Princess Iris
CHAPTER 27

He looks at Queen Mariah who signals something to him.

"Knowing you Archer, you wouldn't have come all the way here to complain if you didn't have a plan. What do you suggest?" King Matthew asks.

King Archer looks up at his friend and stands from his chair and walks to the window.

"Between our both Kingdoms Matthew, you have the largest and strongest knight force. I know you will lend any amount of arm power I ask for but this is different. I have discussed it with my family long ago and they agreed it is time," King Archer says.

King Matthew watches his friend and somehow, he gets a sense of where the discussion is headed.

"I don't like where this discussion is headed Archer," King Matthew.

Queen Mariah looks between both of them.

"What is going on? Is there something I missing?" Queen Mariah asks.

"If you were to lend me your military force for the time we fight the pirates it will cause unrest within my people. With what is happening between Octavalia and Serptarons, they will see it as a sign of invasion. The only way these would work is if we join forces and both kingdoms will only agree to this plan with a proper union, a marriage," King Archer says.

"What? At this time? You must be joking Archer, there is no way you will travel down here just to suggest such a thing" Queen Mariah says standing up and furious.

"Mariah please calm down," King Archer says.

Queen Mariah looks down at her husband and finally takes her seat

"You surely can't be serious Archer. Have you forgotten what I and Mariah have been through? The scandal we had to battle? The kingdom is still recovering from that night six years ago," King Matthew says. King Archer walks back to his chair and seats down.

"I understand where you are coming from Matthew, I understand where the fear is coming from as well Mariah and I know what you both have been through. But you also know that I am right. If the pirates were able to invade a highly guarded ship and take all supplies, I wonder what will happen to your next shipping coming in three days. They attacked your royal ship Matthew, every time I think about I am just scared of what would have become of Filamonda if were killed," King Archer says.

SILENCE STRETCHES

"This isn't something to be ignored or pushed under a carpet Matthew. This is our reality and it is happening. I know you are worried about the princess but as royals, we have duties to the crown and the people. I am sorry I have to say this but I believe the princess was trained and taught how to handle something like this. She is more than capable and ready. The marriage between my son, Prince Jeffery, and your daughter has to take place, even if she was not the promised princess. At this point, I am ready to compromise. I am out of options old friend, I won't be here if I haven't exhausted all I have," King Archer says.

"Archer, I don't know. I don't know if this is the right..."

"He is right Matthew."

They both turn and look at Queen Mariah.

"Mariah..."

"I know we both agreed on giving her the space she needs no matter how long. But it has been six years," Queen Mariah says.

"Mariah what if it's too soon?" King Matthew asks.

"Just hear me out Matthew," Queen Mariah says warmly touching King Matthew's face.

"Iris has always been all about protecting the little and helpless of them all. No matter what we threw at her she never backed down. She sometimes challenged us. You haven't forgotten have you, Matthew?" Queen Mariah asks. "No Mariah," King Archer says taking his wife's hand into his. "I am scared."

"How do you think I feel? You should have seen her face during Adrianna's burial, Matthew. She had the same expression she had when she told me she hated me. My daughter told me she hates me. You know, I lie awake every night trying to remember how it all got to this, how did we ever get here? Yes, she was different from the other princesses and she had the right to be. It was what defined her and we tried to destroy that. Losing Adrianna in the fire made that a success. I haven't seen my daughter in six years Matthew, so forgive me for trying to be a little selfish," Queen Mariah says crying.

King Matthew pulls his wife into his arm and holds her.

"Please Mariah stop beating yourself up. If there is anyone that should be blamed, it's me. I am the father, one who should be able to protect his daughters. I neglected my duties to them, and now one is dead and the other is broken. It's a wonder how I still run the Kingdom," King Matthew says holding Queen Mariah tight.

King Matthew holds Queen Mariah's face and plants a kiss on her head.

"I thought I didn't hear well when Queen Mariah said she hasn't seen the Princess in six years. Tell me I didn't hear well Matthew', King Archer says.

"You heard well Archer. After the burial, the next day I went to her room to talk to her and found it empty. Her head maid told me she moved to the East wing, wanting to be left alone. She dismissed her maids and cut herself from the world," King Matthew says.

"She has been all alone in your mother's castle for six years? How... how... does she feed? I mean how do you look out for her if she's in there and you can't see her? King Archer asks.

"As you said, the east wing did belong to my mother. It was her territory. It has its luxury and it lacks nothing. A female cook is assigned to the kitchen over there. She makes sure the princess's needs are met and informs us if there is anything we should know. Every month the royal physician is invited to the castle to check on her," King Matthew says.

"It's been six years my old friend. Whatever emotions she must have had back then; I am sure they won't be strong now. Come to think of it, does she know how you both feel now? The princess I mean," King Archer asks. SILENCE.

"Does she know you both have stepped down from the throne?" King Archer asks.

King Matthew shakes his head.

"For pit's sake Matthew, you still have a lot to learn. If anything were to happen to the both of you right now and she hasn't been crowned the new ruler, Filamonda will fall apart," King Archer says disappointedly. "What will you have me do, Archer? With her in the east wing, that is yet to happen. I haven't seen or spoken to her in six years. I don't even know how she looks right now," King Matthew says. "Let me talk to her. leave this to me," says Queen Mariah.

King Matthew looks at his wife.

"Are you sure Mariah? Do you want to do this?" King Matthew asks.

Queen Mariah nods at her husband. King Matthew watches his wife for a while and finally, he nods his head.

"Alright, do what you must my love," King Matthew turns to King Archer "When the needful is done, and we are sure the princess is ready to go ahead with the proposal I will let you know." Both kings stand up and shake hands.