“A Proper trial Amelia? Are you trying to save this man? He will not get a trial, he WILL die. He killed your brother” Paul yelled.
“He killed your brother Paul. I did not know Michael.” I argued.
“This is unbelievable Amelia; you would not be Queen of Landford if it was not for THIS family. You ungrateful…” Paul said before I interrupted him.
“I am Queen because of you? I laughed.
I nodded in disbelief.
“Believe as you wish but the prisoner leaves with me. He will not get a trial here as I see it Paul, and you will not stop me. I have made the decision and he will accompany me to Landford in the morning.”
I added as I walked away.
Greyson followed and said, “What are you doing my Queen?”
I turned to him and replied, “I am bringing Thomas home; I will not be responsible for his death”.
“But my Queen, it is his destiny, he killed a King,” Greyson said worriedly.
“He is a King also, Greyson. This discussion is over.” I whispered.
Greyson stared at me confused. “A King? What are you talking about? He is not King!” Greyson whispered.
“I will explain later Greyson; just prepare him for the trip.” I replied.
Paul paced back and forth.
He then followed me into the hallway.
“What will I tell our people?” He asked angrily.
“The truth, I suggest, you do not want to begin your reign on lies, as did other Kings” I answered.
I was not sure if my decision was the right one but my love for Thomas could not leave him there to die even though he took my brother’s life.
Greyson returned to the dungeon. “King Thomas?” he murmured quietly.
Thomas turned towards him.
“Pardon me, I mean no disrespect, but can you explain how and when you became King?” Greyson said as he kneeled.
Thomas answered “My loyal friend, Amelia and I married before I left Landford. She became Queen, thus that makes me King.”
Greyson slowly stood up and whispered. “Your highness, if you have deceitful thoughts or ill feelings towards my Queen, I will slay you, remember I taught you everything you know and I will not think twice in using it to protect her against anyone, including you.”
Thomas smiled “My man you taught me to kill others. I will not my own.”
Greyson replied “You think I not know that it was you who betrayed your brother. Who poisoned him in your Fathers mind and requested his death”.
Thomas laughed and said “You give me too much credit, Greyson.”
Greyson nodded his head. “You have been warned my King” He added.
Thomas smiled and replied “You do not scare me but do not worry, Amelia is the only person I care for, she will never be harmed by my sword BUT be afraid for others. Those I cannot spare.”
Greyson bowed at Thomas and ended “We leave for Landford in the morning my King.”
The morning came quick.
I was anxious to leave but I had to pay my respects to Michael. I slowly entered the front room where his body lies for funeral. I could not help but see his resemblance to Father. I placed a medal on his chest.
“King Michael, my brother. I feel so ashamed that I have no recollection of you. Please forgive me. Your death was an accident, please pardon me for exonerating who did this to you but he is my husband.” I whispered as I touched his face.
I looked up with teary eyes and said “Say hello to Father for me, I hope he is proud of me, aside of this, which you may see as an indiscretion.”
As I turned, I saw Paul stood in the doorway. He looked at me with anger but respect.
“Are you sure you want to do this, Amelia?” Paul asked for the last time.
“Yes, Paul, please accept my decision, it is for the best for Willshire,” I replied.
He lowered his head.
“Amelia, forgive me for the outburst last evening, I am ashamed.” He said.
“Oh Paul, It was forgiven automatically, I had fault too, my brother.” I replied.
He grabbed my hand and led me to my carriage. “It was a great pleasure seeing you again. I hope you will visit more often and under better circumstances” Paul asserted.
I smiled and replied “I will, promise.”
We hugged and I quickly entered the carriage as the guard retrieved Thomas from the dungeon.
I was ready to finally return home. I asked Greyson to put Thomas with me in the carriage.
He only allowed Thomas to sit with me as long as he wore restraints.
As he entered the carriage, I just could not help but look at him. The outer shell was my Thomas but the inside seemed to be a stranger.
He glanced at me and bowed his head. “My Queen, I would kneel but you have me tied up like an animal and it is not possible.” He said.
“No need” I said.
“Behave yourself.” Greyson said to Thomas.
Thomas just looked at him and smirked.
As we rode away, we sat in silence.
I looked out the window, if not I would be staring at Thomas all the way.
“So what is to happen now Amelia?” Thomas whispered.
“I do not know, Thomas.” I said quietly under my breath.
“If I may ask, was this your plan all along?” He asked.
“Plan? What Plan?” I replied.
“Yes, Amelia. Your Plan. Your sick Father sends you to live in our Kingdom, you become Queen and now the Willshires have 2 out of 3 Kingdoms” He added.
“What are you talking about?” I exclaimed.
“You are smart, WAS THAT THE PLAN!” He said in a loud tone.
“Thomas, there was no plan, I did not want to be Queen, I did it for Father, he is ill and I did as I was told. That is all.” I angrily replied.
“Hmmm, well this turned out to be a lucky win for Willshire then.” He commented.
“Does Father know we married?” He asked.
“No, just Mother”. I whispered.
“Oh” he said and laughed “This will be a great surprise then.”
I looked over to Thomas and asked “What has happened to you?”
He laughed and replied, “What happened to me? WHAT HAPPENED TO ME? You really want to know?”
I shook my head yes.
“You have NOT seen battle! You have NOT seen bloodshed! BATTLE that is what happened to me?”
He said with hurt in his voice.
“I was ambushed in Schillingburg, to this day I believe it was planned, someone betrayed me and advised King Erich of my whereabouts because it all happened so quickly. To survive I had to kill and kill many I did. Your brother’s death was no fault of mine. Who sends their King out to battle? Their King, Unidentified.” He continued.
I really had nothing to say. I have missed hearing his voice. I just indulged in the sound. I really was not paying attention to him at all.