Whispers of Deceit | wlw

Chapter 2 | Diplomatic revenge

Orion sat still and turned her severe gaze and looked at her father.

"What's up dad?" she said with a sarcastic smile.

"Please talk like a princess, not like a farmer." Said her mother with her absent stare.

Arianna Xeiron, Orion's mother, had once been the epitome of beauty, charm, and grace in the entire kingdom of Neifile. Her radiant smile and infectious laughter were renowned, making her the beloved queen. However, everything changed after a tragic accident that left Arianna profoundly altered. The effervescent joy that once defined her vanished, replaced by a haunting silence and a distant gaze.

Maximus continued to stand by her side, unwavering in his commitment. Despite the profound shift in Arianna's demeanor, Maximus tirelessly cared for her, attending to her every need with love and patience. The once lively queen became a shadow of her former self, no longer engaging in the vibrant activities she once adored.

Maximus, in his unwavering loyalty, strictly forbade anyone from discussing the traumatic event that had forever altered Arianna's life. The castle's halls, once filled with the melodious laughter of the queen, now echoed with a solemn silence that spoke volumes of the tragedy that had befallen the royal family.

Orion, observing her mother's transformation, couldn't help but feel a profound sadness for the woman who had once been her source of endless affection.

Orion's gaze rested on the crowd while her father started to talk.

"Do you see that fat man with the red clothing who's drinking out all our wine supplies?" he said.

Orion looked at the man and nodded.

"That man is Fred Edeos, the king of the kingdom of Agros. You know who he is right?"

Orion replied with a contemptuous look, "Of course, I'm not living under a rock, Father."

Orion carried the weight of the longstanding conflict between her kingdom, Neifile, and the neighboring realm of Agros. The seeds of enmity were sown when she was just seven years old, a time when the world was still filled with the laughter of her radiant mother, Arianna. However, tragedy struck as her uncle fell victim to a brutal act, his life taken by Fred Edeos.
In the wake of her uncle's untimely demise, Maximus, the reigning monarch of Neifile, made a fateful decision. Driven by grief, anger, and a sense of justice, he declared war on King Edeos and the kingdom of Agros. The conflict escalated over the years, turning into a prolonged and bitter struggle that cast a shadow over both realms.

Orion's upbringing was marred by a deep-seated hatred for King Edeos, the catalyst behind the enduring conflict between Neifile and Agros. The memory of her uncle's tragic death fueled a burning resentment within her that persisted into her adulthood. Orion's disdain for King Edeos remained unwavering.

"Fred Edeos, the so-called king, renowned for his excessive lifestyle and questionable decisions, like kill my uncle. What's the 'graceful princess' way of dealing with him mother? Why is he here" She continued sarcastically.

"He's here because I invited him." declared king Maximus in a severe tone.

Orion's gaze shifted from her father to King Edeos, the man responsible for her uncle's death. Confusion and anger etched across her face as she struggled to comprehend the unexpected presence of her family's sworn enemy.

"It's just for diplomacy?" she asked.

King Maximus, his eyes fixed on the inebriated king from Agros, responded with a cold determination, "No. I hate him as much as you do, my dear. I just want to get my revenge, and I can't do it when he's safe in his little castle."

Orion stayed silent in confusion.

Maximus, with a heavy sigh, finally broke the silence. "Our family suffered a great loss, Orion. I can't erase the pain, but I can make sure justice is served. Inviting him here provides an opportunity, a chance to settle the score and bring closure to the wounds that have festered for far too long."

Orion absorbed her father's words, torn between her own desire for revenge and the complexity of the situation. The castle's grandeur suddenly felt overshadowed by the weight of personal vendettas and the quest for justice, as the royal family grappled with the choices that would shape the fate of Neifile and the lingering hatred that bound them to Agros.

"What can I do to help you?" She spoke.

"I want you to play your part. If you want to stop this and avenge your uncle you need to do exactly what I say, okay?" King Maximus replied, his eyes holding a mix of urgency and resolve.

Orion's mind raced with conflicting emotions – the desire for justice and revenge, tempered by the understanding that the path her father was leading her down might come at a great cost. She nodded, a steely determination settling into her gaze. "Okay, Father. I'll do what needs to be done."

"I knew you would've understood, my little princess." He said with a rare spark of love infusing his tone, a sentiment Orion wasn't accustomed to from her stern and determined father.

"I don't want only revenge; I want much more. I want to know every secret of that awful family; I want to know their weakness. So, I can crush them all in the worst way possible and conquer Agros."
Said king Maximus.

The venom in her father's voice resonated with Orion, and she felt the intensity of his hatred. The desire to win this endless war became a shared goal for both father and daughter.

"I asked them to stay here, so we can 'discuss' a peace treaty. So, you must discover everything you can deceiving the daughter of Edeos. I know you are capable to doing it. I trust you Orion." he said without taking his eyes off Orion.

It was the first time tonight that such a level of trust and vulnerability had surfaced in their conversation.

"I won't disappoint you, dad." She said firmly.

"I know you won't Ory." He said with a shy smile.

"Do you see that girl over there with the white dress? It's her, king Fred's daughter, Cairo Edeos." Maximus pointed out, drawing Orion's attention to a figure in the distance.