"ALL HAIL OUR KING!"

HALE'S POV

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Today, in front of you is the royal highness, his majesty, your king. Hale Underwood. Along with him are your colonels, Lady Davina, and Sir Viktor, and the council head Sir John Wickman."

Jacob, our host, spoke confidently into the microphone.

We usually appoint new hosts every five years, but he has been with us for the past seven years. He is in his early forties, and has three kids. He is a lovely man, and a popular face amongst the mortales.

"Before we begin with the important details that we are going to be discussing tonight, let's take a moment with the man of the hour. How are you tonight, Your Highness?"

I smiled at Jacob, and then at the camera.

"I am doing very well, by the grace of my people and Daeg."

Jacob nodded solemnly and then looked by at the cameras.

"Mortale people, do we have a treat for you. This evening, we will be interviewing the King, the co-colonels of our army, and the council head with the questions that were sent by all of you. Let me just start with the fact, that for the very first time have their been two colonel of the same army. How is that working out, Lady Davina? And why was that decision even taken?"

From the corner of my eyes I saw Davina gulp. Her fear of these interviews had gotten worse over the time. I had tried to help her, but she just ignored it like she usually did.

"It is been quite a relief actually. For the entire army. Especially for me. The stress with managing the entire infantry, plus the appointing the new recruits and training them, was getting to me. It got a lot better once Viktor came in. He has really been a good helping hand to me and the entire army."

"Well I assure you, Lady Davina, that each and every one of us are deeply grateful for all that you have done for the army. We also hope that Sir Viktor brings in more victories for us along with you."

Before Viktor could even reply, Jacob moved on. I sensed that he wasn't a big fan of Viktor. I hoped he would get used to him though, because I intended to keep him here until she recovered fully.

"Moving on, let's begin with the questions. Majesty, the crowd would probably be the most eager to begin with you."

I nodded and got up. My suit had crinkled up a little bit. I pushed my hands down on it, and walked to the empty seat near the podium.

"Good evening, my dear people. I, your King, am honored to be here. I am even more eager to meet you all in an hour."

Jacob picked up a box with my name printed on it, that I only assumed had all the questions for me in it.

"First question, here it comes your Majesty. Oh, this is a good one. Someone named Marlee, has asked when is the King going to get himself and the Mortales, a Queen?"

I heard a snicker, and I was sure that it was Davina. From all the hate she carried for such interviews, she thoroughly enjoys my interview. Especially this question. It's almost asked every month.

"Well, Marlee, my dear. I don't really think my answer has changed since the last month. But here I go again. If and when I do bring the Mortales a Queen, I want it to be someone who can provide you all with the comfort and security a Queen should. And once I do find a perfect, strong, loving, passionate and responsible Queen, I promise to introduce you and all my other people to her."

I looked away from the camera and back at Jacob, waiting for him to throw another such question at me.

"The next one, this is about the annual ball. What are the arrangements for the annual ball this year? Are any commoners allowed in there? If so, how many? This question was asked by a Haley"

"Sure. Us attending the ball would is a hundred percent positive. Mortales cannot miss it or back down. RSVP at least 200 seats for the royal Mortales, their families and the palace staff. Also, RSVP another 400 for the civilians. I plan on announcing it in the interview today. Two members from each mortale family can attend the ball. Anything else?"

"Haley, you would be pleased to know that this year two members from each Mortale family can attend the ball. This year, it will be held at the Lormeian kingdom, and I am sure that all of those that do decide to come will have a magnificent time."

Jacob nodded and applauded at me and then looked at the cameras.

"That's fabulous, Majesty. I am sure that our fellow mortales will love this amendment. If you don't mind, Your Highness, then what about those that are unable to come? Will there be any sort of facility for them?"

His voice quivered when he asked an extra question. Or maybe it was just my imagination. I don't really know.

I hated being approached this way.

To have everyone afraid of me.

"Fear is always better than love. Learn to let them fear you. People who love you will leave you at your feet. People who fear you will be at your feet."

My father's words rang in my head as I tried not to let it affect the way I looked right now. I had hundreds of people watching me right now, but even the thought of being perceived as unapproachable by all of them didn't help curb my anger.

