Loyalty

I was taken aback. The marquis knelt on one knee before Demi, his fist to his chest. Behind him his wife bowed her head in respect. Demi, disgruntled, immediately told him to get up.

“Don’t cause a scene, Peter.” Demi frowned.

“No, it is my honor to host you, my Lord.” The Marquis treated Demi with reverence.

Demi sighed. “I’m not here as your Lord. I don’t recall ever being one. Tyler, explain to your father why we are here.”

Tyler explained in detail his reason for leaving, the information he and Tali uncovered, and why we came to the capital. At the end of the story, the couple was shocked and deflated. They couldn’t believe this was the royal family they served.

“I knew I couldn’t trust the king’s judgment, but this goes beyond anything I could have imagined. He’s betrayed his own country.” Righteous anger surged through the marquis. “I’ll help you with anything I can. You may take the Aarden knights with you. They’re well trained, enough to go against the royal guard.”

“Thank you. I wasn’t expecting that, but it’s a relief. They will receive instructions from Tyler. Jeremy will be coming with Taya and I to help the mage. I imagine you have some family stuff to take care of, so we’ll leave you to it.”

We stood up, but before we could leave, the marquis stopped Demi. “Your highness, I know you had no interest in the throne, but someone has to take charge after this mess. The only one left who can do that is you. I know you’re aware of this. It’s selfish to ask this of you, when no one but Silvester helped you in the palace, but the stability of the people depends on your decisions. I am loyal to this kingdom, and I will be loyal to you. Please don’t abandon us.”

The atmosphere grew tense. There was no expression on Demi’s face as he gazed at the pleading man.

“Demi, as the Aarden heir, I will also pledge loyalty to you. It may seem laughable based on my previous behavior, but I agree with my father; there is no one but you to lead this kingdom.” Tyler bowed. Jeremy, though silent, also bowed his head. As a citizen, I could understand what they were saying. But as a person with a conscious, I was angry that they placed all the responsibility on Demi's shoulders. Demi’s never experienced the privileges that came with being a prince, and yet everyone wanted him to take responsibility. I squeezed Demi's hand. He looked down at our hands and then smiled at me.

“I also have something I wish to protect, so I won’t just let the kingdom fall. I’ll be frank. What I want is not loyalty to the kingdom, but loyalty to me. I don’t want to be stabbed in the back in the name of your cause. If that is something you cannot give, then don’t ever mention something like loyalty again. An alliance will do.”

Jer and I nodded our heads. The three of us had formed a bond during our training. I knew Jeremy cared for Demi as a friend. It was refreshing that Demi came off strong. The situation was urgent, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t a certain level of audacity going on. As people who care about Demi as a person, it’s impossible not to be slightly irked by the situation. Yet, the marquis couple and Tyler looked surprised. After a moment of deliberation, the marquis spoke. “I will still pledge my loyalty. My son and I, are alive because of you. It’s only fair that we live for you as well.”

Demi turned his gaze to Tyler. “I will also be loyal to you, personally.”

“I do not care about tradition, nor about the pride of the nobility. The cost of placing me in this position is change.”

Oh my, so this is Prince Demetri. My heart fluttered at his regal appearance. Jeremy also looked quite taken with Demi in this moment. After the Aarden family pledged their loyalty, the marquis personally escorted Demi to his quarters. Jer was about to show me to another room when Demi stopped us. “Taya, your room is here.” My jaw dropped at his declaration. The marquis looked back and forth between us. The quick witted Jeremy grabbed his fathers arm and quickly dragged him away. Demi opened the door for me. For some reason, this threshold seemed daunting. I calmed my pounding heart and walked in the room.