Upon seeing the blood that had been shed, so of the courtesans shrieked in horror. Others held their breath. So simply looked the other way. It was just another victim of their King’s wrath. Their cruel dictator.
"You!" Cedric pointed at one of the royal guards who’d followed his leader into the room to et their King.
The young man trembled as he quickly got down on his knees before Cedric. Cedric grabbed the young man by his collar while pointing his blood-stained sword at his heart.
He leaned in close to the frightened young man. Cedric had co to enjoy these monts, often savoring them for his own amusent. He loved the fear he was able to instill in others.
"Find Sierra Bancroft by sundown tomorrow or you’ll end up like him," he warned before throwing the young man down on the ground.
"GO!" He yelled as the young man scrambled to his feet and ran out of the room.
Cedric laughed maniacally as he walked back to the courtesans who were waiting for him. Those who were frightened just monts ago had collected their composure. They plastered smiles on their faces as they did everything they could to satisfy the King.
They didn’t do so out of a sense of duty.
They did it to ensure their own survival.
No one wanted to end up dead, like the poor young man who was bleeding out on the ground.
Just then, a ssenger burst into the room.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! The princess... she’s..."
"What is it now, out with it," Cedric said in annoyance.
"She’s threatening to kill herself again. Unless you go to see her," the ssenger gulped.
He could see the blood pooling around the young man who’d been unfortunate enough to displease the king. He prayed for his own life beneath his breath.
"Again?" Cedric scoffed as he rolled his eyes, "Can she co up with anything new?"
"She’s... she’s serious this ti around, Your Majesty! She’s threatening to jump off the balcony!"
Cedric rolled his eyes. He sighed as he left the comfort of the courtesans and had the ssenger lead the way. It took him a while to get from the King’s Quarters to Princess Felicitiy’s quarters but the commotion could be heard ringing through the corridors.
Several maids and guards were already in the room, attempting to convince the princess to co back in. She had pressed herself against the railings while wielding a knife.
"Stay back! All of you!" She shrieked in tears, "I want to see Cedric! Why hasn’t he co to see !"
"Your Highness, please! It’s dangerous! Please co back in! We’ve already sent a ssenger! He’ll co!"
"Lies! All lies!" She yelled, "He doesn’t love anymore! I should just jump off-"
"What’s with all this ruckus?" Cedric roared as he entered the room.
All of the servants imdiately got down on their knees as he walked through the room. Felicity imdiately lit up the mont she saw Cedric. But she didn’t move from the ledge.
"Cedric, you finally ca to see , I-"
Cedric slapped her across the face. The force of the hit sent her crashing onto the ground in shock. The pain stung her cheek. Everyone else was stunned speechless. No one dared to help the princess. No one dared to hold Cedric back either.
"You... you..." Felicity reached out, wanting to pull Cedric down to et her at eye level to give him a piece of her mind.
She never got a chance to as he slapped her across the face once more.
This ti, it drew blood.
"I’ve had enough of your antics, Felicity," Cedric seethed.
"My antics?" She said in a shaky voice.
He rubbed his temples. There were already enough things for him to worry about. Running a Kingdom was not as smooth sailing as he had hoped. Especially when he had wrestled it from the hands of an old king on his deathbed.
Cedric’s claim to the throne did not go as he had planned. Nonetheless, the seat was his. He had only kept Felicity alive for a reason. To legitimize his claim and quell the rumors for good.
They had a small ceremony, much to the princess’ disdain. The ministers of the court most certainly did not agree with him, but he left them with little choices. He purged the court of those who went against him.
Keeping General Leon on house arrest in the castle was his way of pressuring the Bancroft family to not move against him. He knew if done right, Sierra would have to co crawling back to him too.
He didn’t expect her to have King Alistair’s protection. But he knew one thing for certain. If her father was in danger, she was bound to co back and save him.
"I am your lawfully wedded wife! You cannot treat like this... without , you’re nothing!" Felicity’s words brought Cedric out of his thoughts and back to the present.
"I’m what?" He asked her coldly, taunting her to repeat what she had said.
Felicity was livid. She had never been so disrespected in her entire life. She was born with a golden spoon in her mouth. She got everything and anything she wanted. No one ever dared to defy her.
No one dared to disrespect her.
"You heard what I said! You’re nothing without !" She taunted him boldly, not realising she had made a horrible mistake, "You would’ve never been able to achieve anything! You pathetic..."
Cedric lost all control. He grabbed hold of Felicity and made sure she wouldn’t be able to speak ill of him ever again. Felicity begged for her life, screaming at him to stop with tears in her eyes but he showed her no rcy.
Everyone else watched on in stunned silence. So looked away, while others prayed for rcy. No one, not a single one stepped forward to help. By the ti Cedric was done, Felicity was sobbing, cowering in fear.
He straightened his collar and asked for a basin of water and a glass of whiskey. Both items were brought to him imdiately. He washed his hands and dried them with a piece of cloth before downing the whiskey.
"Make sure the princess is kept alive. Do you understand?" He ordered sternly as he glanced at the servants and maids behind him.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" They said in unison swiftly, no one dared to protest.
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