Alina stared at her father’s haggard face and haunted gaze and struggled not to immediately run and embrace him.

Instead, she curtsied politely as Mr. Howard, Prince Henry, Captain Taylor, and Lord Fuks offered her their own greetings.

“Thank you for joining our meeting, Princess.” Mr. Howard nodded respectfully as Alina strode over to the chair on her father’s immediate right hand side, and seated herself.

“Of course, I understand there are many things to discuss this morning," Alina replied while worriedly eyeing her father.

The King didn’t bat an eye at the exchange taking place as he continued sitting slumped back in his chair.

“Right… His Majesty would like to end the engagement between the Troivackian King and the Princess,” Mr. Howard began tentatively, giving the King a troubled glance before addressing everyone else present.

“We do not agree to this,” Prince Henry interjected without even bothering to consider it.

The Prince’s expression for once was not friendly and smiling, everyone around the counsel room table shifted uncomfortably at the sight.

“I don’t wish for it to end either. Father, I know you and the Troivackian King got into an argument, but-”

“Where is King Brendan Devark?” Norman’s dark tone set everyone even closer to the edge of their seats as his hollowed gaze moved to the Prince, there was no indication he had heard his daughter's words.

“My brother went to speak with Viscount Ashowan this morning.” Henry’s tone was calm, but his eyes were uncharacteristically sharp. It was a strange new side of him that Alina hadn’t glimpsed at all during their courting times…

“What is it that he was going to speak with him about?” The King’s unwavering stare was met with equal firmness by the Troivackian.

“I believe he wanted to discuss the possibility of Lady Katarina Ashowan joining the Princess in Troivack for a year.”

Alina’s eyebrows shot up and she had opened her mouth to respond delightedly, when her father slammed his palm into the table.

“He was supposed to do that with the Princess-- furthermore, it is rather brazen of him to ignore my wishes with regards to ending this engagement.” Norman slowly straightened in his seat and continued to focus his attentions solely on the Prince.

“The contracts have been signed, and we have not been in violation of any of the terms. If anything, Your Majesty, your assault of my brother could be grounds for renegotiating several terms; however-”

“There is no renegotiation, this engagement will be ended or-”

“No, it won’t!” Alina snapped angrily turning on her father who still didn’t move to face her despite her interruption. “We need more than an emotional reason to end this engagement.”

The King’s eyes flew to his daughter’s face, and the look in his eyes made her want to flinch.

“You want a good reason? I intend to have you take over Daxaria and you cannot do that while married off in Troivack.”

Alina’s jaw dropped, and the entire room fell into silence.

“I do not know if or when the Prince will return to resume his duties and education, and with that uncertainty, I will not have my only other child who is capable of taking over the throne, be married off,” Norman continued while staring around the table, daring someone to disagree with him.

“Sire, where is the Prince exactly? We know he is in Sorlia, but I also happen to know he is no longer living with Duke Iones’ family,” Captain Taylor interjected hesitantly.

Norman turned his attention to the military leader and silently tapped his finger on the armrest of his chair.

“Are you displeased that I have chosen Alina to be the next ruler of Daxaria, Captain?”

“No, your Majesty. I just wish to know what prevents the Prince from performing his duties. The Daxarian citizens will surely ask the same question when told of this new plan. It could lead to a divide amongst the people and even cause rebellions to form,” the Captain reasoned out slowly as though trying to soothe an aggressive animal.

“Then how about this, I will give the Prince one year to return, and if at that time he does not, Alina’s engagement will be nullified and she will be named as the official heir to the throne,” Norman countered, his attention once again returning to Henry.

The Troivackian Prince's jaw clenched, then his gaze shifted over to Alina who was in too much shock to give him any indication of her feelings on the matter.

Finally, letting out a long sigh, Henry spoke, though it was clear he was not pleased with the way the meeting had gone.“I will explain this to my brother, and we will go from there.”

Norman didn’t say anything in response as his gaze moved around the table. “Are there any other matters you all wish to discuss?”

