I was unamused. The opposite of amused. Almost bored out of my mind. Mostly because I had been inside of a castle for an entire week with absolutely nothing to do.

While the Queen had to run around and attend court; solve actual problems; deal with criminals; and even sit in her study for hours to no end – there was nothing for me to do.

I had gone out to the back gardens to train a little, but there were too many plants there and no open field, which was odd. You’d expect a large garden, but it was small and quaint. Aside from training, I also thought about going to read something in the library, but Elric thought that was not what a King should be doing.

He failed to tell me what Kings were supposed to be doing instead but then again, he was just trying to get me to stay away from the library. Reading was, apparently, the Queen’s duty.

I could tell that I was unwelcomed, especially since none of the maids or guards, or even Elric knew what to do with me. And I knew exactly what not to do with the Queen. Not be alone with her no matter what.

“Kings shouldn’t be playing around with their food.” I heard a voice from beside me and I straightened up immediately. Turning to smile mockingly at Elric, I stopped running my fork against the piece of chicken in my plate. It wasn’t the food’s fault that I was being shut out, or inside, in this situation.

“What do you plan to do for the day, my King?” I stopped myself from rolling my eyes at the woman sitting across from me. It was a good thing that the table was long enough for us to have a considerable distance between us. Elric whispered from beside me again. “Reading in the library.”

This time, I did roll my eyes. Of course, Elric decided that for me but was going to stop me from even entering the place anyway.

“I’ve decided to read, my Queen.” Amelia’s eyes raised from her plate as she gave me a wide genuine smile. “Oh?”

“Yes, in the library, your highness.” Elric hummed in satisfaction as I swallowed the urge to punch him in the gut. He was standing near me as well, so it would’ve been quite easy to execute my plan to execute him.

“Excellent! Would you like some recommendations from me?”

“Yes, of course.” Elric mumbled from beside me again. I grumbled out the same answer.

Amelia was further elated and instead of replying from her place at the other end of the table, she stood up and began to walk over to me. Elric and I stared at her wide-eyed, but the advisor snapped out of the state immediately.

Gesturing for a maid to bring the Queen’s chair and plate over to her new place right by me, Elric decided to give us some privacy finally. But while it was nice to have him away from me – it was also catastrophic.

What was I going to say now?

Amelia settled down on the chair that was brought over as she smiled widely at me.

This was the same way she greeted me each morning as well. Somehow, she always chose to be kind and excited around me, as if her act of making our marriage seem real was not an act at all. But I knew that she also got instructions from Elric on how to act around me.

“The works of Mattheus are wonderful if you enjoy indulging in romance.” My eyes widened as I heard the Queen’s first recommendation. Glancing at Elric, I tried to ask him for help with my eyes, but he only shook his head. Of course, he wouldn’t help when it actually mattered.

The Queen continued, mistaking my silence as curiosity to know more. Because why else would she begin to elaborate on this Mattheus fellow’s literary works?

“He writes such profound things about love and relationships, and it makes my heart flutter whenever I read his words.” My eyebrows connected in disinterest and mild disgust. He sounded like a real menace to society. And the Queen looked like a romantic which was strange since she didn’t want to leave me alone and marry someone more suited to her needs.

I was just avoiding being alone with her and I know this was affecting her, but she would always make sure to not show her annoyance around other people.

“You know, I met him once when I travelled to Naja with my parents. He was so handsome and charming.” And now, we were straying from the books.

I wanted nothing more than to change the subject of discussion. Talking about a man who was charming and handsome was not my kind of conversation. I would rather talk about fighting and weapons. Felix and I always went to the arena and made fun of the practicing men there.

As the thought and memory crossed my mind, I felt the melancholy surround me. I missed Felix. I didn’t even get to apologize to him for winning the damned battle. He must be furious at me for winning even when I always talked badly about the Queen.

“What’s wrong, dear?” A shiver ran down my spine and I turned to look at the redhead, staring at me with worry evident on her face. Where did that endearing word even come from?

“I-I was just thinking about my friend, your highness.” It was like I had said something shocking as the redhead frowned. “You had friends?” Was her question supposed to offend me in such a violent way? Her expression told me otherwise as a smile bloomed on her face again. “Why not send for them?”

The suggestion was not something I had expected but as I heard Elric’s throat clearing, I frowned. Of course, he was eavesdropping on our conversation. But he didn’t help me out when I needed him most. What a piece of horse shit.

“It is time for court, your highness.” Elric came forward to speak to the Queen, who frowned before sighing. “I barely get to spend time with you, my King.” My stomach churned harshly as I heard her speaking but I smiled it off. “Soon, your highness.”

Amelia grinned at me. “I will hold you to your words.”

She couldn’t hold me to anything even if she tried.

I remained quiet with a smile on my face. If I said anything more, she would find reason to say something as well, and then we would still be in the dining hall till nighttime.

Amelia stood up from her seat and I followed suit. Elric also came around the table to stand beside the Queen now. “Stay and eat some more, my King.” The redhead spoke endearingly as she fixed the crown on my head. I reluctantly nodded my head after glancing at Elric. He stared at me, expecting me to act accordingly and I did so without any complaints.

If something terrified me most in this damned castle, it was that damned advisor.

Something about his stare and words told me that he knew of my secret motives to ruin the Queen. But I knew I was just imagining these things. How would he even know about something I hadn't shared with anyone beside the old man in the forest?

Amelia smiled one last time and turned around to leave the dining hall. Elric stared at me a final time as well before he was following her out.

I released a breath I didn’t know I was holding at their exit. Finally, I was free of scrutiny and needless attention from both Elric and the Queen. Sitting back down, I groaned at how I had nothing to do with my life in this castle.

But as I raised my hand to grab the fork in my plate, my eyes caught sight of a familiar man standing by the doors to the kitchen. My eyes narrowed and I stood up from my seat to walk over to him.

His eyes were trained forward but he was making sure to look past me and not directly at me. This was another disadvantage of wearing a stupid and heavy crown. People would just not look at you.

“Victor? That’s you, right?” I questioned the bald man, and he puffed up his chest without even glancing at me. “Yes, your Highness!” I flinched at the enthusiasm before smiling. “So, you did become a guard?” Victor’s lips twitched from the corners, and I chuckled at how he was trying his best to remain in character.

“You can stand at ease.” I glanced at the other guard, who was being neglected before addressing him as well. “Same goes for you.” Out of the two, only the second guard sighed as he stood loosely to the side. Victor remained in his position, with his shoulders and back straight, along with his chest puffed outwards.

“How about this,” I smiled at the bald man who was still not looking at me. “You both accompany me for an important task.” I smirked internally thinking about how this could be my ticket to leave the castle. And I would also be able to take along someone I trusted with me.

“We would be honoured, your Highness!” The other guard was young and shorter than Victor, who glanced at him with a concerned expression.

I smiled at how this was going my way for now. “What is your name?” I directed my question towards the other guard. He immediately bowed his head as he almost screamed out his name for me. “Arjun!”

“Nice to meet you, Arjun.” He was a bit too much to handle but he would do. Turning back to Victor, I smiled at the older man. “I would like to go into the city.”

My plan was foolproof. Even Elric wouldn’t be able to know where I went.

Only an evil laugh was left for me to rejoice for my evil yet good plan.