24

I went straight to my room. That boy and girl were so young, the old woman died and that wasn't even her punishment, the man's family would not even look at him, the woman who tried to poison Alexander and I, her dearth was horrible to watch. She was burned and stabbed too many times without mercy.

"Elise I have to leave for a meeting in another kingdom tonight," I heard and turned to see Alexander. I was so lost in thought I didn't even see or hear him come in.

"How could you make me sit through that," I asked and stood up.

"You forget who is king. You are MY wife, you will not question the things I do. I will be back in 3 days." He said gripping my wrist.

It hurt and I tried to pull away to no avail. He just held that deathly grip on my wrist.

"Watch yourself Elise and I suggest you think about how you speak to me," Alexander said and left.

I just sat there and waited on my bed thinking. Alexander was known as the cruelest king to live. When I first met him, yes I was scared of him a little but I've met crueler people. Now, either he has grown more mean or I'm only now seeing this side of him.

I decided to walk around the castle, seeing the bustling maids and guards standing still at every door. With my luck I ended up running into the princess. This day couldn't get any worse.

"Queen Elise, please you must talk to my brother," she begged and I just stood there shocked because the other day she was so mean.

"I already did, the best I could get you was compensation to start your new life," I said and tried to walk away.

"You can do better, I need a husband, money, title. I need a king," she whined and I just looked at her with pity.

"I'm sorry I did the best I could," I said moving to the side to walk past her only for her to step in front of me blocking me from moving.

"No, you can do better. You are the wife to the most powerful king in the world, use that. Seduce him, he could never resist," she whined giving me a look.

"This is your problem not mine, I helped the best I could now leave me be or I will have no choice to make you," I said trying to walk away only for her to grab my wrist.

"I can give you answers, I grew up here and know about every single thing that happens in Proesius. You just have to do that little task for me," she said loosening her grip on my wrist.

I wanted answers about Alexander, the kingdom, and the people. She did grow up here and is a royal. The task she wants me to do would be me helping her, and I'm sure Alexander won't mind.

"Fine, come with me then," I said and walked toward my room which was down the hall and up the staircase.

"No, my room Alexander could walk in and eavesdrop without us knowing," she said and walked the opposite way.

I followed her down the halls and downstairs to a room. It was large but not as large or grand as Alexander and I's room. It was very bland and neutral, not something I was expecting from the princess.

"Sit," Bethany said and I did. I sat on her bed which was smaller than mine. I figured the princess would have a nicer room and much more decorative.

"So what do you want to know?" She asked and focused on her nails.

"Explain the event that happened today," I said wanting to know more about that cruel and evil event I had to watch.

"So if you commit a crime in Proesius, you will face the consequences. The thing is your locked in the dungeons for who knows how long, what you did will also determine this, until you are called,"

"There is a meeting which determines those 5 criminals fate. The king is the top of the pyramid holding all the power, then the 4 barons of each city, then Alexander's 3 advisors, 3 nobles, then the 4 townsfolk. The 4 barons bring a citizen from their own city with them, it gives the people the ability to be heard and the barons get to chat with the king,"

"It's majority rule for whether they are guilty or innocent, but never in my entire life have I seen someone be named innocent, even for the littlest thing. Proesius has the lowest crime rate  out of all the kingdoms for a reason."

That wasn't fair the people being put on trial are poor townsfolk so nobody gives them a second glance.

"You may want to go eat, before Alexander gets impatient, which he will," she said and I left heading to the dining room.

Before I left I saw the look she gave me. I knew what she was silently telling me, you better hold your end of the bargain.