Whispers had filled the throne room as Aven and Letharia walked in holding hands, only for show but it looked real to them- the low nobility. Eyes went to Letharia as she wore a jaw-dropping white and gold dress and Aven had matched with his suit. She looked back at Aven as he nodded at her giving her a small peck on the lips before she let go of his hand walking to Nero. She stopped in front of his throne and bowed her head “May I have a dance?”
Nero smiled “What are you planning?”
“Nothing at all, just a dance with you my lord.”
Valerine stared at me in anger “From her aura, she doesn’t have negative intentions.”
“It was fine either way, I’ll play along “, he walked down the steps of the throne to extend his hand out to Letharia.
“Queue the music,” Nero yelled to his servants. Letharia paused to hear classic music from the place her mother was from “The Valley of the Fools.”
Bells and Drums were music to her ear
Aven's POV___________After running her to the hospital wing, I cupped my hands around my eyes sitting next to Evander. "It's nice to see you genuinely worried about her," Evander pulled out a cigarette. " I have always been worried about that girl no matter how much I don't express it, it has always been my fault." I hadn't realized tears had rolled down my face, I looked down to see her blood in my hands. I started shaking then it hit me harder than it should of, I thought about my mother's death then I thought about Letharia. . . and if she died. . . I couldn't. I started to sob intensely, years of built up emotions led to this, Evander sighed. He started to pat me on the back, placing his unlit cigarette at his side. I glanced at my father coming down the hall, as
-Third Person POV-Aven had not slept in days, his concern grew for Letharia, throughout the night terrors she had, he wanted to stay longer with her. Aven moved her into his room earlier through the night. He sat at his desk with thousands of piles of legal documents. Since around seven in the evening, as Letharia had fallen asleep by nine, he started writing down changes to Xorian law. He pondered on letting Letharia go, doing the right thing for her, though he began loving her so. He pondered on trusting her completely, but doubt never escaped his mind. Furthermore, he then settled on hiring extra security from his pockets, paying military men instead of guards. He worked quietly, sometimes gazing upon a restless Letharia. He gave her medicine to lower her fever throughout the night, he was relieved it was almost gone. Her bullet wound looked fine, no sign of infection. Aven sat back at his desk, as he wrote down further adjustments to law, the more he drifted off into slumber. L
Aven’s POV___________“Aven… I disagree with all your proposals, it’s disrespectful to your ancestors, and the kings that came before you,” father furrowed his brown and scoffed. His voice made the conference room echo. We sat across each other in emerald chairs surrounded by the council. I spoke rather calmly. “Didn’t we disrespect our old country? Didn’t we rip the preserved constitution? Then we took the rights of our citizens away, which I agree has caused us to prosper but for the people born into poverty to resort to killing to get food or money is unacceptable….”My father crossed his arms “Yes, Aven it is, which is why we should eliminate the slums. I’ll make sure the poor never exist again.”“The poor will always be poor no matter what you do unless we give them government assistance, the one thing we should do is to stop giving the poor public lashings for insubordination,” I sighed. “We must make them fear us less, father,” I continued.“Fear gives them order, Aven!” he
Third Person POV —-/————- As Aven entered the conference room alongside his father, he had paused in his tracks. “Hello, prince Aven,” he heard a voice further back in the room. He looked slightly above eye level to see a young man on a big television screen. Aven tapped his father on the shoulder “Who is that, father?” Nero brushed Aven’s hand off his shoulder “King Atticus, Letharia’s grandfather.” Aven tried to keep his voice low “But Father, King Atticus is… around 30 centuries old, that’s impossible. Nero sighed, gently face palming himself as King Atticus laughed for almost a minute “Oh! My oh my! I never would have fathomed that Queen Nessa’s son would be just as dull-witted.” Aven quickly bowed his head despite King Atticus’s insults. “No need to bow my boy though your father should pay his respect to the man who represents the gods,” Atticus had finally shown a serious demeanor. Aven became amused when his father dropped to his knees and bowed his head “Forgive me, O’ M
