All is Fair in Love and War

Chapter 7

The morning rays danced through the panes of glass. They added a light touch to the melancholy that plagues this castle. Some were lightly tinted with warm colors that brightened the bleak offwhite walls. They were framed with designs engraved into the stone. Ornate sconces lined the wall with unlit torches. Portraits of previous lords and kings lined the hall. Some took up the whole frame while others brought attention using their ridiculous outfits.

Everything in this castle represented power. Power over allies and enemies. Power over everyone who has ever heard of our kingdom. People say that our king was the most powerful king in the history of Kalimera, and our queen was his perfect match. Both are equally ruthless and strong, like a wildfire blazing through the forest. Their children are rumored to be even stronger than them when their time comes. Even though no one ever sees them, not even me.

The tall grand doors made me feel small like many others have tried to do. Everything in this castle makes me feel small and... pathetic. Grander than anything I have ever seen in my lifetime, the castle mocks me. It mocks me every day and I hate it.

You don't deserve this. You don't deserve this.

When their Majesties invite guests of other courts into the castle, it is to show off. To show what they have above everyone else, what no one will ever achieve. Nobody will ever be as good as them and no one should even try.

Worthless. Worthless. Worthless.

As the doors gradually opened, I took a few deep breaths. No need to get in over my head during a time like this. Being uneasy makes you nervous, being nervous makes you weak, being weak makes you vulnerable, and being vulnerable makes you an easy target.

If you catch my drift.

The doors opened to a grand throne room. Two diamond and silver thrones sat in the back accompanied by one gold throne on each side. A sumptuous red carpet with diamond accents (that I still fail to understand how they were attached), led to the platform where the thrones awaited. Stained glass created a mirage of rainbows on the white quartz floor. The ceiling was as high as the clouds, painted with different stories of another life in another world in another universe.

"Come closer, dear," a voice beckoned. It was cold and hard, with cruel, wicked humor lacing it. It sounded like two stones grating against each other, the sound as ugly as the man's heart who spoke with it.

Unfortunately, the man himself was somewhat... God, damn me to hell... handsome. Maybe not handsome, that was sort of a stretch. Ok, so he is kinda good looking. All of these years of ruling and stress haven't affected him that much. His cold, calculating brown eyes and brown hair contrasted his near ivory skin. It was kinda weird how pale he is; like one of the vampires in our legends described.

I walked to the center of the room, footsteps echoing throughout the whole room. I bowed in respect and looked at them. Two cruel smirks greeted me.

"Hello, General Abila," Her Majesty said, something lacing her voice. It was like a cruel yet humorous tone.

She was also a thing of beauty. Contrasting to her husband, she had dark brown skin like mine with hazel eyes. Her black hair was pin-straight and fell all the way to her hips. She wore a simple blue gown with gold dripping everywhere. Her crown dazzled in the sun, diamonds and sapphires glinted in the light. Chiseled cheekbones accompanied by a slender waist made her look like a goddess.

"Greetings, Your Majesties," I replied.

What is your game?

"We have another assignment for you," the King said, tired of a game that has only just begun. "We need you to... take something."