Or was it panic?

Fuck, the taunting voice was back.

Either way, I was the son who was tortured to become the king.

Nothing else would change their perception about me.

"Your Highness?"

I looked up and saw Jacob's concerned eyes focused on me.

I heard a slow cough that sounded intentional. My eyes moved to Davina's and I knew it was her trying to catch my attention from the way she was trying to tell me to calm down.

She was eyeing my fists and I saw they were balled up. The cameramen were trying to catch a picture of them.

I immediately freed my fingers and looked back at Jacob.

"Sorry for that. For those that wouldn't be able to attend will enjoy a live view of the ball. The whole event will be recorded, and the main highlights would be played frequently on the television even after the even has taken place."

Jacob nodded and looked back at the camera and smiled even though every bit of his eyes were laced with concern.

"That is very generous of you, Your Highness. I am sure that each and every Mortale out there is grateful for this."

I nodded and tried not to think of anything other than this interview. Nothing else mattered. Right now, I just had to get through this three questions.

Just one more was left.

Just one. That wasn't hard.

Right?

"The third question."

When Jacob failed to read the question out, I looked away from the screen to see what was it that made him pause so significantly.

"Yes, what is the third question, Jacob?"

His smile widened as his grin almost got too creepy. I heard a snicker.

I didn't need to look know it was Davina.

"The third question is that, what do you think about the new Lormeian Queen? Do you think she is fit to rule the Lormeians?"

I should have known.

If the crowd wouldn't have included this question, then Jacob surely would have for the public.

I had to be careful. I couldn't get too political, but I also couldn't sound too supportive.

"Well, she was chosen, wasn't she? I don't know a lot about her, but from our recent meeting, she seems to handle difficulties well. So, from our very little interaction I could say that she could think analytically and logically even when under pressure. That's a good quality that all rulers should have. I can't say much about her overall capability to rule, as it's not my place to decide or to judge. All I hope is for the Lormeians to get a good leader, especially after their last ruler's death. They really deserve it. And I hope that the new queen can give them that. If not, well, only that magical bowl knows."

Jacob chuckled at my answer and nodded.

"They surely do deserve an exceptional ruler, the same way, us Mortales have one. I surely do hope that the new queen would give them that."

"Thank you for your time, Your Majesty. The other Mortales along with me are extremely grateful for your time and patience. Lady Davina, you were the most requested interviewee after our beloved king....."

The interview lasted for another one hour or so. Almost all the three were asked questions about the Lormeian Queen and how they felt about her.

What I found funny was that how all of us sounded so supportive of her even when we would be the first ones to pounce on her kingdom if she lost it.

If anyone knew that, we would be called the vultures.

Slowly and patiently waiting for her to fall so that we could attack.

Once the interview was done, I walked toward the balcony for a short appearance. I remember feeling nervous the first few times I walked on this balcony. Excited even. I was going to be greeted by thousands of Mortales who adored me.

Or at least, respected me.

Maybe, even feared me.

But now, that it had become a routine, something I knew I would be doing until the day I die, I had just lost whatever it was that made me smile the moment I walked onto the balcony.

The cold hair flew through my hair, as I almost winced from the chilly winds.

I looked outside only to find the same scenario i had been seeing since the past six years.

The same scenario, just different people.

Cheers rang through the air, as I lifted my lips, and practiced my usual smile. I rose my hand and waved at all of them, as the Mortales bowed and curtsied in respect.

"All Hail Our King!"

"All Hail Our King!"

"All Hail Our King!"

"All Hail Our King!"

"All Hail O- Suddenly I couldn't hear their voices.

I tried not to drop my smile.

it wasn't their words that rang in my ears, but the words of my father.

It was as if he was mocking me. As if, I wasn't grateful for everything that he had given me.

"You will once realize why I do this."

These were words as he hit me. It wasn't always hitting though.

There were different weapons involved.

He usually said that while using a whip. It was easy to pretend that I didn't remember much of my past. It was easy to pretend that I had forgotten.

People would stop pitying me and that would be worth it.

If only I could forget.

If only I could truly forget the parts of me that do nothing but break me into pieces.