Ares observed Sivone. She was a young woman, taller than Eurydice. She had leafy-green hair and hazel-brown eyes. She wore a robe that mages usually wear in the Palace but what made her stand out was the trinkets displayed all over her body. She has a necklace of mysterious purple-glowing vials hanging on her neck and an eye of drake. She had the same pearl earrings as Eurydice's. Siv had gifted it to her when the witch visited the ocean. It was given to her by a lost siren. What Ares was more intrigued by was the fact that Siv had introduced herself as Eurydice's best friend."Call me Siv." "Ares," He officially introduced himself. Icarai took a deep breath, savoring peace once more, "You shouldn't be bringing Erron here just like that, Siv. You could've been shot by a spy along the way?""Spy?" Siv raised an eyebrow and then looked at her friend. "Another war again, Eurydice? Are you serious?""It cannot be avoided," Eurydice made it clear to her. "That's why I told you to keep a
Siv and Eurydice entered the infirmary. Ares and Icarai were there, making sure that the young prince was safe and that no one had entered the infirmary without consent. Now that word has gotten out that the young prince was inside the Palace, assassins might gather and linger around the Palace. All the servants cannot be trusted. The last time Eurydice had left Erron alone without a spell to protect him, he was almost slit in the throat while sleeping. And the culprit was his maid. Of course, Eurydice did not allow such an individual to live- the maid was punished according to law, treason- was punishable by death. Even if there was no law at all, Eurydice would've killed anyone who tried to harm her brother. Dr. Cornelius was dressing and applying herbal ointment to the young prince's scars. He admitted during the check-up that it was caused by running around and scraping against twigs from brushes, or tripping onto the rocky ground. He also had a ton of bug bites. "My goodness
Eurydice was in her courtroom alone, feasting her eyes with the thousand shimmerings of the towns around the Palace that trailed all the way down. Her head was leaning against the glass, listening to the tranquil breeze that swept her glass windows. She could see from afar that the people were dancing on the streets. She specifically asked this courtroom to give her better access sights of the busy town. It was the only thing that kept her entertained.Now that her younger brother has returned to the Witch's forest, she has nothing else to do for the night but endures the feeling of loneliness. She had a war to take care of during the morning and the preparation for the First Game in the afternoon.A knock interrupts her thoughts. "Finally," she mumbled. Finally, something that can occupy her blank mind. Her servant enters the courtroom with a document in his hands. He adjusted his glasses, "Your Radiance," Icarai bowed at her. "I come with news from the chieftain of the village you
One by one, the officers were carried into the platform for the people to watch. Civilians gathered around Plaza Square whispering the rumors of the corrupt officers that worked for the Regional General in the southern village. Business owners stopped by and left their stalls to watch the punishment of the very people who stole from the Queen.Icarai signalled his men to tie them against a pike. The officers bawled and cried, their faces swollen from bawling. They struggled like fishes out of water, trying to escape the tight ropes that fastened them with death. Icarai looked a little worried as he continued the preparations. The royal guards were also conflicted by this. They have not become immune at all. The Queen from time to time does this 'ceremony' to punish all the people who dare stain their nation. And not even a single person could explain. Though it was extreme, it was the price someone had to pay for choosing to be a bad person. Before, the Queen ignored corruption as
Ares was walking around the Palace at the evening, trying to catch a glimpse of Icarai or the Queen. Icarai told him to stay in the palace because they were going to get busy for the night, but since the daytime, he hadn't caught Eurydice or Icarai's presence anywhere. He thought, maybe- she was just handling matters that a normal Crown Princess would do. But as he asked around, trying to check where Eurydice or Icarai was, the servants' excuses had become less credible. At some point, Ares met Prince Xavier in the hallway, and he too, was one of the people who inquired about her whereabouts, but the servants would tell them nothing. Ares retreated into the infirmary where his master, Dr. Cornelius, was treating a said soldier who had been with Icarai that morning. When he entered the clinic, the soldier was sulking on the corner because of his busted lip. "What happened to him?" Cornelius sighed, "Apparently, one of the people they arrested smacked him in the face while resisti
The audience soon left the plaza when the commotion had gone dry. Ares helped Icarai and the rest to untie the officials- who by the way, were scared to their wits at their closet encounter with death. The Queen had already left the venue, with her excuse that she wasn't feeling rather well. "Ares," Icarai beckoned at the male to come closer. Ares took a deep breath before striding. Icarai glanced at his palms and sighed. "You weren't supposed to see it." "I can tell," his tone was sharp. "This is not a matter that you can barge whenever you like." Icarai made it clear to him. "We are punishing these criminals according to the law that the people of Fontana have been made aware of since birth. This is a problem of the palace not becau
Eurydice was nowhere to be found for days and days.The first game of the King Selection was drawing near. Only five days remain before the first elimination round takes place- and the Queen's presence was nowhere to be felt. Participants mostly knights and some lucky commoners, were given the entire yard to strengthen their bodies.Ares was looking out his windows, watching at some lousy commoners swinging their sticks at each other, pretending they were swords. The knights on the other hand were confident, but strict to themselves- utilizing trees as a target. The four princes, on the other hand, were given a different yard all to themselves.Ares was merely in his room, pondering.A knock finally breaks the man's thoughts. He opened the door
Icarai barged inside the Queen's court while she was spending her sweet time, drinking wine. Eurydice gave Icarai a glare and the servant immediately cleared his throat as he realized how rude he was for coming in without knocking."I-I uhh..."The Queen rolled her eyes, "Just go directly with it Icarai. It's tiring to hear you whine.""M-My Queen I bear odd news.""Oh?" Eurydice raised an eyebrow. The fun just never stops for her, doesn't it? "Well, I'm not surprised. Go on. Tell me.""It's about Ares," Icarai whispered. The Queen's eyes squinted for a little bit. Since there were guards lined up in the pillars of the courtroom, she raised her hand in the air and gestured at them to leave. One by one, they