Chapter Text
“Father?”
A cold hand enclosed an even colder pair resting on the stomach of an aged monarch.
Red-grey eyelashes struggled to open for a moment, blinking in the already darkened room and went to where the voice hailed from. A smile appeared on the face of his daughter and the father returned it, albeit much sadder.
“Sweetheart,” he gasped, “you should not be here. I fear you will be struck by the illness.”
“You’ve recovered, Father.” Yerenika kissed the pale forehead. “I have nothing to fear from you. The priests and doctors have confirmed that the plague has gone from your body. You need only rest more for your strength to return to you.”
The king gasped to breathe and Yerenika bit her lip, awaiting her father’s reply. “Another fear is that my strength will never return to me, my dear.”
“Don’t say that.” Her voice cracked and she moved herself closer to the smaller body resting on the bed. “Don’t say such a thing. You know how much I need you, how much we all do.”
“This is all my fault.” The tiny king cried, “The gods have cursed me for my greed and now everyone in my kingdom suffers for it. I lost my wife, my daughter, my people, and now I have placed a great burden on you, my child. For that, I apologize. I have failed you, sweetheart.”
Yerenika shook her head and kissed her father’s hands. “I’m here still, Father, as are you. Don’t leave me. Not yet, not so soon after Theresia.” She begged.
“I am weakened, my child.” The king closed his eyes, “I do not have much time yet. I pray that with my death, Livovny may rise again and be free from the curse that was placed by my doing.”
***
To the Princess Regent,
I offer you my sincere condolences for the death of your mother and sister. Hearing the death of Princess Theresia has burdened me greatly as I fear that I may have hastened her early departure from your family. With that, I do not wish to once again be a man who separates a family, and let your niece be far from her immediate family.
I have decided to lend Livovny my aid and support in battling this plague. I am sure that by the time you have received this, I am already near the borders of your Kingdom and I am asking for your kindness to let us be in your walls and for your understanding with the hastiness and rudeness of my actions. I am aware you might not have enough time to prepare for my comfort and I assure you I do not come to Livovny for leisure. I am here to help.
My son, Dekalb, has a close bond with your niece and is willing to learn Divinity with her. With me in my journey are the finest and experienced priests to educate them, as well as to relieve the priests in the Temples of Livovny who are dealing with many patients at once.
May this relief be a symbol and act of peace between our countries, and that all the bitterness that cultivated for ten years be alleviated.
Respectfully,
Euredian R
***
“You mustn’t, Your Royal Highness!” a lord shouted in the raging chamber, “The Bellecourts have been our enemies! To let them enter our lands at times like this would be a sign of weakness. Not to mention the fact that he dared to demand you let him in.”
“He didn’t demand.” Yerenika folded the letter and looked at her council who were in a rage. “He requested.”
“Semantics!” another one cried, “He brings an army of holy knights with him, Your Royal Highness. I know you wished for the best for the Young Princess, but I truly believe it was a mistake to let the King of Bellecourt know how dire our situation is.”
Yerenika sighed. “Then what? What would you have me do? The priests and medics we have are exhausted and our supplies are running thin with the farmers being struck by the illness as well. We have dried our winter supply as well.”
“Azekian?”
“Are you daft or uninformed?” Sergey muttered, crossing his arms, “The plague came from the West, what do you think the situation in Azekian is right now? Danarian did the same thing Bellecourt is doing and now they’re suffering more than we.”
Yerenika looked back at the map that was spread on the table.
Danarian was a country greater than Livovny, and when the plague worsened in Azekian, they lent their aid to their sister-country. What they didn’t expect was for the plague to spread to their borders as well. In a month, they lost three of their royal princes and princesses, and their Crown Prince became King after their father was taken by the plague.
Not to mention that despite the lare lands, it’s mostly infertile and cold.
Their food supply plummeted and the people are starving. Azekian and Danarian are now just helping each other out, desperate for hope and survival.