Clearing his throat awkwardly, Mr. Howard turned to face the King. “Sire, are we sending a letter to the Prince with this information or-”

“I will send word with Duke Iones,” Norman interjected coolly.

Mr. Howard slowly began to push his chair away from the table, its legs scraping the stone floor loudly in the delicate silence. “Right… well I suppose I best… begin drafting the revisions to the betrothal contract.”

“Well I best see that the men aren’t slacking off from their morning training,” Captain Taylor began while standing slowly with a bow towards the King.

“I best go find the original betrothal contract so that we can make the adjustments,” Henry stood swiftly, his bad mood evident as he gave a quick bow to Norman and turned without a word to Alina for the door.

Swiveling in her seat in order to face her father as the men filed out, Lord Fuks caught her eye.

“Princess, why don’t you run along now. I would like to have a private word with the King, hm?” The elderly Earl gave her a friendly smile and a wink that somehow managed to be comforting. Still… she needed to talk to her father… he was behaving incredibly strangely…

Giving her father one last fretful glance, however, and seeing that he was not looking anywhere near her, she decided to perhaps let someone a little wiser… if ten times more insane… try to help.

Giving her father a small curtsy she bid him farewell, and left, already eager to see Brendan and hear what his advice would be…

Once alone, Lord Fuks placed his maimed hands on the table with their few remaining digits and tapped the wood slowly.

“Have you gone fully mad?” the Lord asked casually.

Norman’s gaze cut to Lord Fuks sharply. “What was wrong with my suggestion?”

“Alina quite likes the Troivackian King from what I can tell, and he seems a good fit for her. Seems a steady sort and everyone is talking about the courtesies he has shown her.”

“He is the exception not the rule to Troivackians. Besides, he dares to try and tell me how to be a father to my children? Going on about how I’ve lost a son and will lose Alina. Well, I won’t lose her to him, that’s for certain!” Norman barked while pounding his fist on the table.

Lord Fuks raised a wiry eyebrow “So bring your son back. It isn’t as though it is outside of your power to make it happen. Let Alina do what she thinks is best and-”

“She only wants to marry him to become a Queen. Well, I’ll give her the damn crown and then I don’t have to send her off. Everyone wins.”

The Earl blinked slowly and leaned forward. “I’ve never seen you act so tyrannical in all of the fifty some odd years I’ve known you. You’re making me be the sane one and I don’t like it one bit!”

Norman was caught between a laugh and anger over Lord Dick Fuks' exasperation.

With a sigh, the Earl shook his head and leaned back in his chair, his expression pensive. “After the Prince and the Princess, who is next in line for the throne? Isn’t it technically one of the Duke’s? Which Duke was it though… Was it Iones? Or-”

“It’d be Duke Knowles of Xava, and he will not be setting foot in any throne room as long as I’m alive,” Norman uttered darkly.

“Ah… that would be unfortunate… I pity his youngest daughter… she seems a decent sort.” Giving his head a shake, Lord Fuks once again attempted to hold a sane conversation. “You could always adopt a child I suppose.”

The wry look Norman gave him dismissed the idea immediately.

“Right. Well, I can’t seem to reason with you the reasonable way. I suppose I’ll have to do it my way.” Lord Fuks stood slowly, his old knees trembling slightly as he rose.

The King didn’t like the new direction the Earl was taking the conversation.

Clucking his tongue, the Earl gripped his cane and shook his head somberly. “I intend on going to speak with Viscount Ashowan’s cat, Kraken, and I will let him scheme something to fix this situation.”

Norman’s eyes grew wide. “Don’t you dare bring that devil beast into this.”

“Sorry old friend, you’ve made me have to go over your head with this. I’m too old and too impatient to wait on you to come around, but I know for a fact that beast will set things right one way or another.”

“Did you just say you were going over my head by going to the Viscount’s familiar?”

“Your Majesty, it’s just us two here. We both know if that cat wanted it to be so, he’d burn the castle to the ground and still be worshiped by all of Daxaria. Of course he’s our superior.”

Norman opened his mouth to bite back a retort, but the old man was already on his way out the door.

