The War Within

Chapter 4

You can be the moon and still be jealous of the stars- Gary Allan

My curiosity is a crime, I know that now. Either I hurt someone or someone hurts me. I overthink everything too much. Unfortunately for me, the Royal ball was just around the corner and the princess had all her 'dress' fittings to attend to. Unlike me I have already picked out my tuxedo which is neatly folded in the brimming laundry filled with busy maids working indisputably to clean all the clothes for the Gala. I didn't know why I felt this way, but my mind was filled with thoughts mostly about how lonely I felt at this point in time.

Sitting in the fireplace room which was now alight with the red crimson glow of the fire I stare at the large flawless golden photo frame with the princess, king and queen positioned in the centre. Their eyes stare into my soul, my sinful soul, my mistakes haunt me even until this very day. I search in my denim pants pocket and with my index finger I pull out a crumpled up picture of my mother. She was so beautiful, and kind, she had the heart of an angel... that gave the angel leader no right to murder her. I push the photo back into my pocket, before I could crumble it up in pure anger, but for some reason I feel otherwise. I feel a tickle on my cheek, a long wet tickle. I bring my hand up to my cheek, brushing away a tear with my finger, I bring my hand back down, staring into the reflection of the tear, I recognise my eyes glowing a haunting red colour.

I feel the presence of another human, a dragon breed. "Haven't I told you before you look terrible when you cry man." That voice rings in my nightmares, one that will never go away. "Leave me alone." I face my back towards Gareth, I don't feel like making eye contact with him. "Aw but doesn't a man who cries, need some company." He beams with pride, I have no clue why. He kneels down beside me, "Don't do anything stupid Anakin, you don't know what's happening in this world, it's dangerous and possessed, be careful." He gets up to leave but I stop him. "Then tell me what I don't know, how else am I meant to believe you, huh?" I could hear Gareth grinding his teeth, he's quick to anger and has a bad temper, "I am trying to fucking protect you idiot, just be careful alright." I growl, getting up so quickly as I race towards him but I run into Francis who holds me steady. I see Gareth disappear and I frown at Francis. I feel like crying. I throw my hands around his neck, resting my head on his shoulder as a tear drips down my cheek "He's not worth it Master." I remember when my father held me like this, he was always used to say "let it go anakin" and his hugs were the best thing he could ever have offered me before he died right before my eyes. And what I said next just came out without thought, "Thanks dad." I felt Francis huff, rubbing his back my eyes widen because there standing staring right at me was the princess, and she was smiling? Gosh, she's cute, and I'm not afraid to let her see me cry. "You look like a total idiot when you cry" She smirked at me. What was with her and her insults. "Bugger off" I snapped at her. I wasn't trying to be rude, I just wanted to hide my shaky voice. "Nuh Uh. It's time for dancing lessons, come on pretty boy" flicking her hair she stuttered of without waiting for me. 'Pretty boy?' better than Idiot. I exhaled, how much I hated dancing lessons was unknown to me. "You two and your young love it is quite adorable Master Anakin. I remember when I had that great of a relationship with my girlfriend back then." Francis sighed, my eyes shifted, searching his face. What I saw was signs of sadness- signs of loss. "Back then?" My voice croaked, "what happened to her?" "She died, but what she did was for the best of her people, her friends- her family." Francis stared at the floor and I bite my lip, his facial expression says it all, he doesn't want to talk about it. I suitability patted his back, "I'm sure she was the best," I turned to leave but Francis scoffed, "You would have loved her, in fact I can already see you loving her." I nod, smiling I silently leave.

"You took long enough" I nodded my head silently, already knowing who it was. "Let's get a move on" I choked on my breath as she didn't call me any nicknames. "What happened to idiot? Or Dumbass?" I hurried behind her, were all princesses so fast? "Your slow" I mumbled a curse word under my breath. Running into a solid surface I raised my head to notice Liora had stopped walking. "Don't you dare curse in these walls. Imbecile." Snorting at me she rushed of. I was confused, never had I seen her so tense. Shrugging we continued on, going directly to the ballroom. Now that I mention it, everyone looks so tense today, scurrying around trying to get things done and not just royal duties, other kind of arrangements. I pushed those thoughts away till we arrived in the ballroom.