Now, the same could be said for us.
“As you said, my lord,” Yerenika interrupted their ongoing arguing with a firm voice, “The Bellecourtians have been our enemies, but they’re now willing to send us aid. Do not forget, my lords, the blame rests on my family’s greed, and it is my duty to fix this.”
“Princess.” An elderly lord called and Yerenika turned her head to – who she recalled – one of her father’s friends. “The offer of the King of Bellecourt is indeed tempting, especially now that we’re struggling, but these are the same men who took the lives of many of our own.”
“Because we sent our men to them.” Yerenika lowered her head. “No matter the case, history would see it as Bellecourt defending their own and preserving the agreement that Livovny had broken for two years. I won’t forgive them for kidnapping Theresia, and for keeping her and Brigitte from us for ten years, but no matter how you look at it, is the fault not ours from the very beginning? Did we not provoke the Master of Bellecourt?”
***
“I would have thought you would join them in protesting Bellecourt’s enter.” Yerenika admitted when the doors of the council chamber were closed, leaving her and Sergey alone. “You detested the man.”
“I detest the man, still.” Sergey rose to stand by the decanter and pour himself some wine. “I don’t trust him, especially with the fact that knights are coming with him.”
“And yet?”
“And yet we are in need.” Sergey finished the wine in a gulp, placing the glass on the council table where she sat at its head, the place where her father should be. “I’ve been around Livovny for months now, Yerenika. Everywhere you look, death lingers in the air and bodies are burnt to the ground.”
Yerenika closed her eyes and looked away. In the world she used to know, she had read books of what had happened during previous plagues that took the lives of millions. She had thought to herself that it would never happen again, and that she would not be able to witness those horrors and that they now remain only in the history books for the people to learn.
But this world had learnt nothing yet, and the modernity she was familiar to didn’t exist. She was now living in the lives of books, and the tales of horror that wasn’t detailed in the novel was something she was now experiencing.
A single paragraph of horror is a lifetime of tragedy for a person who lived through it.
“Doesn’t mean I’ll be letting down my guard.” Sergey sat back on his chair. “No doubt you will be hosting the King, so I will be sending some of my men here.”
“You need them, Sergey.”
“You need them more, Yenny.” Sergey insisted, holding her hand. “Brigitte is here with you and, sure, they took care of her, but… I just feel so afraid.” The grip on her hand tightened. “You and Brigitte are the only people I have left, Yenny.”
Yerenika could feel the tears stinging the corners of her eyes and she rushed to embrace the childhood friend of the body she possessed. She had been an adult already before she was thrust to this world, and she knew the burden of adulthood, but Sergey had been thrust to the role from a young age of nineteen after the death of his brother.
Where have our youths gone?
Even Seo Eun-seo’s youth and childhood were taken from a young age.
***
Yerenika remained silent as her handmaiden tied the bodice behind her. She was unsure if she should wear such a fine silk dress during a time of plague, but the ladies insisted that she be presentable before the King of Bellecourt. She was Princess Regent, and no matter what happens she must look her part.
“Should I tie it tighter, Your Royal Highness?”
Yerenika shifted a little to test the dress. “No, it’s fine. Thank you. Can you pin my hair?”
“Of course, Your Royal Highness.”
What a mouthful. But she did not dare to tell them to stop calling her that. These people had their own customs and norms and she should respect that. Besides, the name they call me is not even my own. It’s best to keep it like this for my own sake, as well.
“Brigitte?” she inquired to a maid waiting by the door.
“Getting dressed, Your Highness. She insisted she wanted to look ready for her friend.”
“… and Alexio?”
“The young sir is also getting ready.”
Yerenika nodded and sat still as pins were placed on her hair, along with fresh flowers from the gardens.
Alexio Lazaro Cardona. The male lead and hero of the novel, and the love interest of her niece.
Well, Yerenika thought as the maid moved from her finished pinned hair to hew jewellery, nothing is set in stone…
An evidence of that is now happening. The King of Bellecourt and Dekalb de Bellecourt coming to Livovny.
