The War of Ares (boyxboy)

Chapter Two - I will torture them for daring to harm a royal.

Aristides.

“In the last few minutes we’ve had confirmation,” my grandfather says firmly as he looks out at the parliament of Kings and other royals. “The Southern Prince, Prince Koa, was killed earlier today by his younger half-brother, Ambrose.”

A cheer goes up in the throne room. I stand behind my grandfather as I watch Kings and other royals celebrate the news. Everyone is overjoyed to hear that the stronger brother is dead. It’ll make their jobs a lot easier. Their goals will be met with a lot less effort now that he’s dead. Most here probably assume I’m overjoyed, too. They probably think I’ve just been waiting for news like this for a long time.

Part of that is true. I’ve wanted The Prince dead for as long as I can remember. But I’m definitely not happy that he died this way.

A few more loud cheers come from the group and I struggle to hold my composure in front of them. I want to bang my hand down on the wooden table in front of them and make them stop.

I’ve wanted him dead since I was a young boy. Maybe around 9 or 10. But the truth is, I’ve always wanted to be the one to do it. So no, this isn’t what I want.

I can’t stop the anger from growing inside of me as I imagine the smug look on the new Kings face. He knows he’s done what many men have wanted to do for years—what I’ve wanted to do for years.

He killed the man who killed my brother.

He killed the unbeatable warrior.

The warrior with a sword of steel.

Many talk about how cold-blooded the prince is. They all fear him, even his own people. They believe him to be a monster. A man who has no soul. A person who doesn’t care what others think.

They describe him the way I want them to describe me.

I want to be seen as untouchable. I want to be someone everyone cowers in fear from. But I’m not… Not yet anyway. One day, though, I will make everyone fear me.

Grandfather chuckles and raises his hand. “I know everyone is excited but we have business to attend to.”

Grumbles from the cowed make him chuckle even more and then finally, silence fills the room once more.

“I believe now would be the perfect time to send our men in to take control of the South.”

Kings from other countries nod their heads and companions brighten in agreement.

Grandfather looks around the room as he continues to speak about how important this day is for everyone who wants the South to be merged with the North again. I try to pay attention to some of what he’s saying, but it’s really very boring. Not the part about taking control, but the whole thing about how great a day this is.

It’s not a good day. It’s the worst day of my entire life.

“I believe my grandson has reached a point in his life where he would make a wonderful leader. I believe he should be the one to lead us to victory.”

Eyes focus on me and I can feel my own threatening to bulge out.

He’s trusting me! He’s finally trusting me with this.

“What do you say, son?”

“I would be honored to lead our beautiful country to victory.”

Grandfather’s smile is cold. His smile when talking about this sort of thing is always the same. Like me, he loves war. Loves the bloodshed and loves seeing us win. I take after him more than I do any other relative—including my own father.