Light Hearts and Dark Ways

Chapter 4

There Elizabeth was brought in, well more like pulled. She had nasty clothes on, her hands was cuffed in front of her, and her hair looked like she was attacked. There was no decency to what was in front of me, although even in tattered clothes she was beautiful. What ever is going on...

My father settles through all the plans, all traditions, but this one was outrageous. What has this girl done to him? Couldn't there be some prisoner I could consume from? They are nothing but garbage, and they do not deserve to live. Allow me to prove to the people I will keep them safe, or something that isn't taken to extreme measures for crying out loud!

"Alexander! Please Sir, tell them I've done nothing wrong! I was just walking to your room to bring you the clothes that you asked for Sir!" She was crying, and the tears made her cheeks puffy. She never looked more beautiful, but I still could not find any heart to acknowledge I loved the girl. She was just... a sister. Although, sister or not, this was madness. It was crazy for father to accuse the poor girl of doing anything!

She struggled against the grip of men, yet she was too nice to do so. She was a well mannered girl, and mother was fond of that. She would do anything for anyone if you asked, but with the ending seconds of life in someone else's hands she couldn't let it go. I mean who would?

"Father! This is absurd, madness, and illogical! You heard the poor girl, she was out all afternoon fetching me clothes for Langston! What could she have possibly done? She would never harm a single soul, no less the prince of England!" I yelled and pleaded my father to think passed whatever accusation he had. She was a servant for me since she was just twelve years old. Really she did not do much, but bring me breakfast and clean my room. For as she gotten older, she became more open to more chores. Which now that I think about it sounds so self absorbed.

"This is the steps you have to take for the kingdom and your kind. She is a peasant and furthermore just a human girl. She should not mean anything to you. Now, we will sit here and enjoy the company, but once the people settle down the promise will begin and I will step down from king after Langston."

My father wiggled his pointer finger, and silently asked for them to bring the girl forth. She was weeping and shaking her head. She kept pulling back to break free from any grip the guards had on her. Although she is too weak. She is.. well.. just human, like my father said. My heart was exploding in my chest. There was never a beat that lit inside of me, but on this day I could feel it.

Maybe this was just my mind playing tricks. The one I cared for was in front of me, the one I see as not a maid, but a friend was going to die, and I was sitting here letting it happen. Though this is what I had to do. I wasn't stepping up for my kingdom, but my own sanity and trust. If I deject what I am set to accomplish, then my father would rule longer, and the people of Noxwell would never completely trust me along with all the barons.

"You watch with your eyes, but you are too caught up with events coming you've forgotten where you stand. My father, your king, has commanded for everyone to enjoy company and sit. I suggest you all listen!" I glared at everyone I could look at, and they scurried to their chairs. My father patted me on the back, but in my mind I kept saying over and over again how much I despise the man that made me. I looked at the corner of view and I could still see Liz crying with cloth in her mouth.

After a few minutes there was hushed chatter, but even so I could still hear what was being said. I do not know if this is just the educated, long living supernatural people I will rule over or just because of the event their mind is stirring, but they have forgotten that I am all ears to the surrounding environment I am placed at...

"Can you believe he is sailing through what is being asked?"

"Can you believe she was serving him since she was twelve?"

"You think he'll take the oath and do it, or push the idea away last minute?"

"It has been so long since I remember the king doing the same tradition, but even young he was bull headed. Although the boy has a heart of his mother's, and he is too weak to rule an entire country. There is no way the young girl is going to end up dying today."

" Have you rude, uneducated, nasty, and cruel vampires forgotten I can hear every damned word you say? Yet here you are speaking with your foul tongue of what misfortune even is going to take place. Have you have no respect for the works of long line of royalty is standing in front of you? You are under my authority in week timing, and lucky you are not sentenced to be escorted out of here and stripped from the title you own! I will not sit here and allow people under me talk about me. Do you understand?" I slammed my fist on the table and cracked it. The long line of seated people went into deep hush again. It took my father at least five minutes to break the tension with laughter.

"This is my son you rushed to speak upon. I am a proud king and father to accept the fact he is next in line. For anyone to say something about him in any negative way will suffer his consequences."

Many 'Yes Sirs' went about around the room and the plan was decided to begin the oath now. "Everyone turn to the king's chair, for the oath is to be taken place," said the guard that moved the chair, bowed to my father, and help retrieve the girl.

Elizabeth went from settled to freaking out once again. I feel bad. I feel helpless, but there was nothing I could do in a situation like this. Her hands was still locked together and there was shackles on her feet. She tried moving from where they stood her and my father slapped her across the face harshly. I could see my mother look at the girl and my father from the far end of the table. She looked like she was going to weep.

"You were selected to serve a purpose. I will not have you mess or change fate, do you understand me girl?" He yelled and she whimpered shaking her head yes.

"Alexander, kneel in front of the girl."

I walked over slowly, and did what I was told. She looked heartbroken when I simply complied, but I was weak and defenseless. There was nothing I could do.

"Alexander Williams, today you are asked to serve a purpose for not only the kingdom but your people. As a father I am proud of you, but in order to be king you have to make the people proud as well. You are to break away from your purity and any sinless acts to step forward and serve. I will ask you questions and you will have to respond honestly and boldly." He stood strong and dominating.

"Has this girl served you since she was twelve?" I looked up at the girl and said yes.

"Has this girl been your personal maid since she was brought here?" I said yes to that too.

"Did she refuse to do any service to you when you asked?" I shook my head and said no. There was nothing I asked and she refuse.

"Do you have any feelings for Elizabeth Maxwell." I was going to say no, but my heart said I was lying. There will slight feelings I could never let go for this girl. "Yes, there was always some feelings I had for my personal maid." There was slight gasps and my father smiled.

"People! We always grow close to those we always been around. There is nothing wrong with that. Although where there is love, there is protection, care, and a needing affection. Today he is to prove you that he will sacrifice anything for the people he rules over, even if it was someone close to him. Do you take oath to protect your people of England and later of those in the world?" As he asked he was taking the cloth out of Liz's mouth. She was crying even more and praying to some god.

I had little to think over, and I knew what was going to be done has to be. I looked over to my father and back at the girl. I kneeled up from the ground and frowned, but head still held
high. I never knew what I was going to regret until I said it.

"I..."