There was no mention of that, and surely that could not have happened in the novel as the two countries remained hostile to one another at the time when Brigitte was already nearing her adulthood.
But here they are now. Yerenika looked out of her bedroom window and her handmaiden bowed her head, stopping from fixing any imperfection as the Regent pondered. Is this the right thing to do? How would Dekalb react to it?
She made sure to tell Alexio to stand by Brigitte and be introduced as her guard and companion. Yerenika wasn’t forcing love to blossom between her niece and her guard’s only son, she was ensuring that Dekalb de Bellecourt would only see her Brigitte as a childhood friend for now.
Many things happened because of Dekalb’s obsession for Brigitte. She clasped her hands together in prayer. Many terrible things.
Dekalb de Bellecourt would have been nine or ten by now. Yerenika could still remember the one fact that broke her heart to pieces back then when she was nothing more than a reader for a world she had thought that didn’t exist.
Dekalb de Bellecourt turned eleven and killed his own father, the King of Bellecourt, by using him as a sacrifice in a magic ritual.
Yerenika gulped as she recalled the contents of the King’s letter to her.
My son, Dekalb, has a close bond with your niece and is willing to learn Divinity with her.
The hands that folded in prayer tightened and Yerenika bowed her head to the gods, hoping they would hear her.
May this be a step for a peaceful future. Let Dekalb bond with his Father. Let Alexio be strong. Let Brigitte be happy.
***
Whispers abounded the throne room as Yerenika entered from the side entrance and sat on her father’s place. She knew what the focus of their gossiping was. Bellecourt.
She glanced at her privy council standing by the dais and they nodded.
The party of Bellecourt have now entered Livne, and was bound to be before her soon. Yerenika breathed deeply and recalled what she must do in the presence of Bellecourt’s King and Master, as well as the man who holds a grip on Rhyger’s power. She hoped that he would not do anything false, and that the journey here was all as he said; aid, relief, education.
Her eyes wandered to the whispering and anxious nobility of her father’s court. They roamed to and from between the columns of the throne room, their silk gowns reflecting the low candlelight and the sunlight coming from the open balconies and the large windows behind her. At the second floor, overlooking the throne room, were the noble ladies of the court who whispered behind their fans and glanced at her. They both looked away at the same time.
“Auntie!”
Eyes turned to the high-pitched shout as the third and youngest member of the royal family entered from a side entrance and went to her aunt’s legs. She embraced her aunt who smiled fondly at her.
“Brigitte, you know you’re not allowed to do that in public.”
“I know.” Her little niece giggled. “Just wanted to do it before Dekalb and his father comes.” Brigitte said before taking her place at Yerenika’s left. Alexio followed his charge at a much slower and refined pace, nodding towards his godmother who smiled at the sight of him before nodding to her niece’s direction. Alexio did as he was asked shyly.
The presence of the two remaining active members of the royal family seemed to have solidified to their peers that what was happening was real, and that the Bellecourtians were coming to the royal palace, the same palace that they had attacked more than ten years ago, when they had kidnapped their then-pregnant eldest princess, whose child was now standing beside their future queen.
Yerenika’s eyes went momentarily to her excited niece. You’re the only one that matters, Brigitte.
Trumpets were rung and Yerenika straightened as the other aristocrats hushed and cleared the green carpet that led to the golden throne of Livovny. She could feel sweat forming at her back, but she was unsure if it came from the sun’s heat that penetrated the window behind the throne or it came from her nervousness and anxiety. Perhaps it was the latter after all, for as she clasped her hands together at her lap, they felt slippery. She wiped them on her dress discreetly.
Finally, the sound of footsteps could be heard and the golden doors of the throne room opened, the herald clearing his throat before announcing with a loud and booming voice that echoed in the small throne room.
“His Royal Majesty, King Euredian Louis Soledor of Bellecourt and his son, Crown Prince Dekalb of House Bellecourt.”
