CHAPTER 4

The sound of horses was heard around the palace. Feets marched into the court fiercely without motion. The sounds escalated going into the throne room. 

Robert watched with keen eyes as the men stepped into the room. He sat on his throne, his gaze on the men. In front of the men stood a man, his hair brown and a bit grey. He wore a long cloak and had long sprunting beards and a mustache that added more look to his face. His eyes, stern and radiating nothing but wickedness as he walked in, his eyes locked with Robert's.

" Good to see you, King Robert Of Linerdo," The man let out a high, but the irritated tone, his look fixed on the young prince as he walked closer; his men were standing behind him with hardened faces.

Robert stared at the man with solid eyes, an expression of surprise and annoyance overpowering him. "What are you doing here, King Philip?" He asked, anger in his tone.

The old king of Dunham stared at Robert with a smirk on his lips; he glanced back at his men and slowly fixed his gaze on the king. "Calm down, King Robert; you don't have to be so uptight about my visit." He replied, a smirk still on his face; he walked closer to Robert, who sat on his throne with a twisted fist as he held himself from reacting.

"King Philip, you don't have any liberty to come over to my kingdom unannounced. I sent words across, and you should have done the same, just like I did, and not show up here uninvited. "Robert said, with vicious anger rising in him.

King Philip rubbed his beards; he let out a laugh, glanced around and back at the king, "I can see that my visit cause you discomfort, but I only came here for one thing, give me the trade land, and I will keep my soldiers low because I can see that you don't want war as I do." He let out, his eyes fixed on the king as he stroked his beards slowly.

Robert's eyes hardened in anger; every piece of him wanted to avenge his rage on this king who stood a few feet away from him; how dare he barge into his kingdom with such authority that disgusts him. "Never! That will never happen, King Philip. I sent words of negotiation because I am a king of peace, and I do not wish to go on any war with your kingdom. You know that the trade land belongs to my kingdom and has been in our care for centuries. I won't give it out! You better know that and stop wasting your time!" Robert declared with might, his eyes filtering in resentment.

The smirk on King Philip's faded immediately as a tempered expression replaced it, "Then you have it, prepare for war!" He announced, his voice echoed in anger. Without saying another word, he walked out of the room, crammed with an overwhelming hatred. His men followed behind, their feet echoing down the hall.

With anger running through his veins, Robert sent for Nicholas, who walked into the throne room immediately; two soldiers followed him.

"Tell the soldiers to get ready; we have a war coming, the King of Dunham has declared a war against my kingdom, and he shall have it. Gather your men together, and report to the base; I will send for you later." Robert instructed, dismissing them.

He glared around; a vein sprung on his forehead, indicating nothing but intense anger. King Philip did not only come to his kingdom to insult him but to prove his sovereignty; how dare he?! His outburst is ludicrous!.

The domain of Linerdo and Dunham have always been sworn enemies, even in the days of his father. Still, Linerdo has always held great power against Dunham, and he won't watch the dignity of his kingdom fall in his regime.

Heavy thoughts filled his mind as he scratched the ridden area of his throne with his nails, an unsettled expression on his face.

"Long time, brother," A voice called out, bringing Robert back to reality. Looking up, he saw a figure coming into the room; he narrowed his eyes as the familiar voice rang through his head. Looking up at the familiar face, his stepbrother Fabian walked towards him, his countenance filled with smiles. 

Robert stared at his brother with surprised eyes; it's been years since he last saw him after leaving the kingdom without saying a word to their father. Hearing his dismissal, King Harrison, their father, was furious and filled with rage. He sent soldiers to go into neighboring kingdoms searching for Fabian, but all were in vain; he was far gone from anyone. His brother Fabian has always been hostile towards him, and they were never close. They lived in different compartments in the castle since childhood, although their father tried to bring them closer. Years passed, and Robert expected Fabian to return to the kingdom during his coronation, but he didn't. Now he looks firm and different, his appearance tall and massive, his brown hair resting on his shoulders. He had a black cloak over him, his black eyes like his mother, Queen Edythe, who died during their teenage years. 

