Hellinía

Chapter 3

That morning I woke up to the suns harsh light on my face, I was covered with a blanket from my bed. I sat up and noticed my sister staring out my bedroom window, her face was beautiful and perfectly lit in every way. She looked down at me, her face filled with disdain and remorse.

"Father got terribly ill last night, the town doctors cannot explain what happened. He might die within tthe week... you know I always saw this happening, first mother then father. I knew he'd die the same way she did, from an illness... i don't like remembering her that way. I don't want to."

I sighed and stared at the palms of my hands, i had my mothers hands delicate and undamaged. I even had her eye color, well half of it. As a teenager my left eye slowly started changing color, finally it changed to an ocean blue, just like my mothers. Although now I see how completely amazing and rare it is, then I thought differently, I felt like an outcast. I took the awed stares from strangers as insults, I wanted to carve out my eye. It was only through the words of my mother that I was able to see myself as beautiful again. She told me it had made me unique, a rarer bird than everyone else. Mother always had a way with those type of things, her words could end wars if so needed. Her touch could calm the angriest of men, her glare could strike fear in the fiercest of beasts, and her smile could change the mood of the room completely. She was an incredible woman, and when she passed we all cried, even my father. Even in her death she looked beautiful, like she was sleeping. Her skin was still glowing with life and her hair still held it's shine. Every so often i find myself thinking of her, sometimes I go to her grave and speak to her. Talking to her about my day or about my problems, much like I did in my youth.

"Madame, I apologize for my rude entry but the King has requested to speak with you. He says that it is of important matters." the nurse was staring right at me, I stood up and sighed.

"Tell him that I will be there, allow me to dress properly for my visitation." She nodded and left the room, Krystal staring at me with the wrath of hate in her eyes.

"Yesterdays little act was embarrassing, I had to give the orders. Do you think they care about the stupid soldiers going to battle? All they care about is keeping their peasants happy. They don't give a single shit about what happens, as long as they are not over thrown."

"Wait, you gave the order... so my men are going out there, into Elvin territory? Do they even have a strategy?! When did they leave? Did you even brief them?!"

"You know if you care so much then go see them, they haven't left yet."

I got dressed accordingly and walked to my fathers bedroom, along the way I noticed Mathew sitting in the hallway, playing with a mouse. Upon closer inspection I saw that he had ripped off the tail and tied it around the mouses neck. He held it in the air until it stopped moving, then proceeded to look at me.

"What is it wench? Are you going to give me a speech about killing mice? Oh and by the way yesterdays little show was completely riveting, nearly brought me to tears. Your child is lucky to have been kidnapped, with such an ugly mother he might have died at first glance."

"Perhaps, now tell me again why are you here again? Father usually doesn't taken rotten brats from the streets. What makes you so special?"

"I am related to him. Yes yes I know it is quiet shocking to see that such a handsome bastard is your kin but I assure you that it is true."

"Not quiet, Father is a hound dog... well see you later, I have a meeting with him at the moment."

I continued to walk down the hallway, wondering who mothered that evil beast. I knocked on the door and my Fathers personal helpers openned it, I kneed next to his bed and look down at the floor. It is custom to do so, to look upon him without his permission is considered a crime. My father ran his weak hands through my hair gently, "Look at me Hellinía. None of these formalities, I am too tried to deal with them."
I looked at my father and I can see the years of ruling the kindom etched into his skin. His eyes have become hollows, and his lips thinning and cracked.
"Father, why have you asked for me. Is it due to yesterday's actions?"
"Although they were poor, that is not why I have called you in to see me. I have to confess some truths to you daughter, some that you may hate me for but it is for the best. Mathew, is not your brother..."
"What? Then what is he?"
"You might hate me for this, but I only found out about this days ago, I too was shocked but from his eyes I knew he was yours."
"What are you saying? Father... its the illness talking, you're just going mad, there is no possible way that Mathew is...."
"Your son, Hellenía."