PeaceMaker

Dominic smiled watching his soldier run into battle. The brown patches of grass that once filled the plains were brought back to life colored red from a life that once roamed the fields. Hours had passed since both nations dove into war and night had fallen on the bloodied field, yet both sides fought relentlessly praying for victory. As the death count rose, so did the tension in the fields and Dominic's desire to win. He picked up his sword and looked at his soldiers fighting for his side, then ran into battle.

APRIL 22

Boris stood outside Claudia's jail cell and slid the tray of food underneath the iron bars.

"Eat," He commanded, locking eyes with Claudia.

Claudia eyed the nearly empty tray, "despite the fact that you're basically trying to starve me, how do I know there isn't poison in this?" She looked up at Boris, "especially since you came down here yourself to deliver it. You sure you didn't want to watch me die yourself?"

Boris scoffed, his chuckle belittling her but his face remained stoic, "If I wanted to kill you, I would have done it a while ago." He looked down at her, "it shouldn't be surprising but bonEy princesses aren't appealing."

"Princess?" Claudia laughed, her face dark and grim as she thought of how fake she had been, "how demeaning."

Boris analyzed her before looking away and turning to leave.

"Did you agree to it?" Claudia asked as she bit down on a thin chicken leg.

Boris stopped and turned back to her, "excuse me?"

Claudia snorted when she saw the surprised look on Boris' face, "should I be offended?" she asked making eye contact with Boris, "though I may come off as short-fused and hasty, my plans are quite elaborate."

"I think you are mistaken," Boris sighed turning away from Claudia. He was already stressed enough having not seen his prince for a week. How would he be doing now? Had the war started yet? Or was he in some shelter planning his attack? Was he on the field injured? Or had he already passed away? The thought of never seeing Dominic again frightened him, so adding anything to that pile was… terrifying and nerve-breaking.

"Did you agree to form the alliance?" Claudia asked.

"No," Boris immediately replied, "how did you know?"

Claudia smiled placing down her chicken, "before I got caught and locked up in this place like a dog, I was a woman with a plan. And even without me, that plan will continue," she looked back up at Boris, a forced smile on her face, "the next step was you, to get you to sign the alliance."

Boris squatted in front of Claudia to reach eye level, before revealing a chilling grin, "so?"