Chapter 5 - Suttern (1)

A deer calmly lowered its head in the midst of the still forest, drinking by the lake, looking clueless and carefree.

The sun is about to set and the instilled calm surroundings had increased his primal instinct. In wolf form, he lowers his head, eyes sharpen behind a wild bush, carefully eyeing the prey that looks unaware of its incoming death.

His elongated canine could already taste the prey's thick blood, tearing up and bringing forth the succulent flesh, satisfying his other side. He jumps at the animal, with quick and precise movement he easily penetrates his target, knife like claw about to tear down its flesh when a sharp pain suddenly comes from his left paw.

He let go of it.

Aware of its sudden freedom, the deer immediately ran towards the forest, now gone.

The pain is bearable, but the fact he let go of his prey causes fury to take over his head.

Who?

Who had dared to attack him?

Whipping his head around, he found a pair of light amber staring right at him, recognizing a hunter had injured him, blood rushing to his head as anger filled through his roar. At first she looked startled, but she yelled.

"How dare you!"

• • ⊱∘────·☽༓☾·────∘⊰ • •

Arthaqyse Suttern.

The name alone sends shivers to every creatures' spines, it would be their sole wish to hide rather than breathing within his presence. Every creature that resides at both the Land of Qye and Kingdom of Suttern is aware not to mess with this one particular Royal.

His mauve orbs could send anyone to its doom just by staring at it. The countenance of authority exudes from him, stills everyone who tries to come near. A royal with a cold demeanour and no mind for those around.

The Crown Prince of Suttern has made his name known after his mother closed her eyes when he turned fourteen. The one full of laughter and high spirits had turned into its current cold and domineering state.

The resounding story being secretly passed along within the Kingdoms. A day when the Crown Prince of Suttern breaks the neck of another creature, bathing in its blood with eyes void of emotion.

Since that 'incident', every creatures within mainland has speculated about the reason for this sudden turn. Some whispered the possibilities of the Crown Prince being manipulated by the former Queen of Suttern, the Crown Prince's Grandmother, successfully turning him into a monster.

Others believe that the blood that flows inside him, werewolf and fairy, has turned him into a lunatic. While the rest, has thought that behind all that, he is actually saddened by the fact that he loses both his mother and father.

Kyzen finds it unfortunate for Artha, as the younger brother of current Queen of Suttern, he knows The Queen's exact personality. The reason why she didn't tell her own children about her impending deep slumber, choosing to close her eyes in silence instead.

It was a simple reason, as simple as it can be, she didn't want her children to be worried.

But now that everything has happened. No one can be blamed besides the fates itself.

I don't understand, brother.

Why?

Why did she do that?

Kyzen's youngest sister had asked once in a confused manner. Ezana's ability to see the future has sometimes frustrated her and pushed her to the brink of going mad. Kyzen is the only place she can pour out all her troubles and he would listen apprehensively, paying attention to every single word that the girl poured.

That time, however, after hearing the entire story, his green eyes had widened, flabbergasted for the first time. It caused him to consider announcing the vision Ezana had shared. The day when The Queen decides to help someone who had clasped with the death of Moon Cursed.

Those who have the ability to see the future, ought to silence and wait. Just wait for the events to lay without a hitch, that is the requirement for those with this ability, rendering them as a viewer and only that role is bestowed.

Initially, Kyzen wants to go against this said rule. However, The Queen had always reminded them that if the future is altered, such will bring further chaos.

Now, she should witness what chaos she had created.

Kyzen sighed. In about a few days, the street would be filled with a bustling crowd of creatures. Cheering and laughing, wishing for the return of Queen Suttern. This year ought to be the biggest year. It is the fifth year of the festival. Everyone has speculated that the Queen would wake up this year. It has been a really long time and her energy would have fully regained by now or so everyone has wished and wanted to believe.

He lightly rubs his forehead, wanting the ache to go away. When the door to his chamber opened wide and walked in his nephew clad in black attire.

Hunt?

Again?

"Uncle," Artha regards Kyzen.

Eyes void of emotion, standing by the door.

Every year, Artha would come to visit Qye during the Festival for about a month. He wants to take part in this little tradition of his mother homeland. He truly wants to pray for her. But no one would believe him, as his eyes couldn't show a single true expression. Kyzen plastered a smile and gestured for him to sit.

Being one of the youngest, Kyzen didn't have to take part with Officials and such. He chose to live a lavish life of a Royalty instead. His daily life consists of drinking fine tea and reading poetry, also joking lightly with the spirits.

His ability allows him to freely interact with spirits, those who linger above the ground, searching for happiness within the living. The sole purpose of his ability is to control and prevent any trouble between the living and the spirits. Truly embodied the carefree life as a royalty.

His bright lit room with structured furniture showed his well-planned and thoughtful personality. Apart from a bed, a drawer by its side, shelves and table by the corner, there was nothing else that could pique anyone's interest.

Artha takes a step towards the inner part of the room, eyes solely on his uncle who leisurely sits on a couch. Tasting yet another strange tea that was probably sent from a Princess or a Royal of other countries.

Kyzen's calm feature that tightly clad around him makes his popularity rise every year. Inside the Royal Family of Qye, only Kyzen and Ezana hadn't settled down and tied the knot yet, Ezana case was understandable considering her age and that she still thinks marriage or life with another creature is not yet to be pursued.

While Kyzen, he chooses to stay like this instead. Not because he wants to play around with the hearts of those royal females, simply because he didn't care and never really paid any attention to them. He still wants to embrace the life of leisure and joy with the spirits, happily laughing like a crazy person.

"You want to hunt," Kyzen states the obvious, eyes slowly scanning his nephew from head to toe. His well-built body was perfectly wrapped by the black attire, showing the lean muscle underneath, his slightly messy silver hair will be messier after the hunt.

His face will be scarred and battered when he goes back to the castle, only for it to return to its healthy condition the next day. His healing ability is slower than the rest of werewolves, some speculated the fairy blood that he received from his mother has affected that. But apart from that one, he is a fine young man.

Agile and strong.

Powerful and mighty.

Traits everyone could be seeking for the future King of Suttern.

Except, they never wish for a ruthless one.

"Yes," Artha gazed outside, staring at the sky before he continued, "the weather will worsen from next week. I will have to satisfy my wolf by running and hunting," Artha informs Kyzen, eyes still gazing at the clouded sky.

Kyzen nods his head, affirming Artha's words, eyes slowly assessing his nephew. He vaguely remembers when Artha was four years old.

When he visited Qye's Palace for the first time, light purple eyes sparkled and a smile stretched from ear to ear, pleading to talk to the spirit, wanting to be able to talk with them as well and looking at him with endless admiration.

But now that pair of eyes had gone void of colours, its stares had long felt cold and distant, the usual bright mauve orbs have turned into chilly and fierce dark purplish. 

Unfortunate, indeed.