The servant ran through the halls and out of the kingdom, running all the way to the courtyard where Ethan should have been after his training. He was red cheeked and out of breath by the time he got to the boy. "Sir Ethan... The King wants to see you..." He huffed, trying to catch his breath. "I heard him and Princess Jasmine earlier. They were talking about you."

"I hate to disappoint you..." The servant frowned. "They were talking about arranged marriages. I think the princess has you in her sight..." He spoke. "I know she's nice looking and all, but to marry into the family... Well, God help whoever does."

The servant nodded and led the way back to the King's quarters.

King Garth sat behind his desk. When he looked up and saw Ethan there, he nodded and motioned to the seat. "Ethan... come in and take a seat. I have some things to discuss with you." He didn't give anything away in his expression.

The king stayed silent for a bit as he looked through some papers. "Jasmine has come to me with an interesting idea. An idea that isn't all too bad, either. Your father is one of the best Knights I have. Jasmine has expressed interest in you and so I figured that it's about time I think about her future. I've decided to arrange a marriage between the two of you." He didn't ask whether Ethan wanted it or not. He didn't have a choice.

The King didn't let on that he actually didn't agree with it, either. He had other plans. But for now, he wanted Jasmine to think that she had all the control. Letting her think that she was in control and going to marry Ethan would be best for now.

But that wasn't the plan for the future...

The King hadn't expected a different reaction. He knew that he ruled with fear and if Ethan had said anything else other than an agreement it would have been a surprise that would have most likely got the young man killed. "Good. You can court her and do all of that silly stuff if you want. I don't care. Just keep her happy or you'll pay. You know what happens when you upset royalty, right, Ethan?"

The King was all too happy to watch the executions personally. He loved it. He reveled in watching people die. It was his pasttime. He enjoyed nothing more. Him, and a few select knights were here to watch the gruesome display. It was just getting started when The Black Knights, intruders that he'd been trying to kill for years now, interrupted.

"Well, well, well. I see The Black Knights have come to hand themselves over. You're just in time. Executions are just starting. I'm sure I can fit you all in." He smirked, motioning for his knights to take a step or two forward.