Ruthless

Chapter 5

"Did you forget how to kneel, Tristan?" The mighty king Gabriël smiled his most charming smile. Behind it, Tristan knew; there were malicious thoughts and a terrored mind.

When Tristan didn't answer but kneeled, he slightly turned his face in pride, chin high. Not caring about the 'little piece of vermin' in front of him. That is what he thought of Tristan.

Tristan kept looking down. He didn't move from his kneeling position. He dared not look at the king, his king and king of all under the sky. Tristan hated his guts but had a very good reason to listen to every word he said, to follow him blindly, to obey his every command.

"I will get her to the castle very soon, your majesty." Tristan's voice echoed through the enormous room. He swallowed. The king's mouth twitched into a sort of smile. He looked at Tristan's bowed head. He stared at him silently but satisfied, looked at his dark hair that had a beautiful and curly wave to it.

Dominic watched from next to the burning fireplace. His eyes widened as Tristan spoke the words and it was quiet for a few moments until the king spoke.

"Why is your heart racing, Dominic, my dear friend?" He asked coldly. His words were always affectionate towards them but he never meant them in an affectionate way. The loving words always came out of his mouth in an insulting manner. Tristan always found it revolting how he could make everything sound so cold and dead.

"Just... I'm very happy... For you, my Liege. It is out of excitement." Dominic forced a smile, hoping he could fool his king. He was relieved when king Gabriël faced Tristan again. He didn't like being looked at by the king's spiritless eyes.

Relieved... Tristan was very relieved. He found the king what he was looking for and now he was off the hook. Now he could go back to what he was doing before all of this... Before Ruth.

"As am I, Dominic." The cruel king turned around and Tristan finally stood up from the marble steps he was kneeling on. He furrowed his eyebrows and his gaze followed the tall king. Tristan watched as he looked through one of the colored, gothic windows that always reminded him of church windows. "This is wonderful, my boys. I finally found her. Hmm," He made a sound of contentment. He tapped his thick lips with his index finger, resembling a little boy picking out a present.

"Tristan?" He turned around. "When will you force it to come to the castle?" He almost hopped around like a little schoolgirl.

"It?" Tristan looked as if he was about to vomit all over the white marble floor. The king concentrated his eyes on him, still smiling innocently.

"But, my king, isn't it too soon? The old moon is a long time away." Dominic interrupted before Tristan could critisize Gabriël.

"The date hasn't been set yet, Dominic." He huffed. "Well, I could always have some fun with her during that time. You know how bored I get." His innocent smile turned into an evil grin.

"You can not. She must stay pure until after the ritual." Dominic didn't make eye contact with the king while he spoke. There were only a few who dared, one of them being Tristan of course. That bastard dared what others did not.

The king sighed like a child who didn't get the toy wanted would. "How do we even know she is pure... Come on, boys."

"She is." Tristan said, biting down, thinking about how innocent she was that night in the meadow. The king gave him a look that reminded him who he was speaking to. "Sire... Why do I have to get her here? I thought my task was over." It was silent for a while. Tristan tried to reason with him even though he knew he had no chance of being released of this burden. He had to carry it.