"King Alonso! We've had an intruder in the palace!" A Cordoban guard announced, entering the King's private quarters.
"UUUGH!" Alonso grunted, rising from his siesta. "Can't you take care of it? Imprison him? Cut off his head? Something?"
"Your Majesty... You are the King, you must be the one to pass a sentence and in order to do that you must hear her tale first."
"Her?!" Alonso asked, shocked.
"Your majesty. The intruder was a young girl... we're really not sure what to do with her."
Alonso grumpily made his way into his throne room. He was irritated that he had to be bothered. He hadn't realized that ruling a kingdom would take up so much of his free time and he was growing bored with the entire situation. He needed something to make ruling a bit more fun and hearing what he considered to be petty cries and complaints from his people and yawn worthy trade deals or other official government business were not cutting it for him.
He looked at no one as he walked into the room, never taking the time to associate with his guards or staff. He slumped into his throne, leaning his elbow on the side and resting his head upon it in a spoiled child like way.
"OK let's get this over with" he said, sounding exasperated at the efforts he was being forced to make. He then looked up at two guards holding a young girl. Her hair was dark brown and cut short to her chin. She was quite thin, appearing as if she hadn't been eating a proper diet. Her dress was rather common looking and a bit dirty. Most people would suspect her to be an orphan or a runaway but Alonso knew better. Despite her appearance she still carried herself in a rather regal way, something that was inherited, not taught. Then there were her eyes. Alonso knew them well. They were the same eyes as Princess Elena of Avalor. He had numerous encounters with the princess and had spent a good amount of time staring into those same large brown expressive eyes, trying to win her affection. Yes, this girl was a younger version of Elena in nearly every way.
He perked up at once as he was now eager to learn if his speculations were correct. "This will be fun" He thought to himself.
"What's your name?" He asked.
"Amara" The young girl answered "I'm an orphan. I came to Cordoba to seek refuge after the invasion in Avalor"
"No..." Alonso said, rising from his throne and taking a step towards the alleged intruder. "No. You are no orphan"
The girl looked towards the ground trying to hide her face, fear taking over that she had already been recognized. Alonso placed two fingers under her chin, coaxing her to look up at him and directly into his eyes. The girl did, only now her eyes wore the look of disdain. Alonso grinned and nearly laughed. He had to be right. There was no way that this girl was not who he thought she was.
"Send for my wife" Alonso ordered a guard. "I believe she may know this girl"
He then paused, continuing to look the girl up and down, searching for any kind of further proof.
"Did she have anything on her?" Alonso asked.
"This backpack." A guard replied, handing it over to his king. "Just some food and some old books. We caught her before she took anything"
Alonso opened the bag and pulled out a notebook. He noticed the girl's eyes fill with panic as he did. She didn't want him to see it. An evil and victorious expression took over his face as he dropped the backpack to the ground and then opened the notebook. It was mostly blank with the exception of the first few pages.
He read it:
"Elena, I know that your heart would be filled with joy and comfort knowing that I had found shelter. I formed a very good friendship with my mentor and she took care of me just as you always did. It's not the same as having a big sister and I'm sure I will never feel a love like we shared again, but I am thankful that in these dark times, I am no longer alone..."
Alonso rolled his eyes at the sentimental ramblings and didn't bother to read on. He had all the proof he needed.
"You called for me, my king?" Carla interrupted in her sweetest and most adoring voice as she entered the room. She then suddenly froze as she recognized the girl. She turned white, feeling as if she was looking upon a ghost. "What? What's going on? How is she here?"
"I believe you can confirm that this is indeed Princess Isabel from Avalor?" Alonso asked, filled with arrogance at his discovery. Carla could only nod that he was correct.
Isabel scowled at the pair. "So what are you going to do with me now? Turn me over to Shuriki?" She asked.
"Hmmm..." Alonso said, wheels turning in his head. He silently walked back to his throne, took a seat and pondered the question. It was a good one. He could turn her into Shuriki, He could just kill her himself and be done with it. He had a better plan though. "Guards, take the princess to a private room. See that she is comfortable and has a good meal. Make sure she is not able to escape. I want multiple guards at her door and any other exits. She may take her little love notes to her dead sister with her" The guards did as they were told and Isa put up little fight as she went with them although she stared Alonso down, sending her rapidly growing feelings of anger and hate his way. She had no idea what he was up to but she knew it couldn't be anything good for her.
"Carla, take a walk with me" Alonso said after he had sat alone in his throne room for some time, making sure his plan was something he could pull off. The couple headed to a large conference room in the palace. King Juan Ramon often used it as a quiet place to get work done, but Alonso rarely ever went up there. When they entered, Alonso opened the doors that lead to a large balcony over looking the front lawn. He then turned towards his wife.
"So! We have the true heir to Avalor's throne here with us and I've been thinking about what to do about it and I can only come up with one answer that is in the best interest for me!" He announced.
"Well, we have to turn her over to Shuriki. She does technically have control over our territory." Carla told him.
"Yeah I'm thinking that I'm not going to do that..." Alonso said. "In fact, we don't have to do anything!"
"What are you talking about?" Carla asked confused and growing nervous over Alonso's tone. It was giving her the creeps. Something was off with him.
"You see... I'm not going to kill Princess Isabel. That would be foolish. Instead, I'm going to marry her and together she and I will over take Shuriki ourselves and we as the rightful rulers, will control Avalor."
"What?!" Carla let out in shock. "Isabel is just a child! What is she? 13? You can't marry her! And what about me?! You're already married to me! I'm your Queen! That was the deal!"
"Well of course she's still a child! I'm not going to touch her or anything, that's disgusting! But she does still have her status and eventually she will grow up, hopefully be as beautiful as her sister and then it will all work out.. for me! As for you... well you've always just been an expendable pawn. In Shuriki's quest for power... and now in mine"
Carla's stomach turned and her nerves turned into pure fear. Alonso had a crazy look in his eyes that she'd only ever seen once. The day he killed his father. Alonso offered her his hand and she reluctantly took it. They walked out onto the balcony together.
"You'll never be able to put up a good fight against Shuriki. You can't win!" Carla said, pleading with him to change his mind. His plan was foolish. "You're going to destroy Cordoba and get yourself killed in the process"
"Fortunately for me, my father was well liked and was very good at making allies. I should have no trouble finding other kingdoms who are willing to fight for me but mostly that are willing to fight for Princess Isabel."
Carla had no response. He was right, others would fight for her. She started to panic as they walked towards the perimeter and stared out at the kingdom of Cordoba. Alonso turned her around to face him, took her hands in his and backed her up against the rail.
"Please Alonso! Don't do this!" Carla began to beg. "We were good together! I've been so loyal to you. I've been a good wife!"
Alonso stared into her eyes and smiled at her in a way that gave her a chill. He placed a hand under her chin and planted one last sultry kiss upon her lips. "I suppose I will miss you in some ways... but you were never worth much else to me" He whispered. He released her left hand and as he did, he slyly slipped the Ruby wedding ring off of her finger and released it into his pocket. He then placed both hands on her chest and pushed her over the balcony, sending her plummeting multiple stories down and meeting her death on the stairs that adorned the front entrance of the palace.