There was a stillness in the air as a man and boy entered the throne room, their steps muffled by the green carpet but still audible as they moved towards her. Still, that wasn’t what was on Yerenika’s mind.
Hair as silver as a knight’s sword. Eyes the same colors as rubies. These were the features of a member of House Bellecourt, and how the novel depicted Dekalb de Bellecourt, the antagonist. But other than focusing on the man who had tried to have her niece’s love in another lifetime, or in the future, her eyes were more drawn to the tall figure beside the rigid and happy boy.
Yerenika had seen her father present himself to an audience many times before the plague struck. He was a happy man who would smile at anyone and failed to hide his emotions well. It was one of the reasons why the royal family was approachable by the people, as there was never such a rigid social hierarchy that formed between them that could be found in other countries. Yet, this man was the complete opposite of what her father exhibited to his people.
Clear and forward eyes. A tall and proud stance. He was a perfect embodiment of a confident and experienced ruler.
Euredian Louis Soledor de Bellecourt.
It was a name that she had not known until she decided to write to him for Brigitte’s safety. Before, she had only called him ‘Father,’ whenever she wept in pity for his fate back when she was still a girl who nobody cared for.
You have a name now. Yerenika smiled at him, oddly feeling wanting to cry but refrained herself. I wonder if someone even calls you by your name with the title you hold.
“Welcome to Livovny Palace, King Euredian.” She spoke, bowing her head slightly, which the King returned while his son performed a full bow before her. “I speak for my people when I offer you our gratitude for coming to Livovny despite these trying times and giving us aid.”
“Thank you for your welcome, Your Highness.” He spoke and the timbers of his voice vibrated through her every being. “Still, I cannot accept your gratitude yet. There is much work to be done and I can only receive the honor of your thanks once this plague is over.”
The King of Bellecourt moved to the left as Dekalb slowly stepped forward. “You have heard of my son, Dekalb de Bellecourt.”
“Greetings, Your Royal Highness.” Dekalb bowed and Yerenika felt a weird sensation at the sight of the antagonist bowing to her.
Come now, Yerenika. He still has a chance to change.
“I have heard many things of you, Prince Dekalb.” She nodded her head in acknowledgement, a small smile on her lips. “My niece told me of your friendship with her during her time in Bellecourt. I’m happy to hear that you were a friend she needed, Your Highness.” She looked to her left and smiled at the excited youth. “Go on, Brigitte, reintroduce yourself.”
Brigitte beamed. “It is a pleasure to see you again, Your Majesty, Dekalb.” She grinned at her friend, whose eyes twinkled at the mention of his name.
“We have arranged for a feast to welcome you in our home, Your Majesty.” Yerenika stood and everyone straightened as a relieved atmosphere came to the throne room. “It would be an honor to have you join us in luncheon and dinner after some rest.”
The former enemy of the Livovnyans bowed his head and offered his hand to the reigning princess of the kingdom. “I would be delighted to, Your Highness.”
Yerenika knew it was customary for the opposite sex of the equal rank to escort, and she knew she would be the one to lead him to the gardens, but there was a momentary hesitation that came to her, as she had briefly wondered if it was alright.
That was a mistake.
For everyone in the throne room saw her hesitance and for a brief period, she saw a waver in the King’s face and a flinch from his hand. Acting quick, she placed her hand on his, a flush of embarrassment coming to her.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” She said and as her hand tried to be comfortable in his larger one, she led them to the gardens of the palace where the luncheon awaited them.
“Your Highness?”
“Yes?” she gasped, unaware that her focus to be perfect for the moment had distracted her.
The King smiled at her gently. “It will be alright soon.”
***
The Duke of Levan was not happy to see him or any of their party, that much was certain for Euredian.
Who could blame him? Euredian eyed the Levan guards at their sides as they escorted them to their final destination. His brother was killed in the war. His sister-in-law and remaining relative in our grasp until recently.
