Ready As I'll Ever Be

Chapter 13: Here You Go

That was a really short break. I guess I can't stay away writing.

For the next week Roman walked through the city. He spoke to many vendors, learned their names and chatted with them, and always gave them a rose at the end of the encounter. The people were talking about him all though out the town.

"Here you go." Roman said handing his last rose to a small girl he had met. She beamed brightly and hugged him.

"Thank you Sir!" She said before skipping away. Roman went back to the castle now that he was out of roses and was confused to find none of the other sides or Thomas in any of the rooms he knew how to get to.

"Your majesty." A familiar voice to Roman says from behind the Knight.

"Coleby. I haven't seen you in a week." Roman sighed in relief at the sight of the servant.

"I was finding you the perfect crown." Coleby said. It was them Roman noticed he was holding something behind his back. "Every king needs a crown."

"You found one then?" Roman asked, curious at what the man held behind him. Coleby moved to object in front of him so Roman could see a flower crown of the pink and white roses.

"These roses will never wilt or die. It's the perfect crown for the king of Rosa Eden." Coleby said holding it so he could place on top of Roman's head.

"Wait what? Rosa Eden is this kingdom! You didn't say we were taking over Thomas's kingdom." Roman said slightly angrily.

"I promised you a kingdom. I never said I'd give you an entirely new one." Coleby said. Before Roman could protest Coleby hastily placed the crown on the creative side. Roman flinched as multiple thorns scratched his scalp. In a nearby mirror he say the roses drain for the light colors in exchange for black. He couldn't do anything as he felt something running through his veins taking over him.

"Of course." Roman growled once whatever was happening finished.

"Now do you want to call your subjects to you?" Coleby asked. Roman nodded with a smirk and traveled down the stairs to town with Coleby by his side. Many people waved with joy to see the nice young knight back into town but Roman recognizes the people who he gave roses to were just standing in place, their eyes all glazed over in a yellow hue. "Say something to them." Coleby said. Roman nodded, and while he still had everyone's attention he began to speak.

"This glorious kingdom has been ruled by the weak for to long!" Roman yelled. "The king doesn't know what he's doing but I do! Thomas doesn't deserve a kingdom! He isn't worthy of such an honor of being king. Therefore I am your new king!"

The few who hadn't been given roses looked scared and confused but one stood forward.

"Knight Roman you can't jus-"

"Silence!" Roman yelled at the man. "I can do what I want! You hear me! I'm the king and I can do what I want!"

"But you aren't actually the king!" The man protested. Roman drew his sword and pointed it at the man.

"I. Am. The. King." Roman growled. "Anyone who goes against me with be locked up." He called to the people. A few of the rose controlled commoners stepped forward like they had no will and grabbed the offending man and grabbed him, literally, to the castle dungeons. Coleby nodded his approval to Roman who smirked at his new subjects.