Revenge won the 1st place in the genre Historical Fiction in The Beauty Awards 2017!!! A big, big thank you to all the readers who supported me and my story!😚😚 Am gonna use real life incidents and places in this chapter. If I offend anybody, I apologize in advance. Update! What can I say about this one now. Just enjoy😊😊

Mark increased his pace. "What does the king wants right now? It's time for the guest to see the city."  Mark thought while walking towards Braith's room.

The sunlight coming from the nearby window brightened the room. The cool breeze blew the curtains. "Your Majesty," Mark says while bowing before Braith.

"Finally you are here." Braith says to the reflection of Mark in the mirror. He adjusted his robe and turned around. He smiled at Mark.

"Why did you called me, King?"

"You will not go with the Queen of Haiti." Braith says while shuffling the papers scattered on the table.

Mark was confused,"But why? You were the one who told me to join them, to piss them off throughout the journey."

"Change of plans Mark. Let Christopher go with them." Braith says eyes still glued to the sheets.

"Christopher? You want him to go with that Queen? King, he will not praise you but insult you before them!" Mark says totally not satisfied with Braith's decision.

Braith chuckles,"I know, and do you think I care about my insult? They already hate me a lot."

"What are you upto Braith?" Mark asks narrowing his eyes.

Braith smirks,"Got it." Braith says while holding a sheet in his hands, he reads the words and smiles.

"What is it?" Mark asks out of curiousity.

Braith looks at him,"You will get to know after you arrive from that journey." He says while rolling the paper and sealing it with the royal seal.

Mark raises his eyebrow,"What are you planning Braith?"

"No further questions General. You are getting late for the journey." Braith says with a stern look on his face.

Mark realized he will not gain anything by asking more questions, he bows before the king,"Yes Your Majesty." He was about to leave when Braith says,"Mark, I will be out with Caroline today. I don't want any interventions, do you get that?" Braith says in a calm tone.

"Yes King. I will ensure that before going." Mark then leaves. For the last time Braith looks at the rolled paper and smiled evilly.

*******
Margeret and Leo were ready for their visit. She was not at all looking forward to see the city with that General Mark. Margeret hears the clicking of boots, she looks up to see the man she saw previously at the grand meeting walking towards them with some guards.

"General of Haiti, nice to meet you sir." He says while bowing before Leo.
Leo was surprised by his gesture.
"Queen, nice to meet you too." He says bowing before her. She smiles uncomfortably, no one in the palace treated them with respect and honour except this young man standing before her.

"I am Christopher Eden, the royal advisor of the king." He says smiling showing off his perfect white teeth.

"Royal Advisor? Oh so he is behind all this? Advising the king to mercilessly torture innocent people."  Margeret thought. She rolled her eyes.

"Let's start the journey." Christopher says. Margeret sat in the carriage while Leo and Christopher sat on their respective horses.
The weather outside was soothing for Margeret. She enjoyed the scenery. There was hustle and bustle of people all around the city. It was morning time, the time when people were getting ready for their work, everyone was busy with their own chores.
Margeret noticed something odd with the citizens of Bruges. Whenever the Royal Advisor passed by the people's side, they would gladly bow before him with a smile on their face.
She was confused. "These people live here in Braith's kingdom! Instead of despising this advisor, they are happy showcasing their respect for him. Must have manipulated the people like he did to the king." Margeret thought looking at the happy faces of the fellow people.
The carriage stopped and she looked outside to see the majestic buiding they were standing before. The guard opened the carriage door and she stepped on the rough pavement.

"Bruges, as you know is the capital of this vast kingdom of King Braith. The most beautiful city in this world. Our capital was recognized after Julius Caesar conquest of Menapii in the first century BC, to protect the coastal area from the pirates." Christopher spoke like a tour guide.
Margeret was amused listening to the history of this lovely city. She looked around to see the city in it's glory. She then glanced to the big building they were standing before. "What is this?" She asked.

Christopher smiled and replied,"This is the Church of Our Lady." He says pointing towards the cathedral.
They started walking towards the sturdy wooden door. The guard bowed before the royals and opened the door.
They all entered the gigantic cathedral. Margeret admired the remarkable church interior, in all its splendour.

"This is the perfect example of the craftsmanship of Bruges' artisans. This Church is the tallest structure in the whole city." Christopher says a mystical glee in his eyes while telling the history of the church.

Margeret was filled with awe looking at the church's grandeour. Leo too was busy enjoying the beautiful piece of art before him.

Christopher continued,"Previously the church contained the sculpture Madonna and the child, but due to King Braith's instructions it is now placed in the palace."
As told by Christopher behind the high altar the church contained tombs of Charles the Bold,  the last Valouis Duke of Burgundy with his daughter the Dutchess Mary.
Both were crowned and Charles, was represented in full armor and wearing the decoration of The Order of the Golden Fleece.

Margeret was left speechless by the beauty of the cathedral. "Is this Parish Church open for the common people?" Margeret asks.

The happiness that Christopher held in his eyes vanished, "Sadly no. Only the royal blood is allowed here."

"But why?"

"King's orders." Margeret sighs in frustration after hearing this. They stayed there for some more time and started on with their next destination.

"Where are we going to go now?" Leo asked.
"The Dijver Canal."
The canal was parallel to the church. Canal boats were already waiting for the royalties.
Margeret, Leo and Christopher sat in one boat with the guards in the others, surrounding their boat.

