So that's what happened. It infuriated me to some extent, but it happened too quickly. They should have been in bloody confusion for a good while.

“Not sure,” The King of Earthen said.

I stepped forward. “King Johnson, I come to you as a humbled Princess not yet given the chance to speak on these terms.”

His eyes widened. The woman moved closer to him. She was wearing a thick pinkish shroud that rolled off one shoulder and swept the back of her legs. It was under the knee, but she was of a lighter tone like me.

He said, “Princess Carmine, to meet in these circumstances is unfortunate. Any men who dare to touch you, say the word and I will see to them dead in your name.”

I looked back at Valor. He gave me a quizzical raise of his brow. Bishop Kello was smirking widely. I looked ahead and licked my lips. “Sir, I have not had the pleasure of finding out my enemy’s names, yet. I assume they start in Ascus. Someone does not want me to come home.”

“Yes, you deserve to bury your father at least, but I am sure they would rather keep the power for themselves. I received a letter some days ago from the regent mother of her son, it was co-signed by two other officials. I do not know the boy’s name. But it was a decree of sorts, I say of sorts, because I cannot regard it a decree since they have no authority. But it was declaring this—boy as the leader of Ascus.”

“The regent, sir?”

“Lunia. The name sounds familiar to you?”

“No, it does not.” I waved my arms forward in thought. At least I knew who was the most likely suspect, Lunia, where have I heard that name before?

I breathed out. “I am asking, King Johnson if I can get safe passage to my home. I would also like it if you could offer safe passage to my Terison friend imprisoned here to his northern family.”

I turned and gestured towards Valor when his cold eyes hit me.

Ah, so that was it. He was pissed I went this route. Let him get angry.

Like I was going to go with him anywhere. I need to get home.

I faced the King. The impure Queen I presumed whispered in his ears. He did not react to her words.

I continued, “I would like this request to be granted to me. I would be thankful.”

“That is a dangerous request. If people want your head you might be walking into your own grave. That Terison however will not be my responsibility. I leave him to the Erot faithful.”

I groaned at his words. True and there was the Tiam King, but I wanted to visit Ascus first and deal with my father's passing before I meet with my old love. “I, like my father. I do not run away. I may not be much of a leader in their eyes, but that is my country of birth and I desire to return to it.”

“Why should I do this? I have no reason to oblige to this. Besides, how do I know you are who you say you are? You could be an impostor for all I know.”

“My King, you acted cordially just a second ago...”

“Acted, I was observing your request. You don’t feel like a Princess to me. Your curtsy is—deplorable.”

I have not done it in ages old man! “I have lived much of my life beyond the crowns and jewels of my status. I was living on a hill near Kelwood for twelve years before my father’s death.”

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“How quickly you unlearn your birthright.”

I gritted my teeth and choose swiftly to not retort about his distrust in me. My distraught was pushed down as he whispered something to his Queen. She might have given him doubt about me. Was she Asconian?

Ascus was one of the few countries that had a fair amount of impure Shyias. I knew little about this woman and her lineage. I knew she must not be his first wife. His first wife was someone I knew. She was a true-blood Shyia and was from Odalon.

Para was beautiful. He probably got rid of her. I wondered where she was, but I had to worry about myself.

“Do you want some kind of proof?” I asked.

“Princess Carmine, that will be tedious. Worry not, I will let your country handle that verification. I will not sully my hands with this situation.

“It is already bad enough what is happening in Ascus as it is. No reward is needed, I will be not dawdling my mind with whether you die or not. Besides, I do not want witches chasing me to the grave.”

He knew something. King Johnson had his Judgments and the backing of the Erot faith behind him. Why would he be afraid? He would not be separating himself if he was true to his faith.

I had not thought much of proving my lineage. Why would he bring it up just to have me thrown into the wolves? Would he benefit from my death?

Tch, any country would benefit from my death I guessed.

“Do you know what is happening inside my country?” I asked.

The King leaned back as if pulling on his memory for the words he sought or he could be thinking of what to tell me. I hoped it was the former. “There is no ruling power, right now. Which is odd. I am not sure of the details of why. As far as that brother of yours, part of the letter mentioned you or at least Carmine by name.”

“If I may, my full, real name is The Scorched Blood, Carmine Omeeka Curburgh of the Black Fire.” I might as well slip in my full name to verify it was me. My hope was still not to die here.

This looked like a court, where nobles would convene with the highest order in this land. The King was that person. He was that order that no man could reach.

Even I was at his mercy, so I had no powers right now. I only went off the prestige of my name as weary as I was.

“Mmm, It was asking for me to give you safe passage. To afford on to the lost Princess the best of my support. I knew they sent similar letters to other countries. Her father." He gestured toward the woman beside him.

She smiled. “Received the same letter in Darhaith.”

Darhaith were like Ascus, they had non-Shyia tribes in their society. But as my train of thoughts muddled with all that information, something bothered me heavily.

The King interrupted my thoughts. “I heard the vassals and many lords are tittering on the edge of anxiety. Scared nobles do stupid things, I can relate,” He shot a glare at his procession when he said that.

They shivered at the poison of his words. It looked like they got a taste of his wraith back there.

“It does not look like your half-brother’s claim is being respected or accepted for that matter,” he said.

I said, “King Johnson, I thank you for your hospitality. Your city is beautiful as is your Queen. I pledge to repay you for this kindness.”

He furrowed his brow and groaned. With a flick of his left wrist, he gestured. “She is right beside you, Princess, Carmine.”

I looked beside me and finally noticed the broad smile on the redhead's face. My face burst aflame in shame.

I could not believe I made such a mistake.

“You have forgotten me?” Para asked.

“Ah, no, I, but who—” The other woman's smile became more forced as she sat beside the King. I looked like an idiot. Of course, a King would naturally have many concubines or lower wives.

I should have recognized the woman standing beside him was below that of a Princess. He did not call her by that title. Pursing my lips, I breathed out calming myself. “Para, I would not forget you. Least it was just so long since we have seen each other, but in this situation, it is so much worse.”

Para giggled, then smiled, a thick air of confidence. “I agree, this is such terrible timing. I am sure you need rest, no?”

I answered, “Not really I would rather get going.”

“Nonsense, a day in the keep should suffice.” The King continued, “I insist. The journey will be long, allow us to give you hospitality more befitting your name. Consider it an apology for all the unwarranted pain and struggle you faced in my country.”

I did not want to spend too much time here, but insulting a King would be a bad habit I needed to break. “Yes.”

The King waved his hand, so the guards bowed before turning towards me. I bowed myself, and twirled in cue.