The Nutcracker King (Coming From Darkness #1)

Chapter 9 Part 1: Nutcracker

She. Was. Gone.

Her bed was woefully empty, and even though I searched every corner of the room, even under the flat bed sheets, I couldn't find my dear Marie. She was not in the cupboard, trying to go to Marzipan castle. She was not under the tables, playing a cruel game of hide and go seek, she had not been shrunk and placed in the vase. She was gone.

Where was she?

Did someone take her?

Is this a cruel joke?

I spent the whole night searching, checking and double-checking in the same old places, yet I couldn't find her. By the time it occurred to me that I should check the other rooms, it was almost dawn and I had to leave or stay trapped in the house.

She was gone the next night as well.

I expanded my search to include the playroom, where my darling Marie used to fall asleep after a day of playing, but nothing. Where could she be? I couldn't imagine another room in this house where she would want to be. As I snuck down the corridors, I could hear the soft sobbing of her mother and the murmuring of her father.

No, my Marie was not there. She could not be in Fritz's room either, which was always tightly shut, as though they wanted to preserve his room. Odious Fritz. Humans were such puzzling creatures, lavishing affection on those that didn't deserve it. But my Marie knew better.

As one night without Marie led to another, my search grew desperate. During the day, instead of tending to my kingdom, I focused my energies on finding possible places she could be.

*******

"So, where do you think she is?"

"Ngh," Pirlipat moaned softly. For someone who was now such a good listener, she was a poor conversationalist.

"Really, Pirlipat," I said, "make an effort. Do you think some harm has befallen her?"

Pirlipat groaned and started rocking back and forth.

"No, no, I'm sure she's not avoiding me," I paced back and forth. "Perhaps it's her parents. Maybe they sent her away, the brutes."

"Nutcracker Prince!" one of my sisters called me from the gate. "Are you in there?"

"Yes, come in" I waved my sister in. She refused to move.

"No thanks," she said stiffly. "I was just here to remind your coronation is in an hour, your Majesty. You might want to clean up and get that stench off."

I got up and walked towards her, stopping only when I was close enough to peer into her eyes. "What stench, sister dear?" I put my bloody hand on her shoulder. "Do you mean this wonderful life-giving smell?" My sister didn't even dare to breathe. I pushed her and laughed. "You are such a baby. Be glad that when my dear Marie comes, she'll be happy to take your place."

"Really?" she said quietly as I walked past her, "Where is she?"

*******

Fifty minutes later, I stood behind the doors to the throne room, waiting for my arrival to be announced. This should have been the greatest day of my life, but instead, my head was filled with worry about my dear Marie. It was rather inconsiderate of her, and I hoped that this wouldn't continue for much longer.

The doors swung open and the heralds blew their trumpets. As I walked in, the orchestra started playing and my people bent their knees as I passed by. As the eldest, Clara stood in front of the throne, the crown in her hands.

I arrived at the designated position, bent down and my sister placed the crown on my head. Just like that, it was done. Just who needs overly complicated ceremonies?

I sat myself on the throne and basked in the applause of my subjects. The sound was pleasing to the ear, until the booing started.

"You false King. Traitor!" Lord Candy shouted as he marched towards me, his face positively red. Behind him marched his ragtag band of lackeys. I can't believe that only a few days ago, I had found his men somewhat intimidating.

"Get off that throne, Nutcracker," Lord Candy continued to roar as he reached the foot of the throne. "You and I know very well that I should be King. Ask your sisters, the regents; I have already written in to state my claim." His eyes were bulging, and as he spoke, his spit flew and landed on his men.

I looked down at him and smiled. "What about the prophecy?"

"The prophecy? That prophecy? That useless string of words the Court Astrologer mumbled after your Uncle failed in his job? That wasn't a prophecy, it was an attempt to comfort your family. In every aspect, qualifications, closeness to the royal family, favour with the previous King and Queen, in every instance, I am more deserving. You have only that failed piece of paper."

Lord Candy ranted and raved. I simply laughed and stood up; as I took a step forward, he instinctively took a step backward. I laughed in his face until he was silenced.

"Failed piece of paper? In what way? Who is the one standing with a crown on his head and a regiment of loyal Hussars behind him?"

Lord Candy looked around, and for the first time, realised who he was up against. He swallowed nervously a few times, his eyes darting between the gleaming swords of my Hussars, who were spread out all over the room.

When he could speak again, he was stuttering. "W-Well, why are you still a Nut-nutcracker? Where is the Princess? Where is princess Pir-Pirlipat?"

"Who wants Pirlipat? This Kingdom deserves better than her," I said, making sure my voice was loud enough for everyone to hear. There was a general murmur of approval at my words. Encouraged, I continued, "My queen will be Demoiselle Marie Stahlbaum, who helped defeat the Mouse King."

The crowd cheered at my words; Marie was much loved by all who attended our nightly balls.

Even though his face was as white as powdered sugar by now, Lord Candy managed to move his vocal chords. "Where is she?"

"She is preparing to cross over. After all, when she is Queen, she will be living here permanently. Now, where are my Hussars? Escort Lord Candy and his men to a spare room in the dungeon. He will be staying here until Demoiselle Marie is installed as Queen."

*******

That night, as I prepared to look for Demoiselle Marie again, Clara came to my room. Standing two steps behind her was one of the Hussars.

"This is your last chance, brother. We cannot hold Lord Candy here for more than a day without the other nobles baying for your blood."

I turned towards her, "All alone? What happened to the rest, scared to show their traitorous faces?"

Clara stiffened and when she spoke, her words were slow and measured. "We are not traitors and you cannot blame them for feeling scared. Their own brother tried to kill them."

"Ridiculous," I said, making my way to the door, "They were traitors, and anyway, I ended up sparing your lives. I want a room fit for a Queen prepared for Marie." I left the room and the Hussar saluted. As I walked out of the castle and towards the portal that connected the two worlds, I passed by a few of my subjects, all of whom bowed in reverence at my presence.

It was good to be King. 

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