- And why is that relevant?
My father sighed in silence for a few moments as he walked from one side of the hall to the other. I was apprehensive, but I kept my cool.
- I have decided to assert the rights of our ancestors and have proposed an alliance. - he took a break. - You will marry the oldest of the MacBride, Annabel, in a few days.
- What's it like? - my hatred boiling in my veins, made my eyes pop. - Have you gone mad?
With peace of mind he stared at me with a firm eye.
- Alistair, do you think I don't know what's going on in my kingdom? - my father exploded. - I know Roy's strategy of keeping our armies distracted until he gets the English reinforcements he craves. We can't let Phillipe turn against us.
My dad took a break scratching his chin.
- I know you don't like Loch as much as I do, but our best strategy now is for you to marry the older one and generate an heir. - he smiled at me. - Having a noble of English blood on the line of succession to both thrones, Phillipe will not need to enter into an unnecessary war for power, and who knows, we might even count on his help.
- Dad, that's impossible! - I fired in a desperate voice. - I have an army to command. A marriage at that point would keep me away from the battlefields. I'll have to stay here in the castle.
- Not to mention the bride's a witch! - Alec has completed.
- Who said that? - my father asked.
- Everyone who knows the family says that they are horrendous witches, so they live isolated. - Alec had a face. - They even say the eldest was sent to a convent because she was so ugly that Ravenna was afraid of her.
My dad had a laugh.
- Witches don't exist! - ...my dad said firm.
- Yes, there are! - Alec returned it with conviction.
I took a deep breath to contain my anger.
- You two want to stop this story? - said dry. - Whether witches or not, a marriage is out of the question. The Lord enjoys great health and there is no need to put one of us on the throne. Besides, we're at war!
I walked to the door. My father knew very well that that war was not the only reason that kept me on the front line. It was not only the victory of our clans that interested me, I also wanted Roy's blood and head on a silver platter.
- Alistair? Alistair come back here! - my father ordered. - I'm very sick and I need you here! I have to go to Dunlock and treat myself.
- Really? - I retracted. - I'm sick of this lame, lying excuse of yours.
- Alistair, I'm serious this time! - he insisted, but I kept walking. - You'll be married tomorrow at sunset!
- Is that so? - I turned around with a debauched smile and stared at him. - Who will replace me on the front line? Despite being a good leader, Bree will not be able to stay ahead of a battalion camped out forever. Not even Keilan. Someone has to strategize, command men, make decisions. That's the work of a prince or a king. Who do you intend to send to replace me?
- Alec! - my father said.
I stopped frowning.
- What's that? What's that? - Alec fired a surprise shot.
- Alec? - I let out a cold laugh. - Alec isn't ready for what's to come. My brother's a good negotiator, but never this one in front of a battalion. He can barely think of the strategies of a game. How will you be able to lead some men?
- I'm with you. - said Bruce in an evasive tone.
- Hey! I'm here, you know? - Alec grumbled looking at me from Bruce.
Despite those comments, I could feel that there was something between Bruce and Alec that I couldn't see. What were they hiding from me?
- Oh, great! This will be a good opportunity for him to learn! - my father stated adamantly.
I was amazed at that, because that was an attitude my mother would disapprove of. I took a deep breath remembering my mother's words and tried to dissuade him from that stupid idea.
- I thought we had a deal and that Alec would replace me as king if necessary.
My father sighed, filling the glass again.
- Alistair, I'm old and I intend...
- Here you come with that story again. - I rolled my eyes.
- I'm serious, boy! - my father resounded. - Like I said, I'm sick and I need to rest. I decided to live in Dunnlock with your mother, so I intend to pass the crown to you and marry you before then.
He breathed near me.
- It would leave me more relaxed knowing that there is someone taking care of our people with a lot of responsibility and discipline. - he said. - Besides, our tradition tells the firstborn to take over.
- Dad, listen... - I paused in a desperate voice. - That's too hasty. It may take years for me to have an heir.
- Three months! - he fired.
- What's that? What's that?
- You have exactly three months to get your wife pregnant.
Unbelievable, I let out a laugh.
- You're crazy, right? - I ironized. - It's technically impossible! What do we
