The Duke

After a few days, the Prince reached Talio, capital of Sirine.

They traveled to the royal palace. When they arrived, the captain sent in his name. After waiting several minutes, a page escorted them to the room in which the Duke was. When they stepped in, the Duke looked up. He was a cruel looking man, with a very haughty bearing. He only wanted to get rid of the Prince so that he could have the throne of Tierney. He looked at the Prince. “So, this is the great Prince.” he said tauntingly.

The Prince didn’t say anything; he just stood there looking at the Duke with a look of contempt.

The Duke lowered his eyes for a moment, he couldn’t bear to look in the Prince’s eyes, those eyes were very forceful and commanding. The Duke also knew that the Prince was of higher position then he, but the Duke gained back his confidence, because he was in charge of Sirine.

He looked back up. “So, this is the Prince.” he repeated.

“Yes, I am the Prince.” Answered the Prince calmly, “May I ask why this indignity has been forced upon me?” he continued, his eyes flashing.

“I am doing this on the behalf of Queen Jenelle.” The Duke replied loftily.

“I doubt that Queen Jenelle would do such a thing!” retorted the Prince indignantly.

The Duke flinched, and then flushed angrily. “Are you insulting her majesty!” he shouted.

“No, of course not.” The Prince said coolly, “On the contrary, I am protecting her reputation from being ruined by you.”

“Are you insulting your superiors?” shouted the Duke angrily.

“No, of course not, I am superior to you.” Replied the Prince calmly. “No, you are not!” cried the Duke, “I have just now deprived you of your rank, now you are just a vagabond!”

“How dare you!” exclaimed the Prince. He leapt forward towards the Duke, but the guards held him back.

“For that you are going to be executed in three weeks!” cried the Duke in fury. He would not have gone this far but he was so angry that he wasn’t thinking about what he was doing.

“Bring him to the dungeons!” the Duke raged.

As the guards stepped up to the Prince, the Prince said quietly, “I wouldn’t want to be in your place when Queen Jenelle gets back.”

And with that, he turned quickly and proudly left.

The Duke gazed after him in astonishment and rage. He knew what the Prince meant, Queen Jenelle held up Prince Arthur as an example of kindness and as a man worthy of respect and esteem.

So no wonder the Duke trembled at the thought of Queen Jenelle’s anger. For the Duke, in spite of outwards appearances, was a coward.

End of Chapter Two

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