Chapter 2.
"The royal physician has been frequent lately. Word of the king's illness has spread and our trading ports are already facing severe consequences. The speculations are that the majesty is dying" reported Sean, an upper class knight and the second price's secret hand man.
"Have you confirmed these said speculations, Sean?" Aaron asked seeming as unbothered as usual.
"Yes, your highness. The king indeed is on his dying bed. However, we cannot ascertain when exactly he would close his eyes. We need to be ready, Sire" Sean added. He was slightly worried for his master. The moment the king closes his eyes, there would be a fierce battle for the throne. However, the prince hadn't a solid plan in mind yet. Which, was quite strange, because he was known throughout the kingdom as the wisest and strongest warrior. Many feared him for his ruthlessness, while many respected him for his strength and wise deeds. However, this great man had yet to establish a strong force to face his brothers when the time was right and that time was dreadfully close.
"My sources confirmed that Prince Hendricks and Prince Paul have mobilized some troops not far away. They should be getting ready to attack". Sean added, noticing the dead silence from his master.
"It seems they are joining forces just like I expected." Aaron suddenly said. "To eliminate the stray threat which is me. Sean, we cannot act as prey now, we need to act as predators, lurk in the dark and then strike when the time is right." He continued. He knew getting into a fight with his brothers was never going to lead to a victory for him and so he needed to act with caution.
"I want you to act alone. We'll need a lot of gold coins. But I want you to gather them in ultimate discretion. Sell what you can without raising suspicion and when the time is right, I will give you clear instructions. For now, do as I said and then meet me here same time tomorrow." Aaron added
"Yes, your highness" Sean said. He didn't know what his master had planned, but he knew better than doubting his ways and so he went away to start his mission.
Meanwhile, Aaron decided to pay a visit to Prince Hendricks palace. To test the waters.
PRINCE HENDRICKSON'S PALACE.
"To what do I owe this visit, younger brother" said Hendricks as he carefully examined Aaron's appearance. Even though his brother was the least favored by the king, his ways were no secret to anyone in the kingdom and so he knew he had to be wary of him.
"To have tea. I heard the maids here brew the best tea in the palace" Aaron said quietly.
"Well, I must admit that rumor is not unfounded. "Hendricks said before a maid walked in with tea.
Aaron had a sip, "I guess I must confirm that, no?" he added. "I must say they are indeed not unfounded."
"Are you not afraid brother, of what may happen to you after having tea at my place? You must know the condition father is in right now" Hendricks said and Aaron laughed.
"Is that a threat?" "However, I know you are well aware of the implications of making a move with the old man alive. You wouldn't be that stupid would you?"
"I admit you're right" said Hendricks, killing Aaron now was going to disqualify him from access to the throne and so he had to wait patiently for his father to finally die and then, he wouldn't hesitate to slay him.
He knew Aaron's visit was not for nothing. Like, was he supposed to believe the stupid tea excuse? He decided to be on his guards and tighten his security.
Soon after, Aaron left Hendricks' palace back to his and began to ponder on his next move. He needed a strong undefeatable army to deal with his brothers. His greatest fear was that his brothers must have been able to gather some supernatural beings and he needed a load of them if he had to face them. At this point, he was unprepared and decided to put his next plan into action.
He had to visit his father as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, in Paul's palace.
"The troops in the north are ready to attack, Sire" reported Paul's head of army, Draco.
"Good. Now we just sit and wait till father closes his eyes and then we will launch an attack on Aaron's mansion as agreed.
The four brothers had agreed to jointly take down Aaron as he posed the greatest threat and would most likely be working on his own.
"What about the secret troops I told you to gather? ", asked Paul.
"They are on standby your highness. Immediately Prince Aaron is taken care of, they shall set into action." Drako responded.
Paul had no intentions of agreeing to anyone other than him to be king, so had to be ready to fight his brothers when the time was right.
All he needed at that time, was patience.
There was a knock at the door, and a maid walked in.
"Greetings your highness", she said bowing before continuing, "Word from Prince Hendricks." She said before handing him the letter Hendricks had drafted immediately after Aaron left his home.
'Dear brother,
I fear Aaron has already set his plans into motion. He paid me a highly suspicious visit today and I believe it will be in your best interest to tighten your security in case he decides to attack first.'
"Aaron, what is he planning" Said Paul furiously, "We have to be ready to attack at any time" Paul insisted before furiously walking out of the room.
IN THE KING'S PALACE.
Aaron felt it had been ages since he has walked through the main palace doors. His father never summoned him.
He only received instructions from his head of army. However that was all there was. No father and son relationship or whatsoever.
He didn't really care, his father's love was the last thing he would have cared about in his life and he despised the man to dead. For he was present, when his mother's head was slayed by his command.
"The king will see you now, your highness". Said the head butler and so, he walked into his father's room.
Aaron's POV.
The stench of medicine was horrid. He should have been trying his best to stay alive.
Well, I don't want him dead either. It would be too bothersome.
"What brings you here" he managed to say.
"I just needed to see how bad your condition was" "I guess I should be satisfied" I added with a scoff and he managed to laugh.
"I least expected such friendly from you, son. ", he said.
"The situation outside this walls is very tense. I am certain you are aware for the troops gathered against me. I know it's none of your business. However, I am aware of the one person you wish to see alive. My sources tell me there are secret troops of supernatural beings you have to back him up. But I assure you that if you let this war take place, his head will be the first I will chop off" I said and he remained quiet not refuting any of my claims.
"What will you have me do then" He asked.
"I want you to sign a decree, you are king and your word is law. I want you to appoint a king before you pass away" I said firmly and he frowned.
"Nonsense! I will not end my ruling by dishonoring my ancestors and bringing shame to my name!" he said angrily, "Do what you may, son, but there's no assurance you will walk out of this place alive."
"It seems the blood bath about to occur here really excites you father. You truly are scum to the very end" I spitted angrily.
Didn't he see he could easily put an end to all this? He preferred dying in honor than protecting the lives of his children? I didn't really expect much from him anyway.
"You are so arrogant you have all your brothers at your back ready to get rid of you at any given moment and yet you come to beg me to help save your miserable life?"
"And what do you think will happen when they get rid of me?" I laughed "They will go then to your favorite and kill him to take over your army. Is it dead making you so blind?"
"I may be blind. But they are some decisions I can't make. You can't see that now"
"If you insist on refusing my terms, then I guess I have to follow through with the rest of my plan" I said.
"The moment I step out of here, either Paul or Hendricks will walk in, they fear I have something planned and will kill you just so they can get rid of me fast enough" I scoffed and he stared widely at me.
Father was smart so he should know this by now.
"However, I wouldn't live a peaceful life if I wasn't the one to end you. You know what went down with mom. And I promised her to relieve you from any guilt or pain. "I continued and he said nothing.
"Father let me carry your sins with me, while you rest in peace."
"Aaron" he said as I drew my sword.
"You do not want this, I promise you" he added, but I had no time to listen to any of what he was saying.
"I wish you had been more of a father to me, but I guess we can't always ask for more in life not so? So I'm granting you this one favor, die from my sword, rather than those of your unworthy sons."
I said as my final goodbye to my father.