Third Person POV———/——————As Nero handed Aven a new crown, he had no words for him. Nero ran with his only thought of visiting Lorelei, he said, "We'll talk later.". With a smirk on his face, Aven scoffed. Running down the hall, he almost tripped on the red carpet, before leaning against the cobblestone walls before entering his room. She rubbed her eyes slowly as she sat up, and Aven immediately lowered his crown. After looking down, he stared at her, "Jessi will be fine.".In an instant, Letharia leapt from his bed and hugged Aven. As she whimpered into him, tears streamed down her cheeks. It's best to rest right now, he whispered, holding her tightly. "You need it, you need rest."In a gentle manner, Aven helped Letharia off his chest and into the bed. “My head hurts, Aven, I have no idea what's ailing me”.He narrowed his eyes, "Something your grandfather can explain".Then Letharia turned to Aven and asked, “Aven, if I asked you for something, would you do it?”He stared at her
“ Cruel, it’s just a thing you do, but I haven’t said I loved you”, that thought had lingered in my mind. It was hard to look out for her and stay on her good side. I wish I could have told her I loved her before she disappeared.. And if I don't find her, and she escapes? What if I never see her again? The guards assured me to sit tight, but how could I? I sat in the throne room, I always sat beside my throne rather than on it when I became stressed out. I finally got up after half an hour of reflection, and just afterwards, the guards came in through the double doors. They knelt, Sir Chatz glanced at Sir Armstrong before he said, "My prince, she was found feeding Zane Vellis and tending to his wounds from the lashing." Sir Armstrong looked me in my eyes “We haven’t told your father yet, my lord. Chances are he’ll require a much bigger punishment than the one you’ll give to her.”I nodded “I thank you personally for coming to me first, I’ll be sure to repay you both soon.”They queue
Third Person POV___________He peaked his head out the horse carriage watching the sunlight hit the mountain peaks with colors ranging from dark gray to blue and silver white. He watched Letharia shuffle a little as she lay quietly on his lap. Aven’s sunglasses hadn’t come off since he put them on. Aven yawned as the bumpy roads were making it hard to sleep, yet Letharia slept through it all. The driver glanced back at Aven “My lord, this is the farthest I go… the northern slums should be two miles away or so.”Aven sighed, carefully throwing Letharia onto his back “Thank you, Quincy.”Aven stepped out of the carriage with a walking stick “Have a Safe journey, my prince!” Aven carried Letharia on his right shoulder, and put a big duffel bag on his left shoulder, while grasping his walking stick. Aven walked forty five minutes until he came across a tacky wooden sign that read “Dear traveler, you will get your shit stolen, turn back from where you came!”Aven sighed “Letharia, wake u
Letharia sighed after throwing her dagger on the table along with the duffle bag Aven carried . She looked over at Aven “This is the first time in awhile I can wear my crop top and jeans, those dresses are awful.”Aven took his contacts out “I’ll let you wear jeans all you want whenever we get back.”Letharia shook her head “I’ve only been back for maybe half an hour, and I already wish I never left.”Aven put his sunglasses next to his contact case, “We’re both thinking about different things right now,huh?”Letharia rolled her eyes leaning against the wall “You never told me what your father did to Cody and Sir Armstrong.”Aven sat on the floor then glanced over at Letharia “An eye for and eye and a tooth for a tooth, but I’ll let the caged tiger loose”, that’s what my father said before he beat them senselessly, then without warning cut their left pinky off as a sign of disloyalty.”Letharia gasped “And you let him?!”Aven sighed “They both tearfully told me to go, they begged me t
