After coming from that journey with the guests, Mark straightaway went to Braith. He was very curious about the content that the paper held.
He peeked through the door to see a half drunk Braith. He was sitting on a chair, head resting on it and a glass of wine in his hand. He had his eyes closed.
"Shall I talk to the king now?" Mark thought. He was in a delimma. Braith was the most unstable in his drunken state. Asking him questions now would mean unexpected death. Shaking his head in frustration Mark decides to leave Braith on his own.  Now all he can do was wait till the morning.

********
The first rays of the sun boosted Mark's lost energy which was due to staying awake the whole night. Dark circles formed under his eyes. He hurriedly got ready, waited for some hours. Sensing that it was the right time  he marched towards his destination - Braith's room.
The door of Braith's room came into view bringing a smile on Mark's face. He opened the door and bowed before the king.
Braith was again sitting in his chair but this time with a cup of tea in his hand. He had his other hand massaging his temples. Seeing Mark here early in the morning clearly showed how desperate he was.
"Can't control the urge to know the truth Mark?" Braith says keeping the cup on the table besides the chair.

"Sorry King, but yes that's true." Mark says.
Braith stands and walk towards Mark.
"Tell me Mark why in the first place I invited those royals of Haiti in my grand meeting?" Braith asked.

Mark was confused by Braith's question. He furrowed his eyebrows. After thinking for some time he replies, "To show them their real place."
"Wrong. I called them here to fulfil my plan, Mark." Braith says a smirk forming on his lips.

"Which plan?"

Braith chuckles and says, "While the Queen and that General were enjoying their trip in my city, I had announced an attack on Haiti."

"What?" Mark asked in shock. "I am the general, Braith. You should have told me."

"Do not worry Mark. I have send my best warriors there. And there's a reason behind not telling you." Braith says smiling at Mark.

"What reason?" Mark asked.

"You are the General of my army. If  I would have told you to go and attack Haiti, Christopher would have known immediately and I didn't want that."

"But what did that letter say?" Mark asks.

"The letter?" Braith laughs, his laughter echoing in his bed chamber. "It says that Bethony's mother should surrender or else she will not see her youngest daughter's face again."

Mark smirks at Braith's answer, "So that's why you replaced me by Christopher to go with that Queen."

"Yes. Both of them were busy enjoying their little journey not knowing what dangers they are going to face now." Braith says laughing evilly.
"So now you will get to rule on Haiti too." Mark says smiling devilishly.

"I want more than that." Braith says while touching his chin.

Mark did not understand what Braith meant. He ignored those thoughts.
"Am not at all surprised Braith. You have got a very clever mind." Mark says joining Braith in his laugh.

"Indeed." His laughter suddenly dies down, "Mark I want you to keep an  eye on Victor. Something is not right. I can feel it. And yes one more thing, that woman will be brought here anytime, so go check that", Braith says with a serious tone.

"Yes King. I will see what that bodyguard is up to. You do not need to worry." Mark says.

Braith nods. Mark bows before the king and smiles feeling contented to know about Braith's plan.

Walking in the hallways Mark saw Christopher talking with a guard, his smile widened after seeing the advisor.
"Good morning General. You seem to be quiet happy today." Christopher says facing Mark.

"Of course, but I feel sorry for you Royal Advisor."

"Sorry for me?" Christopher asked confused by Mark's words.

"Yes! You won't be happy like me now." Mark says pouting.

"What do you mean General." Christopher says sternly.
Mark chuckles, "You are just a pawn in this game, Christopher. Braith has attacked Haiti."

"What?" Christopher exclaims startled.
Leo laughs and says, "I too had the same reaction when Braith told me this. I am glad that atleast we have something in common."

"How dare he do that!" Christopher screamed in anger.
"Control your anger, Advisor. He is the King, he can do anything. Scream some other time Advisor. Get ready to enjoy the scene in the main hall." Mark says.

"What do you mean?"

"Go check out yourself, Advisor. I have more important tasks to handle." Mark says before walking away leaving a shocked Christopher.
Without wasting time Christopher runs towards the main hall.

********
For the first time Margeret felt happy in the palace. She played yesterday's memories in her mind smiling at those. The time she spent in the city was worth her smile.

"Margeret!" She hears Leo shouting her name. Looking in the direction of the sound she see's Leo. His chest heaved with anger. He was standing there fuming. Margeret walks towards him, "What happened Leo?" She asks worry clearly evident on her face.

"Braith attacked our kingdom! He has imprisoned Lady Curzon." Margeret didn't hear his last words as she sprinted towards the main hall.
There was commotion, the royals gathered in the main hall. Margeret was unable to see what was happening until she pushed some people aside. What she saw drained the happiness she had a couple minutes ago.

She saw her mother being dragged by a guard, restrained by shackles. Her gown held mud stains and dirt. Her eyes land on her daughter and she smiles weakly.
Margeret heard Leo cursing beside her. Something snapped in Margeret, she removed Leo's sword from his sheath and started walking towards that person's room who was responsible for this. Some guards tried to stop her but met with their death instead. She didn't thought twice before slitting their stomachs.

She pushed the doors to see a surprised Braith. His smirk soon vanished when she slapped him in his right cheek. She again slapped him in his left cheek making Braith tilt his head slightly. His hair falling on his eyes. Margeret held the sword on his neck drawing some blood.
"Release my mother", she growled.

"We can talk about this."

"Release my mother!" She shouted making more blood flow from his neck.

"You don't want to see your mother in a coffin or do you?"

Margeret widens her eyes releasing her grip on the sword. Taking advantage of this opportunity Braith snatches the sword and throws it across the room.

"You only have two options with you." Braith says wiping away the blood from his neck.

I would like to dedicate this chapter to alliestanley42 for her encouraging words! Thank you for that!!😊😊
What do you think what are the two options? Comment below. Hope you liked the chapter.
If so please hit that star!🌟

Keep smiling till the next update 'cause who knows you will get to smile in the next chap or not!😉