2022-10-26 13:06:13He kicked up his feet, watching as the dust rose into the air, disappearing slowly into the evening sky. The sight was almost entrancing and he found himself kicking up some more dust and watching it go before he realized he was indulging in some childish impulse and he gritted his teeth, picking up his pace as he walked around the palace grounds.
It was a habit he'd developed a long time ago and he'd figured out that it didn't actually relieve any of his stress, it just created a distraction from the problems by giving him something else to think about. Like how his calf was burning with the strain of walking. It reminded him of some things that couldn't be kept at bay no matter how he tried.As he walked past the dead garden where creepers and moses had made their home, he couldn't help but grimace at the poor state the kingdom was in. The once blooming gardens of fresh roses, hyacinths, tulips and different types of flowers that had reeked of life and prosperity had withered and died, turning old and gray, the same way everything in this kingdom had gone to.
He frowned. The wolf king had neglected his kingdom, had let it die and the people had become weak, helpless and hopeless. It wasn't supposed to be that way, he thought, clenching his fingers as he walked. It wasn't supposed to be this way but no one was doing anything about it. No one cared enough to make amends, to make sure the people had food in their bellies and proper housing. Nobody cared about that, it was all war, war, war.
Not that he cared too. For all he cared, the people could rot. What he cared about was that throne. That was all he wanted. To sit on that chair and feel the power on his head. That was what he wanted. That was what was supposed to be right, him being king.
With disgust, he thought of princess Laura and how inept she was. She was nothing but a weakling, a loose thread, someone who didn't know what to do. She didn't know how to rule or what was to be done. She had power, he bitterly thought, but she didn't know how to use it. What was the use, he warily thought, of putting her on the next in line for power if she was still as clueless about life as the day she came out of her mother's womb?
Realizing he'd started to slack behind, his movements were getting sluggish he picked up the pace again, mind turning things over and barely even aware of his surroundings. The burn he'd been concerned about in his calf was soon forgotten.
The thoughts he was harboring, though only accessible by him, were too risky. He had to play a safe game, had to strategize on how to take over and the only way that seemed possible was to cause an uproar in the people, stir some distrust and cause some mayhem. The less secure people found out they were, the more paranoia would grow.
And paranoia was a tricky but wonderful thing. If the people got paranoid, coupled with their poor living situation and starvation, all he had to do at that point was spread rumors. He didn't necessarily have to say it, no, no one would be able to link it back to him. All he had to do was utter one wise comment and boom, he'd open the fear lurking in their peasant hearts.
Chuckling to himself, he paused mid stride. It was an excellent idea, why hasn't he thought about it earlier? That way he would've been king long since. He blamed Laura for some of his misfortunes. It was all her fault that he wasn't king. Why hasn't she even died in childbirth? He couldn't have snuck into her room and killed her as a baby then? He thought with disgust at his humanity. Having human feelings got no one anywhere, he chided himself as he began to walk again, nodding at some villagers passing by. He had found himself walking out of the palace and heading towards the village with no idea of when and how it'd happened.
Having human feelings had done nothing for him, except maybe give him a few credits or two. It's done absolutely nothing for him.
So deep in thought, he didn't see the princess coming out of the palace grounds, a grave expression on her face. It took him a couple of minutes for him to realize the princess was walking out of the palace, unguarded and all alone.
Briefly, he thought about maybe taking himself up on that offer and ending it right here, right now. He could lure her to a secluded corner and kill her there and then blame the vampires. It sounded good but he knew the consequences of that. Her father would start a war, he bitterly thought, against the better equipped vampires and then, the kingdom he wanted so badly would burn up in flames and then, it would all be for nothing.
He shivered at that thought. No, he thought vehemently, at no cost was that to happen. No one would get to the princess before him and if she was to die, it would be him that would kill her, not someone else.
"Hey," princess Laura shakily greeted, hand on his shoulder. He hadn't seen her approaching him or see her walk up the few meters between them, so he was startled.
