As the royal carriage rumbles through the cobblestone streets, prince Vladimir stares blankly out the window, his mind replaying the last conversation with his father l, the King.
"End it". The king had commanded his voice cold and unyielding.
Although Vladimir had tried his best to hide his love for her, it was discovered by some spies of the neighboring kingdoms which made rumors go out about their hidden affair.
As the carriage came to a halt at the palace gates, Vladimir took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he knew he had to do. He stepped out, his boots clicking on the stone pavement, and walked into the throne room where his father wanted to see him. King Edmund rose from his throne, his eyes piercing as he looked at his son.
"I trust you know the gravity of your deeds?" He paused, his voice echoing through the empty throne room.
"You have until sundown to end your association with that- commoner".
Vladimir's jaw tightened, his hands curling into fists at his sides.
"She's not a commoner".
He never liked it when people called her a commoner, Heck! He never even liked it when she called herself a commoner.
The king expression darkened "She is a farmer's daughter!" He spat disdainfully. "A nobody unfit for the prince of this kingdom. End it, Vladimir, before I take matters into my own hands".
Vladimir straightened up, his eyes flashing with defiance, "I'm sorry father but I can't, I- I love her".
The king's face turned an alarming shade of red. "Love?" He scoffed slamming his fist on the throne's armrest. "You dare speak of love? That girl is beneath you. She will be your ruin boy!" His voice shook with barely contained rage.
"I think I'm already ruined, father", Vladimir whispered, his voice thick with anger and other emotions he could not identify. "Because every moment away from her feels like dying. Every breath I take without seeing her smile is a breath wasted". He swallowed hard, his fists shaking at his sides.
King Edmund stared at his son on disbelief, momentarily speechless, when he finally spoke, his voice was low and dangerous.
"You speak as though she is the very air that you breath. She is not even royalty" He leaned forward, eyes narrowed.
"I don't care about that", Vladimir said, his voice steady and sure. "I would rather be a King without a throne than a prince without her". His heart raced as he said the words, knowing the gravity of his defiance. He knew that his father would not take it lightly and may hurt her.
"And if you must punish someone, punish me". But this only fueled his father's hatred for her. He hated how she had brainwashed his son into loving her and speaking back to his father.
She was going to pay for this.