“We’ll let the council handle the evidence, and they can’t save Velis.”
Valerine stared at Nero. Yes, my king, we cannot disobey you or the gods”.
Nero stopped at his room. “I cleared Nessa’s things from our room; you’re welcome to settle yourself in, do as you please.”
Valerine stepped into Nero’s spacious room with beautiful golden wallpaper with a marble floor. She walked inside of his room in awe. “It looks like a palace within a palace!”, she exclaimed not realizing how excited she got. Nero grinned at her as she took her hood off. “Oh, I’m sorry, my king, I shouldn’t have taken off my Councilmen’s robe.”
He closed the door behind him as he took off his shirt. “It’s fine with me; I’m going to take a short nap, do as you please.”
As Nero he
Third Person POV_______________“It should be a delightful occasion, shouldn’t it?” Nero looked into the mirror while tying up the back of Valerine’s dress. “It shall be my king,” she watched him in the mirror as he tied the light purple satin bow. He then laid his head on her shoulder. “As beautiful as they come,” he smiled. She covered her mouth, trying not to smile; she uncovered her mouth, giving Nero a loving gaze. Nero gave her a five-second kiss before rubbing her shoulder briefly, then stared at the ceiling as he l
“A crippling disaster,” said the Krystonian Post“A horrible disaster amid the execution,” said our very own news outlet.“And I don’t even know how this one got out! Princess Letharia tries to execute King under orders of the prince Aven”, said the Xorian Central Newspaper.Nero threw the newspapers on the floor “ I am running out of ways to punish you.”Aven sat on his knees handcuffed, “Why so silent?” Nero laid back onto his throne.“No matter, I talked to the council yesterday, and the best way to handle you is not to handle you at all.”Aven looked up at Nero. “You aren’t going to punish me, Father?”“No, but I will,
Letharia’s POV____________I woke up gasping for air, and once again, the first name I called out was “Aven.”“He’s not here yet,” to my surprise, I saw council member Arlin sitting in the corner.I looked into the mirror to see bandages wrapped around my head as I wore a hospital gown. I looked to my left side. “What do you want from me?” I asked calmly.“To adore you as I adored your mother.”I lost my patience and laughed with denial. “Are you joking?!”Arlin took his hood off, revealing long grey hair with white streaks but a young face with blue eyes. I blushed and looked to my right; he lo
(Before Jessi's "execution")Illy's POV------------------------Gallowaythrewme onto hisbed."Illy,dear.Take it off...takethedressoff."He soundednearlyout ofbreath.I lay confusedly."Why?Wasrejectingyour
Whispers had filled the throne room as Aven and Letharia walked in holding hands, only for show but itlooked 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’thave 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
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