"Good day my princess," he replied in kind, eyes darting left and right like a thief. He had no reason to feel uneasy, it wasn't like she was suddenly psychic and could read his mind.
No, these thoughts were only known by him alone.
"It's a nice evening for a walk, isn't it?" Princess Laura said in a tone that implied it wasn't a question so he didn't need to answer. But he graced it with one.
"It sure is. I was admiring the view myself," he slyly said. Admiring the view? He found himself asking. View of what? Rot and decay? The view of miserableness and hopelessness? That was not even what he was out here doing.
He was out to clear his head and sort through some of his thoughts and not admire anything. But he didn't tell her that because she didn't need to know that.
"It is a peaceful evening, will you walk with me?" She asked, peering up at him from the scarf that he now noticed was covering half her face from view.
At least she wasn't planning on going out without some sort of coverage. He breathed a sigh at that. Sadly, she wasn't that stupid.
"Hmmm...." He stalled. Saying no was at the top of his tongue. God, he wanted to say no. He had a lot of strategizing to do, a lot of planning left.
But he went against it. He nodded and she fell into walking step with him.
They began to stroll down the village path, each immersed in their own individual thoughts, not breaking the spell of silence that fell upon them.
Sometimes, some villagers waved, some gravely nodded, some walked around with some light of hope, some 'maybe' in their hearts. He actually felt sorry for the hopeless ones. The ones with the vacant eyes of an idiot, the ones who walked around aimlessly with no direction in mind, all the while moving mechanically as if controlled.
He'd heard there were different stages of grief but the pain he saw in some of the villager's eyes was just too much. They were hungry, tired and insecure about their tomorrow.
If he was in power, things wouldn't be this way, he thought, subtly sneaking a hateful glance at the princess who's eyes, though were open, seemed closed. She was walking like she was asleep, unconscious to the world around her.
She was too immersed in her own problems, he realized, to notice the situation of other people. Not that she didn't deserve those problems, he thought, looking away and staring straight ahead also. In his opinion, she deserved everything she was going through and much worse.
"My father has proposed a marriage for me," Laura whispered, as if the information if spoken out loud would somehow make the situation worse.
As if I don't know, he joyfully thought. He'd planted the seed in her father's heart and had stood by and eavesdropped on the end product. Her father had gone with the plan unknowing when he'd accepted the marriage idea wholeheartedly, much to his disgust, and had informed Laura about it.
If he couldn't kill her, he'd send her far away to wife and poorly rule another kingdom. Anyways, he was doing her a favor. Besides, who didn't want to get married?
"But I don't want to get married, not now," Laura admitted, this time turning her head to study his now neutral expression.
"I believe every lady has to get married at some time and the matter can't be postponed forever," he said, not meeting her eyes. He was aware that he'd said the thing she didn't want to hear but he couldn't give a rat's ass about it. The truth hurts, she should've known that by now.
"I know this," she impatiently said, earning a cocked brow in response. "But why now? I'm not ready for that right now. I want to help the kingdom get to its feet,"she definitely said, provoking him but he said nothing.
She wanted to bring the kingdom to its feet, how? How did she plan on doing that? When he was king, he would have some sort of punishment for uttering what couldn't be done. It was slandering.
If she wanted the kingdom on its feet, what was she still waiting for? Didn't she know things were done, not just said? She really was a child, he sighed.
"I understand," he sympathetically said, not meaning it one bit but at least, not wanting to seem too unsupportive.
Laura sighed. It was clear that there were some other matters bothering her but she had decided, thank the gods, to keep them to herself.
Although it saved him the trouble of listening when he was as uninterested as he could ever be, he wanted her to talk. The best step to understanding the enemy was to hear their opinions.
They were walking back to the palace now, having walked round the small village market. It was open information that the market was lacking in food. Three was barely enough money and the only family that could afford to eat three square meals and even more was the royal family.
"What do you think if the situation of the village?" He tested her. He wanted to see if she was as weak as he thought she was or actually had an insightful and insightful mind. After all, he himself didn't quite understand her as well as she ill knew him.
