The Lost Heirs Vendetta

Chapter 7: After-party (Darian POV)

I was surprised at how friendly most of the Atalarian citizens treated me when I arrived at Atalar. I was expecting a fight, a rumble, or something. But most of them just came right up to me and thanked me. They thanked me for finally deciding to end this war by marriage. How desperate were these people that they thanked me even though I've killed thousands?

When I asked them about the princess I was marrying, a lot of them didn't know much about her which surprised me. They told me things like that she was the youngest of the royal family or that she was kind— which I'm sure a lot of them were just saying to be nice. In reality, I'm certain they know nothing about the woman I am going to marry and I wish I knew why.

I actually attempted to speak with her, but that conversation was short lived and I'm pretty sure that if she hated me before, she hates me ten times more now. After my failed attempt at a conversation with her, I walked over to her mother who seemed more than happy to talk with me. We talked a lot about how things will change, how Aleah will now become a princess of Trithia. When I asked why she selected Aleah as my bride, the queen didn't answer for a moment.

"She is the youngest of the group and has the smallest chance of getting chosen to ascend to the Atalarian throne. My husband and I thought it would be fair if we gave her a chance by marrying you."

I considered her words for a second and realized that Aleah was rejected long before I even arrived in Atalar.

It was all quite strange actually. I came to Atalar with hate in my heart for everyone who lived here. I hated all of them. But now that I'm speaking with the citizens, I realize how much I misplaced that hatred. There were even sometimes tonight when I felt... guilty. Guilty for all of the pain and death I have caused over the years.

"What powers does she have?" I asked, "I know Prince Clifton wields fire much like you, Your Majesty," I say nodding to the king. He nods. "I also know that Tristan wields water and Brock wields Earth. I've come across some of their abilities on the battlefield and must admit they are quite intimidating. However, I am very curious about what type of abilities my future bride has."

The queen considers my question for a moment and doesn't answer for a minute. I see calculation in her eyes. She's trying to determine if she should tell me or not. "You can ask her yourself if you're that curious," she says, lifting the cup to her mouth and taking a huge gulp.

Something didn't seem right. Why be so secretive about Aleah?

I decided not to push it with the queen and just nodded in response.

The rest of the night went by painfully slow. Keeping up this type of upbeat attitude for so long was exhausting and I was getting tired. I wasn't used to parties or celebrations. All that I knew was the battlefield and blood.

Thankfully, Aleah came up to the throne and convinced her mother to end the celebration and I was grateful for it. Of course, she shot me another deathly stare before I took my leave.

I was escorted to the royal wing by two guards. They didn't speak to me or even to each other. For the entire walk, I was ready for one of them to decide they didn't like me and stick a knife in my side but neither of them did. I was led to a door just at the top of the staircase. My room was huge, and the windows overlooked most of the kingdom. I'm sure in the morning, I could see their walls, but at nighttime like this, I could hardly see anything.

I was just about ready to turn in for the night when I heard something from just outside my door. It sounded like two females talking and then I heard a bang. I opened my door and rushed to the top of the staircase which was only a couple feet away from outside my door. What I saw was a woman holding a girl up against the wall with her arm. I yelled at the woman and she ran away into the darkness. A coward. She wouldn't even stay to face me.

The girl slumped to the floor and was gasping for breath. "Are you alright?" I automatically asked. I offered her my hand to help her up but she froze the second after I spoke.

"Darian?" She looked up at me with surprised eyes and backed away but only a little.

I knew that voice, I had just met her today at the celebration. "Aleah?"

By the time I could say another word, she was bolting up to the staircase.I heard a door slam shut and the small click of the lock. What had just happened? I just saw Aleah being choked up against a wall by some hooded figure. That person could have killed her if I hadn't shown up in time. This entire situation was suspicious to me. I would have to keep a close eye on Aleah and everything else in this castle if I wanted to survive.

Maybe I wasn't the only person in danger within these walls.