CHAPTER 22: War( I)

11:22 AM 7/29/2024
Chapter 22: War.
The day had finally come for Cole to give an answer to Mason. He woke up earlier than expected to go and have a word with his daughter.
Together with Horace, they both went down to the dungeon. The guards stationed there bowed to the king upon his entry but he paid no heed to
them.

"One can only imagine the confusion the king must be going through right now".

"That's because he wants to be confused. If I were him, I'd choose my daughter before anything".

"I'm so glad you aren't king".

"What's that supposed to mean?"

In no time, Cole reached his daughter's cell. But after using his eyes to search the cell, Claressa was nowhere to be seen. He turned around and went and grabbed one of the guards by the collar.
"Where's my daughter?!"

Meanwhile,
"Isla, did the it go well as planned?", Esmeralda asked in anticipation.

"Yes, aunt. But I'm not really sure about it because I left them on their own. My father called me in for dinner".

At this moment, Cole barged into the room.
"Leave us, Isla".

"Yes, Your Highness".

Once Isla was gone, Cole started interrogating his wife.
"Esmeralda, I beg of you. Be honest with me. Do you have anything to do with Claressa's disappearance from the dungeon?"

Esmeralda already knew that he was going to suspect her first when he found out that Claressa was missing, so she as calm as ever. “What do you mean?"
'At least the plan went well', she thought in happiness.

Cole was angry but he was doing his best to keep his cool. “Claressa is not in her cell and she can't be found anywhere. Do you know what this means? I can't give an answer to Mason. That also means that we are going to war".

Esmeralda stood up, looking shocked. "Wait, so you are telling me that you were actually thinking of handing my daughter to Mason? You love this kingdom more than your own daughter. She's your flesh and blood!"

"Esme, that's not what I meant..."

"That's exactly what you meant!", Esmeralda said, interrupting him. “And you actually have the guts to say that to my face. Do you have so little faith in your people? That if we go to war, we won't win? You can't go to war to protect your own daughter?"

"Esmeralda, you know me. I don't like wars. I was going to try to negotiate again with Mason today".

"That's your business. You can swallow your plans. Our daughter is missing and there is nothing you can do about it. Go and prepare your men for war. Wasting time here will not help you in any way", Esmeralda said as she went and sat by the window.

Cole didn't know what to say anymore. He was originally planning to accuse her and then pressure her to say the truth. But she had managed to turn the tables on him in seconds. In the end, he just sighed and walked away.
This little argument showed who the actual head of the family was.

****
I can't upload three chapters anymore. I will upload whenever I have the chance. I appreciate your understanding.

Chapter end