Euredian eyed Ferric behind him and the knight slowed down so that he was in the same pace and a closer distance to Dekalb’s carriage. As this happened, the monarch used the time they had left to spare a glance to his surroundings.
He had been the Livovny before, however it was only for a brief moment and back then, he was in a rush to secure a hostage and only saw some greenery around him, as well as a wing of the palace – he didn’t see much other than that. But he was sure that had he stayed, he would have noticed the warm and soothing colours of green, gold, and white in the palace and in the capital.
However, as he passed trough the streets of Livne, it was quite sobering how quiet it was, with only a few of the townsfolk coming out to greet him. Some waved in cheer for some help, while others remained silent at the sight of the Bellecourtian crest waving in a burgundy flag.
This was expected. Euredian thought as he eyed the back of the Prime Minister of the country, who was in no rush to arrive in the palace. No doubt the man was hesitant to let him inside their walls once more. All of this was to be expected, really.
They drew closer to the royal palace and Euredian could already spot the familiar Livovnyan architecture of round domes and elaborate wall decorations. The sun’s beam briefly hit the golden domes of the palace and he averted his eyes from the sight of it. He briefly wondered if the greediness of House Livovny was something they displayed so publicly.
I wish for her to have a happy childhood, and I am willing to sacrifice my time with her to ensure that.
No, Euredian corrected himself as the gates of the royal palace opened and the Bellecourtian party was granted access to the palace, not all in their family.
He dismounted from his horse and straightened his clothing. Euredian had deliberately chosen a clothing with Livovnyan colors, as a sign that he was not here for Bellecourt’s interests, but for Livovny’s. Though, he hoped they would not misunderstand his pure intentions.
He waited for Dekalb to get off the carriage and as he was about to enter with his escort of holy knights, the Minister stopped him with a raised hand and a stern gaze.
“Thousand pardons, Your Royal Majesty, but I cannot let your guards enter the Royal Palace with weapons.”
He could hear the silent protests from Radin and Ferric behind him but he only nodded his head. “Of course, is there anything else we should comply to?” he asked as he gestured his men to hand their weapons to Levan’s men.
Sergey Levan looked like he wished to say something, but it would seem that propriety did not permit it to himself so he gestured for them to follow as led them through the Palace and to the throne room.
Euredian wouldn’t dare admit to himself that he was interested in the Princess Regent and was looking forward to seeing her for the first time, finally receiving the chance to see her face after days of travelling and reading about her. As Levan guided them to the intricate and well decorated yet silent halls of the palace, he briefly wondered if the simplicity of the inside was something that the Regent had something to do with, as it was a vast contrast from what he could see outside.
His eyes went to Dekalb who stood slightly behind and beside him, eager to see his friend again and Euredian smiled as the fanfare played and announced his arrival.
“Excited?”
“Nonsense.” Dekalb huffed and looked away, but Euredian smiled gently at the reddening tips of his ears.
“Alright.” He conceded and straightened himself as the golden doors opened. “As long as you’re happy, Dekalb.”
They entered the green and gold throne room with silence yet whispers travelling in the air, yet Euredian ignored them and was relieved when Dekalb did the same. It was then when the blinding light of the sun once again forced his attention to the focus of the room.
Sitting on a throne of Livovnyan green and gold was a woman who wore the same colors in silk, and flowers pinned to her hair, a perfect match to the plants that were placed all over the throne room. The three large windows behind her perfectly shone on her hair and Euredian’s breathing nearly stopped when his eyes finally landed on the woman who he had only seen in portraits.
When the golden light struck her pink hair, it would become white and a shade of yellow and pink. Her skin was pale, but not sickly. It was the color of softness and snow. Her eyes – gods – Euredian had seen Princess Theresia many times, and often admired the blue shade of her eyes and had seen the similarity of it from the Regent’s miniature, but the miniature was a poor imitation of what it truly was.
