Lord Augustus was the first person to meet the royal caravan outside the palace compounds. He held the long sleeves of his robes, his deep sunken eyes surveying the fleet that came in. It came as a surprise to him that the royal caravan comprised of all the three rulers of the realm. Oh, how he had wished to see such a day when Arcadians, Crescians and Valorians would dine in one room.

The carriage opened and Felista was the first to step out followed by Roselyn. Other members of the council stood at a distance as Lord Augustus moved his screaming bones to receive the guests.

"My Lady," he said taking Felista’s hands in his and kissing it.

"You’ve seen better days Lord Augustus," Felista commented. Alexander’s and Isadora’s carriage halted at the same time before they stepped out. Alexander shaded his eyes, his sight traveling the length of the Arcadian palace. It was as beautiful as they said.

"Child, what happened to your face?" Lord Augustus asked.

Roselyn cast her face on the ground. "It’s a long story, Lord. Let her rest first," Felista saved her in time.

"Take the queen and the princess to their rooms," Lord Augustus instructed a knight who nodded in return.

"This way pl..." Roselyn and Felista had already walked past him before he could finish the sentence.

"Your Majesties," Lord Augustus greeted the couple. "It must have been a long journey. This way please," he said and led the way.

Isadora was fascinated by the beauty of Arcadia’s gardens. Rumors had it that some specific types of flowers could only flourish here, and what she was seeing was enough evidence to back up the claims. She plucked a flower and sniffed the smell.

’It smells so good,’ she wanted to tell Alexander but remembered what he had done to her in the carriage.

"They say your wisdom is beyond books Lord Augustus," Alexander said as they walked down another hallway.

"One of my many gifts. I can assure you I have served my kings well, and now a queen I suppose."

"It would be wiser of you to have known who plotted war against Crescia behind Her Majesty’s back," Alexander said, flashing one of his evil smiles.

Lord Augustus halted to look at him, his slightly bent back making him look like a curved c. "I am just a King’s adviser Your Majesty. Whatever the council did, I can assure you I was not a part of it."

"I see," Alexander said, hurramphing.

"This will be your room, Your Majesties," he said opening a door.

"It’s Majesty, Lord Augustus. I have no plans to share a room with His Majesty," Isadora said, smiling at a stunned Alexander.

"In that case, I’ll show you to another room Your Majesty. This way please," Lord Augustus walked out but Alexander was left behind looking at Isadora unblinking.

"What?" She asked him. "I just need to be alone, that’s all." She said and walked towards the window without another word. Alexander stared hard at her conflicted by her sudden change before he walked out. Women were difficult to understand at times.

"Would you be so kind to introduce me to this... Council?" He asked Lord Augustus who was ready to give him a tour around his room but ended mute.

"The council is having a meeting currently Your Majesty. It would be unwise to..."

"I want to go there now!" Lord Augustus was taken aback by his request but nodded in the end. He led Alexander through the hallways up to the throne hall where the council was having a meeting.

"You may go now Lord Augustus," he told the old man who looked at him skeptically before walking off.

The knights opened the double doors to the throne hall and Alexander walked in, his steps echoing on the marble floor. The council members who were seated in the center stopped their discussion to look at him. He walked towards the table with a smile and took a seat at the far end of the table but all eyes were on him, silence following.

"Continue My Lords," he said with a smile but no one dared utter a word.

A brave council member stood to greet him. "Your Majesty. It is a pleasant surprise to see you here in Arcadia."

"Indeed it is." Alexander said and picked an apple from the basket on the table. "And you are?"

"Lord Festus Your Majesty," the council man answered.

Alexander took a bite of the apple and let his gaze survey the six Lords in the council. He could smell fear leaking from within, and he’d use that to his advantage. Nothing was so precious to a Lord than their honor. He had to clean up the mess in Arcadia’s palace before Roselyn could seat on the throne.

"I believe the Arcadian knights who attacked the Crescian capital got orders from this prestigious council," he said.

"You are accusing us of something you do not have proof of, Your Majesty," a bald headed member pointed.

Alexander just smiled before he whistled. The double doors swung open and two Valorian knights came in with Commander Harris in shackles.

"I believe you all know who this man is, don’t you?" He asked but none of them answered. "I think it’s better if we ask him of the claims you are talking about Lord... Bald."

Alexander walked towards commander Harris who looked smitten. One of his eyes could see less than an inch ahead and his armor was painted in blood.

"Commander Harris. Would you be kind as to tell me which of these High Borns sent you to attack the capital?"

"It was Crescia that was attacked Your Majesty. It would only be wise to talk this out with the Queen," Another Lord said.

"Did I ask for your opinion?" Alexander asked, craning his neck at the bunch of fearful grannies.

"Now tell me Harris. Don’t forget what I have in store for you if you lie," he said smiling but the threat in his voice couldn’t go undetected.

Harris looked at the bunch of Lords who were now shunning his presence like the devil. His gaze sharpened as he lifted his hand to point at someone.

"Him, him and him," he said.

Alexander’s followed his line of sight, a smile curving on his lips at the sight of the trembling Lords. Just as he had predicted, he thought.