Darkness (The Prince of Death Short Story)

Darkness

DARKNESS

Adrian, The Prince of Caldona sat in his bedroom, concentration etched in the furrows of his brow as he reenacted a scene in his mind. A scene of the enemy toy soldiers striking each down during one of the past wars which plagued his Kingdom of Caldona.

"Boom! Boom! Bang!" He shouted as he rose the soldiers high in the air. He remembered the stories his mother told him of the light and dark forces of the world, colliding till there was only silence.

Then a new beginning arose from the ashes- forming the neighbouring kingdoms of Caldona and Erina.

Adrian was just about to reach the final moment of the battle when he heard a rustle in his room. Looking up, he noticed when his mother the Queen sitting by his bed, calling him for his usual bedtime story.

She smiled at him. "Come here, son."

He obeyed, eyes rapt with attention as his mother read out from the thick book she held in her hands. Walking toward where his mother sat, Prince Adrian wondered about his life, and what he would do in the future, to rule his country like his Father and Mother before him.

He was only five, but in his mind, he knew that as the days went by, he would one day have to step into the shoes of his parents. To lead a kingdom he was groomed to be a part of from the day he was born.

"Mother," he whispered, setting his toys down. "What is it like being Queen and to be able to lead the country alongside Father?"

His mother was surprised, more so that this question was being asked by a boy of barely five years old. She set the book down, looking at her son.

"It is a great joy, and a burden in some ways. But I do enjoy meeting new people and helping our citizens when they need it."

"What about Father?" Adrian was genuinely curious. His mind had barely comprehended the task he had in the future but for now, his mother let him live his life as a regular five-year-old.

"He feels the same, and would lead his country as best as he can." she stroked her son's cheek. "Now, Adrian. Remember this: do not let our ancestor's past mistakes become yours. You are as capable as anyone else. Perhaps even better."

She smiled, brushing a hand over his thick dark hair. As Queen, she was thrilled to bear Adrian and to watch him grow in front of her eyes into a child was something truly special. She couldn't deny her pride for her only son. "One day, you will grow up, and become one of the finest Kings' in our realm." Kissing his brow, she whispered, "I am so proud of you."

-----

As the months turned into days and the days turned into years, Adrian's baby cheeks grew into something more substantial. At ten, he had attended various history lessons and had learned what most princes did: Manners and how to win people over.

He still remembered his mother's words of wisdom five years ago. This time, he worried that his little sister born four years before would never understand the significance of their duties. But he was not cowed.

"The rebels have fled the city, your Majesty." One of the Lords at the dinner table spoke. "Do we disengage them and continue our plans for the Kingdom?"

"Certainly." The King said, while the Queen sat quietly by his side. Things had been strained between them lately. Disagreements arose at how to treat traitors and the handful of rebels that had escaped into their country.

"More wine, sir?" one of the servers asked. The King nodded, while the Queen pursed her lips.

Something rattled itself in Adrian. He had recently come into the knowledge of his strange dark power, he could sense when things were amiss. When things were about to go wrong and a certain darkness overtook him. But yet, he ignored it like he always did because after all, princes were meant to lead and learn. And eventually learn certain sword fighting techniques.