The Virtue

My Rusted Heart

(Theme Song is Heart Wants What it wants by Selena Gomez) <3

Nova's POV

"Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust" I snap the book as the layer of dust on it dances in the air

"Hmmm" I say to myself as I run my finger over the other books in my bookshelf. This is the proudest thing I own since my childhood, collection of books.

*Medusa enters*

"Tea? Nova?" Medusa stumbles as she walks across the room and places the golden white tray on the floor where I sit, she smiles and sits next to me

She knows how to get to my heart - Tea, books and biscuits

"How long do you plan to stay in this hole for?" Medusa asks curiously

"Till I get the peace of my mind back" I say blantly

Since the day Bjorn Ironside told me about Ivar and his devilish schemes, I have taken refuge in my 'fun room'. A room at the end of the castle wherein I kept everything filled with activities that gave me pleasure like butterfly collection, books and clothes. My father was my partner in crime, every now and then we used to escape to this room, far from reality and play with my silver tea set or just share laughter and stories

This room still smells of him

"You cannot stay here forever" Medusa says kindly, "You have to talk to him sooner or later" Medusa's green eyes widens as she speaks

"I will" I say as I single out a brown colored book and keep it to the side, I turn towards Medusa and gently grab a brown biscuit from the tray. I munch on it as I look at her, hoping she would break the silence because I just can't

"What he did or thought was atrocious but he is a man, that too a viking" Medusa puts a strand of my dangling hair behind my ear kindly, reminding me of Ivar. It's been a week since I have spoken to him

"That is no excuse " I say as I sip on my tea, "for anyone to stoop so low"

"But you have to tell him what you feel" Medusa says

"I have time and again told him what I feel, I know what comes next. Empty promises and wishful thinking" I reply

"You are married Nova. Don't be childish" Medusa says

"Why no one sees what wrong he does? and everyone expects me to be the forgiving one? The truthful one?" I say irritatingly

"You married him, knowing that he is flawed. He is a ruthless viking Nova but he is your husband" Medusa says

"AND I AM HIS WIFE" I say loudly as I place the teacup back on the tray with a loud thud

I stand up and look at Nova

"Medusa, I love you. I really do. But this time I love myself more" I say "Now please, I have to go to the throne room" 

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Ivar's POV

She enters with white sequin dress and with an air of flawlessness around her, flanked by Torvi and Astrid on her either side

Her head is held high as the crown on her forehead rests perfectly like a lock into a key, all what I can say when I see her is THAT IS MY QUEEN

But she doesn't look my way at all

She sits on the throne by my side, I can smell her skin and my heartbeat slows down, I haven't still figured out what is she punishing me for but it is torturous

Her silence is torturous

"Good Morning" I whisper but she ignores, instead she leans onto Torvi to whisper something into her ear, I envy Torvi for being so physically close to her

Why is she doing this to me?

"We have a special court hearing today. Please bring Adam Knoxville forth" Nova commands as I am stunned by the energy in her voice, it shakes the room

From a week or so, Nova is as distant as she has ever been. She is holed up in a small room and avoids any possible eye contact. Now she sits next to me but feels like as if she is a million miles away.

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Narrator's POV

A small rugged man with shackles around his legs and arms are brought and thrown in front of Ivar and Nova who sit on their thrones

"Remove the shackles" Nova commands

The guard looks at Ivar for his approval but Nova interrupts

"I SAID REMOVE THE SHACKLES" Nova howls as the court is stunned but her ferociousness, all eyes glued to her

"Your Majesty I cannot until King Ivar..." The Guard says but Nova interrupts, "I am the Queen of France and you will do as I say, understood? Now remove it!" Nova says while she stands up

"Thank you Queen Nova" The man cries

"Speak" Nova says

"He has nothing to say, he killed a village girl and now he is sentenced to death" Ivar says as he looks at Nova but Nova's eyes darts forward

"Let the man, speak" Nova mutters

"Queen, my queen. Oh what hell has been loose upon us. These pagans have burned everything and everyone who doesn't believe in their devilish faith" The man shivers

Ivar rubs in chin

"Churches burnt, women raped. And those who try to raise a voice against them then god forbids, he is skinned alive like a pig" The man cries 

"That is rubbish" Ivar ridicules

"Is there any truth to it Ivar?" Nova finally looks at him

"No, of course not! He is a liar, who is just here for the crimes he has committed" Ivar says as he points to the man

"Do I look like a fool to you?" Nova stares at Ivar

"No, why are you speaking like that?" Ivar is stunned

"If I am no fool to you then it's better that you stop treating me like one" Nova says sternly as the whole court watches the drama between Ivar and Nova heat up 

"The man will go under fair trial and under my watch. Any harm to this man will result is serious repercussions" Nova says as the court is adjourned

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Nova's POV

"What has gotten into you?" Ivar says as he moves towards me

"Common sense" I reply

"Don't you dare talk to me like that" Ivar warns as his face trembles in anger

The throne room is empty now and all there is left is Ivar , I and our echos

I say nothing but Ivar sprints and holds my wrist to turn me around

"Will you at-least say something?" Ivar ask as he deep blue eyes looks into mine

"You want to know the truth? Here is the truth, you are a selfish, ruthless, astute ruler who wants nothing but power" I say as Ivar's grip around my wrist tightens

"That is what you think?" Ivar asks in anger

"That is what you have proved to me" I reply, "Again and again" 

"You know???" Ivar's voice shivers

"You thought I would never find out?" I say as I smile out of anger, "Don't you dare say that it was for my best or that you took this decision because you HAD NO CHOICE. BECAUSE YOU HAD A CHOICE" I say

"You don't understand Nova" Ivar says 

"Earlier I didn't but now I do" I say "It's all about power to you"