Classy, Controlled Chaos - The STEAM Team Adventures

❄️ Permafrost [1/3] ❄️

Edward's POV:

Ugh, how dare my friends leave me alone on a battle trip!

I'm a good fighter, too! At least I don't rely on fire and flames like Marshall, or magic and bows like Addison...

I do wish I had a tail, though. Tia uses hers so well, it makes me jealous.

"Your Highness," A member of the royal guard, whom I recognized as Sir Blizzard, came marching up to me. "Your father has returned with Nyx and Tia."

"You mean my soon-to-be wife." I corrected him, watching him shake his armored head.

"No, Your Majesty." Blizzard dipped his head respectfully. "King Arthur has decided to revoke Queen Cordelia's decision. Tia Aquaticlaw will not marry you."

I let out a frustrated sigh. "Are you kidding me?"

"No, Your Highness." He replied nonchalantly.

I gave him a sharp glare, pointing to the double doors. "Get out of my sight!"

He promptly marched off, leaving my throne room.

King Arthur strode through those same doors, flanked by Tia and Nyx.

"Father, welcome home." I mumbled, watching as he calmly walked over to me.

"Hello, son." He dipped his head, addressing me. "How have you been?"

"Lonely," I snorted eyeing the captain. "You went fishing? Look at her tail, she's definitely a keeper."

"This is why no one in this kingdom has asked to have your hand in marriage." Tia snapped, shooting daggers at me. "If you were a character in a roleplaying game, your charisma stats would be in the negatives."

"Well at least I'm not 5'03." I scoffed, crossing my arms.

"That makes me 11'03 over your mom." The captain replied, only for my father to promptly cup a hand over her mouth.

She bit him, making the king wince before sharply pulling his hand back. "What, speechless? Now you know how Marshall felt when Cordelia cast that spell over him. Luckily, it won't happen ever again."

Blood boiled in my ears as she threw her insults at me. "Dare you disrespect my mother like that?!"

"Tia, hush." King Arthur warned, setting a hand on her shoulder. "Let's not escalate this any further."

"It's not like she can hear me roasting the absolute daylight out of you." The captain sneered, lashing her whale tail. "Speaking of light, I'm guessing it's just as dark where she is now..."

"Silence." My father tried to clamp another hand over her mouth, only for her to nip at him again.

Tia just kept going, glaring me down. "You can't talk because you already know this is the truth, Edward. Admit it."

"That's enough," King Arthur sighed, picking her up by the tail and dragging her away. "I know he deserves all of this, but please, quit with the your mom jokes."

"Your hairline looks like the shoreline at low tide!" The captain distantly yelled to me, being carried away by my father.

Once they were both out of earshot, Sir Nyx apologized for their behavior. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty."

I let out an exasperated sigh. "It's fine, Nyx... Could you fetch me a cup of warm tea, please? It would be greatly appreciated."

He nodded. "What flavor, Your Highness?"

"Chamomile, two cubes of sugar. Lukewarm." I yawned, stretching in my throne. "Thank you, sir."

He dipped his head, giving me a respectful nod. "Of course, Your Majesty. Your beverage will be out soon."

A few moments passed before the knight came back with my tea, serving it to me on a silver platter. "Your drink, Your Highness."

"Thanks." I took the cup from the tray, taking a sip of it. "Do you mind if I ask a couple of questions?"

Nyx politely dipped his head. "You may ask."

"Promise me that it won't bother you." I leaned back in the throne, eyeing him. "Ready?"

He nodded at me, giving me the green light.

"First things first," I began, staring him down. "Have you heard of my father's new partner?"

The ivory knight gave me a side glance. "Pardon me?"

"I know, right?" I chuckled, taking a sip of my tea. "Poor Cordy hasn't even had a chance to rot yet and he's already after someone else."

The words that came out of my mouth scared me, but I was too busy trying to relieve my anxiety to even care.

Why was I anxious? I don't know.

Maybe it's because I thought my new mother would be like Cordelia... And not the nice version of her, oh no.

I'm talking about the downright possessed version, like the one straight out of a fairytale.

That was what scared me.

Nyx's jaw dropped under his helmet, a muted, yet audible clank coming from him. "Edward, sir, that is your mother! You can't speak about
her like that!"

"Oh, but if Tia can, I surely can, too." I snapped back at him, silencing the knight.

I knew I was being a pain in the butt at the moment, but I couldn't care less.

I was a concoction of emotions... Frustration, anger, disgust, and sadness.

Frustrated because of Tia's behavior.

Angry for not dealing with it.

Disgusted by the lack of concern my father showed toward me.

Sadness for my mother's death.

Worst of all, I felt helplessness.

I couldn't do a thing when my mother died; I couldn't save her.

I didn't even get a chance to say goodbye.

"Nyx, pardon me for a few moments." I sighed, standing up from the throne. "I need to take a breather."

He politely stepped aside as I rose from my seat, watching as I silently strode out of the room, deep in thought.

If I could see my mother again and tell her how much I loved her, I would.

Queen Cordelia... Once my loving mother and patient teacher, did not die a few days ago.

She died years before that, cursed by a wretched assassin from Pyronica.

What was left of her was only the husk of her body, a simple vessel for what little life force she had left.

As I made my way outside, I could only pray that her soul was listening to me.