The King's Court

LX

Sader could be someone related to Louis. However, I am not sure how exactly they are related. 

I was trembling more than I wanted to admit. Louis could slit my throat with no problem and start this war. I would say the armies of Solaris could suffer from the weapons that were built with my world's technology courtesy of Mark and Leon. I can't let that happen. 

"Louis, please. I don't know exactly what your reason for all of this but can we please talk it out? You have known Nikolas more than I did and you know he is not a bad person."

"Shut your mouth," he hissed and I flinched as his hand tightened on my hair. "You don't have the right to say those words to me when you don't even know what happened."

"That's why we can talk this out--"

He pulled my hair once again and faced Nikolas. "Release Sader and I release her." His voice was filled with more determination.

Sweat and blood coated my skin. My wounds were stinging and I so badly wanted to sit down because of the pain. 

When I looked over Nikolas' side, the soldiers had parted, making way for Lorence to walk through. Next to her was Sader who was grinning from ear to ear as if he had won the war already. 

"He's here. Now release her." Nikolas' voice was low. As if any moment he would command Solaris' army to start the war. But then I know he's not going to do that. 

"Remove his shackles."

"Oh for gods' sake. He can perfectly walk to your side with his shackles on," Leon said and went over to Sader's side before pushing him. He took the key from Lorence's hand and tossed it to the ground. Sader's expression soured before he slowly picked up the key to his shackles tp unbind himself. He took his sweet time and when he was done, he dropped the shackles whilst facing Nikolas and the others. 

Slowly, he faced Louis and smiled before walking in our direction. 

Louis slowly let go of my hair and his dagger went to cut the ropes that tied my wrists. As soon as he let me go, I almost stumbled down. I was about to walk when Louis stopped me and shook his head. 

"Wait," he said and I did. It was when Sader stood next to me that Louis let go of my arm. It instantly went to the hilt of the dagger on my thigh. For some reason, I found comfort in touching the weapon. 

I took a step forward and with the wound on my leg, it was hard to walk. I was practically dragging my feet across the sandy ground.

I made around five dragging steps before I felt another grip on my wrist. 

"Not so fast, girl," Sader said, smirking. 

"Father!" Louis called and I was even more surprised when I heard him call Sader his father. Now it's clear why he's doing this.

"We have learned to play this game, son. And we have learned it's alright not to follow the rules as long as you're winning."

"Father, let her go."

Sader raised his brows as he looked at Louis. "Do not tell me you have grown soft for this woman, Louis?"

Louis shut his mouth and dread settled into me like how a stone would in a quiet pond. I heard the swords getting taken out of their sheaths. Nikolas and the others took a step forward but I shook my head. They can't start this. There is no way I could let them start this.  

Maraming madadamay na inosente. The soldiers--these soldiers don't even know each other. They don't even feel anything towards each other. They are just here because they are following their rulers. Kaya naman hindi ako papayag na mangyayari ang gusto nilang mangyari.