Defenders of the Earth: This Is Their Side Story

"King and Queen"

Mongo B

10:20 pm

The throne room was covered in a dark-blue glow, faint moonlight passing through the tall panes. Krotan had long had a thing for this chair, even when he wasn't plotting Ming's downfall. This was the quietest spot in the home. It often allowed him to unwind and relax.

That wasn't the case on this evening, though, given the missive that he'd just received. He'd gotten a message. He'd gotten a threat.

The far door opened. His wife walked in. "Krotan?" she uttered, approaching in white — a glittering dress beneath a silver crown.

He held her gaze, then lowered his head.

Jedda climbed the throne, and knelt at his side, both of her hands resting over his wrist. Her bright eyes glistened with a hint of compassion. Jedda knew that something was bothering him. She didn't need telepathy to sense his distress. All she really needed was her wonderful heart.

Back when he was raised in this elegant home, he'd had a couple longings that endured for years: to punish his father, and conquer the world. Those were his cravings. Those were his goals. He'd known he wouldn't ever long for anything more.

But everything changed after he'd met her. Prior to that, while planning his coup, he'd thought he'd had a raging desire within, a powerful passion that consumed his being. He was entirely mistaken, though. He'd never known passion until Jedda arrived. It wasn't just a sexual attraction, however. That became apparent when they started to bond. During those days, several lovely women threw themselves at his feet. He'd ultimately shunned every one of them, though. His longing for Jedda wasn't based on her looks. It was mainly based on the person she was.

Now she was here, just as he'd dreamed — the mother of his children, the light of his world.

He'd never realized he could love this much.

"My king," she whispered, soothing his skin, honoring traditions of formality. "Tell me what's wrong."

He cupped her cheek, holding it. Then he dropped his hand and faced the distant wall. "One year ago, when Father reigned, a rogue governor chose to challenge him. He abducted Aura in the midst of the battle...and I sent our soldiers to rescue her." He paused to sigh. This would be tough. "They felt it'd be best if we traded for her. Without permission, the soldiers abducted the governor's son. The child was only a four-year-old." Krotan squirmed.

So did she.

"Children are supposed to be strictly off limits. Even I realized that back then. Nevertheless, we made the trade. Afterward, the governor fled." He cupped his hands. "But now he's returned. Karlak's back." He pressed a remote. A screen came on, displaying the former governor's profile. Karlak was round, with stark white skin, brown hair streaks along his near-bald head. "In retaliation for what was done, he's threatened to abduct Juliana and Chris."

Jedda quivered now, her eyes narrowing.

"It seems my past is catching up with me." He eyed his lap.

"It wasn't your fault," his wife affirmed. "You didn't tell the soldiers to take that boy."

"But all of it began with an act of rebellion. Karlak rebelled mostly due to me. He absolutely hated my father's guts, but I was the person who set him off. I didn't give enough thought to fairness then." He was ashamed, deeply ashamed.

"We can't change the past." She got to her feet. "All we can do is try to learn from it...and start to conduct ourselves properly."

As usual, he held her gaze as her words sunk in.

Two Days Later

The knights had succeeded in catching their foe.

Karlak knelt, hands at his back, head bowed low before Jedda's throne. Krotan was seated in the chair on her right, waiting patiently for his wife to proceed.

"Prisoner Karlak," Jedda said. "You've been found guilty of conspiracy. King Krotan will reveal our response."

Krotan paused, resolute. "Normally, a threat to the royals warrants execution. I've given you a ten-year sentence instead. During the time of your incarceration, your son will receive proper schooling and care."

Karlak was quiet. He appeared stunned. A few seconds later, the guards took him off.

Jedda placed a hand over Krotan's own.

He held her fingers, stroking them.