[Fairy In The Forest] By Minutestory017

part 59

King Edward's eyes widened in shock as he slumped back in his throne, his mind reeling from the news. He had known that his sister, Queen Eli ana, and her son, Prince Mike, had a strained relationship, but he had never expected it to escalate to this point. War? Against her own flesh and blood? It was unthinkable.

He rubbed his temples, trying to ward off the headache that was forming. He had always known that his sister was ruthless when it came to getting what she wanted, but this was different. This was her own son.

He thought back to all the times she had helped him, supported him, even covered for him when he had indulged in his more... illicit activities. He owed her, and he knew it. But this? He couldn't bring himself to support her in this.

And yet, he couldn't openly defy her either. She was still his sister, and he had a duty to her.

King Edward sighed, feeling the weight of his responsibilities bearing down on him. He needed time to think, to figure out a way to navigate this treacherous situation without losing everything. He waved a hand, dismissing the messenger. "Leave me," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I need to think."

The messenger and attendants immediately leaves the room, King Edward's gaze lingered on the empty space before him, his mind still reeling from the news. He slowly sat back in his throne, his movements mechanical, as if he was a puppet whose strings had been cut.

His eyes glazed over, unfocused, as he struggled to comprehend the magnitude of his sister's request. His hands grasped the armrests, his fingers digging deep into the velvet upholstery as if seeking anchor in a storm-tossed sea.

He slumped back, his head thudding against the throne's high back, and whispered, "If I back off, the feed, the funds, and the members of my gangs - all of them will disappear from Jozeia. The connections which I have made with my hard work after that shitty previous king will be of no use. There is no why, I can't go against her."

His gaze drifted to the side table, where a intricate map of the kingdom was spread out, dotted with small wooden soldier figurines. He stroked his beard thoughtfully, his eyes fixed on the tiny army, as if seeking inspiration from their silent ranks.

He reached out a hand, his fingers closing around one of the wooden soldiers, its tiny sword and shield a poignant reminder of the real battles that would soon be fought. He turned the figurine over in his hand, his mind racing with the implications of his sister's request.

As he stood there, the wooden soldier seemed to symbolize the fragile balance of power, the delicate dance of alliances and rivalries that had defined his reign. "How can a one man become a reason of my loss?" he said with a smile, his voice dripping with disdain.

Then, with a flick of his wrist, he tossed the wooden soldier to the floor, its tiny form skittering across the stone. "There is no way I will get to see his face ever again after this war."

He chuckled to himself, the sound low and menacing, before turning to his advisor. "SUDOM, come in. Bring Lake here. I want him here right now."

The advisor bowed deeply, backing away before turning to hasten to the king's chambers. "Yes, my lord. I will bring Prince Lake immediately."

As the advisor departed, King Edward's attention returned to the map, his mind consumed by the intricacies of war. Meanwhile, in the corner of the room, the same small wooden soldier which the king Edward throws in satisfaction, lay forgotten, its steel jacket glinting in the fading light.

But as the sun's rays streamed through the window, they struck the tiny glass stone embedded in the soldier's chest. The stone, polished to a precise angle, refracted the light, focusing it onto a single point on the nearby curtain.