Beautiful Fate

23 - The power of the kings

Late into the night the two of the lovers were alone in their slumber. Throughout the mansion the lords and ladies were asleep, had gone to rest for the evening. Killians heart still felt heavy while Julians felt as though a weight had been lifted.

Slowly the two shift in their deep sleep and one wakes up.

Angelo -

Waking up I felt as though I had finally slept. For the past few nights, distress has weighed me down. And for the past few years, regret had chained me to my lonely corner. But somehow it now feels like both have been alleviated. I felt calm and my mind was no longer running wild. With a calm storm brewing outside and the gentle purs of thunder I felt even more comforted. It felt like I could finally breath.

I stood up from my bed leaving Luna in there to rest and left my room for the first time in what felt like a forever. It was strange, being in that room for so long. It is not the room I was accustomed to. The room I was accustomed to was not nearly as warm or comforting.

I walk down the corridors to the middle space where there was the main common room and lounge and kitchen. While all had been available in the elemental hallways, this one was most used as it brought us together while Allegra would abuse us. It was not the one I regularly used, but something drew me to this area anyways.

The kitchen light was on and inside was my little sister Sydelle. She hated me with quite some vigor for many reasons I can only begin to imagine. The incident a big one. But to be honest, the torture she went though that day was far easier to watch than the torture she had been through before then.

Sydelle. A common nickname among the devils we know as nobles being the most beautiful woman in Astar. Another being the gift of Astar. Another being common share. Another being bitch. Another being slut. And as the list goes on and on you would find many compliments and many profanities directed towards her.

But she is much more than her body and her beauty. She is kind and she is strong and she is smart. Elegant as she is rough. Beautiful as she is scarred. Loving as she is hateful.

"Sydelle." I smile at her as a warm greeting. She meets my eyes with indifference.

"Angelo. How are you?" She asks. Although probably not all that interested in my wellbeing but rather as a courtesy of etiquette. Cold. She treats me as though I am not a brother but another Lord.

But with the bond broken are we anything anymore?

"I feel a lot better, thanks for the concern. How are you? I'll bet what Eden said at the banquet scared you." I try to start a conversation that conveys my concern for her wellbeing. But it backfired.

"Was that a jab? Oh boo hoo Angelo, for once in your perfect life you get the short straw isnt that just devastating. I'm doing great thank you. And even if I did end up being engaged then I would have taken it with stride as I have everything else."
She rants. It seemed angry but more so sad.

I sigh.

"I didnt mean it like that Syd... I'm really grateful that you wont go through something like this again." I say softly. She glares at me. Probably slightly confused but if she is, she doesn't show it.

"Of course you are. You always did play the innocent one. People love me Angelo. I would have been fine. I'm considered the most beautiful person in Astar." She spits the word like its venom. Beautiful. I bet shes tired of hearing it.

"The individuals you refer to, its too kind of you to call them human Syd. What they did is not love and you know it. I am grateful that it wasnt you. I wouldnt be able to live with myself had I known you were stuck with a king like the king of Osmein. Ive heard too much about his scandals." Now she looks shocked. I know more of her torture than she should like. Much more.

She glares at me. A poor attempt at looking as though she isnt about to cry. I want to hug her but surely she would push me away.

"He wont let you be taken you know." She tells me. Voice wavering as though it saddened her to speak of.

"What could he possibly do to prevent it. He is a powerless king with the potential to rule an empire. With Allegra around, what could he possibly do?" I ask. She simply walks away. Responding to my question in silence.

Its true. He could do nothing to prevent it.

He is a powerful person weakened by too many shackles and far too much trauma. Even if Allegra were to say die at this moment. Luna would still not speak. He would still flinch at the presence of people who he is not familiar with. He would still flinch at loud sounds and he would still shake in the presence of the king of Osmein.

The king of Osmein is not kind by any means. His libido is well known of by many kingdoms, ours more so than others.

What he wants isnt a fruitful marriage or a treaty or an alliance.

He wants to tie himself to Astar and he wants power over a deity.

But he knows he cannot marry a king, so he marries a lord who stands directly next to the king and has equal to or more power than a prince.

This power he would not have gained as easily with Sydelle. But quite easily with me.

Me who he has seen multiple times in his lifetime. Me who is submissive in his eyes and a weak little man who holds no power over authority but is given authority regardless.

But I will not yield.

I will marry him.

And then I will die before giving him the power to get his strength over my Luna more so than he has already.