A king with a bad attitude must change for his subjects or else face the rebellion. He thinks power can stop it all, little does he know power can become the reason for his fall.
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Book 1 | R...
Callum flinched as yet another expensive artifact kissed the wall and met its demise. Breaking of shining cutlery and dam of the patience of the king had become a regular occurrence in the last few days. The sentry was anxious but also curious. Who was he desperate to kick out of his mind? He was one of the people who could possibly find out the mystery intruder as he was assigned to be the king's shadow. However, he was afraid poking his nose where it did not belong would get him in big trouble and when it is about King Edward, the prospect was even suicidal.
The stakes of him dying were higher than the stakes of him finding out. Maybe the other sentry would tell him for the King literally kept him as his shadow, bringing him along everywhere including his bed chambers. He threw that possibility out of the window immediately, the boy was the epitome of deathly silence and killer politeness. The notion of getting a polite monotonous monologue from the majestical Jupiter gave him shivers. Speak of the devil and he shall arrive. "Early to duty today, why?"
"Am I early? I did not check the time, do you prefer that I go back and let you do your fill till then?"
It was really hard for Callum to grasp how such a sassy person can remain polite at all times around the infuriating king. He did not get the chance to respond with a smart comment as the king was yelling Jupiter's name in anger. "Happy doomsday" were his parting words before he shoved a concerned-looking Jupiter in the direction of the door to hell and in turn, earned a glare from the sentry.
Edward was surprised that he heard the voice of Jupiter over his tantrum, proving his point of being overly attuned to every action and move of the soldier. Suddenly, reality was crashing down upon him, placing its soft palm on his throat and wrapping its thorny fingers around his neck. He was partly aware that he was gasping for air. At that moment, Jupiter entered the room, watching him with widened eyes as he stood there with a hand around his neck. Air filled his lungs, gasping seized and all because of the presence of a servant. Disgusting! His subconscious exclaimed. Since he was incapable of showing many emotions, he showed the one he knew best - anger. With an inhumane speed, he went to Jupiter and took his slender neck in a tight grip, pinning him to the door using his large body.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME?" Edward shouted in Jupiter's face before his voice dropped an octave and was tethering on a dangerous edge. "Is it black magic or a new kind of poison that slowly drives you to madness and then leaves you brain-dead?"
Panic flashed Jupiter's eyes as he stood still, forgetting to struggle; the terrible feeling of dread turning his body into cement. Edward's grey orbs had gone wild - an untamed storm. The man squeezed, reminding him of his state of stillness. He flailed. Putting his hand around the king's fingers, he tried to pry them off him. His attempts were futile. That is when old memories started flashing like a film in front of his eyes. A thin layer of nostalgia fogged his mind and fat drops of tears began rolling down his cheeks.
Edward noticed the exact moment when Jupiter left him and went to some other world, a world that was hidden from the sight of outsiders. His hands fell limp beside him. As soon as his body shut down and eyelids drooped to touch his cheeks, Edward yanked his hand away like Jupiter's skin was burning coal. The boy toppled forward into his chest. Reluctantly, he carried the fainted boy to his bed and laid him on the soft sheets. The ticking of the clock was a reminder that time had not come to a standstill, it was him who was holding his breath.
Jupiter came back to his senses after an hour. Meanwhile, Edward occupied the only chair in his room and kept watching over his servant. Therefore, he was at Jupiter's side pronto when the boy's eyes fluttered open.
As the soldier saw Edward hovering over him, it triggered another panic attack.
Edward tried to placate him and stepped back to give him space. It worked to an extent, but he still appeared shaken and terrorized. A few more steps in the backward direction and the boy's fists unclenched. When Edward sat on the chair, Jupiter's breath slowly turned even. Edward tried shaking off the uneasiness inside him by clearing his throat. "I did not mean any harm; I was angry." Jupiter kept on peeking at him like a wounded animal. "I was...forgive me."
It was silent for some time. Jupiter broke it with the question Edward was fearing might change a lot between them.
"Why?"
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