The helmsman held the paddles pushing the boat forward. Margeret looked at her reflection in the water and smiled. She dipped her hand in the water feeling its coldness.
"This is beautiful." She said.
"Indeed. The canals add to the beauty of the city." Christopher replied.

The whole day Margeret was greeted by many beautiful places in the city. The Provinciall Hof, The Kruispoort, The Burg Square, St. Salvator's Cathedral. Each and every destination beautiful and unique in it's own way. No doubt King Braith chose Bruges as his capital. The city deserved to be the capital.

They were riding back to the palace now. All of them were exhausted by the journey. The moonlight welcomed them gladly. Seeing the other royals strolling in the palace proved that they arrived before Margeret and Leo.
The carriage came to a halt and Margeret stepped outside, the cool breeze blowing her hair.
"This was indeed a very nice journey, thanks for showing the city to us, Advisor.
"My pleasure, General." Christopher said and bowed before Leo and Margeret.

Margeret was surprised by Leo's words. This was first time that he praised someone from Braith's kingdom.

"Why are you quiet, Margeret?" Leo said looking at Margeret who was deep in thought.

"What?" She asked.
"I asked why are you so quiet? Is something bothering you?" Leo asked concern plasterred on his face.

"No nothing. Am just a little tired from the journey." She says hiding her worries.

"Are you speaking the truth, Margeret?" He asks looking at her.

"Nothing to worry about, Leo. Am fine." She says smiling to prove him wrong.
"Ok. You are tired, you should rest now." He says giving a warm smile to her.
"I need to meet this Advisor in personal." She thought while walking towards her room.

(At the palace when Margeret was away.)

Braith was excited for today. He had sent the guards to call for Caroline. It was a long time since he had spent some time with his beloved queen.
He was walking towards the arranged place thinking about Caroline with a smile on his face.

After getting the news, from the guard Caroline hastily walked down the hallways. She was tensed. Not because of Braith but the stare of Victor which was boring holes in her back.

Victor pulled Caroline and slammed her back on the wall. "Listen Caroline, you know why we came here, right?" He says staring into her frightened eyes.

"Leave me Victor!" She spoke with gritted teeth.

"You know we sacrificed a lot to be in this position, Caroline. Don't forget about the plan." He whispers in her ear.

"I know. Now release me, its hurting!" She hissed in pain.

"Oh", he says widening his eyes. He released her arm. She looked at her arm which was now red with his fingers imprinted on it.
"I am sorry for that." He says softly.

"It's alright. Now let's go before getting caught." She says looking in the opposite direction.
"Yes Queen." He says bowing before her.
She rolls her eyes. They both walk towards the assigned place.
Braith was already sitting on one of the chairs, tapping on the table.
"What took you so long?" He asks fuming in anger.

"Sorry king." She says forcing a smile.

Suddenly Braith's eyes land on Caroline's arm, "What happened to your arm?" He asked getting up from the chair and holding her arm.

"Nothing. Just got hurt by the door."

Braith raises an eyebrow , keeping his hand on her waist he pulled her towards the table. "See, we are going to have breakfast, just like we always used to do." He says pulling the chair for her.

"Thanks," she says while sitting on the chair.

"You are not needed here, get out right now Victor." Braith says glaring at the bodyguard.

Victor bows before the king and stares at Caroline before leaving.

She shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "So, lets start the breakfast?" He asks smiling.

She nods her head in approval. They talked about random things. Laughing at jokes cracked by Braith occasionally. When they were finished Caroline stood from the chair. She was unable to step forward as blackness engulfed her.

"Caroline!" Braith shouted catching her before her body met the ground. "Guards call the doctor now!" He screamed and held her in bridal style.

He gently placed the unconscious Caroline on her bed. The doctor hurriedly rushed to the queen's room.
"What is wrong with her? Check her right now!" Braith says holding the poor afraid doctor by his collar.

"Y-Yes Your Highness."

Braith started walking to and fro waiting for the doctor to speak something.

After diagnosing the queen, the doctor spoke, "There's no major problem, King. She just fainted due to weakness. But I would advice  her to stay away from stress."
"Stress? Braith asked.

"Yes, she is taking a lot of stress. I have given her the medicines, she would be alright by the afternoon. For now let her sleep, King."

"You can go now." Braith says looking at Caroline. The doctor bowed before the king and left.
Braith sat on the bed and stroked Caroline's hair. He waited with her for some time.
"She needs to sleep peacefully." He thought and got up from the bed.
"Leave the room." He said to Victor who was watching everything happen before his eyes.

"But Ki-"

"I said leave. If you want to protect stand outside. I don't want any other man's presence in my queen's room." Braith said in an arrant manner.

"Yes King." Victor says bowing before Braith.

Both Victor and Braith left Caroline. Braith had hoped that this day would bring him and Caroline close but destiny had a different plan for him.

*******
Margeret's mother, Lady Curzon sat in her room thinking about her beloved daughter.
She was knitting when she heard the maid screaming, "Lady, neither the Queen nor the General is here. What will happen now!" She said with tears in her eyes.

"What is the problem maid? Why are you crying?" She said standing up from her bed.

"We have been attacked."

Woah the longest chapter! What do you think of this one?😏
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