Dominika had greeted her fiancé accordingly, despite Viktor’s attempt to reassure her there was no need for such formalities. Yet, the Princess was so well trained in courtly behaviour, it just seemed like second nature to her.
As a Prince, Viktor had always been able let himself loose every once in a while but, Princesses didn’t always have that luxury. “Did you sleep well?” he asked his young fiancée.
Dominika blinked hard at his question, as though she hadn’t expected him to ask it. She fixed up a napkin over the gown she wore and nodded sheepishly. “Ah, yes. Thank you.” she replied.
For the sake of the young Princess, Viktor didn’t request wine with his breakfast today, nor did he ask for bacon or other hams of any kind. Instead, steaming fresh salmon was served with bread baked early that morning, alongside peaches and apples and a jug of fresh goats milk.
“I hadn’t realised your slaves had such a say in the things I wear. They don’t like my traditional gown and breeches.” Dominika said after some time.
Viktor scratched the back of his neck. “Ah, here we call them servants. Our family doesn’t really like the use of the term slave – apologies, if I’ve caused any offense.” he replied.
The young Emperor looked Dominika over and admitted to himself that she looked splendid in her navy tunic and ballooned breeches. The tunic brushed up to her knees, and it was lined with gold, something only a truly wealthy woman would be able to afford. It solidified Viktor’s theory enough that the Princesses father did in fact discover a vast mine of gold and diamonds many years back and, to the disappointment of his enemies, it hadn’t been a rumour.
He noticed the Princesses hands were covered in light brown whorls, down from her very finger tips and past her wrists. “The patterns on your hands,” he began, digging his fork into his fish. “What do they mean?”
Dominika smiled, and she rolled her sleeves up to show the full extent of the patterns inked onto her skin. “They symbolise that I am promised to someone. On the day before we are married, I will have them inked on again in black. They’re permanent marks, to show that I’m a married woman, finally.” she pushed her chair back and lifted her breeches up a little, to reveal similar patterns on her naked feet. Rather than shoes, she wore beautiful bracelets with dainty chains attached to them instead.
Viktor smiled at her. He had never come across a culture like this. “Where are your shoes?” he asked, earning a laugh from the Princess.
“Women of my position don’t always wear shoes. It stops us from going outside when we’re not supposed to, we’re only permitted outside if our fathers or husbands allow it.” Dominika explained.
Viktor felt his face drop, and he watched as the Princess straightened her seat back into place and resumed eating like it was nothing. He almost pitied her for where she came from; even Adelaide had had more freedom in her life than this young Princess apparently had. The Emperor placed his hand over his fiance’s and the girl looked his way at his touch.
“You’re the Empress of Iradas now. If you want to go outside, you can go outside – you don’t need my permission. I don’t want you to feel like you’re in a cage here, Dominika.” he paused a moment and to his own embarrassment, he blushed. “You’re to be my wife, not my prisoner.”
Dominika placed her cutlery down and smiled, a genuine smile. The Princess leaned forward and pressed a kiss against Viktor’s cheek. “You’re a good man, Viktor Redbane. My father has made a smart choice.” she said.
Viktor had enjoyed a few whores here and there in his lifetime but, having a woman to call his own for the rest of his life – Dominika didn’t make it seem as daunting as the young Emperor had expected it to be.
“I don’t suppose you would have heard much about what is going on in the east?” Dominika asked her fiancé.
Viktor shook his head. “I’ve mainly heard rumours.” he replied. “Why, what’s happening?”
Dominika wiped her fingers with a napkin and then placed it back down onto her lap. She leaned forward in her seat, her doe eyes bright with enthusiasm. “There are Emperor’s in the east just like you, only they’re our version of your Kings. Yet, above them all is the Emperor of All Emperors. Aradax Jhorou,” she paused to shudder. “He’s a brute if I’ve ever seen one. That man’s empire covers almost a third of the entire eastern continent; it’s safe to say the other emperor’s aren’t happy.”
