His Challenge

A Challenge of Morality

A party unlike any other.

The entire ballroom is filled with some of the most influential figures from all over the Kingdom of Vaelo. Never has one room confined all these men and women, and everyone takes advantage of this unusual situation: 15 minute long conversations, hour long business deals, night long rendezvous. They converse, eat, drink, laugh, dance, and most importantly, attempt to get on that good side of their soon-to-be king.

Kyro can't stand the constant small talk, the ridiculous topic of the price of cotton in Tinis or fish in Garo. He could only stay focused on one thing: alcohol.

Each time a server walks past him with a tray of golden goblets, Kyro takes his chance to pour another glass of wine down his throat. It doesn't make him feel anything, that buzzed state everyone talks about never hitting him. His mind stays clear as day, and he eventually finds himself back on his throne, with nothing to do but sit and wait and watch as his father enjoys the conversation with the elites. From afar, he notices the eyes of the councilmen following his every move, and although he knows he should care, he can't force himself to.

He could hear his father's voice in the back of his head, shouting at him about the possibility of Kip landing on the king's throne, of Kip gaining more power than he already has, of Kip selling this kingdom and its people the moment the opportunity presents itself. Kyro, being the only legitimate offspring of King Mayard, is the only heir to the throne, and if he fails to get nominated for a challenge by the council tonight, power automatically turns over to Prince Kip, brother of King Mayard and uncle to Prince Kyro.

King Mayard catches Kyro's eyes, and Kyro knows that his father is desperately trying to convey to him the same words that were just running through Kyro's head. Kyro debates his options: put up the act of a perfect king-to-be, win the hearts of the elite and the council, and make himself miserable, or be free, liberate himself of all responsibility but the ones he chooses to keep, as he has been doing for years now, and care for no one but himself. Looking at the open flesh of his thumb, a result of the broken vase that the servants rushed to clean before the arrival of the guests, Kyro makes his decision.

He gets up from his throne, all eyes following him, and makes his way past the horde of bodies and towards the door. Right when he stands in front of wooden gateway, the two doors of the exit part, and Kyro stands face to face with Kip.

A scar runs down half his face, starting from his temple, barely missing his right eye, and across his nose to his left cheek. It's a sign of his supposed dedication to this country, a homage to his time spent serving as the general of the Vaelon army. His jet black hair looks identical to Kyro's and juxtaposes the paleness of his skin, so pale that one would think it was transparent. Kyro could track the green of his uncle's veins run through his arms and into his hand, wrapped around the waist of a woman.

Standing just as tall as Kip, Gretchen smiles a tight-lipped smile at Kyro. She flips her flowing red hair to the side, letting it travel to her back and away from her face. Her deep blue eyes stare back at Kyro; human.

It's the only part of her that gives her past away, the only part of her that shows she is not a demon, but instead the soul of a former human trapped in the demon world. Kyro could almost see a bit of himself in her. Different, that's what they both were. Maybe they could have gotten along, if ever given the chance, but she is the wife of Kip, and that makes her an enemy. Enemies don't become friends with enemies.

"My dearest nephew! Surely you're not leaving this grand party early?" asks Kip, a wide smile as fake as plastic plastered on his face.

"I am."

"Oh, but you must stay a little longer! Your uncle has just arrived. Would you not want to spend some time with me-"

"No."

Suddenly, a hand lands on Kyro's shoulder. Without even looking, Kyro knew it was his father's. A hard, almost painful hold. A warning.

King Mayard chuckles. "Kyro, a jokester as always. Of course he'll stay." Then, King Mayard faces Kyro, staring into his eyes with a level of anger Kyro hasn't witnessed since the death of his mother. But back then, King Mayard's anger was directed towards Fate and Death, and right now, his anger is directed at Kyro. A harder squeeze of his shoulder, and then, with the authoritative tone only a king can own, King Mayard says, "Take good care of your uncle, Kyro."

Kip and Gretchen separate, Kip following Kyro as he makes his way back to his throne. Kip stands in front of his nephew, having no right to sit on any of the available thrones. Kyro went where he did for a reason, and Kip knew.

Kip chuckled. "This means nothing to me, dearest nephew. Just because sitting on my brother's throne means heresy today, tomorrow will begin a new reign. Surely you know what this celebration is for, do you not."

Kyro looks to the side in disinterest, his eyes following the tray of alcohol the servants were carrying around to the guest. Kyro yearns for another glass in his hand; maybe if he drinks enough, he'll eventually feel something, whether that be the buzz, or the drunkenness, or the madness he constantly constraints.

After a moment of silence, Kyro answers, "I do."

Kyro's eyes land on the councilmen, now in deep talk with his father. He watches as they look up at him, regarding him and Kip with cautious eyes before turning back to their conversation. It was as if they were being forced to choose the lesser of two evils, as if both options made their stomach drop to the ground with nervousness and their heart clench with disdain.

Free of everything but the things he chooses not to be free of.

If given the opportunity to become king, would Kyro take it? Would he take on this responsibility? He certainly wouldn't be allowed to travel to the human world and have his share of fun.

Kyro turns his head towards Kip, following his line of sight back to the councilmen. If not Kyro, then Kip. And Kyro just doesn't like the idea of seeing his uncle gloat.

Free of everything but the things he chooses not to be free of.

Kyro doesn't think he'll choose to be free of the throne.
***

The councilmen have come to a decision. Everyone quiets down, watching intently as a group of 13 people approach Kyro's throne and bow. Their leader steps outwards and closer to Kyro, bowing once again before reaching out and handing a long sheet of paper to him.

"The council has decided to nominate Crown Prince Kyro to the king's throne for the Kingdom of Vaelo."

Kyro takes the paper and starts to skim the hundreds of words on the sheet. Eventually, he finds the words he is searching for. As he runs his eyes over the letters making the word CHALLENGE several times, the leader of the council announces: "The test we have selected for you is unlike any other: a Challenge, not of wit, or strength, but of morality. Prove your worth to this throne, this nation, by succeeding, and you will wear the King's crown. Fail, and the successor shall be your uncle, Prince Kip."