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
Two days before the Selection and the Palace has already completed its preparation for the First Game. Participants were already told what to do and what not to do. Clothes for the commoners have arrived, too. Eurydice promised Ares that he would be sent there so that he would feel at ease having other people around him, but as of now, he just stayed on the same wing as the other Princes.Icarai said he would be changing rooms once he is introduced during the First Game.While Ares and Icarai were sorting out the clothes he would be wearing for the First Game, Ares became conscious of this 'introduction'. "What would others say if they knew I skipped the Trials?"Icarai shook his head, "Nothing."
"Icarai, do you know Kagome?" The overtired servant raised his sight from this desk to Ares. Piles of paperwork stacked on the right side of this desk and only a few on his left. It meant that Icarai was almost finished with his work and was done for the day. However, his mere seconds of rest were interrupted when Ares knocked on his door after meeting a certain 'special' participant. "Kagome Kusanagi?" Icarai's eyes widened. "How did you...?" "I met her earlier while visiting the participants' sleeping wing as you told me. She terrorized and took one of the rooms that was supposed to be for Sir Daelan." "Daelan's room was taken by Kagome?" Icarai brushed his face with his hand. "My. What a problem that woman was." Ares's curious amber eyes gleamed, "She is one of the 'special' people invited to the First Game directly. Tell me more about her." Icarai sighed and rested his throbbing spine on the cushions of his swivel chair, "Kagome is Prince Yue's servant. But now she is his riv
Prince Desalogia and his company rested for a few minutes on the side of the road. People turned their eyes to his small group which consisted of a few bodyguards, his personal assistant, and a caretaker. A few of his servants entered the tavern nearby to sit and drink. The Prince had already taken a few shots of beer inside and decided to stay outside for fresh air.He stayed near his horse while looking at the Palace not far ahead and the soaring towers that climbed all the way to the top. The Prince rubbed his hand against his flushed face and took a deep breath before leaning against his horse.He was about to pull a box of cigar when suddenly, he found a familiar face in the distance approaching him that bore the sigil of the Queen.Icarai, the Queen's advisor, henchman, and errand boy- gallop