Viktor sat chewing a piece of fish. He ate it with care as he thought for a moment in silence. “What are the chances of him coming here? To the west? I mean, The Divided Kingdoms are not any of my business but, do you think this Aradax has his eyes on both the Allied and Divided Kingdoms?” he asked.
Dominika let out a sigh and shrugged. “In the east, conquest is not always so much about expanding an empire. Sometimes, Emperor’s will conquer different lands just because they can and they will leave it in ruins, very rarely will they return for it. It’s a display of power. The Emperor Aradax Jhorou, he is a fat old man who had better use of his legs twenty years back. He resides in Malaego, further east of Illia. The journey to my home would take nearly a month alone – I highly doubt he will come to Iradas. His place is in the east, unless he grows too bold.”
Viktor nodded again. He pushed a few of his dark curls from his face and leaned back in his own seat. “We can always wait a little longer.” he said to the Princess, shifting his gaze to where she sat. “We can wait until your father and brothers are able to visit and come for the wedding. Or,”
Dominika rose from her seat and approached the Emperor; who shuffled his seat back a little. He was surprised by her comfort with him as she sat down onto his lap and placed a hand against his cheek. “You think I’m afraid? I’m not a little girl anymore, Viktor Redbane. I’ll survive being married without my father standing in the crowd to watch.”
Viktor moved her hand from his face and kissed her knuckles tenderly. “It’s settled then.” he said.
Throughout the rest of their breakfast, both the Emperor and Princess spoke to each other freely, sharing facts about their different cultures and stories of when they were younger. And suddenly, the entire marriage didn’t seem like such a bad idea to either of them.
Serendipity
The secret escape route Valerius had showed Serendipity earlier on was embedded into her brain. She didn’t want to forget exactly where it was, down to the very hedge in which it had been hidden behind. She couldn’t. Serendipity wouldn’t allow herself to forget such a vital piece of information.
As she sat in the same classroom as yesterday, the Princess allowed her mind to wander to when she could officially plan a second escape. When would it be considered too soon? How could she escape the escort of guards Marcus had following after her first? Could Valerius maybe come with her?
“And what’s the answer to my question, your Majesty?” Cytus asked with a raised brow and a touch of impatience. The old tutor stood before Serendipity’s desk with his hands on his hips, his foot tapping beneath his robe. Why he chose to wear such a ridiculous thing, no one knew.
“Erosion, when rocks begin to wear out due to natural causes such as rain or time.” she replied and was extremely pleased with herself for shocking her tutor into silence. Although, a part of her felt guilty about having cheated by reading Cytus’ thoughts in order to get the answer right. That was what the old man got for being so cocky.
Serendipity wasn’t particularly interested in a lesson all about rocks. But, apparently she had to know about all of this for when the time came for her to begin trading with neighbouring allies, whilst her future husband went off to war. Apparently, it was the Queens and Princesses who handled the finances, the stock intake of the castle supplies, the maintenance of the castle and so on whilst the King was gone. Someone had to do it and it was perhaps the only time a woman was considered fit enough to do a man’s work.
The door to the classroom came creaking open and Valerius entered, like he usually did in order to check up on
the Princess during her studies. Today, however, he looked worried. “My father has called for you.” he said to Serendipity. He noted how her body tensed up and she flicked her eyes nervously back and forth, between her tutor and Valerius.
Without asking why, Serendipity closed her workbooks and excused herself from her tutor’s lesson. As she walked by Valerius’ side, she fixed up the top half of her purple gown; it sloped off her naked shoulders but, it was tight enough to not move down any further. Despite this, the Princess felt the need to fix it up, anyway. “Please tell me that was an excuse you just used so we can be alone together.” Serendipity whispered to Valerius as they walked. They weren’t going in the direction of the Grand Lord’s study but, to what appeared to be a room most likely used by the war council.
Valerius shook his head. “I wish I could but, I don’t know why you’ve been summoned.” he replied. The young Lord sounded as nervous as she was.
