Morons and Monarchs

Chapter 33: Ea🗑

I wake up with a jolt.

I must have fallen asleep after I read the paper Bayou slipped under the door. I couldn't sleep, and I debated going up to the Morons Room to ravage around and find a book to read. Even though I hate reading. It is boring and all you do is stare at a page full of 26 letters that make 171,476 words that mean millions of different things and make up a story.

Viviendel fell asleep. Anjuman knows how. I have been up for so long, trying to figure out how Viviendel completed the challenge correctly yet also fall for the most basic word-play tricks. How could she figure out the hardest riddles, yet also bow to one trick played on her for a dagger?

I rub at my eyes violently. Picking up the piece of parchment rudely smudged with ink and hurl it on the bed in one swift movement. It lands on my shirt.

I look back at Viviendel. Snuggled into a ball with the blankets tucked under her chin. looks so vulnerable and at peace, but I know that She that does not last. When she wakes up, she will spew fire and make people wish their heads were on pikes. Gods help us all if she ever becomes a Queen. Which she definitely will, no doubt about it.

The Morons are the ones training her, after all. I stand up, stretching up on my toes. Gods, my back feels as if I moved just right it would snap in half. I grab a fresh shirt out of my armoire, making sure the door does not creak as it opens. I spare a glance at Viviendel to make sure she has not woken.

"What are you doing?" A voice interrupts me as I pull my new shirt over my head. I straighten it before replying.

"What are you doing, Viviendel?" I turn around.

"Trying to fall back asleep, yet somebody has to be loud and obnoxious." She points out.

I scoff. "At least I am not faking sleep."

Viviendel yawns. "How long till we have to go to the Encantados village?"

"Are you eager?"

"To get away from you? Always." She retorts.

I walk past her, slipping the card into my pocket as I walk towards my desk. I sling my swords over my shoulder and buckle the straps on my holster in place. Sheathing my daggers, I glance back at Viviendel.

"You have about 15 minutes until we leave. Don't forget your blades." I remind her. Yesterday evening, I escaped from the chaos that came after the Heirs' first challenge. The blacksmith in the Tomairsitkiz village is an old friend. We used to talk after a long school day from the palace. He made practically all my blades, except my swords (Which was gifted to me by Freyja herself).

I got a new sword for Viviendel. One with a dull edge and point, as well as a beginner's basket hilt. It even has a purple jewel on the hilt as well, a very Bwardipuginin accessory. They always have to be extra. "You understand," I croon. "That you are to be the new heir in less than a year. That you have to learn everything an heir would have already known by the age of five, in less than a year." She stiffens. "You have to win. Not only for the sake of your new people. But for the vengeance for your mother, she died. To protect you, did you know that? She died for you, without ever seeing you. She only saw photos of her daughter, to protect you. If you think I am lying," My stare boars into hers. "Then ask your father. Who requested your presence after training." I nod at her armoire. "Get ready in less than 15 minutes. We run again." I turn around, and a smile cascades down my face with pure arrogance. "No cheetahs this time."

Before I leave I quickly throw the crumbles sheet of parchment Bayou wrote onto the bed. Viviendel stares at it.

I leave before I could hear another word.