“Dick, don’t you dare talk to that cat! I’m warning you!” Norman was on his feet as the unmistakable cackle of Lord Fuks echoed back to him from the corridor.

“DICK I’M SERIOUS! DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES BRING THAT ASININE HAIRBALL INTO THIS CASTLE!”

Once again, Norman received no answer, and immediately he felt his stomach lurch forward as he dropped his head to his hand.

“What the hell has my life become…?”

***

Alina all but skipped down to the front entrance way. She couldn’t remember the last time she felt so excited to go for a walk.

She wondered what Austice was like, walking around on foot! Perhaps she could convince the Troivackian King to look for the ancient dragon bones with her! Or perhaps they’d have lunch in a tavern! She’d always wanted to try a local eatery, but had never been allowed…

When she reached the entrance, she found that the Troivackian King had indeed arrived, but he was speaking quietly with his assistant and brother. Slowing her pace down and waving to her two handmaidens that were following to fall back a step, Alina stepped closer to the three men curiously. Only she failed to notice Lord Fuks and bumped into him.

“Ah, my apologies, my Lord!” Alina curtsied hastily, then realized that the earl was holding the Viscount’s familiar, Kraken. “Oh! Hello, again!” she smiled beautifully down at the creature's bright green eyes and reached her hand out to let him give her a tentative sniff.

“What are you doing with the Viscount’s cat, Lord Fuks?”

“Oh, this little beast has been hanging around the Troivackians for a while, and I needed to have a word with him.”

Stopping herself from laughing when she remembered that this was the cat that the Viscount could talk to and understand, Alina was grateful that she could scratch his cheek and not worry about commenting on the oddity of it all. If she were honest, she had always been a little dubious at the story of Kraken taking down hundreds of soldiers and a dragon.

“How did the talk with my father go?” she asked instead.

“Not well I’m afraid, but do not worry. This beast will take matters firmly in paw and get them sorted,” Lord Fuks assured while joining in on giving the cat cheek scratches that he closed his eyes to enjoy.

“If you say so, Lord Fuks, but thank you for trying.” Alina sighed, but did her best to smile gratefully.

Kraken’s eyes suddenly flew open and he sat up alert in the Earl’s arms.

Both Alina and Lord Fuks turned to see what had caught his attention, and that was when they noticed Brendan had turned and taken a step towards them.

“Gods, thank you!” Alina turned back to the cat brightly. “He always startles the cheese from me because I can’t hear him coming!”

Kraken responded by leaping down from the Earl’s arms and casually rubbing himself against the Princess’ skirts.

“Alright, Emperor Kraken, I will leave these grave matters to you. Good day, Princess.” Lord Fuks first bowed to the familiar, then to Alina, making her once again almost laugh aloud.

Then, with impressive speed for his ninety-something age, Lord Fuks hobbled away.

“Did that man just bow to a cat?” Brendan’s voice was beside Alina as she stared after the Earl, shaking her head slowly.

“Yes, he was… is everything alright by the way?” she asked while glancing behind her betrothed to see if Mr. Levin or Prince Henry were anywhere to be seen.

“Ah, my brother was informing me of your father’s new condition to our betrothal. I must say I’m relieved.”

Alina looked up at him, her face already split into an excited smile.

“Really? You think it’s good? Oh, please tell me why! I was so worried when he said that, and I-”

“You were worried?” Brendan asked slowly with a frown.

“Yes! I mean I’d feel horribly guilty if I just left Daxaria without a good ruler, and-”

“You didn’t even consider your father’s offer? You could become Queen of Daxaria and not have to leave home. Isn’t that what you wanted?” Brendan’s concern made him take a step closer to the Princess.

Alina blushed as she bit the inside of her cheek and lowered her gaze. “I… I already told you that… I don’t want you to… I don’t want you to have to rule alone anymore, and I… meant it,” she finished awkwardly as she began to fidget.

Brendan didn’t realize he was smiling, nor did he realize he was blushing.

Nor did he notice everyone around them frozen in shock over seeing the Troivackian King look so happy and loving while looking upon their very own dear Princess.