In the morning she continues with work and hears more rumors about the war. Someone spreads that the future king killed Evelyn to purposely start the war. Monarch is furious but holds her tongue.

"Hold your ground!" The tutor shouts, jabbing forward with the training sword. Alek deflects with a grunt, sweat running down his back. "Again!" Alek repeats, turning his blade and knocking the weapon out of the tutor's hands. The tutor dismissed him, sending him to clean himself up, only to find more bruises, now purple.

The rumors continue spreading, and monarch tries to stay silent.

When Alek came down into the town, a child came up to say hello, but before he could respond, the mother pulled him away, leaving Alek confused. He instead moved into the inn, greeting the innkeeper. "Excuse me? I'm here for Monarch again but... is everything alright in town?"

The innkeeper glares and rolls her eyes "Oh like you don't know!" There is a lot of commotion in the common area.

Monarch is standing in front of this man, her voice loud and confident "You're wrong! I know who killed Evelyn, and it WAS NOT the prince!"

The man glares and laughs a bit, standing up to her, everyone watching "How would you know?!"

"I just know!"

Alek hears this, his face turning cold. "Who here claims I murdered Evelyn?" He barked, his voice powerful and loud.

Everyone turns to face him and the man grins "Ah look who it is!" His accent is slurred "Its the Prince! Ya think ya can just walk in e're? Ya murderer!" Monarch smacks him.

"Monarch." Alek says, his face unchanging. He looks to the man. "I am no murderer. Might I ask where you got this idea?" His eye twitched slightly.

The man glares and rubs his cheek "Everyone's talking about it. She was supposed to be your bride, but you didn't want to marry her. So you killed her."

Monarchs eyes slit but luckily no one notices. She yells "That is not true! You're lying!"

"Monarch please." Alek keeps his eyes on the man. "Although, sir, she is right. I had nothing to do with the murder. I can understand how you would believe such a thing, but my honest truth is that I did not kill her. She was a friend of mine, and I'm against killing, no matter who may be in question."

Monarch turns away from him, still furious.

The man laughs "Ha! Ya expect us to believe that?! What have YOU done to try and stop the war, huh?!? Here we are about to die and you're doing nothing but sitting up in yur little palace, doing who the h*ll knows what!"

"Sir." Alek begins calmly, his voice serious. "I can assure you that I've done more than you have. While you spend your time spreading rumors about the royal family, I'm the one who has been training to protect and serve this kingdom. My bruises," he pulls up his sleeve, "Are made for your safety. So, if you would, I'd like you to keep your ridiculous opinions to yourself."

Monarch looks at him and her eyes widen. The man grumbles and clenches his fist "Yeah? Well a weakling like you ain't gonna do much to protect the people in this city. Let me toughen you up..." he raises his fist to punch Alek.

Alek stares him in the eyes, and in one swift movement, he grabs the man's hand. He ignores the aching in his forearm as he restrains the man. "Excuse me sir, as much as I would love to make you feel stronger, I'm afraid my face is my bread and butter." He tosses his hand away. "I can't just let myself be harmed."

He growls "Ya see that?! The purtid prince assaulted me!!!" By this point, others were starting to side with Alek, and they decide to just ignore the yelling man. They go back to their usual day and the man grabs a cup of his beer. He growls "Y'all are idiots! Every last one of ya! Can't ya see he's the bad guy?! I'd hurt em if I had the chance! But right now I'm not up to it, that's all. I ain't scared if that's what ya thinking." He takes a large drink and gulps, then he  looks at Monarch "Hey sugar lips! Howzabout ya come over here?"

"Oh, go drown your lust in beer." Alek sighs. He moves to Monarch. "Thank you for your support." He bows gratefully.

She doesn't smile and looks at Alek with cold eyes. "... You're going to war..." She pushes past him and tells the innkeeper she is going to take a break. She leaves the inn.

********

A/N: Sorry for the short chappie
L.... this is where it gets intense.

L/N: HAHAHAHHAHAH