"I think our people are starving. Unfortunately, fear of the unknown has kept them cooped up here and it's sad really." She expressed. All he did was nod.
So she was aware of the village matters, that was a shock. He'd always thought of her as oblivious and shallow minded. Maybe he was wrong.
"There are measures that can be taken, things to be done but my father will not take my counsel. I don't really know what to do at this point," she admitted, facing him and chewing her lip.
He nodded again. He'd never known that the princess knew much less gave counsel, though unheeded, to the King. He would have to restrategize and plan again. She was smarter than she let on.
"Anyways," she said, sighing and looking less burdened.
"It was nice talking to you. I feel so much better," she whispered again, placing her hand once more on his shoulders.
"Thank you," she said and then without waiting for a reply, she walked away all alone into the palace, drawing her scarf tighter over her head.
He watched her go, a deep sense of unease in his guy. He had to do something, he thought, walking towards his own quarters. He had to do something quickly.
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Of Glory and Of Doom TEN - A new discovery
"But you did a good job, keep it up,"Prince Nicholas just couldn't get his father's words out of his head. There was something about those words that gave him hope. Those few words brought his hope of his father fully accepting him and he was sure his mother was smiling from heaven having heard the King say such words. It was beyond the bounds of possibility to get his father to say such words and that only meant one thing. Those words were genuine. It calmed Prince Nicholas that his father meant his words. There was light at the end of the tunnel. He was close to winning his father over.The young prince got out of his bathroom, a white towel wrapped around his waist. He smirked at the sight before him. It was just perfect. A good way to unwind after a really long day.He joined the maid in his bed, slowly caressing her cheek. He moved closer to her, burying his nose to the crook of her neck. His nose picked up a familiar smell of roses. They smelled like the ones in the palace.
Of Glory and Of Doom ELEVEN - Wake up call
Laura woke the next morning, after having a very short night filled with turns and discomfort. She still couldn't get her mind over what was being requested of her. She played back the last years and her suitors' parade, the long line of requests and invitations just to be showed off and her worth determined. She hugged, hitting her bed harder till the frame shook beneath her. Elaine entered just then, an empty laundry basket in her hand and Laura remembered their conversation yesterday. Laura had been trying to glean more information about her mother and seeing as Elaine was always ready to tell her about her mom, she asked her about her mother during her marriage with her father. Elaine froze then, slowly turning towards Laura and searching her eyes. She probably didn't find what she was looking for because she bussed Laura's cheek and whispered, "She was beautiful." And she walked out, nervously glancing at Laura as she closed the door. Laura knew that Elaine was hiding
Of Glory and Of Doom TWELVE - Devastating News
Banks walked briskly towards her, like he was determined to plow right through her till she became a brown mound on the floor. Sidestepping his advancement, Laura shrieked as he followed her movements. Then he stopped, right in front of her.Banks had always scared her, with his bushy black brows and inky black hair. He was always in white, never opting for a different shade than the snow white color. Currently, his hand rested on his bejeweled walking stick, another accessory that he didn't need but always kept by his side. She was very sure that the knob at the top housed a weapon, but she never voiced that out."What is it?" She asked, stepping away from his frowning self till she could comfortably look up at him without getting her neck in knots. "You have to be the most insufferable child on this earth. Your father needs you to stop being a girl and finally man up to the task at hand and you can not do that. He's provided another means that would enable this town not to fall dow
Of Glory and Of Doom THIRTEEN - Genesis
The bear shifters were known for their revengeful hearts, despite the fact that everyone knew they could shape shift to bear forms.Other supernaturals feared them and avoided them like they were plagues. Any offense picked with them always ended in some sort of blood shedding and lives losing battle, to which the offender had always been the loser.They were fierce, they were hateful and vengeful and honestly, kind of annoying. Nothing called 'diplomacy' existed with their king and their kind knew nothing called 'dialogue'. It all had to be death till death with them, hence, making them a non-ally to everyone. However, despite their love for war and death, they were also good hunters. They had many successful expenditures to their name, due to their stellar hunting abilities and tracking skills.They could smell a threat from a mile away, track it down and kill it before dawn even peeked behind the clouds. They were that efficient. It was the reason why every one was shocked when th
