ASH
"I did what you ordered me, your majesty," I said to the king in front of me. He was sitting there on his throne with his leg crossed and wine in his right hand.
"Are you sure, Dame Ashlyn?" he asked. There's a hint of skepticism in his voice.
"Yes," I looked at him straight in the eyes. I wanted to show him that I am someone he can trust in.
"Hahaha," the moment he laughed at my answer, I got a bad feeling about it. I clenched my fist to calm my nerves. I can't show him that I am scared for 'them'.
"You wanted me to believe that stupid lies, Dame?!" he yell at me as he throw at me his wine glass. I caught it just in time to avoid injuring me. I saw his face frown as he looked at me angrily.
"Your majesty, the proof of my success is the burning village. You can see from here the smoke caused by the fire. Is that not enough proof for you?" I said as I point outside the castle window.
"Don't make me a fool, Dame," he stood up from his throne and stand in front of me. "I am fully aware of what you've done. Bring me 'that' guards."
"L-let me go!" two knights entered with a young boy struggling in their hands.
My eyes wide opened when I lay my eyes on him. He look up at me and smiled in relief.
"Sister Ashlyn, thank goodness you're here. Please help me! I was just walking in the market secretly when these guys suddenly grab me and brought me here. I don't know what is happening, sister Ashlyn," he said with tears in his eyes.
"If I remember correctly, this kid belongs to that village in which I instructed you to eliminate all living people there. But - " he went near the boy and held up his chin. "why is this dirt in my kingdom breathing?"
The boy looked at him frightened. He didn't like what is happening to him right now. If he could just escape, he would escape, far from this man.
"Your majesty," I put myself between them and looked at him. "the boy has nothing to do with this."
"Of course, it does!" he exclaimed as he pace around in front of me. "I told you to eliminate everything but, look what you've done!" he approached me and brought his face close to mine, "Oh dear Ash, you committed treason by going against my wishes."
"Your majesty, you're wrong. I was worried about how people will look at you. If I killed these people, they will see you as a tyrant who only seeks bloo-" I hadn't finished what I was about to say when he suddenly slapped me in the face. I felt numb on the part of my face where he slapped me.
"How dare you decide for me!? I am the King of Oryn, and no one dares to decide for me even you. Just because you are the sister of the late Queen doesn't mean you are superior to me! You are only just my servant! You are nothing! So don't you dare challenge my authority," he said between his breaths. I can see the frustration on his face. Even though he don't show or tell me, I knew that he harbored hatred against me for a long time because I was the people's ideal ruler and the most favorable among the two of us. If I have pursued the throne, no doubt I would be the ruler not only because I am royalty but, also of my great contributions all these years.
"I apologized, your majesty."
He fixed his clothes and returned to his seat.
"Don't think that I will easily forgive you for your mistakes, Dame," he said.
"I will receive any punishments, your majesty," I said. I can endure any punishments as long as our plan isn't busted.
I glance at the boy who is anxious on his feet.
'After this, I will bring him out of this place and hid him from the eyes of the king to keep him safe.'
"Any punishments? Let's see..." he was thinking about what to do to me when I saw his advisor whisper to him. I don't know what that advisor said to him but, it pleases the king so much. The kind of smile that I hate the most because I know that what he says next will be my worst nightmare.
"Dame Ashlyn, are you still friends with the high priest?" he asked.
"Yes, your majesty. What messages do you want me to deliver to him?"
He snickered and said, "Bring me his head."
"What?" I couldn't believe what I heard. 'Did I hear him right? Or is this king going crazy again?'
"Pardon me, your majesty but, did you say you want his head?" I asked again.
"I said BRING. ME. HIS. HEAD!" he replied.
"Your majesty, this is going too far! The high priest was chosen by the Heavens, and my ancestors respect Heaven's decision. This is not something to be touched even if you are the king," I said.
The high priest in the Oryn kingdom for a generation was chosen by the Heavens. The past rulers can't even dare to do something about it. The Heavens choose its high priest every hundred years and this priest blesses its living place and the people surrounding them. Their miracles are amazing in that the people respect them no matter what their status is. They can even be equal to the King and Queen of this kingdom.
'Wait... Don't tell me he-'
"The looks on your face are remarkable, Dame. It seems like you finally get what are my intentions are," he said as he sips his wine.
"Your majesty, this is outrageous! Just because the high priest is considered to be equal to you, it doesn't mean that he can be a ruler like you. People only look up to him because of his miracles and his role in society. They can't be compared to you, your majesty, so I beg you set aside that kind of thoughts and reconsider your orders," I said as I kneel. Another reason was that I don't want to hurt the man that I treasured the most. Aside from my sister, he is also one of the people that I care about in this world. I can't let danger fall on him.
"I know that this would happen so," I saw him gesture toward the knight behind me. I know that gesture so I quickly turned around and was about to grab the boy when they grab both of my arms and keep me away from the boy.
"Let me go, you bastards!" I growled at them but, they tightened their grip on me.
"Help me, sister! I don't want to die! Help me!" he cried out to me.
"Dame Ashlyn, if you don't want this boy to die, bring me the priest's head. Oh and do it before this day end or you know what will happen to this kid and the other kids," he said. I heard a lot of footsteps entering the room and young children were crying and scared as they entered the room.
"Did you know that these kids belong to that orphanage that you take care of? If I only know where the people that you save from that village, I might as well bring them here," he said as he stand up and walks towards the children. They were sticking to each other, scared of what the king would do to them. They saw me but, once they saw my predicament with the guards they couldn't ask for my help. They only stand there with their teary eyes.
"Your majesty, have mercy on these kids. If you are angry, just let it out on me. They don't have anything to do with me. Please let them go," I said and looked at the children. I felt sorry for them and guilty. I wanted to fight these guards and protect them from harm but, if I fight, our plans would be ruined. For now, I will do everything to keep them safe, and to do that, I must make sacrifices.
"Then, do as I say, Dame Ashlyn," he said coldly.
"...Can...can I talk to the priest? Since this will be his last day, can I have a word with him first before I kill him? He is my friend, your majesty."
"Of course, you can. I can grant you that since you're going to make me happy by killing him in the end anyway. Just don't do anything that will harm these kids, okay?"
The guards let me go and I nodded. "Yes, your majesty."
I glance at the kids and smiled at them.
The king dismiss us, and I ran towards the kids and hugged them.
'I will do this right this time, and I will make sure of it.'
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