Serendipity swallowed hard and waited as Valerius opened a heavy door for her and ushered her into a room. Marcus and Baleon stood hunched over a table, Karideen by their side. When that damned councillor had arrived, Serendipity didn’t know or think to care. He was here, and that was enough to put the Princess in a foul mood.
“I do enjoy being able to summon a Redbane Princess and watch as she comes at my beck and call.” Marcus said to his companions, before he slid his gaze to where Serendipity and his son stood.
“What do you want now?” the Princess asked him. She had only just arrived and already she was beginning to feel irritated by the mere sight of Marcus.
The Grand Lord pushed himself away from the table and approached the girl by a few steps; no closer. His brown hair was tied back like usual, revealing the high collar of his black tunic. The man seemed to favour the colour over any other, it was all he ever wore. “I’ve heard a rumour,” he began. This wasn’t going to be good. “That my son has been arranging private lessons for you with his tutor, Cytus Young. Why? What’s he teaching you that’s so dangerous he had to keep it a secret from me?”
Serendipity and Valerius shared a brief, nervous glance. She swallowed hard. “I don’t see why you’d even care. They’re only lessons, which I think would be valuable to me,”
“What is he teaching you?” Marcus cut in. He was growing tired of her games.
Valerius opened his mouth to speak but, the Princess raised a gentle hand at him. “No. It’s OK, we can tell him, if he really insists on knowing.” Serendipity said. She looked at her fiancé momentarily, then at Baleon, and when she looked back at the Grand Lord, she raised her chin a little higher. “Cytus is teaching me how to read and write; I think I at least deserve to learn how to understand words on a page properly. What’s the point in the castle having a library if I can’t even enjoy the books there? My frequent trips there, alone, have only gotten me so far. It’s not like Axel taught me everything there was to know about the common tongue either.”
Aderico blinked hard at his fiancée. “Well, why didn’t you just tell us before?” he said cheerily.
Serendipity rolled her eyes. “Because I was embarrassed, of course. A Princess who can’t even read for leisure, and yet I was expected to learn half a dozen instruments and etiquette. Now at least Soraya will have someone to discuss literature with.”
Everyone seemed to be buying it. Yet, what the Princess had failed to mention were the sessions in politics and the vital history lessons she had also been receiving. As though she would dare to mention them!
Baleon nodded and returned his attention to the table, at the map and figurines spread out before him. “I think that’s a splendid idea, your Majesty. Good for you.” he said.
Aderico and Karideen appeared to agree and they too soon dropped their suspicions to return to more important matters at hand. As for Marcus? The Grand Lord only gave Serendipity a once over and then turned away, hesitantly, as though he still believed she was hiding something. He said nothing as the Princess and Valerius excused themselves.
The two young nobles slipped out of the room, putting some distance between themselves and Marcus. They turned a corner quickly and pressed themselves against it, staring aimlessly ahead as they steadied their racing hearts.
“That was close.” Serendipity whispered to Valerius.
“But he still suspects something. I’m changing your schedule to lessons every other day, should my father decide you’re learning too often and too much.” Valerius replied, of which the Princess couldn’t agree more. He was treading in hot water by helping her. Valerius was betraying his own father, technically. Whilst he didn’t enjoy it, he didn’t want to leave Serendipity as innocent and uneducated as she was.
Serendipity wasn’t a peasant anymore. She was a Princess of Iradas, in the court of her enemies – and it was knowledge that was the true key to power. Without it, she’d be nothing more than a pawn in Marcus’ game. What Serendipity really needed to be was an unknown threat, and that was exactly what she was hoping to become.
Vestus
News of Viktor Redbanes marriage to Dominika Urveed was quick to reach every land in the Allied Kingdom and the wedding hadn’t even taken place yet. Already, there was great excitement within the lands and most people waited eagerly to see the young heir crowned and married.
Despite his healers advising him not to be quick in finding his feet, Vestus was up and running again within a day of his treatment. Whilst Viktor Redbane had an empire to look after, Vestus couldn’t forget about his own island. He looked up to Viktor and hoped to be as good a ruler as him, one day – so that meant no slacking on the job; ill or not, there was an island in need of running.