Glancing at Aven, she sighed and leaned back against the bed's headrest. "I'm awake."Aven's lips found her forehead, a tender gesture that conveyed both understanding and affection. "I know. I've been finding sleep elusive as well. Ezekiel, on the other hand, is peacefully asleep."Letharia managed a light chuckle amidst her apprehension.Aven's smile was inviting. "Let's practice our dance. It might tire us out enough to find some rest. Plus, rehearsing our roles might help ease our minds."Letharia's kiss on his cheek was a mixture of gratitude and vulnerability. "I'd love that. I'm just so afraid I'll mess up."As the moonlight filtered through the windows, Aven and Letharia stepped into the grand ballroom. Its opulent walls seemed to hold the weight of centuries of celebrations, now standing as silent witnesses to the forthcoming event. The room felt both intimate and imposing, a space where their dance would unfold under the watchful eyes of history.With each step, the tension
In the dimly lit bathroom, Aven's haunted gaze stared at his trembling hands. His nightmare had yanked him back into the past, to the vivid memory of his mother's execution. The anguish was a blade through his heart, a pain he could never truly escape. He missed her with an intensity that weighed heavily on his soul regret gnawing at him like a relentless predator. He wished he could have done more to save her, to shield her from the cruel fate his father had orchestrated.The room seemed to close in around him, memories of his mother's laughter, her comforting touch, and the warmth of her embrace flooding his mind. The weight of his responsibilities and the gravity of his actions pressed upon him. He had grown so much since then, but the scars ran deep.As the minutes ticked by, the silence was shattered by a soft creak from the door. Ezekiel, perceptive as ever, had awoken to his turmoil. The young boy shuffled into the room, his eyes wide with concern. “Aven?” he whispered tentativ
Aven's voice carried a hint of trepidation as he spoke, "I can't help but dread tomorrow."Letharia, engrossed in brushing her hair, glanced at Aven's reflection in the mirror, "Why's that?"A sigh escaped Aven, "We'll be meeting other royals from different countries. And after the ball, Claytis and I are scheduled to talk."Pausing briefly, Aven continued, "Besides, there's the matter of our ballroom dance practice. Tradition dictates I dance with Valerine, and then it's our turn. We'll go over the schedule soon."Letharia's own sigh expressed weariness, "All this for tradition and preventing wars, it's rather dreadful."A soft chuckle escaped Aven, "I find enjoyment in it. And I have a feeling you might too."Letharia's gaze held awe, "You chuckled!"Aven's chuckle evolved into a laugh, "Is that so surprising?"Letharia's smile faded slightly, "I thought the curse was broken."Aven's smile dimmed, "Oh, my love. The curse allows me to experience joy, even laughter, but it still shiel
Valerine sat at the table, her mind swirling with thoughts and emotions. Aven, ever patient, sat by her side, his presence a comforting anchor in the storm of her thoughts. After a prolonged silence, she glanced at Aven with a hint of concern in her eyes."I smell a curse, Aven," Valerine said, her voice tinged with unease.Aven chuckled lightly, trying to ease the tension. "Perhaps, I thought--""You thought only Zane and Arlin could smell curses, huh?" Valerine interrupted, her tone slightly teasing.She continued, her frustration evident. "I am furious at your father for thinking he can leave me here all night. Lucky you. Get him back here right now, and I won't say a word. You have my promise."Aven shook his head, acknowledging her anger, but he held a hint of defiance in his gaze. Before he left, he glanced back at her, his expression serious yet resolute. "I truly don't care if he finds out or not. An angry father is better than an
Nero hurried through the palace corridors, his mind filled with worry and curiosity. The mention of a woman claiming to be related to Letra from the Valley of the Fools stirred something within him. The Valley was known for its enigmatic residents, renowned for their mystical abilities and peculiar way of life.As he reached the palace’s grand entrance, Nero spotted his trusted advisor, Lucius, waiting by the gates. Lucius, a middle-aged man with graying hair and a sharp intellect, greeted Nero with a respectful bow.“My Lord, I received word of the woman claiming to be from the Valley of the Fools,” Lucius began. “Shall I arrange for her to be brought before you?”Nero nodded, his expression serious. “Yes, Lucius. Bring her to my study immediately. I want to learn more about her and her connection to Letra.”Lucius departed swiftly to fulfill his orders, leaving Nero to ponder the implications of this unexpected visitor. Letra, his late wife and