They were akin to the colors of his divinity, and shone the yellow reflections of the tiled floor and an emotion he could not name. But he was able to place what it was when they trembled slightly at the sight of him and Euredian could almost feel pity for her.
No doubt she didn’t expect herself to be in this position and role.
“Welcome to Livovny Palace, King Euredian.” Said the soft and angelic voice.
***
A serene tune played from the musicians as the people took their luncheons and Euredian watched them all. Beside him, he could feel the nervousness and uncertainty coming from the Princess Regent, but he did not wish to impose on her as she tried to gather her thoughts.
He was placed beside her at the center of the long table in the tent-filled gardens. It was only the two of them in the royal tent, with a smaller one beside theirs for Dekalb and Princess Brigitte, along with her other friend who Euredian briefly forgot the name of. Ferric stood behind him, while another of Levan’s men stood behind the reigning princess. He could feel the eyes of the Minister, however, who was at the tent at Princess’ right where the other ministers were.
“I,” the princess began and Euredian shifted his attention from his observations to the relatively younger woman, “hope you don’t mind the luncheon being in the gardens. It’s a custom here in Livovny, and Brigitte has told me that you do not have it in Bellecourt. I assure you, Your Majesty, that we have taken precautions to ensure that the plague cannot enter the Royal Palace once again.”
Euredian nodded in understanding. “it’s quite alright, Your Majesty, there is no need to fret. I am glad that I have the opportunity to take my meal once again in a garden. Your niece is quite right. We don’t take luncheons often, unless parties or just preference on a fine weather.” He said as he cut through his meal. “But I do enjoy the outdoors occasionally.”
“I hope your wife is not unhappy that you have left her alone in your home.” The Princess smiled at him apologetically, which she shouldn’t need to if Euredian wished to be honest to the world. “I’m sure she misses you and your son greatly by now.”
Only Dekalb, I believe. Though, I wouldn’t use the term ‘miss.’ Euredian simply smiled. “My wife is happy enough to support my decision, she has many matters to attend to in Bellecourt.”
I have no doubt that the Princess knows what my marriage is like. The whole continent knows.
As they ate in silence, it was the princess once more who broke it.
“I know you mentioned it in the throne room earlier, but truly, I thank you for your decision.” Yerenika whispered to him and Euredian couldn’t help but give her all of his attention, “I had thought that I was prepared to lose Brigitte, and that I would crumble to the pressures, but… truly, you have no idea how grateful I am for your decision to come and let her stay here.”
Their eyes went to the children’s tent where his son and her niece were in a lively conversation while the third person of the group merely paid attention with a look of interest in his golden eyes.
Euredian’s gaze went back to the Princess Regent who was looking at her niece fondly and lovingly, the same gaze he had seen Princess Theresia give her daughter on the rare occasions she accepted his invitation for tea with his family. Euredian breathed deeply.
“You have read my letter, Princess. I have no wish to separate her from her remaining immediate family. She had only lost her mother, and I do not wish for her to lose a parental figure in her life by spending the rest of her childhood in the Temple of Laurus.” When the Princess returned to him, he smiled, “I’m not saying the Temple is a terrible place, I only wish for the best of companies and childhood, despite what’s going on outside her palace walls.”
The Princess was silent as she beheld him and they continued to be like that for some moment’s breath, just staring into each other’s eyes before she took a breath, unmoving her gaze from his.
“… I know this is to be expected, but there will be mistrust on both ends, and I do not wish for that to happen while this all goes on, while Brigitte is happy once again.” Euredian stilled when he noticed the faint traces of tears on those mesmerizing eyes of hers. “Can I trust you? Can I believe in your words? Will you not attack? Not betray the words you have written?”
Then, in an act of sincerity no doubt, she held his hand and Euredian could feel the thunder of his heart at this small gesture that he had never felt before. He was almost tempted to pull away, the customs of Bellecourt screaming scandalous comments in his mind, but the temptation to remain in this moment was too strong.