It took some effort to get out of bed but, with the help of a timid servant girl, Vestus got dressed and accepted a walking stick the healers had left out for him to use; should he insist on getting out of bed earlier than recommended. Vestus gritted his teeth as the pain of his previous treatments still lingered here and there. The first few steps were the worst but, he refused to be pushed around in a chair like some cripple. He had nothing against cripples but, if he could use his legs then he was going to use them.
“I think it’s about time I went and saw this fleet of Seb’s, see what all the fuss is about.” he said to the servant girl as she helped him out of the room.
“That’s a wonderful idea, your Majesty.” the girl replied. She gave him a polite curtsey and left him to go about by himself, per his request.
Vestus’ walking stick tapped against the floor, in rhythm with his boots. He tried to keep a straight face as the pain slowed him down, as castle inhabitants passed him by with bows and smiles alike. His castle was growing, people flocking to Skull Island with each passing week. It was splendid to see. The halls were no longer so silent and lonely, they actually had some life to them. As Vestus made his way down the staircase, all the way to the barracks and then out to the front of the castle, he was well and truly exhausted. He wanted nothing more than to hunch over and cough wildly. As though he’d let himself wallow in his own self-pity like that!
“Vestus! What are you doing? Shouldn’t you be resting?” Tourri’s voice came from the castle doors.
As the young King looked over his shoulder, he found his advisor rushing towards him with worry.
Tourri’s hands were on him before he could even notice she was by his side, one hand on Vestus’ back and the other on his arm. She steadied him as he began to sway a little. “You really shouldn’t be out and about so soon after your treatment. Do the healers know you’ve left your room? Do you want me to go and get them?” she began to ask. Tourri didn’t want to admit it to him but, she thought Vestus looked a mess. His eyes were purple underneath and sunken in, his cheeks hollow and his breathing ragged. She was sick with fright.
Vestus shook his head and turned again towards where a farmer with his cart came trotting down, delivering various fruits and vegetables for the castle. Tom. He always came around at this time with his fresh produce. The King had remem
bered his precise schedule. “Hello, Tom!” the King called out to the farmer, waving his stick around in his direction. “Would you be so kind as to take me down to the docks, old Tom? I need to see the Captain, I believe Seb will be there, working on my fleet.”
Tourri stopped him as the King went to take the first step down the stairs. “I really don’t think that’s a good idea. You’re still very weak from the treatment – you should go back to bed. Do you need anything?” she asked. Tourri let out a huff of disbelief. The storm had only just ended last night and already Vestus thought he was well enough, and the weather fine enough, to start wandering around outside. “You might catch a cold,” she began again.
Vestus let out a half irritated grumble. “Oh, Tourri. Please! Enough fussing, I’m fine. I want to go and see my fleet, I haven’t had the chance to yet and I believe I’ll benefit from some fresh air whenever I get the opportunity for it.” he argued.
Tom came running towards Vestus, arms outstretched before him. He took hold of the King’s free arm and began to help him down the stairs. “Not to worry, Lady Tourri. I’ll make sure he gets to the docks safe and sound. Then he’ll be the Captain’s concern from then on.”
Vestus hoisted himself up onto the passenger seat of Tom’s cart and he set off without a moments delay. During the journey to the docks, he took the time to thank old Tom and enjoy the scenery of his continuously growing island. “Just look at it, Tom. I never would have expected Skull Island to grow as quickly as it has. Does that mean I’m doing something right?” he asked.
Tom clicked his tongue and his pony sped up just a bit. Having delivered his goods to the castle first, the cart was lighter, and it bounced around more; making Vestus’ clench his teeth at the pain in his still aching body. “You’ve done a marvellous job, your Majesty. It’s not every day a boy decides to become a man so young and take responsibility of an entire island.” he paused in thought. All around them both, the island was truly coming alive.
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