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Of Glory and Of Doom FIFTEEN - Lies and Reasons
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Of Glory and Of Doom SEVENTEEN - Arrows
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EPILOGUE - Happily Ever After
Lily could feel the sombre mood that settled on the castle when news of Laura's death spread. She knew that she should feel at least, terrible about what had happened, but she couldn't bring herself to grief like the rest of the kingdom. She barely knew her and although, she felt bad that her sister was gone before she knew her well, she didn't feel as bad as she had expected herself to feel.She had expected the news to hit her hard, weren't twins meant to feel each other's pain? She barely felt anything, except, maybe guilt. That she didn't feel that connection with her even if for a little.So while others mourned her twin, she mourned the relationship she never had, that they never had. She watched as the King - she hadn't gotten around to call him her father yet, moved around the castle aimlessly and felt bad that his child had died so young. Lily tried to get into the mind of her sister and figure out why exactly she died? It couldn't honestly be because of what had happened so
SEVENTY FOUR - And so it ends
Laura had never known heartbreak if it stared at her in the face before but today... Today was very much different than any other day she could have imagined. She had been through a lot but still survived because she believed her love for him was what would save her from all the figure she endured but now, been here... Hearing this. She would much rather be dead.Nicolas never loved her, Nicolas never even cared for her but Nicolas loved her and Nicolas cared for her, she kept on asking herself 'what did she have that I didn't ?' it was a terrible question to ask because she knew she was really beautiful despite the scar but she still didn't understand why he would choose lily over her. She was beyond sad and somehow even angry a big and it was justified. He didn't think their marriage was that much of something worth saving, he looked at their marriage like it never happened and like it was a skillful sacrifice. In more ways than one, it was a sacrifice.She buried herself between he
SEVENTY THREE - It was Laura
"Thank you so much, my love." Princess Laura hugged her husband. When the hug tried to linger for longer, gently, he pushed her from his space. "All thanks to the commander. She offered to get the kaayan healer to try restore you father's vision. Clearly, it worked." The princess couldn't contain her excitement from knowing her father could see now. She was sad he didn't have his sight during her wedding ceremony but now she was happy he was going to get to see all his grand children and he was going to be able to nurture then with extra love and care. Laura smiled, taking Nicholas hand. "I'm happy our love could stand all the tests of life. Our marriage is still standing firm after all we've been through." She went on her tiptoes and place a peck on his lips. Nicholas knew he had had to break the news to her now. He didn't want to keep letting her fall deeper and deeper with him. He loved someone else and she deserved to know that. It was important she knew he didn't feel the sam
SEVENTY TWO - Healing
Laura heard a shout from her father's room and dashed inside, sidestepping Lily who stood in front of her. Elaine rushed inside as well and they both closed the door. Laura walked slowly to his bed, watching as the healer hefted him up to a sitting position and made him rest against the headboard. The healer turned, her huge fur coat obstructing their view of the king as she spoke. "It's done, Princess. Why don't you move closer?"Laura couldn't help the apprehension that skittered down her back. What if he'd turn his face away from her? What if he'd look at her with hate? She had brought about the destruction of her people after all. Laura sniffled a bit, hating how she felt. She was shocked when she saw a head pop around the healer's white coat. Her father.He smiled widely at her, his hand weakly lifting to the healer's elbow and moving her out of the way. His strength was non-existent at this point, so Laura knew that the healer moved all by herself.She ran towards him when he
SEVENTY ONE - Toast
