AMACon 3: Oikos (30 Day Drabble Challenge)

Day 7 - Thuo (Prologue)

A/N: Please read the chapter before this one. :)

*Thuo is a Greek word meaning to sacrifice, to slay, kill, or slaughter.

***

"You have to kill him," Mary Anne Mendoza told her daughter on the eve of her 21st birthday. "Otherwise, you'll die and our kingdom will perish."

Maine Mendoza gave a derisive snort. She wished that she didn't have to do this. She wished that her whole family's life wasn't controlled by this curse. She wished that she was free to love whoever she wants to. She wished a lot of things, but she knew that her own life is not actually her own. It never was, and it never will be. The next Queen should only think about the life of her people.

"Menggay," her mother began. "I know you're wary about this, but you have no choice. You have to do this."

"Do I really have to? Can't we just let it be?" Maine briefly recalled the words of her sister who died a few years ago. Her sister told her to at least try to change her fate regardless of the consequences.

Her mother gave her an odd look. "Do you really want to die that badly?"

"Yes," she admitted, her mouth twisting into a bitter smile. "I'd rather die than kill someone who might have something more to give to the world."

"He's not the only person who'll fall in love with you!" Mary Anne exclaimed. "Once you're back here, we can hold a series of balls and invite princes from neighboring kingdoms."

Maine's breath caught. "Seriously? You'll dismiss the life of an innocent person just like that?"

"I'll do it for the people," her mother countered.

Maine shook her head. Her mother didn't understand what she was going through. She didn't love the man she was sent to kill. Her mother already found her soulmate long before she left to fulfill her mission. It was easy for her to kill.

"It's not that simple, mother," she whispered, trying to hold back tears. She couldn't tell her mother that she was scared by the prospect of falling in love with her target. What if he was her soulmate? What if...what if he actually loves her back? She wanted to run away and leave these all behind. In fact, a part of her wanted to tell her mother that one of her sisters can take her place, though she didn't know how.

"Today is not the time to lose your nerve, Princess. Don't forget your duty."

"I haven't forgotten," she said, her voice trembling with emotion.

An uncomfortable silence fell over the room and Maine bit her lip. Her mother stared at her intently, as if begging her to make the right choice.

"You only have a few more days," her mother murmured softly.

She only gave a faint smile before turning her back to her mother, leaving the room.

Once she was out of sight, she leaned against the wall, letting the tears fall down her face.

Please don't make me love you.

***

In another world...

"She's coming," Richard Faulkerson Sr. told his son. "Are you prepared to die?"

Richard Faulkerson Jr. gave him a wry smile. "Will I ever be ready? Don't worry, I know what to do."

"I...I wish you didn't have to do this," his father shook his head sadly.

He tilted his head, giving his father an odd look. "You do?"

"Of course, RJ!" His father said, his face stricken.

Right. That's why you made a deal with a Goddess, right? My sister's life in exchange for mine? RJ thought to himself. He had known all along that his death was the price of his father's wish for a daughter. A daughter that he loved more than me.

"You don't have to do this," RJ bit out after a moment. "I've spent twenty-three years of my life preparing for my death because you told me to just accept my fate. I have no more reason to live."

"RJ," his father said in a low voice. "You still have us."

For a moment, RJ was dumbfounded. Why is acting like this? Why does it matter if I accept my death? Did he really think that I'll forgive him for all his sins? Or for all the times he told me that I wasn't good enough to be his child?

Fury washed through him and he clenched his fists.

"Don't start," he warned his father. "I don't want to hear it."

His father nodded.

"When are you planning to leave?"

"Tomorrow," RJ said, "It will be easier for you if she doesn't find me here."

"You know," his father said quietly. "If you want to live, you can always make her fall in love with you."

"What are you talking about?" RJ asked exasperatedly. "Why would a princess fall in love with me? That doesn't make sense."

His father shrugged. "I don't know. I didn't tell you this because you might get your hopes up."

"Make her fall in love with you," his father insisted after a few moments. "Maybe, maybe you can convince her to choose you over her kingdom."

"I doubt it," RJ said bluntly.

"Can't you try?"

RJ watched his father for a moment, resisting the urge to punch him. This conversation was going nowhere. What am I supposed to believe, Dad? The Princess will take one look at me and miraculously fall in love with me? This is not a fairytale.

Besides, he already spent every day of his life thinking that each day was the last. He also knew that he would be powerless to stop his killer.

Because I would love her with all my heart.