“Euredian, will we keep the peace we both desire for our countries?”
Euredian nodded, “You have my word, Princess.” He said as he rotated their hands and gripped hers tightly and she let out a sigh of relief, her body staggering briefly and he felt the tremble in her hands from it.
“Thank you.” She whispered. “Thank you.”
In that moment, Euredian was grateful for the flowery decorations in front of their table that hid their hands, for as he caressed the back of her silky hand, he somehow had the feeling that he could never say a word of negativity to her. Not even when she called him by his name without a thought as to what that could mean for him.
Then again, when was the last time someone called him by his given name? Elodia, the only person to have the authority do so, only ever called him her husband, or by his title.
“Of course,” he responded slowly, “… Yereninovika.”
***
Euredian knocked on the door and waited for a response.
The Bellecourtian party were given the entire East Wing of the Royal Palace. The Princess had toured them and explained that it used to be her wing of the palace before moving to the West Wing after her mother’s death, and was supposedly only going to be there temporarily but remained there after her father’s health went to worse and focused on taking care of her new responsibilities both in Court and in Family.
She’s twenty-nine, if I recall. He thought, waiting outside his son’s door. She’s older than when I was crowned, but she was unprepared. She never had thoughts of taking her father’s crown.
The door opened to reveal Dekalb prepared for bed. “Yes, Father?”
Euredian found this response more welcome and calmer than when they were still in Bellecourt. He thought this was a good step for them to become closer, and whatever influence Elodia had of him would be fixed.
He sent Dekalb a small, inquisitive smile. “You’ve been busy with the Princess the whole day, even during dinner. Are you having fun?”
His son flinched, making Euredian blink. “I apologize. I had missed Brigitte that I hadn’t realized I was being improper.” He muttered, looking away from Euredian with a dark and furious gaze.
Euredian coughed, “Dekalb, I’m not here to scold you. I’m merely asking if you’re enjoying our time here. I won’t be angry with you for playing with Princess Brigitte.”
Tension left Dekalb’s shoulders and Euredian secretly let out a sigh of relief through his nose. Assured, he continued speaking.
“Princess Yereninovika wishes for her niece to be trained here in the palace. She does not wish to bring you both so close to the patients in the Temple. Is that alright with you?”
Once again, he saw a dark look descend on his son’s face and knew that whatever was on Dekalb’s mind, it clearly had something to do with divinity or the Temple.
With Soleia’s gatekeeping, Euredian had little to none time to be with his son and tell him more of their ancestral gift. He had thought that it was because of this that Dekalb had not awakened his divine abilities. But now that he thought about it as well, another terrible thought had entered Euredian’s mind.
What had Soleia taught their son?
“I will do my best to be a worthy companion of Brigitte during our stay.”
“Good.” Euredian muttered, and with moment’s hesitation, did something unprecedented between the father-and-son pair.
A warm big hand, the size of the boy’s head, found itself on his silver hair.
Dekalb’s eyes widened and his body stiffened with tension. Euredian himself was nervous, gulping down the lump in his throat.
“Dekalb.” He knelt once again before his son, the only family he has left to call ‘family.’ “I need you to promise me something.”
“…”
“… I know… I’m…” Euredian struggled and rubbed his own temple. “I’m terrible at this, forgive me.”
“Are you going to say you haven’t been a good father?”
Euredian’s eyes went to meet his son’s, blinking in astonishment before smiling. “How did you know?”
Dekalb looked away, a hint of shyness in his features. “Books. Mother thinks I study alone, but… Princess Theresia loved reading dramatic books…” he looked down, fidgeting, “so, I read them, thinking that… she would like them… and when she left, I thought that, I thought that if she… I thought that we could talk about them.”
Euredian had known that Dekalb was close with the mother-and-daughter from Livovny, but he hadn’t known that it was to this extent. He had heard from Ferric and even from Soleia herself on how much time Dekalb spent in Beryllia Palace. Euredian himself didn’t mind it. There was no harm in it, anyway. He even thought that should his son and the little princess get along swimmingly, then perhaps Livovny and Bellecourt might be united through marriage.
