I move my chess piece once again knocking out Gregory’s king, winning the game.
“So how has the wedding planning been going so far?” Gregory asks while clearing the chess board. “Honestly, working with your wife is even less manageable than I thought it would be. Why does planning a wedding have to be so hard?” I whine leaning back into my chair. Sitting up, I look at Gregory closely, “How have things been on your end?” I ask. “I have gathered a group of my most trusted soldiers and along with the help of Soren and Daniel. The plans for the wedding have been running smoothly.” He answers. “That is good to hear,” I say. After discussing the serious stuff, Gregory and I spend the remainder of the day playing chess and talking about a bunch of nonsense. I finally getting a much-needed break from the chaos of my upcoming weddI awake the next morning cuddled into my soft white sheets. I am first aware of the soft fading moonlight casting a silver glow in my room. Slowly and reluctantly, I uncover my body. Sitting up, I drag my feet off of the bed and rub my knuckles into my eyes. I stretch my arms above my head and yawn. Pulling myself off the bed, I brush my hair and clothe myself and just like yesterday, I decide to walk to the lake instead of fly. Leaving the castle, I head into the woods that I have come to love so much. The woods surrounding the city remind me of the forest around the horde. It is places like this that I feel most at home. I am surrounded by beauty and silence, but most of all I am alone. Here I do not have to deal with people's harsh words or judgmental stares: I am alone and at peace. In the forest, there is a sense of kinship with the flora, of an ancient soul that stretches into everything that lives. It is here under the
Taking a deep breath, I push the door open. I step in, Soren and Daniel following closely behind. I close the door after everyone is inside. It clicks slightly as I do. Slowly, I turn to face Gregory, my pulse quickening. Looking into Gregory's deep brown eyes, I gulp, trying to keep my heart from leaping out my throat. I approach his desk slowly on trembling legs. "I have discovered some new information, and thought you might be interested in knowing," I say while clasping my fingers together nervously. After the words leave my mouth, I suddenly feel like I am going to hurl. Telling him that Gwen was the one behind killing my brother was one thing but this...this just feels wrong. He has a right to know, but at the same time, I feel as though I am the one ruining his family. If I had not come here in the first place Gregory could live on in ignorant bliss. The only problem being he would not know of his granddaughter's wron
Flavius I lay in bed as the sun rises, an opening to the third day I haven’t seen Ellie. For the past three days, I've been hard at work training with Soren, eagerly waiting for Ellie to quickly finish her work at the castle. Three days ago, Ellie came to me telling me how she was going to discuss something important with the king, and I haven't seen her since. Soren told me the day after that, she was rushing the wedding planning in order to get a day off. Last I spoke with Ellie, she was preparing to tell the king of his wife's affair. I can't help but worry, as she must have struggled to tell him such sensitive information. The king is one of the people Ellie respects most. To most, Ellie presents herself as this confident, spitefully angry person, who stands on top of the world. While that may be a part of her, that is not her true self. I see her differently; she's shown me another side of herself. The anger in her eyes s
Nora I jump up from the chair, practically sprinting towards Flavius and Gregory. I hadn't expected their union to be flowers and rainbows, but I never expected Flavius to hit the king. I reach them just as Flavius is pulling Gregory from the floor by the collar of his shirt. In my moment of panic, I shove Flavius away from Gregory. Without realizing, I push Flavius a little too hard, sending him across the room. He falls back, nearly hitting into one of the chairs by the fireplace. His body smacks the ground roughly and the chairs near him clatter slightly rocking back and forth. He lets out a soft groan. I turn to Gregory, glancing him over, "Are you all right?" I ask shakily. "I am fine, dear," he croaks, clutching his abdomen. I sigh with relief, then I go to help Flavius off the floor. Approaching him quietly, I extend a hand down to him. He
Flavius Ellie leans back in her seat, propping her feet up on the table. She looks at me, her violet eyes burning with questions. "You know Flavius, you have never told me what it was like when you were young and living with your mother. What kind of person was she, your mother?" She asks tentatively. "Though the time I spend with my mother was short, the only word I can think of to describe her is magnificent. She’s kind and selfless, she worked hard just so that I could learn to read and write, though not to the extent of other children. She was always smiling even when she was in pain," I speak, a gentle smile growing on my lips. "She sounds remarkable, I wish my mother could be like her. To have taken such good care of you despite her own struggles," Ellie responds earnestly with a hint of sadness clouding her eyes. "She was," I whisper.
I sit quietly at the foot of mother's bed, as all the people that were once gathered around her begin to leave. When they are all gone, I watch as she slowly sits up giving me a soft smile. "Mother, tell me they were lying! Tell me you're not going to die!" I shout between sobs. Without saying a word, she pulls me into her arms her hazel eyes filling with tears. "I'm so sorry, Flavius. I'm so, so sorry. I should have told you earlier that I was sick. I wish things could be different," she cries, gripping me tightly. Gripping the top of my mother's dress, I bury my face into her chest and let out soft cries. "You don't have to leave me, mother. We can stay right here together. Then, when I grow up, I'm going to become a knight and take care of you, so you never have to work again," I blare in determination. "Flavius, I ha
Nora I watch Flavius closely as his glazed-over brown eyes stare off into the distance as if recalling something from a faraway time. Sorrow and happiness swirl around in his bright brown embers. Slowly, I pull my feet from where they are resting atop the table. Pushing myself forward, I rest my arm on the table placing my head in my hand. I reach out, poking Flavius on the forehead, causing him to flinch ever so slightly. “What has you thinking so hard?” I inquire, cocking an eyebrow. Flavius’s whole-body jolts and he pulls his gaze towards me, lightly shaking his head as if pulling himself back to reality. Taking a deep breath, he runs a hand through his hair, giving me a crooked smile. “I was just thinking back to when I was young. How I ended up in the care of Neron,” he murmurs. “You have never told me how exactly y
I watch Flavius's retreating form for a moment, before turning around to face the castle gates. The early morning sun hangs just barely above the horizon, causing me to sigh with relief. I normally leave the castle in the early morning, but I have never found myself sneaking back in. Stealthily, I slink my way through the castle halls only to turn a corner and find myself face to face with a very concerned Soren. He stares down at me, his ocean eyes wide with surprise. Without saying a word, he grabs me roughly by the arm, he scans our surroundings, then proceeds to drag me down the hall and to his room. Roughly, he thrusts me into the room, checking around us one last time before closing the door. Soren twists around, facing me. His arms cross over his chest and a scrunched look grows on his face. "What in the name of the gods are you doing coming back at this hour? Where were