Chapter 21
King Willard
King Willard listened with his cheek resting on one hand as Captain Robespierre reported to him all that had happened with their attacks on Glidonia. He told him that Levi had full support from the Thraasians and that King Derek and Queen Genevieve were facing a murder trial.
And that his forces had been defeated when the Glidonia's displayed tactics never before seen.
King Willard had to chuckle. Queen Isabella. Now that was a fine woman. It was a shame she went in the way she did.
"It seems that King Levi also left his own note for King Derek," Robespierre said.
"He threatened them with Genevieve's sister –" At that, King Willard lifted his face from his hand.
"That fool!" he hissed.
"Now Glidonia knows that Levi is behind this! What was he thinking? I told him to be quiet about this!" exclaimed Willard.
"We have no way of knowing, sire," Robespierre said, eying King Willard nervously. The King shot up.
"He could have ruined our plans entirely! Glidonia won't go down with brute force alone. We have to bleed them out. First, we would attack, then the other countries at the council would attack; finally, Thraas would attack, and then we would come in and finish them off! Now we've lost the element of surprise! Stupid boy!" King Willard slammed his fists on the table, causing everything to rattle dangerously.
"What do you plan to do?" Robespierre inquired.
"What else can I do?" King Willard looked up.
"I'm going to let Levi cause as much damage as he possibly can, continue to make him as useful as possible, and then I will kill him and claim Glidonia for myself." Said Willard.
"Since Genevieve's sisters have already wedded, if she and her husband die, the next in line for the throne would be Courtney's husband," Robespierre said.
"By law, Levi would become king of both Glidonia and Thraas." Said Willard. "I don't plan to keep Levi or Courtney alive," Willard said.
"I just suggested the marriage to make Levi believe he was getting something out of it." Said Willard.
"Then what are you proposing?" asked Robespierre.
"My son… Eric is nine years old and hasn't been promised to wed anyone. Queen Isabella had triplets who are now only eight. He'll marry one of the triplets, and he'll become King in the end. Adriel will do everything I tell him to, so I will rule over Glidonia." Said Willard.
"And how do you expect to get Derek to agree to this?" Robespierre asked.
"I will offer it as a peace treaty," Willard said, shrugging. "They'll buy into it. After they agree to those terms, we'll simply arrange for something. Or… I'll let Levi finish off the royal family, and then I will merely worm my way there." Said Willard.
"Prince Eric is only nine, as you said. He's much too young to wed," Robespierre pointed out.
"Oh, Glidonia won't be mine in a night. It's going to take a while. But I don't even need Eric married to her…yet. I just need an engagement. If it's written on paper, we'll be fine." He patted Robespierre on the back.
"So, enjoy the show. Let us watch as everything Queen Isabella created crumbles and comes under our rule. Care for a drink, captain?" He offered a glass to Robespierre, who smirked, took it, and drank from it.