Chapter thirty eight

Eric

"His Majesty arrives." The announcer informed as I entered the royal court. The congregation rose to their feet to welcome the presence of their would-be king, Someone they could look up to and adore, Someone who would protect them. I wiped away the bead of sweat that had formed on my forehead.  I turned back momentarily to my brother and the royal advisor whose note I was to give the people today.

I needed to be strong. If not for me, For them. I took a deep breath and walked up to the table. I paused and examined the expression written on their faces before beginning.

"We all know the tragedy that happened yesterday. We are here to mourn the loss of one our own, A daughter of the white owl, Lady Emilia. She was a woman of valor and she will never be forgotten. I urge you all to stay indoors at night and avoid unnecessary visits to the forest. I sincerely hope an unfortunate event like this never happens again."

I got a standing ovation for a job well done. That wasn't all though. The Chimera wasn't the only thing my people were afraid of. The debt we owed was another cause for concern.

"... That said, There is another news I'd like to convey. It's not new hearing my father, The late King let Nodith in debt and penury at the time of his death. A debt that threatens the security of the Kingdom as I speak but I can promise you we won't be threatened by the King of Elyria anymore. Because Tomorrow, will be my coronation and my marriage to Lady Luciana Quinn."

The whole congregation went silent before erupting into a scream. I glanced in the direction of both Anthony and the Royal advisor. They were puzzled, shocked and enraged. I hadn't mentioned it to any of them and even if It broke so many rules, I knew it was the right thing to do. As my eyes strayed back to the audience, I saw Maisy. Her eyes were glassy; filled with pain and I knew why. When I finally faced the crowd again, my mouth went dry. I couldn't stop thinking about the look on Maisy's face. A part of me felt I shouldn't be the one to blame. She was the one who repeatedly said she hated me. She swore she would never give her inheritance and she would be of no use if I couldn't have her inheritance. I sounded like a golddigger saying this but it was how it worked around here.

I momentarily returned to the mortal plane and noticed I'd been standing for so long without saying anything that it got awkward.

"Thank you for your time," I said, ending the meeting since there was no news left to give.

The villagers clapped me as I headed back into the palace.

"What was that about?" My brother and the advisor spat in unison.

"I did the necessary." I bluntly replied.

"Changing the fate of your coronation, That was reckless!" The advisor chastised, "Just think of what the  order would do if they found out."

"I don't care. They are not the ones that have to watch people die. My brother could be dead, Sara ran mad and Emilia is dead. I had to  take drastic actions."

"If you say so. I have no choice but to agree with you, your majesty." The Royal adviser said before leaving me be.

Anthony however wasn't done with me.

"This is about becoming Alpha isn't it Eric?"

"Yes." I agreed. It was all about becoming Alpha. Reece wouldn't do what needed to be done to protect the kingdom. I mean what kind of protectors would we be if the people we swore to protect died each passing day.

"I know it's painful to watch all this but you have to be patient. It's a virtue you'll need as King."

It was sickening hearing people who had no idea what I had to go through give me their opinions on the right way to do things and even if Anthony was my brother, I just couldn't take it.

"If you are so learned in things like this, Why didn't you take the throne?"

I regretted it the moment they slipped out. I wished I could take them back but it was too late now. Anthony backed away from me. What was I becoming? I barged into the study room to clear my head but instead, I bumped into the one person I had been trying to avoid all morning.

"Hey, Maisy?"

She stared at me blankly before speaking.

"I'll be leaving tomorrow."

"I don't understand. You can't leave... It was the price you paid to revive Conrad..."

"Conrad is dead!" She retorted.

"What are you saying? I know my stepbrother. He is a survivor."

"Wrong! He came to me."

"His ghost? Is he here?"

It was scary. For Conrad to be dead? This couldn't be real. Could it be the Chimera?

"Something happened to him. Something terrible. He said he wasn't attacked by the Chimera."

"So who did it?" I demanded, slamming my fist into the desk in front of me and causing it to dent.

All my life, I had felt nothing but resent towards Conrad but he was a pack member and we were born to die for one another. The sudden urge to avenge him made me boil.

"He didn't remember but he did mention something, a clue maybe. He said, Valentine."

"Valentine?" The mere mention of that name brought back awful memories. It also made me wonder what the missing link was? What did Father Nicholas's daughter have to do with all these?

"You know who that is don't you?"

"She's late. She was Father Nicholas's daughter."

"Well," Maisy said, getting up and heading to the door," I hope you solve it."

Was this her final goodbye? Why did it hurt so bad?

I didn't stop her. I couldn't. She had been through so much already and It had been my fault but there was something I had to do. Something I hadn't done from the start.

"Maisy," I began, gaining her attention as she faced me, "This is kind of coming late but I have to say it. I'm sorry for everything I've put you through. You deserve better and I hope you get your happily ever after."

Her eyes shimmered, clouded with tears threatening to fall. She nodded and I could sense the pain it took for her to turn and walk away from it all.

When she vanished, I felt empty. I was sure I did the right thing. She deserved someone better, A kingdom where she wouldn't be restricted and more importantly away from me. It was just but why did it feel so wrong?

***

Maisy

My eyes drip with tears. My walls, the walls that held me up, made me keep my chin high just collapsed and left me in shambles.

Moment by moment, they fell. Salty drops poured. Unable to keep walking straight, I pressed my head against the wall, It was the only thing comforting me as I continued the now difficult journey to my room.   The trembling worsened as I reflected on our conversation.

I couldn't stop the tears from pouring. Why couldn't I stop crying? It was my idea anyway. Who knew it was such a hard act to follow.

  I finally made it, ignoring the questioning remarks of the servants who stood guard by the door, I pushed the door open and ran in with an unmatched strength.

Father was by the bed waiting for my arrival.

"He accepted", I sniffled.

"It's okay, Maisy. You'll be alright." He said, getting up and hugging me as tight as he could.

I accepted it and let it all out. It hurt bad. How he Let me go that easily, His asking for forgiveness and how chill he was. I expected more. I wanted more. Was it possible to despise someone so much yet still love them with every piece of you?

I heard a knock on the door and the voice of a servant girl relaying a message.

"You have a letter, your Royal Highness."

I headed back to the door to retrieve the letter. It was from Eric. Against the wishes of my heart, I unbounded it to read its content.

A small bottle dropped from within. I picked it up and examined the crimson red content inside. I returned my attention to the letter and read,

"Dear Maisy,

I sincerely I'm sorry for all I've done to you. The least you deserve is your freedom and I'll give you that after my coronation..."

I couldn't bear to read anymore. My eyes welled as I imagined how easy it was for him to say this. I had to come to terms with the fact that he was done. He had gotten what he wanted from me since the beginning. I must say, good things do fall apart.