Selene

11| Eric [UNEDITED]

Eric's age: Thirty-eight

"—arrested, currently being investigated and questioned—"

Selene's reports were always lengthy and well-detailed, so it almost took two hours to go through all she collected during the day.

"—judges have concluded that the accused shall be imprisoned... so they await your orders, if execution is your wish, my Lord," she concluded with a satisfied look.

"Lord?" I asked, raising my eyebrows.

"Father. I just don't want to ever make a mistake—"

"And if you do, what'll happen?"

She lowered her eyes. "That isn't important at the moment, my Lor—"

"Selene."

"Yes, Father. Father."

"I don't want you to forget yourself."

"Yes, Father. Father. Father, as you wish."

I leaned on my chair and sighed. "Selene..." My voice trailed off as I carefully considered her situation. "It's not about... being a servant. You aren't anyone's servant here, Selene. I-I don't want you... to live in regret... and..." I clenched my jaw. This kid made me weak inside.

"Eric," my father had asked me, whip in his hand. "Eric, what are you to do in your life?"

"B-B-Become a King," I had replied, trembling at the sight of my punishment.

Down came the whip, and those scars I had gotten as a four-year-old remained engraved in my back. "WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF YOUR LIFE?" my father had yelled. "WHY DO YOU THINK I'M LETTING YOU LIVE?"

"BECOME AN EMPEROR!" I had screeched in agony. "EMPEROR, NOT KING!"

I killed that old man, yet I didn't feel any gain from his death. Instead, it made me feel strangely empty inside.

My mother, who had completely devoted herself to my Father, took her own life thereafter, her last words being, I'm sorry my son killed you, my Lord, I'm so sorry.

For what? I had wondered the day I got the news. Why would you want to give your life for someone like him?

Surprisingly, before I knew it, I was crying over the death of my 'parents', people who treated me like a stranger, people due to whom I had nothing to remember called 'childhood'.

"I don't want you to become like me, Selene," I finally said. "I can't love you—no, rather, I won't love you. I don't want to put my faith in anyone until my last breath. And I want you to follow me."

"I do, Father. I do follow you."

Those lifeless eyes of hers haunted me every day and every night.

"Not like that, Selene." Taking others' lives was making her lose Human Emotions. It was something that I did support, considering how lies and betrayal filled every Royal's life.

But why must we suffer? Why must Selene suffer for that girl who spent her life in riches?

"There have been uprisings," Selene said, clearly trying to change the topic. "We have to crush the Revolution. But only if we didn't have the war with Kirai, our budget would be able to sustain—my Lord?"

There. She called me 'Lord' again.

One day, a time would come where she would have forgotten herself completely. She was truly becoming Luna Angler.

Perhaps she was trying to erase those memories of the past, or she just didn't want to look back at those dark days.

"I didn't name you Selene for nothing," I said. "Selene, the moon. Someone who lights up darkness. Someone who appears to be luminous despite lacking light. Someone who symbolizes Death. Selene Yami, that's who you are. And some 'shining light' can't do anything about it."

Selene's eyes widened. Then she looked away, holding back her tears.

I tapped my fingers on the table. "Why did I make you a Royal Assassin? Why did I pay Reparation for some 'Prince' of Hikari? Why haven't I conquered Hikari yet? I could've easily just executed Reine before the murder was publicized. I could've killed those who refused to obey. I could've blamed Helen instead."

"You're preparing me for the throne," she replied. "I know, Father, and I shall remain ever grateful to you for that. You made me acquainted to both War and Assassination. You make my life as difficult as possible, and yet you help me in the hardest of times. You want me to detach myself from everything, everyone. I can kill Helen. I can take the throne. I can rule. And I won't end up like you. You want the best for me."

"So, you understand."

"I don't think I can ever show you enough gratitude for all that you've done." She casually flicked her wrist and a loud thud sounded behind the door. "But why, Father?" Another flick. She was getting used to her Magic, but it wasn't even close to Helen's power, because that was how it would remain for the rest of their lives. "I've wondered for the longest time. My mother hates me, my sister resents me. My maternal Grandmother tries to establish some relation with me, so that I could be of use. But you don't do anything like that."

"You're useless," I replied. "And I'm getting my work done, so I don't care."

"Eric Yami. Do you know how much I'm benefiting from you? I can kill you so easily, and I know so much. Aren't you the least worried?"

Oh, her voice. She imitated me so perfectly.

She got her acting skills from her mother; she got her personality from me.

How dangerous she had grown to be. How perfectly I had raised her.

"I have nothing to be afraid of, Selene Yami. You don't know enough."

She just tilted her head in amusement. "Reine's health is deteriorating, I hear."

"So it is."

"And it doesn't bother you that my Grandmother would take on more responsibilities?"

"Not the slightest."

"Then I hope you won't mind a murder tomorrow night."

"As long as I get my reports. Also, execution for the rebels."

"Yes, my Lord. I shall convey your message and do the needful. Shall I behead them?"

"Let the guillotine do its work."

"As you wish." She bowed. "Then, if you'd permit me, I'll be taking my leave."

I observed the collapsed intruder at the door, the puppet master, a stupid maid trying to eavesdrop on our conversation. Selene had already taken care of her memories. But I had to continue using her to keep weakening Reine, manipulating the Grand Empress until Selene kept her word, and sparking the Revolution.

Tomorrow I'd order my trusted Assassin to kill everyone who tries to bring down the Empire, and then I would set off to the battlefield. I was certain that by the time I return, I would have fewer people to rule over, less relatives, and a sixteen-year-old daughter to crown. Why not? After all, I was the real puppeteer.