Kingdom's Facade: Book 1

Chapter 3: Velox

Velox's brow knitted in concentration. They had been poring over a certain problem for ages. The bill they were drafting lays open on their desk, begging to be completed. Velox could hear it. It was loud. It filled his senses and floods his ears, pushing thoughts and feelings aside. Another thought surfaced, agreeing with the bill. The thing he wanted most is to keep his people happy. That's what she'd devoted his entire life to. If her people weren't taken care of to the best of their abilities, he'd let his parents down. An unacceptable thought. Velox shaked their curls to rid the thought from their brain and focus on the task at hand.

Hours dragged by with nothing to keep them company but the soft crackle of fire and the raven perched outside their window, cawing encouragingly every couple of moments. With a flourish of their quill, the decision was made and the bill was finished. They pushed back in their chair, looking out the window at the newborn sun peeking out from behind the clouds.

Exhaustion weighed down on their muscles and her heart aches from the endless night. He got up and stretches, losing a groan that had been trapped deep inside his throat. She walked across the room to open the window for the amiable raven, fishing some bird seed from her drawer. The raven came in and perched on Velox's shoulder, happy to be there. Velox always had a way with animals, especially those who appeared dark or foreboding on the outside. They stroked the feathers, a half circle forming above the corner of his mouth.

The smile was gone faster than it came when Velox remembered the completed bill on their desk. She sped downstairs to turn it in to the council, so it could be reviewed and submitted.

Rushing to put on a cloak, they hurry to the council meeting, praying they didn't miss it. They must have looked as bad as they felt because the board all cringed upon their arrival.

"It is finished," Velox told the panel, setting down the stack of parchments on the desk in front of the director of the administration. The director looks impressed at the lengthy bill and respectfully thanks the Duke. Velox nodded and turned to return to their room, limbs dragging. They shut their door and sunk to the floor, utter exhaustion weighing them down. She lugged a hand through their messy curls and over the bags under their eyes.

Groaning, he got up. There was no time to rest, work had to be done. With this in mind, Velox knew they'd immediately fall asleep if they sat down, so they splashed some water on her face and trudged down the stairs. She needed to go into town to pick something up.

The brisk morning air managed to keep them moving but the fatigue in their muscles is set deep inside them, something only sleep could fix. They reached the town square, full of shouting merchants and bustling people, all going about their lives. She navigated through the thick mass of citizens, making her way to the vendors she needed to see.

Only passing by, a certain person catched Velox's eye. While they strolled down the street, enjoying a long walk and the lovely weather, they stopped to stare at a stunning royal muttering a "good day" and chuckling to themself. Velox felt the weariness leave their body and mind. The radiance of this royal flooded her senses, brightening her eyes and putting purpose back in their movements.

When this royal began back on their way however, Velox realized he'd been staring and shook himself out of it, just in time to see what looked like a familiar friend get shoved under a table by a conspicuous looking gentleman. Panic flooded Velox's senses and legs begin to carry them toward the scene with their mind racing to catch up. They fed off the adrenaline rush they were given, running on fumes. 'Sheis all that I have.' The thought bounced around in Velox's skull, not allowing them to reason through the situation.

Velox's feet arrived there before their mind could, and she grabbed a hold of the lanky redhead who had laid hands on their best friend.