Nero had stared at Valerine as she had come back from New Germany. Nero hadn't dare left his throne to greet her. Valerine had bowed after the gates had opened. “Take off your hood”, Nero demanded. Valerie gave Nero a look of confusion “Absolutely Not my lord.”Council Member Arlin’s booming voice echoed “Valerie Previs as of now we have come to the decision that you are no longer a member of the RMC.”A look of shock had completely taken over her face.“You deserve a promotion, Valerine, spending your life on the council isn't fit for a Queen”, Nero spoke as he stood up off his throne. Nero approached Valerine and kneeled as he pulled something out of his back pocket, a beautiful golden sapphire ring “Valerine Diane Previs...She took off her hood and gasped with her hand over her mouth.“But my lord...”, she spoke“Will you marry me?”, Nero asked.Valerine hesitates to look at Council Member Alin for answers “The Gods for once in a lifeti
Aven woke up with Ezekiel by his side as he was too scared to sleep alone but didn’t show it. He had gripped on to Letharia’s nightdress as if he were having a nightmare. Aven patted Ezekiel on the back to wake him up gently “Ezekiel”, Aven whispered.Ezekiel had finally looked up at Aven “Come with me”, Aven spoke.Ezekiel gently scooted towards Aven’s side of the bed. He sat on the edge of the bed, lifting his arms up. Aven kneeled on one knee waiting for Ezekiel to get on his back. Ezekiel climbed on his back. Aven walked quietly around his room, he headed towards huge windows towards the back of his room. He gently went under a curtain and opened four latched on the windows that made the windows look like a set of doors. He pushed the windows open and walked onto a hidden balcony.He gently closed the windows behind him making sure not to wake Letharia.“Have you eaten well?”, Aven asked.“Yeah”, Ezekiel rubbed his eyes as he stared at the sunrise.“I’ve never seen a sunrise like
“Lying there won’t help, Aven”, Zane lay against the cell walls.“What else can I do, huh?!”, Aven yelled, kicking the bars on the prison door.Zane scoffed “I’m guessing you aren’t paralyzed anymore.”Aven started to cry out of frustration “Fuck… Fuck man.”Zane sighed “Listen to me, whatever Nero says, don’t comply even if it costs me my life.”Aven pushed himself on the cold concrete as both hands were tied behind his back. Aven attempted to calm himself down “He’s raping my wife and all I can do is rot in a prison cell.”Zane tilted his head downwards “Letra’s daughter, she’s a good woman. She is strong, but in her current mental state… it is unpredictable to know how she’ll act afterwards.”“It’s my fault, Zane, and I intend to pay the consequences, but not with your life. Letharia was willing to die to tend to your wounds. I won’t let you wither away so easily… let me do one good thing before I sell my soul to Hades”, Aven sighed.“Aven, I have no one to live for. The only woman
“You came to see me," Letharia spoke unemotional.“I have”, King Nero spoke.“I have a child to take care of, make it quick”, she spoke in a somber tone as if she had given up on life.“He offered you to me, only for tonight”, Nero took off his shirt cuffs. Letharia finally laid eyes upon him. Nero kept the rest of his clothes on. Letharia smiled “I don’t buy it.”Nero had unclipped his satin cape. Under it, he had worn a white button up shirt and black dress pants.“I want you to listen to me”, he kneeled at her bedside.She looked at him drained, with dark bangs underneath her eyes “Yes, Nero.”“I swear on my honor… the little honor you think I have left, I won’t harm your adopted son.”“Were you going to? , Letharia asked.Nero touched his stubble as if he were stroking a beard “Yes. You wouldn’t understand the rage I felt when I saw that notarized document. As leading monarch, I will get in trouble with the council for this. I was going to kill that child in the throne room, but