One

The kingdom of The South 

[Five years later]

"Lord Edmund. I hope you are doing well" He heard from one of the court subjects as he walked past them. He never stopped as the people around him bowed to him.

"My lord, I suggest presenting yourself before the King this annual meet, it might make him see you as a possible candidate, For Princess Rose Katherine" his advisor spoke. He nodded staring at her portrait.

"This could make you the future King, if you are successful " His father spoke from behind him. His voice lingering in his ear.

"What are the chances that the King himself has a man of a higher status for his daughter?" He asked, His father leaned back on his chair staring at his son. A sudden smirk appearing over his lips.

"None? You are the only pure royal of age to marry the princess. The only man who can take the throne after my brother. None of the other men come close. They won't, they never will" 

"If you think you can take advantage of this situation so as to touch the kingdom's throne then you are wrong Lord Edmund, I hereby decline your proposal and wish you a safe journey home"

He stared at the wall, his hand wrapped around the glass so tight, it finally broke. Spilling the broken glass over the carpet. 

"I failed to get her approval." He whispered as his father stared at his son in disappointment. 

"If I knew you were going poison the King, I would've asked for a letter! to have her hand in mine! As her husband" His father looked away. "There was no time. Arthur was picking on what we were planning. I could not have him take any actions against you of all people" 

"Yes but now? have nothing! She shall take the crown and I have to be her servant!" 

"An innocent woman cannot take the throne if we do what we can Edmund. You will do whatever it takes to secure that title, whatever it takes" He looked back at his father. 

"Kill her?" His father chuckled. "Won't it be too suspicious?"  Edmund closed his eyes in frustration. 

"I have a man. Who speaks of her, when she was a young child. they said she entered the forbidden forest-" Edmund looked back at his father. "Came back alive" 

"I do not believe in those rumors, nor do I believe in that damaged forest! Pathetic! for people to belive in such myths" 

"But the Subjects of the deceased King will, so will the people of the kingdom"

 His father spoke, his hands lingering over his ring as he twisted it, his eyes looking out the windows. 

"Bring me the man who claimed to see the incident," Said Edmund walking out of the study. 

That day. He asked the Princess for the last time to surrender. He would treat her like a human if she gave up the throne. But she didn't. She stood true to her ground. Little did she know, Edmund had written her death sentence moments ago. 

He never cared for anyone. He only cared for that Crown she would carry soon. Therefore, it was only best to rid of the only surviving heir. 

He never let the people mourn for the death of their King, nor the Princess. He saw how she was tied to the stake. The large fire surrounding her. He stared at the forest. His eyes was giving it a displeased look. He despised that forest, he found it foolish. If he wanted those people over his land to obey him. He had to bring show them how foolish they were to fear those unsightly woods. 

He stared at the subjects, as they bowed to him. He was the King. And he had made his mother proud. 

"Close the gates, the bridges. No man or  women is to leave the castle grounds. No one from outside the castle and villages to leave this land. The exchange of goods is to be stopped till I give further orders. Get the men of those village. Start building a storage for our weapon right at the boarders of that forest. Any man refusing or running has to face death."

"You majestic, but- we cannot discontinue the contact between the other Kingdom's. This might lead to a dispute between you and the Kings. It may lead to a war" He stared at that subject in anger. 

They tired to control him. After all the power he had. It was a massacre. He killed all who came in his way of power. He wanted no opposition to his statements and commands.

"Why are the officials of the Queen's family question my orders. The court seems to be influenced by them" His advisor nodded. "The queen had most the decisions in her hand. These officials are all from her side of family. I suggest we get rd of them before the table are turned on us" Edmund nodded. 

So, these men. The most highest rank in the officials were disposed of. Replaced by people working his father. They were thrown in to dugenouys. Never to see the light of sun. 

"Is she dead?" He asked as the servants bowed and gave him a slight nod, He smirked. 

The queen was dead, but that ruby creast was no where t be found. He made them search every corner of that castle. But The king's creast was no where to be seen. 

"Doesn't matter, I am the king. I need no creast" He whispered. 

All this victory. All the power. All the obideance that he received as a king. Yet, on his heart. There was no satisfaction. 

"Do you see mother? I sit upon this throw that you desired the most. Are you happy? Are you proud?"  he said looking at his mother's belongings. Those were the last of her. 

He wondered what would give him the happiness and satisfaction  that he desired so badly. He wanted everylasting power. And if that forest could be conquered, He would have it all. 

He could not give a reason why, but he wanted to burn those trees down to ashes and let the men know of the power in his hands.