Always

Prologue

"Pro... mise me... that y- you'll wait." The Queen said with bated breath. Life slowly leaving her. Yet her eyes still hold happiness and contentment as she looks at her King. Still smiling in spite of the pain she feels one can only imagine.

"Don't... don't do... anything reckless, my love." She continued as she reaches the cheek of her beloved. Her eyes brimming with tears, searches for the King's as if she's waiting the King will oppose her wishes.

The King doesn't say anything, tears streaming down his face as she looks at her beloved slowly dying in his bloodied hands. He knows he can't do anything about it, it was too late to save her. Even if he got there on time, the wound was too grave to be healed.

As the Queen drew her last breath, the King knew that she tried to say something but no sound came out of her mouth. The King didn't need to hear it, barely even noticed the Queen's hand falling beside her as the last ounce of life left her body. The King heard those words before though. Those words he knew was full of emotion – it was filled with joy, and cheerfulness – but now, he knows it contains sadness and longing. Because the King knew it won't be uttered again.

'I love you.'

It kept ringing inside him as he tried to control his own emotions. Like a spell that's slowly breaking the King even if it's supposed to do the very opposite of what is surging through him.

The King's golden irises are gradually turning to blood-red ones. Pupils slowly dilating into slits, sign that his anger – his inner demon – is trying to break free.

He knew that he's opposing the Queen's request. But who could blame him? They were betrayed by the people she trusted.

"I am sorry, my love." The King said, barely a whisper as he laid the Queen with utmost care. "I will wait for you, but –"

The King stood up and continued saying, "But I can't promise I won't do anything reckless."

He turned and walked away from the Queen, never glancing back. The uproar outside the room, surrounding his castle, came crashing back. The serenity the two had in that moment was gone. He didn't even acknowledge the presence of his aide who witnessed the parting of the Queen as he left.

Every step he took meant that his control over himself is losing. The farther the distance he creates with the Queen, the closer he is to losing his sanity.

The aide had no choice but to follow his King, even though he side glanced at the Queen to say his own goodbye with a curt nod. Since he knew and saw the exchange of his King and Queen, he promised to himself that he'll be by the King's side to assist him in any way possible.

He was scared, afraid with every step the King took. Because he knew what is going to happen next.

"I know what you're thinking, Vincent." The King spoke as he stopped but never looked back at his aide. "This is an order—"

The aide could only listen as he waits for the rest of his King's command. He stood there watching his King change from the regal king that he is to a creature of the night. A demon.

And before he lost the little sanity he has left, the King finished his order. One that the aide knew he is supposed to do even if it wasn't ordered. But it still made Vincent shudder. Not missing the plea of his King. The regret and pain encased with those two words.

"Stop me."