Avistar

Chapter 4

Arzhel:

I look around the empty courtyard lit by the oil lamps. I walk through the courtyard till further back until i reach the round archway. i notice the vines of purple flowers, tangling themselves with other climbers. Grabbing onto others stem as it creeps above, just like what i did. The blossemed flowers in morning were now wrinkled, just like me. i gently pick out one of them, observed them as i twirled it between my finger. i was startled out of my trance when  i heard something drop. i turned my back and saw a young maid, who seemed have dropped a lamp. she looked at me briefly and fumbled to quickly hung it above and filled it with oil.  Before stepping out she looked at me and bowed.

my heart as been feeling heavy since the coronation. I remember the moment when i met my mother's eyes, her eyes conveyed the pride she felt on me. i remember the soft smile of my father before he placed the crown on my head.

" This kingdom is your responsibility now, Arzhel. Though, i hope you won't look up to it as responsibility. I hope you will love the people as your own and use of your authority to take care of it."

i entered the archway, sat down and rested my back over a tree. 

i was alone now, alone to let my thoughts race. whole day went passing trying to pretend the coronation and the attack didn't affect me. the truth is that it did, rather from a long time.

Was i really supposed to be a king? not because i was born a prince. Can i really be the one like my father? i am even ashamed to have these thoughts after i agreed to my position for this kingdom. A king didn't doubt, he knew the right thing to do. my father knew the right thing to do. But did he made a mistake with this one?

i sighed as tears pricked my eyes. "what kind of king would i be?" i scoffed as i laid down on the grass and looked at the night sky.

" A faithful one, i would say" i quickly looked towards the voice and got myself up halfway on my arm. 

" father " i greeted. my eyes widened as i saw him sitting down besides me. i quickly got up and sat opposite him so i could look at him.

" i am not here as a king, my son. you need a father right now and i am here for that" i looked up at him briefly and looked down, playing nervously with my fingers. he sighed.

" i know i have never been much affectionate with you but i need you to know that i believe in you." he said smiling proudly.

Though it didn't made me feel good about it, i felt guilty. i wasn't what he thought i was, i am afraid to let him down.

" you know when i was at your place, i felt the same. i was much more younger than you, it took me years after my crown ceremony to believe in me."

" but you were- you always seemed so perfect as a king" 

" i was never perfect, Alzher. i am glad  to know that you looked up to me but it took me years and years for what i am now. what you learnt until now was therotical, what you will do from ahead will decide the future of Avistara. you know, until i got to believe in myself, my father was standing as my mentor behind me and you aren't alone, my child. i am here when you need me and i will always stand by you in your difficulties." he comforted me. 

he laid down on the grass and i followed, he stayed there looking at the sky. i replayed his words until they settled in my mind. Giving my thoughts the rest they needed.

" father" i turned towards him " about the attack-"

" let me tell you something, even though you might be a best person in a group, but people aren't always best judge of it or they just wouldn't like to admit it."

" jealousy?" 

" you may be right, with the authority, comes the skill of handling unpleased people." he looked at me and smiled.

the night was calm, cool wind was blowing through the leaves of trees, making them rustle. 

the nature was calm and every tree was alone but they didn't seem lonely because they were somehow together. that's what i felt for my parents, i was alone but not lonely. we were together.

-772 words