Silver King

Chapter 2 - Cal

The lights are blinding, but it's not the worse. The worse part is all the faces turned upward to watch me, hundreds of eyes gleaming with hope I cannot deceive. But I'll have to deceive at least a few, won't I? They don't all agree with each other, whatever I may do. My father raised me telling me it didn't matter, that my way - or should I say, his way - was the right one no matter what the people say. But after months with the Scarlet Guard, after months with Mare, I don't agree with it anymore. And their eyes unsettle me. Having everyone look at me, I know. When I was a kid and a teenager, people were always watching with awe and admiration. That I can handle. After Maven's betrayal, everyone was watching me with doubt, hate, disdain or disgust. That too, I learned to handle. And the way Mare used to look at me, I can do better than handle it. So, so much better. The looks that truly unsettle me are the ones I am receiving right now, almost enough hope in them for me to reciprocate, but instead I feel drowned, and the look Mare gave me when I deceived her. Her tears are the most unbearable. Even more than these ridiculously hopeful citizens.

As I march up the stairs, I sweep the room, observing my people. Of course I don't see her, though she must be there, squeezed between other newbloods or Guardsmen. I wonder if the tip of her hair is still gray. If she is as stunningly beautiful as I remember. If she gave her heart to another man.

The booming voice of a man I don't know brings me back to the present.

"Everyone, kindly welcome Tiberias Calore the Seventh, heir to the throne of Norta, son of late King Tiberias the Sixth of House Calore and of regretted queen Coriane of House Jacos, and fighter for the freedom of our country!"

I certainly don't feel like all these things as I walk to the center of the stage, a crooked fake smile stamped on my face, waving away like an automat.