Her Unwanted Mate On The Throne

Chapter 162 Prepare for the battle ahead.

Martin stared blankly at his brother as if he had gone mad. “Oh really?”

“We both know you'll never be happy as the king, Martin.” William said almost gently. “You always let everyone around you control every move you made. I could see it in your eyes that you never wanted this for yourself. I can give you the chance to be free in the world. TO not have these responsibilities on your shoulders.”

Martin slowly looked William up and down as if he was sizing him up for the first time. A bit of distaste lingered on his lips. “So you think I would let you take my place, is that it? That's why you're here? You want me to leave so you can have my crown?”

“I've brought the rogues to the palace to agree on peace”

"And that suddenly makes you the better ruler? Because you brought a bunch of rogues to the palace?” Martin scoffed and took a step back. “Father didn’t make you the crown prince because you're irresponsible, careless, and reckless. You never cared for anything but yourself in your life.” William's snowy cheeks had tinted red. Doris slowly moved closer to Enzo incase they needed to flee this battle between blood. “Father only made you the crown prince because you were born first and he knew he could mold you into another useless version of himself! All you do is let him control your thoughts as well as your rotten mother. Nothing that has ever come out of your mouth has been from your leadership.”

Martin's hands curled into fists at his sides. “I am more capable of being the king. More than

you will ever hope to be.”

"You just tried to run away with your brother's lady-which wasn't the first time you took something of mine. You were ready to drop this kingdom even with the king sick. Even knowing that he could die and you would have to take his place-you just offered to leave it all.”

Martin swallowed. “I would make the better king. There is no way I would ever give you my throne.” “I plan on taking the crown with or without your blessing.” William said through his teeth. “I have an army that is ready to take it if you refuse. I could have the here in hours.”

"You have an army?” Martin laughed. “That's rich. Father wouldn't even let you have your own pack.” “I don't need a pack to raise an army. I need loyalty, which is something you have never gained. How could you when all you do is repeat what others tell you to say?” William took a step back. “I will ask you one more time to give up the crown. I don’t want to force this.”

“Even if I wanted to, Jack is after me. I doubt he would be willing to give up the crown any

more than me.”

“You can pass the crown along to me if you requested it-you know that.” William said. She could tell he was doing his best to stay as professional and calm as he could. A vein popped out on the side of his neck and was a telltale sign that his patience was running thin.

“Jack would challenge you for the crown if I did something like that.” Martin smirked at William as if it was all one big joke they were all in on. “You think I don't have what it takes? You are the last person this kingdom would put their faith in. Everyone for miles knows how you are. You use women like they're nothing and ruin them. You ride out your days with no worries or responsibilities-not like the rest of us. They all see you as a pathetic prince that sleeps until noon.” *They would all be wrong.” William said emotionlessly. “If they knew that there wasn't a single thought in your mind for the well being of this kingdom, they would throw you out themselves.” “They would kiss my feet if they knew I would continue the leadership father has brought on.” Martin hissed. “You are the only joke of this palace. Didn't you ever wonder why father had made sure you didn’t make a fool of this palace? Because he knew you would destroy us if you had the chance. Nobody has ever had faith in you.”

William let the silence engulf them, Doris was almost afraid to breathe. This wasn't a matter that neither she nor Enzo could speak on. All they could do was blend into the bookshelves and pray they didn't notice them. Doris had never seen this harsh side of Prince Martin. Each day he grew more different from the version of him she had in her mind.

"Very well. I have no choice but to bring war.” William turned from his brother. “I didn't want to do this, I had hoped you would see reason.”

"Your idea of reason is blind to all but your needs. As always.” Martin said. “If you thought I was going to give you my crown without a fight, then father was right when he said he didn't trust your judgments.”.

That one must have stung. She saw William's shoulders stiffen with restraint.

“I'll see you on the battlefield, brother.” William said before he walked out the door. Doris and Enzo quickly followed after him so that they weren't left with Martin.

“Are they going to fight on the battlefield?” Doris whispered to Enzo.

“I doubt either of them have intentions of stepping on the battlefield themselves. William meant his army will see Martin's.” Enzo explained quietly. They watched William's back as he stomped down the hallway. Everyone parted their steps for him as if he was a force on his own.

“We should give him time to cool off.” Doris slowed her steps and Enzo did as well. “He normally needs time alone with his thoughts after something like this.”

Enzo eyed her curiously. “Is it strange to have two princes in love with you? I always imagined it would have been nice, but now I'm not so sure.”

Doris put her cold hands against her warm cheeks. “Will you stop? This has become a nightmare.” Enzo held up his hands in defense. “I was only curious, my love.” He glanced back to where William was, but he was already long gone. “I suppose it has come to this. Another war.”

“Martin may not have been passionate about his role, but I think it was obvious that he wouldn't give it up so easily.” Doris whispered. She followed Enzo out into the snow. It was such a lovely day, she wondered how much colder it was in the north in that moment. “Who would give up their crown to someone that hated them their whole life? William made it no secret that they never got along.”

“I tried to tell that to William, but he seemed so determined to go forward. I think he only asked to give his brother a warning of the war brewing.” Enzo shoved his hands deep into his pockets. “My rogues are already on their way. I sent for them the moment we got here. I could tell the Luna Queen wasn't right. I had a bad feeling about all of this the moment we came here.”

“Has anyone treated you bad here?” Doris asked quickly. Enzo laughed a little.

“No, no. Unless you count trying to starve us.”

“I most definitely do!” Doris huffed. She felt horrified that the palace would treat their guests as poorly as they have. She wondered if it would have been different if the king was up and well.

Enzo slowed his steps when they were far enough from the palace. “Let me ask you something, Doris.”

Doris stopped in front of him and raised her brows.

“Do you think William will make a good king? One that this kingdom and the rogues deserve?’ Enzo asked quietly. There was no one around for a bit, but they kept quiet anyway:

“Yes.” Doris said after a beat of thought. “I do. I didn’t think he would before we left for the north. I used to think he was horrible and only cared about getting women in his bed like his brother said. But-then I watched him become a leader. It was like he was made to be one and no one had ever given him the chance.”

Enzo nodded and continued on the small path around the garden. “I was going to say the same thing. I think he lets his rage control his leadership sometimes, but he has potential to be great if he can only stick to it. I would hate to see him fail.”

Doris sighed and glanced up at the clouds above them. Small flakes fell into her hair. “I suppose we should prepare for this battle, then.”