Peace Offering To The Cursed Prince

"Prince Julia and his wife are in a possible death roll," Jeffery informed. Sebastian was surprised by the news although there was no change on his face. Not that anyone would notice since he had his face covered.

"How did that happen?" Sebastian asked. He had never bothered to deal with his brothers since he saw them as necessary entertainment.

Jeffery narrated all that had happened in the last twenty-four hours. He did not forget to praise the princess's scheming mind. The prince could tell that Jeffery already likes the princess.

"A charmer and schemer, what combination sunshine," Prince Sebastian thought. He felt happy hearing the news. Although he has been indifferent with his brother he did not like their wife having no fear and trying to disrespect her.

He only let them act freely and arrogantly because he never saw them as threats. Besides the palace would be boring without them, when he was not away for war. Moreover, they gave him the reason to feel motivated and not die, granting their wish when on the battlefield.

Maybe he should put them all in their place when he returned. He came to a conclusion. What made him really excited was the fact that his sunshine defended his name in the presence of the court. Not that he cared what the noble thinks of him.

"You should have stopped her from putting herself in such a danger. What if Mum had remained indifferent?" He scolded Jeffery.

"Your highness, the princess can be a bit difficult. I could not stop her. Beside her highness pulled off the role effortless," Jeffery said. He could not hide the pride in his eyes. He felt the prince made the best choice to marry princess Ellen.

"Oh, then I guess I can't trust her safety on you," the prince said before he called out to one to join them in the tent.

"Has his highness forgiven me?" Jeffery dared to ask. He knew the prince has decided not to kill him but that did not mean the prince would not try to punish him in another way.

"Sure, which is why you would be the one attending all the war meetings in the next month," the prince said.

He knew Jeffery hated war meeting the most. That is why it will be his punishment.

"Yes your highness," Jeffery touched his head happy that he has the chance to keep it.

"Your highness called for me," One announced standing outside the entrance of the tent. He was not so close by when the prince had called.

"Enter," prince Sebastian answered. One walked in and bowed his head.

"Why did you question my wife? I heard you dare," prince Sebastian asked.

One bowed his head once more. He was surprised by the prince's question. "I apologize for my mistake," One did not dare to give his reasons. Who knows if the prince would cut off his head.

"Did you offered me?" The prince asked. His voice was dangerously cold. For the first time, One regretted his actions. Jeffery has asked him to apologize but he refused since he did not see a thing wrong with his action. Now standing in front of the prince he felt stupid to have thought so.

The princess was the crown prince's wife and as such, he needed to give her the respect she deserves but he never thought the prince cared for the princess. He was one of those who believe that the prince just married the Princess to rebel against his father. So he did not understand why he cared how she was treated.

"I..I..," One stammered unable to put his words together. One wrong answer could cost his life.

"Since you did not offend me, I would let the Princess decided your fate," Prince Sebastian said.

One nodded his head. He knew that nothing good was going to come out of the princess's decision tomorrow but he had himself to blame for not listening to Jeffrey.

"Make preparation. we leave for the royal city before the first light tomorrow morning. Gather all the soldiers and kill any who would not take the oath and confessed who have sent them into my camp. Eight should lead the process," Prince Sebastian instructed before walking out of the tent. He could not wait to share his bed with her.

One looked at Jeffery when the prince was gone. As much as he wanted to hide the fear in his eyes Jeffery still saw it.

"Don't worry, I am sure her highness will forgive you. She has a kind heart. All you have to do is apologize in public the way you disrespect her," Jeffery comforted.

One nodded his head. "I don't regret my action. We can't trust that princess. why would she be so concern about the prince?. Unless it is an elaborate plan to harm him when we all trust her," One gave his honest opinion.

Jeffrey rolled his eyes. "And you think the prince is an easy target," he asked.

"No, but when you trust someone you let your guards down, which makes it possible to get harm. That princess is from Bozoa, she should not be trusted," One started in a matter-of-fact tone.

"And you think his highness don't know that?  Besides, even a lady from Avalo could choose to harm the prince," Jeffery reasoned.

"Which is why his highness should never take a wife. Women are liars. Many wars and kings die because of them," One replied.

"So how do you suggest his highness get an heir for his throne. Wait he would not be crowned without a Queen," Jeffery reminder One.

"True but he did not..." One was still going to argue but Jeffrey stopped him.

"Thee? princess is smart. She would not be stupid enough to harm the prince knowing she would die. Besides, how would she harm him?" Jeffery asked really amazed by One's way of thinking. In Jeffery's opinion, the Princess is the one in danger.

One shook his head unable to argue any further. The two men walked out of the tent totally unaware that the prince was standing outside the tent listening to their conversation.

"It took you just a day to win over my right hand man, sunshine." The prince thought as a plan formed in his head. Knowing  Jeffery the prince was certain he was not the type to praise easily.

One and Jeffery woke the entire camp. They needed to carry out the prince's instructions.

All the men that had fought in the war were brought together.

"His highness has decided to temper justice with mercy. We know that most of you are spies. You all betrayed his highness today. I saw it first hand, so you are giving a chance to tell who and why. Swear to give you life in the honest service of the prince or..," Eight left his words handing.

The Twenty were all standing by with their sword drawn ready to battle but the hundred and fifty-seven men simply went on their knee. After what they saw today most of them knew they would not survive if the fight. 

No man would give up his life for something that benefited them nothing.

"One led them to take the oath," Jeffrey instructed handing over the shaft for the oath to him.

Everyman stepped forward and pledged their loyalty to the prince. Each confesses who they spied for and what they excepted in return.