My nightmares were so vivid. Thomas finding David, David being brought back to the Castle and imprisoned and I being put to death for treason. There was no way of making all this correct. But then Thomas was not sure he saw David. As long as I could keep Thomas away, everything would be well.
I awoke to Thomas already gone; Shyanne said he was riding around the grounds. I took the opportunity to go speak with Father on the decision to imprison Thomas.
“My beautiful girl, come in come in” Father said.
He seemed to be feeling better and in better spirits.
“Father, I have made a decision about Thomas. I will not imprison him. I will confine him to the Castle and its grounds. He will not have access to the outskirts. Thus he is imprisoned.” I suggested.
Father smiled and replied “But Amelia, he is your husband and King, he must be introduced plus he is very stubborn, you must remain strong with your decision, no matter how much love you feel for him.”
I looked confused but responded “I will be strong I know he will try to get out of it. He can be King and not have any real power, is that correct, Father?”
Father jested “Thomas, King with no power, impossible and not likely.”
“Well if he likes his freedom, it is what he must agree upon.” I responded.
Father agreed so the decision was made, now to let Thomas know. I awaited him in the garden but he did not return promptly, this worried me.
As I was speaking with Father, Thomas decided to take a ride to Willshire; he needed to prove to himself the man he saw was not David. As he arrived at the cottage, no one was there. He looked through the windows and through the surroundings.
In the distance he created an area
where he could sit inconspicuously and watch. The sun began to go down and no one had returned to the cottage so he decided to head towards Landford.
“Maybe it was my imagination” He thought to himself.
“But it was so real” he whispered to himself.
As he rode back through unknown passages, he saw Schillingburg Soldiers. He rode quickly to avoid them but they saw him and returned to Schillingburg to alert King Erich.
“Your Highness, we have word for you.” The 1st Soldier said.
King Erich disturbed snarled “About what?”
“Prince Thomas of Landford, he is free, we saw him” answered the 2nd Soldier.
King Erich got up from his throne and motioned to the soldiers to approach him.
“Where? Where was he?” King Erich asked.
“He rode on the outer passages and he now wears the King’s Cloak” 1st Soldier replied.
“King’s Cloak? Kings Cloak from where?” He sneered.
“Landford, my King” 2nd Soldier responded.
“IMPOSSIBLE!!! Willshire returned him to Landford? WHAT IDIOTS!!! Where is William? Get me William!!! He yelled.
William quickly entered the room.
“My King, you called?” he said nervously.
“YES I called. What is this I hear that Thomas is in Landford and wearing the King’s cloak?” he asked.
“I have no idea Your Highness” William answered.
“THEN GO FIND OUT!!!” King Erich shouted.
Upon arriving at the Castle I confronted Thomas at the stables.
“Where were you?” I snapped.
“I was riding, why? Must I ask permission from the Queen to go riding?” He answered.
“Did you leave Landford? Are you mad?” I hollered.
“Just for a bit, I have returned well, what is the problem?” He argued.
“The problem is that you are a prisoner Thomas, you cannot be doing as you please, it can get you killed.” I suggested.
“Killed? Not likely.” He laughed.
“For once Thomas, you need to take things seriously, your imprisonment is not a laughing matter. I spoke with Father and we have agreed
upon you being confined to the Castle and its grounds only” I continued.
“WHAT? I am not a child” he replied angrily.
“Yes and as your title of King, it will remain but you have no power.” I added.
“Is this a joke, a King without power?” He replied with a laugh.
“Take it or leave it, Thomas, I am done trying to make you comfortable and you with no respect, not even for yourself, be trotting around like you are a free man.” I concluded.
“Wait and what is my other option?” Thomas asked.
“The dungeon,” I said as I walked away. “Oh and make your decision hastily” I added from a distance.
As I entered the Castle I came across Father who overheard the conversation.
He smiled and said “Well done.”
I smiled and went to my room for a bath, maybe it could relax my tension especially after the moment I just had.
Shyanne as always had everything prepared for me.
“My lady, your warm bath water awaits you.” She said.
I smiled as I began to remove my clothing.
“I cannot wait.” I replied excitedly.
“Yes, Your Highness, I added lavender and other oils, it is perfect.” Shyanne added.
I walked across the room and climb into the basin. The water was so warm and inviting.
Suddenly the door flies open and Thomas stood in the doorway.
“Excuse us Shyanne, I must have a word with the Queen.” He said loudly.
Shyanne quickly left the room and closed the door behind her.
I had nowhere to run so I remained covered by the water.
“What is it Thomas? Can you not see I am occupied?” I said annoyed.
“It is a perfect time because you cannot run and hide, as usual” He implied.
I watched as he stormed across the room.
“Have you gone mad, you are just as unreasonable as Father.
A King without power is a joke an unflattering spectacle. I will be the laughing stock” he protested.
“And what would you like me to do, Thomas?” I answered.
“I am fine with being jail at the Castle and its grounds but not a King without power” he interjected.
“Give me some time to think and see what I can come up with, yes?” I responded.
He looked at me serious and walked away.
Thomas did not return to our room that night. He remained in his old quarters or so I thought.
As I slept, Thomas again made his way to Willshire. This time he uncovered my secret. It was not an illusion. It was David, in the flesh.
“But how could this be? I saw him die.” He asked himself.
As he rode home, he could not help but think I knew about this. “She did react strangely when I mentioned David and she is rather witty” He said to himself.
At the same time Greyson and William were meeting. William asked Greyson about Thomas and Greyson told him what he knew but nothing to incriminate anyone. He advised Greyson that Thomas was seen around Schillingburg Castle and if he is seen there again they will be force to kill him.
Greyson agreed and went on his way.
William returned to Schillingburg with the news. King Erich could not believe what he had just heard.
“So Thomas is King” He said confused.
“How is that possible?” He added.
“I cannot believe Willshire did not execute him for killing their King.” He continued.
“IT IS UNACCEPTABLE!” He yelled.
“I am sure when King Paul finds out about Thomas he will think the same. Maybe I should take things into my own hands and punish Thomas myself, you know, a show of good faith for Willshire” He contemplated.
“What will you do, My King?” asked William.
King Erich stared off and mumbled “Hmmm, maybe it is time Thomas lost what is important to him. What greater punishment is there than losing Amelia?”