Tangled Hearts

Betrayals

I

At dawn, outside the castle, a monk is heard singing in Latin as it had been at the queen's funeral. Of course this time there were few people present. Not many knew Polonius, but the family and, of course, the king would not be missing.

It seems that life punishes her. It had taken from her her mother when she barely learned to take steps. Then it taken her queen, and she is once again burying someone dear to her, her father. Currently, she is scared to death knowing that Jacques, who made her feel so loved, was now between life and death locked in the dungeon. As expected, she wasn't allowed to see him.

She can't take another loss. She can't lose the love of her life. Or else, she'll be mad.

He is the one who should be with her right now. Of course her brother is there but what consolation can she receive from him if he gave her to the king, a man she doesn't love? That same man is shamelessly standing next to her, and she's disgusted by his closeness.

He was quiet, looking at the burial of Polonius. He prayed silently for forgiveness because he knows perfectly well that even if Hamlet was the one who drew the sword, it was him who killed Polonius. He looked to be mournful to lose a counselor, a confidant, a friend. But appearances are deceiving. His repentance is a lie. In fact, he is satisfied that another man from Ophelia's life is underground. He got rid of Jacques, he already knows what to do with Hamlet, and he'll soon see how to get rid of Laertes. Ophelia won't have anyone else but him.

Laertes was more than mournful, he was angry. He still wants to avenge his father's death. As they finished to bury the coffin where Polonius rests and all soil went back to its place, he approached the king to discreetly ask what will happen with Hamlet.

"Hamlet will be gone to England by sunset," Heinrich responded, "With Rosencrantz and Guildenstern."

He sensed Laertes didn't like his answer. He knows of Laertes's desire to kill Hamlet, and if it were up to the king, he would let him, as simple as that. But he has to continue to play as the good father who would not risk his son's life.

"He is still my son, Laertes. I cannot bear to lose him, nor can Ophelia lose you, her brother," he continues as he takes Ophelia's hand.

How bad she wants to take her hand off him and use it to hit him but it wouldn't be wise. It feels worse when he wraps his arm around her, placing his hand on her shoulder. He hugs her from the side as if she was a property that now belongs to him.

"Once his ship sails, we will announce our engagement," he tells her proudly. He sees in her her indifference as evidenced by her lack of gaze. He hates that kind of ignorance, so he uses his hand to hold her chin and force her to look at him. "Ophelia, I promise to give you a life you deserve," he vowed and kissed the knuckles of her hand, wishing he could kiss more of her.

There was hate in her eyes. She knows of what Heinrich has done. Everything he has done, from ruining Margareth to murdering Gertrude. She recognized the vial that Hamlet held for Jacques to be accused of the queen's murder. She wondered how was he so evil toward his sons. How is it he has committed many sins and has not yet payed for them?

She could do something so the king would be exposed. She doesn't know how but she'll have to think fast before she becomes the king's new wife and he claims her on their wedding night.

Before Jacques gets executed.

****II****

The close of the day came but the disturbance remained. Silence invaded inside the ship's cabin, where Hamlet rested on the bed. He was rubbing all of his face with his hands like he is trying to wake from a nightmare. He was still tangled, in heart and mind. Why is that? He kept asking himself and it drove him even more mad than he already is.