair as a rose stood in it. She glanced up at Robert as he sat closer to her. She looked down shyly; her cheeks burned red in a flush. She had white gloves on her hands as her red lips shone brightly. Indeed she is a beauty to behold.

"Are you this shy around men?" Robert suddenly asked, his eyes piercing on her.

This question must have startled her; she looked up at the handsome king before her, her blue eyes glittering in thrill. "No, I am not," she responded with a less shyness in her.

Her new attitude amused Robert; he smiled, studying her."I asked because you are always shy around me, or am I too handsome to behold?" He asked in an amused tone with an eyebrow raised. The gentle breeze made his hair swing along, his Hazel eyes glowing in the utmost beauty.

Diana smiled; she looked up at him bravely this time, her eyes locking with his, "Then you must be a sight to behold," she replied in a calm but fierce tone which surprised him more.

Robert let out a laugh which added more beauty to his stunning figure, "You surprise me, princess Diala" he said.

Diala smiled, "And why?" She inquired; her blue eyes glared elegantly.

Robert turned to look at her, his eyes on her, "I have heard so much about battles you conquered without any difficulty, and to be honest, I am impressed," he confessed, looking out at some servants who passed nearby. He returned his gaze to the princess, his eyes glinting, "I am sure your father must have informed you about his proposal, or did he tell me without your consent?" Robert asked.

Diala looked up at him, her eyes filled with mixed feelings, "Yes, he did," she replied shyly. 

Robert glared at her for a while without saying a word. He stood up, reaching a hand towards her, "Come with me, let me show you around my kingdom and yours too very soon." He offered, giving her a charming smile 

Gently, she placed her hand on his shyly and stood up, her gaze fixed on him. With her hand with his, they walked around the kingdom together as Robert showed her around. 

After the walk, they returned to the palace and had lunch with his mother, who couldn't stop talking about their marriage arrangement. 

As Robert ate, he glanced at his mother and Diala, who sat beside him. Deep inside, he knows that he felt no attraction towards Diala. He can't deny the fact that she is a lovely lady and fits the role of his queen, but he can't explain why he felt in no particular way towards her. Their marriage is more like a treaty between two kingdoms that will benefit both sides. Although he knows that Diala has a likeness towards him, it was so clear that the way she acts around him and breaking her heart will only bring disagreement between his kingdom and hers.

After lunch, it was time for Diala to leave; Robert walked with her to her carriage as her servants bowed in respect towards Robert.

Diala turned and faced Robert with smiles on her face, "Thanks for entertaining me, King Robert," she let out, her dimples noticeable. 

Robert smiled, "It's nothing; this castle will be your new home soon, so I must accept you with open arms. And of course, inform your father that I will send words across to him soon.".

Smiling, Diala nodded and entered her carriage. 

Moving away, Robert stood at a spot and watched the carriage move away, out of the palace. With a sigh of relief, he returned his gaze to his castle and walked inside, his servants following behind.