As the last royal of the Thorn Kingdom, the current king was notorious for being a violent lecher. His last wife whom he killed, had irritated him for simply overstepping her boundaries when she had gone outside without his permission. The truth of the matter was that the queen attempted an escape from his evil clutches, but failed and got caught. It wasn't the first time that his queen had escaped. The previous four had also tried to leave him and the Thorn King killed them all.

"It's such a shame," his advisor, a snake-like man, spoke, "all five queens were of unmatched beauty, yet they couldn't match to your ideals."

The Thorn King, a tall, handsome man, but with an impressive age at fifty-two would often create gossip within his kingdom. No one dared to go against him as he was the one who had killed the previous king and although he was feared among his people, whoever went against him was quickly slaughtered. His reputation was one that no one wanted to go against and the number of citizens were reduced to 40% after the current king beheaded all the nay-sayers.

Even his children were immediately killed if their mother had tried to escape. In total, all eleven of his children met the same fate as their mother's. It was truly cruel of the Thorn King, but his belief was that if his wives had not met his idealism, the children would not either. Thus, he slew at his own children and fed them to wild animals, making sure that they were absolutely dead.

"Your majesty," the advisor spoke, "I have heard of an unrivaled beauty compared to all five of your queens. Should we meet her?"

The advisor, a skinny man, who feared the king more than any other human being decided that it would be best to please the Thorn King instead of looking for trouble. He raised his lips to an ugly smile with his crooked yellow teeth showing.

"Who is this unrivaled beauty you speak of? There is no one else in my kingdom worth marrying!"

"Oh but sire!" He turned to face the king, "It's true that there is no woman beautiful enough left in the Thorn Kingdom, but I have heard of one in the neighboring kingdom."

"You speak of the Rose Kingdom? Aren't we still in the midst of war with them?"

"Yes, sire. We should invite ourselves to their kingdom under the pretense of a truce. The Rose King has two daughters," he hinted, "Of the two, the youngest daughter has silver hair and blue eyes."

The Thorn King was intrigued, "Oh? And what of the eldest daughter?"

"Your majesty, the first princess of the Rose Kingdom has strikingly red hair and eyes. There are rumors that the Rose King had an affair with a servant, thus her blood is tainted. She is known as the Red Princess or Red Demon to our soldiers because she is helping her father in battle against us."

"Hmmmm..." The Thorn King pondered, "Let an invitation be sent out to the Rose Kingdom. I request an audience with the Rose King."

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A few weeks later, though the Rose King was reluctant, allowed the Thorn King to visit his kingdom. Several years had already passed since the Rose Queen's suicidal attempt after murdering Mary-Ann unjustly, yet he was already busy with taking care of the Thorn soldiers that infiltrated a small portion of the border. It was obvious that the Rose King was going to win this war, but due to the Thorn King's stubbornness an influx of soldiers kept being sent to do battle.

"The temporary truce may be a trap, father," Hong stood next to the Rose King.

"Mmn," the Rose King agreed, "Even so, I must see through this request of his. If the Thorn King is who he is described to be, we should cut him down and free his citizens from his unruly hands. If not, at least we should be able to end this ugly war quickly."

Hong nodded, "I have a feeling he has other reasons to be here than a truce," she folded her injured arms from the previous attack.

The Rose King sat on the royal throne chair and looked at Hong. She is right, I have a feeling that he is here...for Shiro.

"What happened to-"

"She's safe for now. I had her servants take her outside to visit the citizens on business."

The Rose King smiled. Hong knew him enough to be able to answer quickly. Though it might not have been safe to have sent her outside, it was the best way to get her away from the Thorn King. An announcer called forth the enemy king and Hong watched as a middle-aged man and his advisor step forward. Her nose twitched as the Thorn King walked in an unfashionble manner towards the two and bowed. The advisor smiled and winked at Hong, but she frowned and had a dark expression.

This snake-like of a man was the one who requested on the Thorn King's behalf an audience with father. Impressive to think he managed to stay alive this long, she thought to herself.

"Your majesty," the Thorn King smiled.

Hong and her father bowed in return, "Thorn King."

"Why is your other daughter not here?"

Getting straight to the point isn't he? Hong and her father thought.

"Where she is at is not any of your business, your highness," Hong spoke in a rude manner.

"I am not asking this daughter of a slut," he waved his hand and turned his cheek the other way.

"Thorn King, you have no right to call my daughter that way."

"HMPH!"

How like a child! He is even worse than what the rumors say.

"Ahhh! Your majesties, we are here to inquire about the truce matter," the advisor spoke with hands clasped together as if planning something.

Hong turned to face a one-eyed man, "I need you to check if the Thorn soldiers have made their move. You know what to do."

The one-eyed man nodded, turned and disappeared.

"About this truce matter, isn't this all just a front?" Hong glared at the Thorn King's advisor.

He flinched and seemed to hide behind the Thorn King, "You do not...have the authority to question my king!" He hesitated to say.

Hong continued to glare him down, "Then speak! What of the truce?!"

The Rose King stretched his hand out before Princess Hong, "My daughter..."

He looked at Hong with soft eyes. Even if it may be true, don't forget that his coming is for a reason. Do not intervene so quickly.

Hong read her father's facial expression and looked down.

"The truth is..." The Thorn King began to say, "I may be willing to settle on the truce if and only if I may have Shiro's hand in marriage."

He smiled and his shocked advisor only smiled in response. It is obvious that even if this battle has been lost to us, at least we may have a hostage.

The Rose King stood above them and Hong slammed her sheathed sword on the floor, making the advisor flinch again.

"Enough of this!" The Red Demon withdrew her sword and lunged towards the Thorn King.

The Thorn King stepped aside and his advisor was struck in the heart.

"Yo-your....ma...jes...ty..."

"Princess Hong!"

Hong flinched, withdrew her sword from her unintentional victim and returned to her father's side.

"My my! Such a feisty daughter. She is no fit to rule next to you, Rose King. My offer still stands..."

"Thorn King," Hong's father's voice was powerful, immediately silencing the other king, "My apologies, but my daughter is not a bargaining chip for this matter."

"I thought not..."

He walked closer to the royal seat. Hong unsheathed her sword an inch, but her father raised his hand to deny her from attacking again. Though the Thorn King's steps were heavy, he had no intention of backing down.

"Then may I present to you...THIS!!!" He threw his sword at an incredible speed and it pierced the Rose King's chest and through the royal seat.

Hong's eyes widened, "FATHERRRR!"

End of Chapter 12........................................................................................................................