Not that I want to force him.
“I’m sorry that Princess Theresia is gone.” Euredian whispered, repeating the words he had written earlier to the Regent. “I know you were very fond of her. I hope you can comfort Princess Brigitte with that.”
“I will.” Dekalb nodded.
“And…” Euredian gripped both his son’s arms. “Dekalb.”
Euredian looked into the eyes that were so hauntingly similar to his. Eyes that resembled rubies because of their burgundy color, and they swirled in rings of black. One would think these could not have come from the god of Rhyger. In them, Euredian could see youth, confusion, fear, anger, and so many other emotions that fought control over his son. His son that was too young to be having such turmoil.
You’re too young, but old enough to be knowledgeable of your surroundings. Euredian sighed, sadness seeping into his chest. When have we both grown so much?
Euredian had not realized that so much time has passed, and so little memories existed between them.
“Dekalb, promise me. Promise me that when something happens to you, when something bothers you, whether they be good or bad, whether they cause harm or burden, you come to me – you tell me, and I swear, Dekalb,” Euredian bowed his forehead and let it meet the still-frozen Dekalb, “I swear I will do everything to protect you. Everything for you.”
“… Why are you saying this?” his son whispered, his voice so soft and it was the first time that Euredian heard such a sound from him, his son who spoke so coldly to him before. “You speak as if you know something is going to happen to you.”
Euredian didn’t answer him and remained in that position for a little while longer before pulling away.
“You’re my only family, Dekalb.”
“Mother-“
“Hates me.” Euredian smiled sadly, letting the known truth be told to his son, who already knew it. “You know that. I know that. Everyone does. And I’m sorry.”
Dekalb looked down.
“I know this is all too sudden. That this is… weird for you to listen to, especially coming from me, who has been distant to you. But you have no idea how much I’ve wanted to tell these things to you.”
“… It is quite sudden.” Dekalb admitted, shuffling his shoes. “You’re never really this affectionate.”
Euredian chuckled lowly. “I’m not really.”
Dekalb opened his mouth, the words at the tip of his tongue, before deciding against it. Euredian wondered what could he have heard, but it would seem that Dekalb decided to speak, though Euredian knew for some reason that the words that came out were changed.
“Is this because of Mother?”
“Mother?”
“Did you deliberately separate me from her for this?”
Euredian thought for a moment on what he should say. “One way or another, yes. I wanted to have time with you, alone. But I also wanted you to be happy again. I saw how upset you were when the Levans left.”
“… Do you know something?”
“What?”
“Nothing.” Dekalb pulled away from the bewildered Euredian, “I’m tired. I wish to go to bed.”
“… Right.” Euredian smiled a second befor standing and, once again, touched his son’s hair. “You should… Good night, Dekalb.”
“…” Dekalb met his eyes before stepping back in his room and closing the door. “Good night, Father.”
Euredian returned to his room in silence, nodding to the guards of his household who were on duty. He and Livovny may be on better terms, but he knows from the looks he received from some aristocrats and the hesitant words of the Regent that he should not let down his guard.
As he entered his well-decorated room, Euredian twisted one of the chairs and sat, gazing upon the burning flames on the hearth. Like the fames swirling around each other, devouring the wood and charcoal, his thoughts ate away his mind.
“… Do you know something?”
Euredian’s hands tightened, nerves nearing to pop and skin turning white – though he did not know if it was from anger or fear. What was it? What was he supposed to know? What does he not know?
“Our son will carry the legacy you will leave behind for him.”
The most chilling nightmare that he dared not dream came to him. A haunting revelation that could not be true, and that he was unwilling to acknowledge.
“By the gods.” Euredian bowed to the flames and clutched his head, “Gods, Soleia… What in the heavens have you done?”