The King's Court

LII

Sader tilted his head to the side, looking at us and I prayed to every god that ever existed in this world that he would not notice that we have untied ourselves. 

However, I have a sinking feeling that if he did notice, Lorence would not hesitate to kick him in the face and knock him unconscious. Now, I don't know which one would be a better option. Knocking him unconscious could undoubtedly be gratifying.

He let out a soft chuckle before he dipped his head in mock respect. "Your Majesty," he said. Ramdam ko ang panginginig ni Lorence at alam kong hindi iyon dahil sa takot. I know she's furious but she has to keep it down if we want to be wise about this.

"Why are you here?" tanong ni Lorence.

Sader just let out a small smile before his eyes landed on a block. He leisurely walked toward it and dragged it across the room until it was in front of us. Saka siya umupo doon at tiningnan kami isa-isa.

The insufferable grin plastered on his face makes me want to punch him. But I said nothing. Kailangan naming malaman kung anong kinalaman ni Sader sa nangyayari and to do that, we have to indulge him in a conversation.

"Let's pretend you don't already know what's going on, Your Majesty—"

"For god's sake, drop the honorifics, Sader. We both know you don't really approve of my coming to the throne."

Sader nodded, telling us Lorence had hit the nail on the head.

"I liked you when you first assumed the throne, Lorence. You were just like your father. Although you are not one paranoid ruler, you certainly were surrounded by the walls your father had built. The walls that could have stopped you from getting influenced by the others. But alas, you've always been an excellent climber. I thought it would be easy to manipulate you. I was wrong and it was my mistake. I should have seen it coming."

I froze. Is Sader actually telling us what he's planning? It was both good and bad. Good because at least we know the motive for all these inconveniences. And bad because it only means he didn't mind telling us. Which means everything he's telling us will only fall in our ears and he'll make sure no one else shall know about it.

He's planning to kill us. 

"It was easy to feed your father's fears. He was a madman. A mad king. I don't know if you heard the names they call him but they were of all sorts—"

"And you find the need to abduct me so you can conquer the throne? Is this what it is all about? You want the throne?" Lorence spat. "Opportunistic bastard."

The smile on Sader's lips was brutal. "Don't be silly, Lorence. Of course, it's not me. I don't have a drop of royal blood in me so I can't assume the throne. I have been planning this for many years—longer than your life. And now, it is finally time."

Bigla naman kaming naalarma. What the hell is he talking about? Who's going to take the throne?

Both Lorence and I knew we have to keep him talking. Kailangan naming malaman ang lahat.

"Are you talking about my sister? Are you working with her?"

Sader scoffed, finding Lorence's question absurd. "Your sister, although quite paranoid like your father, is not fit to rule. Sa tingin ko ay oras na para matapos ang pamumuno ng pamilya mo, Lorence."

"Do you possibly think the people of Solaris will readily accept this absurdity? Are you that foolish, Sader? Do you think they will accept a new ruler just like that?"

This time, Sader did not let out only a chuckle but he tipped his head back and laughed heartily. As though it was the most amusing thing he had heard.

"Oh, joy. I don't know if you are just pretending to be stupid not to know what I am talking about. You know very well what I am capable of doing, Lorence, and convincing the people to accept a new ruler? That won't be hard. And you'll be the one doing it for me."