Royally Cursed

Chapter 5: The Disastrous Dinner

Zakaria Knight:

"Are they to your liking, Zakaria?" asked Roman. I sat back in my chair, taking a puff of the cigar gifted from father, as I thought of my response. I needed fighters who knew they were going head straight into a suicide mission, it seemed to not be a problem for the four men who stood opposite me earlier. In fact, I was surprised by Aleksei's quick reflexes, such skills would be useful soon. Though, Anderson, Aleksei and the Micheals passed Roman's close inspection over the past few months it didn't mean I wouldn't keep a closer eye on them. Trust, it was hard to give it out freely. Trust was expensive; you don't know who's a supporter and who's praying for your downfall. Years ago, when father had given away trust freely, it cost him his daughter, and a loyal fighter.

"They seem adequate for now, Roman," I didn't hear Roman's reply, I tuned out of reality as I always did. Roman was well acquainted with these moments, so he left me to my thoughts.

Silence had filled my room, as I turned to my windows. A clear view of the city I had grown to despise, how could I not hate it knowing my sister was somewhere out there suffering, she could have been dead. We didn't know, sometimes I wished she was dead. Was that horrid of me?

If she was dead, she wouldn't have to bear any pain, any of the horrid and unimaginable things the 'Misfits' could do to her, or the karma from my ruthless killings.
My sister was taken almost 10 years ago, since that day I have believed my surname carried a curse. The family I once knew was ripped away so savagely before I could get a grasp on what was going on.
The happy family I knew, I believed was an illusion I made up in my head. With the anniversary kidnapping of Elinora coming up next week, everyone in the castle was on edge. One wrong move and everyone was to hear the wrath from the king.

No longer than an hour, A maid had knocked on my study room letting me know dinner was ready. At dinner, the king had always ordered everyone in the family, some of his guards along with our commanders, to dinner; in his head it made us seem like a joint force.
It didn't take a fool to know that we were incomplete without  Elinora and my dear mother. It didn't take a fool to notice Delina's pain whenever she stared at the chair Elinora used to sit in, or the lack of her voice. Delina was diagnosed as mute after Elinora's kidnapping, all the screaming she let out had damaged her vocal chords the Palace Doctor had reported.

I always noticed hope filling my sister's eyes whenever she saw me only for it to vanish again. Sometimes the agony on Delina's face was enough to make me wish for death, how can I find Elinora and rid the look of agony of Delina's face?

On my way to the dinner hall, two of my guards followed before Roman had met us halfway.

"I want Aleksei, Anderson and the Micheals present at every dinner from now onwards," I ordered Roman. It was the best time to keep an eye on the four during normal mundane activities. Also, I wanted to introduce the four men who will be helping me look for Elinora to the rest of the family.

Roman stares at me with a look of confusion before nodding. "As you wish Your Highness," he replies before walking to the east wing. It's a of 15 minutes before he returns with the men trailing behind him. To which, I turn to my own guards, dismissing them for the rest of the evening.

"All four of you will be attending this dinner every day, today you will be introduced to the rest of the family," I commanded them before turning and walking to the hall. I come to a halt, on the stairs staring down at the second floor where Elinora's room was. The men come to a halt, Roman knew why.