The head guard, Hunter of the White Kingdom winced at the expletive-laden yelling around the room, who also worked for the Evil Queen. It wasn't the first time he has heard his King in such a mood, but not at quite that volume. The ambush of the new squad had caught them by surprise, even though they were expecting trouble.
Hunter flinched when King Leopold came within inches and screamed, "what happened?" He yelled, waving papers in front of his face. Hunter watched as the veins stood out starkly against the redness that enveloped the king's face and neck. "Well, are you going to answer me, or are you going to stand there mute?"
King Leopold had already read the news on the paper that the people had produced trouble in the village and attacked their carriages and royals. It was indeed the same as the one he had flung through the window moments before in rage. It proudly accepted responsibility for the fire of the carriages.
"The carriages and horses were killed and destroyed, and we lost our resources and supplies along with our men," King Leopold stammered.
"How many did we lose?" King Leopold yelled.
"Roughly 60 men and several high guards of the White Kingdom."
King Leopold closed his eyes and continued to yell his abuse at the villagers. "What do they think they are?!"
"I don't think …"
"Make sure that never happens again!"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Actions speak louder than words, Hunter!"
"Yes, sir," Hunter stammered, and then glanced towards the opening door when the guard opens.
"Round them up, and I will give them my answer."
"Round up the men?"
King Leopold glared at his second in command, "Round up the villagers. The Queen will be here to meet them."
"Where do I take them, sir?"
The field near the White Kingdom, that's a good place for it."
"Yes, sir. How many?"
"Everyone!" King Leopold said and then left the office and headed to the next room down the small corridor. He knocked on Regina's door and entered.
Regina was seated at her desk when King Leopold entered. "Regina, you wanted to see me?"
"Was that you bellowing a moment ago?" Regina asked with a slight smile which felt wholeheartedly disgusting but she puts on an act.
"Yes, that was me." Leopold sat down on the opposite of her hair. "Did you hear about our men?"
"We lost good men. I heard some of the villagers has lit the carriages and our supplies a few times. It has to stop, Leopold."
"I know. There will be a price to pay for their resistance. Can you write to the parents of the soldiers we lost, and write up new orders to send on new supplies for us?"
"I could, but how are you going to stop them?"
"I am going to send a message to them. They will be made to listen."
"Hm," Regina didn't like where this is going, but continued pretending for his sake, "would you like me to come with you?"
"Yes, your mother will be there as well."
She puts on a fake loving smile to her husband, "I'll will be there, Leopold."
"I have been thinking about hiring a servant for you as Tink has suggested."
"What's wrong with my servant, Despina?"
"She's the cook and our housekeeper, Regina. She has enough to do around here without looking after you as well since you won't allow anyone to bathe or stand guard with you."
King Leopold made it clear that she needs her own private servant and is quite adamant about this. It seems he thinks that I am quite difficult at times, "yes, King Leopold. I thank you for your kindness, but please allow me to consider it first."
"I won't force you, but please reconsider."
"Yes, my King."
"I hear that you are refusing medications from our doctor, is this true?"
Regina controlled her anger about this. Why can't mother heal me instead she wanted me to suffer and keep me here as a prisoner. King Leopold continued, "would you rather be in pain than taking medications?"
"I'll take them, My King," Regina has no choice but to buckle or otherwise she'll receive the threats from King Leopold.
"I want you to exercise more by going out of this castle. This is a good thing, Regina. It will ease the pain in your leg and back. Please exercise more, I want you stronger."
"Yes, My King," gave a small smile and nodded in agreement.
"This going to take a while, but how about going to picnic with me? I hear there's a beautiful valley over the hill," Leopold teasingly asked.
Regina chuckled, "yes, that's true. That will have to wait," while secretly thanking god that's not happening anytime soon. I do not want to go anywhere with him!
"I will have two guards escort you when you're out," Leopold kisses her cheek out of kindness. Leopold was about to get up and leave and started to walk away when he stopped, "should I be worried about anything, Regina?"
"I would tell you if there was. There's nothing to worry about," Regina nodded.
The windows rattled as the wind got stronger outside. The unseasonably warm weather of yesterday had deteriorated overnight. Regina sat in her desk beside the window and watched the rain splatter against it. She hated this place, hated her mother, and most of all, despite King Leopold. She wants to kill him, and I have to find a way to kill him, one day I will. She was sure the villagers pitied her or outrightly despise her and they don't even bother to hide it.
Regina's attention was drawn away from her thoughts of a humiliating 'walk' when she heard King Leopold talking to one of the soldiers outside upon my mother's arrival. Moments later, he entered the room she had been given to draw up orders and write letters. Regina wasn't about to question the King on that or why she's placed upstairs and not downstairs.
"Get ready, Regina. We are going out."
My mother is here, and the soldiers already rounded up everybody. She honesty doesn't want to go and plus it's raining. She knows her mother will shield her from rain with magic. King Leopold is angered when he saw that Regina doesn't want to go, "this is not your decision to make, Regina."
"Yes."
Regina forces herself to swallow and obey but King Leopold grabbed her to threaten her, "yes what?"
"Yes, my King."
"You will walk to the outside of the castle and beyond. If you must stop every five steps, do it, but you will walk. I want you to aim to the house and to that lookout."
"Yes, My King," hiding her tears, refusing to show weakness.
"You are not to leave without your guards, do you understand?"
"Yes, my King."
"You will not pull the same stunt by leaving on your own as you did before in the dark throne. We have discussed this more than a few times, but you seem to want to disobey me. You are my wife."
"I won't disobey you, My King."
"Good, because the next time you do it, I have ordered the guards to have you taken care of. Do you understand me?"
Regina was surprised at that threat but nodded, "Yes, My King."
"Good," King Leopold sighed and sat near her. He took her hand with a smile, "I want you to do well, Regina. I do love you. I know I've been difficult at times, but I want you strong. I want you to stand by my side."
"I do stand by your side, Leopold."
Regina changed this discussion to find out where they are meeting, "where are we going?"
"To teach the villagers a lesson."
"It's raining."
"I know. I can see, and your mother will be taking care of that." King Leopold sighed again when stopped at the door and looked back to Regina, "get ready."
Standing up to King Leopold took a lot of effort. His threats were real. She's the living proof that he could inflict the pain he threatened her with. He would kill her if he wanted to without any remorse and without care even without my mother's permission.
Regina glanced back at the window when it rattled as thunder boomed overhead. Someone was going to die today, and there was nothing anyone can do about that.