Seventy Six

Lucian

It was painful to watch King Vladislav deteriorate every day. I felt pity for him, like the gushing of a warm fountain.

I was supposed to be wallowing in excitement considering the stories Dimitri had fed me with, especially because the king used my mum for his selfish gain.

But my doubts grew after I began to see Dimitri's true colors. I began to think otherwise and now, felt pity for the king.

He had no idea he was caught up in a web of deceit. He tried looking for answers everywhere and had become desperate.

"Son, please think," he grabbed fistfuls of his hair and his voice shook with misery, asking me for the hundredth time that morning. "Did you take the staff out of the house or to school to show off? Remember the last time you took it to school and the principal had to call me."

"No… no, Dad, I didn't take it," I stuttered, feeling pain at the back of my throat and trying to rid myself of any hint of guilt or involvement.

I needed to play it cool and play my par