Numb: The Genesis

III. Predicament

The gloves were slipped onto my hands. I was to be taught the art of fencing and sword fighting. It was something a prince must be skilled at.

Pappa approached me, "Hans, you are to learn obedience and punishment. Stand strong, boy." He left to his office. I was abandoned, and I was stuck with several of my brothers and the instructor.

"Hans, you'll be dueling your brother Kenneth. I know he's six years older than you and is twice your size but I believe your proficiency is similar to his," Herr Wolff, the swordmaster, pulled Kenneth out of the line of my brothers. I wanted to correct him and say five years since I was another year older, but I felt like I would be cut off again, just like how it went with my father. Talking to the both of us, he said, "Remember, this is fencing, not sword fighting. That will be taught in a latter time. The objective for fencing is the superiority and perfection of skill, rather than striving for the defeat of the opponent. Understand, boys?" He stood back with the crowd and called the duel.

Kenneth was aggressively swinging, and I shuffled backwards while trying to swing here and there. I could hear Herr Wolff shouting directions to Kenneth as well as Kenneth's heavy breathing. Kenneth was ignoring every word Herr Wolff was saying. After my failed attempt to block his move, he used the tip of his blade against my neck.

"Enough, Kenneth!" Herr Wolff jerked him back away, the blade lowering from my throat. I was barely breathing. I was in awe, but not the pleasant kind of awe. I knew Kenneth wanted to hurt me, and he was willing to do so at that moment. I didn't want to do it anymore. I dropped my epée weapon and mesh mask.

"Bastard disgrace," Kenneth muttered as his dark eyes glared at me. And with that, I left. No one bothered to come after me.

I sulked in the corridors leading to the king's office. I heard three voices emanating from the office— hushed voices. I neared the closed door and put my ear against the smooth wood.

"Sigmund, I told you before the boy was born, but you didn't listen. I told you, 'Either Annika or the boy.' But no, you kept both. Now look at what we must deal with."

"My Queen, I'm only asking for the welfare of my son," it was Mamma speaking.

"Annika, did I ask you to speak? I was talking to Sigmund."

"I apologize."

"This is all your responsibility, Sigmund. I will hear no more of this until you've come to a conclusion."

"Viola, I want you to understand tha-"

"Understand? How could I simply understand? I've birthed you twelve heirs. I don't want to deal with your illegitimate child. Your bastard son."

Once I heard that word, I knew exactly what they were discussing.

"But Viola, do you know how much Hans will suffer at the absence of his mother?"

"She should've been the one to go a long time ago so we don't have to have this predicament."

Then all was silent.

The queen spoke, "A king and a young servant girl have a half royal-blooded son. I can surely tell you that the exposition of this account will surely do lots for the reputation of the Southern Isles. Why, its deterioration was set forth by the one and only King Sigmund."

"Please discontinue your thoughts, I have come to a conclusion."

I heard a gasp, followed by sobbing, "No. B-but Sigmund, I-"

"You will address him as 'King Sigmund,' Annika. Please declare what you must."

"Annika, you shall take all your belongings here at the palace and leave the Southern Isles for you have been banished from this kingdom for the sake of our notoriety. Viola, I assume that you will step in and replace Annika in the position of being his mother. Instead of twelve sons, you now have thirteen."

Mamma's crying turned into shouting, "You can't do this to me! He's my son!"

"Don't forget he is mine as well, Annika! You will leave this once and never come again! Hans will forget you as his mother and you will forget him as your son."