"Brother," Fabian called out again, his steps approaching the King. "Surprised to see me?" He asked with a smirk on his face as he raised an eyebrow, his hands apart as a sign of greeting.

Robert glanced at him, "I am indeed surprised after all these years; you ran away from the kingdom and didn't visit even after hearing the death of our father; that isn't a good act, brother," he replied with narrowed stares.

Prince Fabian let out a loud chuckle, "Oh brother," he spoke out with a lightened mood, "You should know that I am thrilled by your words." Fabian looked around the vast room and back to Robert, "Oh, is father dead?" He inquired in a mockery tone; a laugh escaped his lips as it echoed around the room to Robert's annoyance, who stared at him. "Poor father, I guess his hard side couldn't keep him alive. I still can't believe that a great king like him could die of an illness" Fabian made a mockery humming noise with his mouth as he nodded his head, his hand caressing his beards with diligence.

" You don't have to speak about father in that manner," Robert warned his finger pointing towards his brother, who stood apart.

"Or what?!" Fabian enunciated his gaze on Robert, who looked at him with an eclectic expression.

"Or what, brother?!" Fabian inquired loudly with a keen look, "Tell me! What will happen if I say what we both know is nothing but the truth? Will you treat me despite just the way father treated me! Will you?!" His eyes blazed with anger as memories flooded his mind.

"No one treated you poorly, Fabian; father loved you more than you can imagine. When you left this kingdom without anyone noticing, he spent days searching and wishing for your safe return; even on his deathbed brother, you should respect him even if he isn't here anymore," Robert advised. He scanned his brother for a while, "I guess you must be; wed, we can discuss another time, and of course, do join us for lunch; I will be happy if you do." 

With a stern look on his face, Fabian walked out of the room filled with unsettledness; Robert stared fixed on him.

Hours passed by, after lunch, Robert resided in his private chamber. He has to prepare his shoulders and lead them to war. The King of Dunham has eaten more than he can chew at this moment, and he won't take any more of his mockery from him. 

As he sat on his chair, his eyes fixed on strolls on the table before him. His mind went to king Williams and his proposal. He has war and a wedding to plan, and the thought of it evaporates his feelings. Quickly, Robert brought out paper and ink. He began to write a message to King Williams about his marriage preparation with his daughter, stating that the marriage will hold immediately after the war ends. 

As he wrote on the paper, the words spoken to him by his mother concerning Diala and her fighting skills occupied his head. Indeed she is apt for wars, and that's a suitable qualification for a queen fit enough to be by his side. He must keep love out of this marriage and do what is necessary. Quickly he wrote, after writing, he called forth his servant, ordering that the letter should be sent to King William.

As he sat on the chair with sleepy eyes, a knock on his door was heard.

"My King," A voice called out from outside. "Nicholas and his men are here to see you," his servant informed.

"Tell them to come in," Robert ordered, rubbing his eyes. 

A few minutes later, the door opened as Nicholas, and three other servants stepped in.

"My king," Nicholas bowed respectfully; the soldiers behind him did the same in accordance. 

Robert glared at them as he awaited Nicholas's words.

"King Philip's men delivered this message, my King." Saying this, Nicholas handed a scroll to Robert.

Hastily, Robert opened up the scroll and began to read, his forehead squeezing in anger. He looked up at Nicholas, his eyes blazing in fiery wrath. Quickly, he stood up from his chair, his hand folding the letter as his veins burned up resentment. 

Gradually, he looked up at Nicholas, veins visible by the side of his head as his long hair was neatly packed, glowing in the dark.

"Inform your men to be at alert and prepare everything they need; a proclamation will be made to the kingdom concerning the way, so no trade should take place at any part of this kingdom." He scowled at Nicholas with a hardened expression; with his hands at his side, he walked towards the window, his eyes watching the walls of the castle. Slowly, he turned his gaze towards Nicholas, who stood apart with his men, his eye patch stuck to his face. 

"We attack by Sunrise," Robert let out as Nicholas and his men nod in affirmative.