King Bayrel sat in his study thinking about the phone call he'd gotten from the high school about last night's fight at the homecoming dance. He admitted to being a little surprised to hear that his youngest had even bothered to engage other kids in a brawl. Once Principal Greenwood had explained that it was Serenah and four other girls who fought, Bayrel was curious as to why. He decided to call his daughters and find out what exactly transpired last night.
He looked up and saw Grand Duke Noward's customary polite smile firmly in place as he sipped tea from his cup. He wasn't sure what the Grand Duke wanted so early in the morning, but he wasn't concerned about it. After all, they were allies for the moment. Always keep your enemies as close as your friends. That way you could see the dagger aimed at your throat.
"So, how is Princess Serenah?" drawled Noward.
Bayrel glanced sharply at the other man and frowned. "She is being her usual useless self."
Noward chuckled. "Now, now, my King. You shouldn't speak so disparagingly about my future wife."
Bayrel snorted his disgust. He didn't really want to marry Serenah to the Grand Duke, but it couldn't be helped. He needed the Duke's army and funds to support his war against the Cornibus kingdom once they got back home. He would make sure that Serenah bore the Duke no heirs. He wouldn't let anything threaten his throne.
He went back to working on the papers in front of him, his mind roaming back to the day his children were born. That damn Grand High Priestess Pira had come to assist his wife, Queen Ciela, with the birth of the twins. Everything was going fine until Pira declared that Autem had sent her a message. Eagerly he and his queen asked what the message was.
Bayrel grunted to himself as he continued to remember that ridiculous moment when Pira declared that his youngest would become queen and bring peace to the kingdom. Pira also said that he and his oldest would die, consumed by darkness. He started to lose faith in Autem that day and completely gave up on him after Ciela's death. He had no use for a so-called god who only bestowed curses on his life and the things he cared about.
He decided that day to observe his youngest and if she showed signs of destroying what he had built, he would suppress her. He also made sure to have Pira die, accidentally of course, after Ciela passed away so that the secret prophecy would only be known to him and those he chose to share it with.
He came out of his thoughts when his guards announced that Amanah was at the door. He ordered that they let her in.
He watched as his oldest strolled into the room, her regal bearing and haughty aura filling the space. He stifled a laugh at her power move. She was warning Grand Duke Noward that she wasn't to be trifled with. She was the one who had suggested to Bayrel that they marry Serenah off to Noward to put the ambitious duke in check. She really favored him the most in terms of her personality and clever mind.
"Daughter, what brings you here?"
Amanah sat on the couch across from Noward and poured herself a cup of tea. She took a sip and smiled charmingly at Bayrel.
"The honor of our family."
Bayrel gave her a questioning look. "Explain."
"You told my dear sister she would be punished if she sullied our family name again."
"I did indeed."
"Well, at the dance last night, she did just that. I thought I would die from the humiliation of her poor behavior and what students were saying about our family."
He felt anger rise. Why did his youngest have to be such a thorn in his side? He clenched his fist and stood. "Guard!"
The door opened and the attending guard entered. "Your Majesty?"
"Go and bring Princess Serenah to me now!"
"Yes, Sire." The guard bowed and hurried from the room.
Bayrel sat, clenching and unclenching his fist. He would teach Serenah to fear his wrath. How dare she disobey him? He stewed until he heard the guard return and announce Serenah's arrival.
"Enter!" he snapped and came around his desk, ready to unleash his anger on his wayward child.