"How long has he been in darkness?" "Ever since I got into the werewolf kingdom." Prince Nicholas answered. All the leaders were in the dining hall having dinner in the werewolf kingdom. It was in celebration of their victory. Lily put a forkful of chicken into her mouth then sipped from her wine. "How did it happen?"The prince recounted the whole story and the commander gave desolate sigh."The doctors?" She raised an eyebrow. "Have you taken him to other kingdoms? They could have the antidote." Lily ended with a shrug, watching princess Laura feed her father.Nicholas took a sip from his wine. "We've called all the doctors, magicians and healers we know and there as been no change. " Lily felt pity for the werewolf king. She couldn't imagine being a leader and not having her eyes working. She wouldn't be able to lead the war if she was blind. "The kaayan healer could be of help.""Lily, we've had a lot of doctors come in from different kingdoms but there hasn't been any changes
SEVENTY - Liason
Everyone bowed before the commander. The kayaans, the fairies, the werewolves, the witches, the vampires, the angels and the gnomes were all faced down paying homage to the commander. Despite the lives lost, they bowed before her singing her praises and celebrating her leading them to victory. The commander was standing next to the prince. Their hands were intertwined, both staring at each other. The people stood up cheering and dancing in victory while Nicholas engulfed her into a hug. He smiled when he got a whiff of her lavander scent. The scent had a mix of foul odour so he grimaced in disgust. The groaning coming from Lily made them pull out of the hug and etched on Lily's face was a wide smile.Prince Nicholas skimmed the commander's body taking in the bruises on her skin. Some parts of her skin were swollen and she had a black eye. "Thank you." He breathed out, holding her hands. Lily gave a smile and he added, "I should still come take the fighting lessons though." The both
SIXTY NINE - A clash of worlds
They had broken out of the woods and were now crouched in the bushes, just outside the palace. Thanks to the excellent tracking skills of the bear shifters, they were able to navigate the woods, be treated to a very nice meal of roast meat and be protected from wild animals by the fairies. The trip had done alot more than Lily had expected. It had created some sort of bond between the kingdoms and there was no doubt that after this war, there would be a lot of strong allies to be called on.Despite the tense situation where they found themselves, Lily was feeling awfully good. It was a refreshing feeling, very different from all the adrenaline she usually felt before a match and she was finding it a good break. It didn't matter that Nicolas was even there, she didn't care. All that mattered was the euphoric feeling she was feeling."One of my fairies just came back with info," the fairy king announced, drawing Lily's attention to the now crouching fairy that had appeared out of nowher
SIXTY EIGHT - Strategic Alliances
The fairy king had come a long way on such a short notice but a war was on the brink of time and he had no choice. It was a mystery that he could find the crowd in the forest as they made their way towards their mission.A whole lot of his soldiers were just in front of him, guiding him from any attack that was peonw to happen if they were not careful enough. Lily and the others had stopped walking and waited for their arrival as the priestess had already told her that they were not far away from where they were nestled.It didn't take long before a buzzing sound was heard followed by a gentle sweet breeze. A signature entrance by the fairies. Everyone was on their feet, alert as always and anxious, Lily didn't know about anybody else but she was anxious. The soldiers all lined up, their fingers in a twist position for defense and their king at their center. He walks out as graciously as he could manage, it was a wonder still tahg he could still think of grace in this position and at
SIXTY SEVEN - Confessions
Lily was gazing faraway, thinking of Him, again. She had moved further away from her warriors that were training on the plain and sat, surrounded by a parchment of wild daffodils, overlooking a swords clashing and grunts could be heard afar off from her warriors as they trained rigorously. They would be there till mid day but, it was always worth it. They were the undefeated Kayaans and she meant for it to stay that way. She picked up a smooth stone from the soft earth, brushing off leaves and dirt around it. She tossed it in watching as the waters formed larger ripples from the place where the stone had landed. She felt like that was the way her mind worked at the moment. A small thought or sight would trigger her thoughts, making her to loose focus. These days, it seemed he was all she could think about. She had already resolved in her heart that she would focus only on protecting her people and dealing with the Vampire King. But, everytime she saw Nicholas, since he joined forces
