Eladea: A Hopeless Age

Chapter 27: Ivar

Chapter 27: Ivar's POV

Sorry for my little break. Read some of my announcements for updates as to reasons. But thank you for being so understanding :D <3

Anyway….
I'm excited for this one >:))))

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The breeze is refreshing, blowing over the forest and carrying the scent of greenery and plants into the town. I take a deep breath, savoring the smell of the surrounding woods, and close my eyes briefly.

"Your grace?" A small voice says behind me. Without looking back I respond.

"Yes?"

"Uhm… the uh… the c-court is ready for you." She stutters. I turn to look at her. She's a small, petite girl. Bruises cover her arms and face, made from our attack on the lower towns. We fished her and many others from the wreckage, and she was one of the people to walk away with minimal injuries.

"Good." I say. I take a step forward, my polished boots clicking against the sleek wood of the balcony. She stares at the floor, but at my advance she stumbles backward a step.

I take another step so I'm back inside my room and she takes two backwards. I smirk, amused at her fear.

Then, I promptly make my way towards the door of what used to be Queen Sage's chambers. How fitting it was that I took this room as my own.

Oh, Sage. That naive, heartbroken girl. Even after a whole six years she was still devastated over the loss of her poor Lance Griffin. At first I wasn't a fan of the idea my father proposed: to win her favor and get close to her. I didn't like the idea of exploiting a vulnerable woman. But my cruel father didn't care for my opinion, and sent me anyway. Though once I stepped into the mighty Queen's presence, I understood. The strength was just a facade. Underneath that fake toughness is a crumbling interior. It was only a matter of time.

The plan was simple: make myself look as much like her Lance as possible, make her let her guard down, then poison her. Simple, straight forward. And I'll be honest, I didn't expect her to find out about my fake attributes at all, but I messed up. When I walked into this very room to see her curled up in a ball, struggling to breath as her mind got lost in memories, it touched something in me. I was brought back to all the nights I spent as a kid crying myself to sleep, to all the days I've done the exact same thing as her, and been utterly alone. I just couldn't leave her like that.

So, I threw caution to the wind and forgot about my contacts, and the fact that I hadn't re-dyed my hair that morning. It was careless, but a part of me that is rarely used awoke within the darkest corners of my heart and I couldn't ignore it. I guess it's something like empathy or humanity, but I digress.

If I'm being completely honest, some part of me liked Sage. Perhaps if we had met in another life, at a different time, we could have gotten along. Been friends. Maybe more than friends. But it was impossible. As much as my growing respect and liking for her influenced me, my father's threats and teaching influenced me more. A small part of me broke when I saw her drink that poisoned wine, but a bigger part of me, a stronger, louder part of me cheered and rejoiced. For I had succeeded, and I would finally make my father proud.

It's truly a shame. She seemed to be a great leader and a potentially powerful ally. But that can never be. I imagine she's already dead, or at the brink of it at least. The only obstacle now is that group of surviving citizens and the Prince. Once he's wiped out, our victory will be secured and this kingdom and mine will combine under my father's power. Until of course I kill him and take control, obviously.