THE NORTHERN KING

Ida walked through the crowd, the sky didn't look promising, so the games were probably going to be taking place in the later part of the day.

She ignored the head bowing, the curtsies and all the greetings excitement grew inside her, for some reason, she wanted to break the news to Ivo about his betrothed's cheating scandal, she wanted to see him break down feel weak. She knew how much he loved her and how much she hated him.

She threw the tent cover open.

“Oh you are awake” she called out as she could see Melisa sitting up on the bed, if not for the white bandage wrapped around her ribs, Ida could have sworn that she was perfectly fine. Ivo was sitting in the other corner watching as Ethan examined Melisa—checking if she was fit for the final round.

“Ivo we need to talk” Ida called out as she scanned the room, now realizing that everyone was staring at her. She lowered her voice a little, “Ivo we seriously need to talk.”

“Ida what are you still doing here?” Ivo called, staring at her, “trust me you will want to hear this” she called out.

“Okay” Ivo replied, she stared at him waiting for a reaction, but there was none.

“Seriously? Do you want me to say it now? Right here?” She asked. Ivo didn't reply and simply stared just like everybody in the room.

Ida took a deep breath, it was even better with everybody here to watch him breakdown like a child.

“Catelyn—”

“I know” Ivo replied cutting her short.

“Wait what?”

“I know already.”

“But how?”

“Stable boys, pretty much every servant works for me, Ida, you will be surprised by how much the low working-class know.”

Ida felt her excitement sink, she swallowed hard, squeezing the letter in her hand, “I guess I will be on my way then” she said out loud as she turned to leave.

Ivo watched her disappear as he turned to the duo on the other end of the room.

“Now back to the plan.”

“Roll, roll, roll your boat gently down the stream.

Merrily merrily, life is but a dream.”

Ivo said the nursery rhyme as Ethan rolled him down the hall to witness the final round of the game.

When he had first met Ivo, He felt like he (Ivo) was a little bumped on the head but after spending an entire day and a half with him, he knew that ivo was definitely bumped on the head.

He said weird words that no one understood, he made ridiculous plans, and now he was singing a song in a weird rhyme.

“Ethan” Ivo called out as he immediately came to a halt.

Beautiful was the only word that escaped from his lips as she stood in front of him, she had deep brown eyes with long black hair, from her bare shoulder he could tell her skin was fair, red, and clear. She wore a black dress with red roses and a crown…wait a crown, this must be the queen he thought as he immediately dropped to his knees “your highness” he called out, bowing his head.

“Can you excuse us for a moment” Elvira called out to Ethan, he looked up at her and then shot Ivo a look, who simply nodded, Ethan didn't like the idea of leaving them alone, but he knew better than ignoring the Queen's orders. He walked down the hall away from them and the game.

He could see the guards stationed there probably waiting for her, he looked back to see her grab Ivo's hand before he made a turn towards the guard.

“So you are not as stupid as you look” Elvira called out as she held Ivo's hand, but he was quiet as he simply stared at her. “I'm talking to you” she added again.

“Well what can I say, I'm just the king's bastard” he called out, Elvira slapped him across his face, Ivo didn't reply as his face was still plain.

“Oh I'm sorry that I ruined your pretty face, seem that's the only thing you have going for you” she called out taunting Ivo.

“Are you done checking me?” Ivo asked she was taken back as she withdrew her hand, “what are you talking about?” She asked in anger.

“Nothing but since you got here you have looked at me, my demeanor, physical strength and intelligence like you are testing me it's not nice to test people” Ivo called out.

Elvira groaned and laughed.

“I knew I wasn't wrong, you are not entirely stupid, are you? But let me warn you, whatever you are planning will crumble to dust before your eyes. I should have thrown you down the castle walls the day Alaric brought you through those gates, I had the chance, but I was stupid enough to not do so.”

“Well you had twice the chance, just that the second time I survived” Ivo called out. She clicked her tongue and then took a deep breath with a smile.

“Are you a fan of surprises?” She asked but Ivo didn't answer.

“I hope you enjoy the game because it is sure full of surprises” she called out as she walked pass him, she almost bumped into Ethan who was eavesdropping. He immediately jumped back bowing toward her.

“Filth” she called out and skipped past him

Ivo called out his name, he lifted his head to look at him,“ has she gone?” he asked as he could see the scratch marks across Ivo's face. “Are you okay?” Ethan asked as he inspected his face.

“Yes sure, can you check if it will leave any scar” ivo asked.

“No I think you will live, but I think I'm starting to like our queen a lot less” Ethan said as the bell tolled in the distance, “well that is something we share in common.” He paused to check the scratch—making Ethan realize that Ivo truly valued his looks, “late is better than never” ivo added as Ethan rolled him toward the crowd.