Edited.
Left to foster care, Odette has been alone. For ten whole years she felt abandoned, scared and different. The ability to understand animals made her a"freak".
But things changed when the boy with blue hair enters town. Just when she though...
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A knock on Kimson's office door. Before he could answer, Kong strutted in, his face pale, beads of sweat collected on his forehead.
"Brother," Kong said, a tinge of disquiet in his voice as he walked in. "I don't think we're going to be here much longer."
"What do you mean?" Kimson replied, an eyebrow raised as he sorted the papers on his desk.
Being a prince is never easy. Papers from all around Kells sent to be sorted out. This used to be Robert's job. Since Kells have no king, even though by law a king should be replaced immediately, none of the Wolfbloods give a damn. There had been a public hue and cry when they announced this a century ago. A kingdom with no king is a pack with no alpha. No leader to guide and bring fourth the Land. Thompson, having no other choice retook the throne, even though he could hand it over to his sons.
But Lucia disagreed.
No one can feel the pain of loosing a child better than the mother herself. Speaking of Lucia, she wasn't getting any better. The healer said she might not last Winter, and that brought everyone on edge.
At least the attacks have decreased. But for how long, no one can answer. Everyone is highly strung these days. The attacks have only begun at the lower regions. They can only pray it doesn't spread to the other Lands.
Kong handed the envelope over, the familiar, mighty green seal now tore apart. They shared a look, both anxious and worried.
They knew a letter like this would arrive sooner or later, just as the one last week. But never expected to be sent now. The High King chose a very troubling time to butt in.
Scanning every word, it is no doubt who the letter was from.
"Did we do the right thing, brother?" Kong asked, his voice a gentle whisper.
"I don't know. I hope all is well, with Saoirse and the others."
"What now?" Kong asked, a tremble in his voice.
They knew if the Imperial Court ever comes knocking on their gates, Kong will take responsibility. But for their empire, for the good of their people, Odette must live.
"His majesty Laurent has been very persistent into bringing us down. Did we overpower him?" Kimson asked his older brother, a joking matter to lighten the mood.
Kong gave a dark chuckle, when he opened his eyes they were blazing. "Jealous we're topping him over? That somehow does make sense. His armies could be marching up here any day now."
Kimson sighed, unable to face his brother. Grabbing the picture of his entire family, he lifted it towards the light. Everything was so much better before the Era of Fear.
"We'll never hear the end of it if they found out about mother," Kimson murmured.
"Then we'll punch those who bring it up. Like the younger days."
Kimson chuckled, ever the wiser one. When they were little, he never joined Sun and the others. Perhaps it was because Sun taught Harrison and Vincent how to steal. But they still make time to create good memories together. Everyone knew that when you're older, you'd be thinker of younger days. And he would gladly smile at that thought.
"We're going to prison," Kong muttered after a long moment of silence. Finally admitting the words no one wished to talk about.
The smile on Kimson's lips fell. "Treason or not, the important thing is that we took the right path. Odette must fulfill the prophecy, with our help."
Kong eyed the picture in Kimson's hands. They had once been a loving and happy family, he wondered what they did in their past lives to get this sort of punishment. Sun's hair was a little longer back then, and Paul used to be an easy-going father. Light disappeared from Harrison's eyes, small wrinkles found a way to climb onto Vincent's forehead.
Kong poured himself some wine, another for his brother. The crimson liquor won't take the worry away, but it sure as hell will buy some time for relaxation.
Raising their goblets high to the ceiling, he spoke, "For our empire."
Kimson looked at the goblet, heart drenched in cold water. "For our empire."
