Silent Prince

POV

Aurelius

The hallway was dim. The gray walls were covered with red reflections. I traced the large pillars and watched the servants walk by. They carried jars of souls to the nursery. Watching them made me slightly hungry.

Blue souls tasted the best to me.

I walked down the stairs and noticed some servants hiding in the corners. They closed their white eyes and hid completely in the dark. Their bodies matched the darkness of the night. The moment felt still. The silence calmed me before any meetings. I nervously knocked on the meeting room door.

They allowed me inside as everyone sat around the table. My father, Moros Lethas, sat beside the Head Council, Dolus Malus. The other court members sat around them. Father commanded me to take a seat in the chosen chair, which was across the table from them.

Alone.

I did not mind. They never spoke much to me, anyway.

“The court wishes you to see my new law,” Father proudly announced. I forced a smile. Father never visited me unless it involved court business. To him, I was not a son. I was a prince he dealt with.

“...May I see it?” I mumbled.

“Speak louder, prince,” the Head Council scolded.

“May I see it?” I spoke louder. Dolus motioned to my father to continue.

“Take careful note of my successes, Aurelius.” Father handed me the scroll. I read it carefully. The signed law removed the right for shadows to roam freely across biomes. Our people would need the King’s written permission to leave the kingdom. Without that freedom, gathering souls, our food source, would become harder.

The law offered public safety and nothing more.

I remembered servants carried jars of souls to the nursery.

Those children need resources.

“I do not think this is correct.” I looked up, then regretted my choice of words as everyone turned to me.

“Excuse me?” Father snapped.

“I did not mean—”

“Our species, shadows are manifestations of sorrow and dark matter into being. Without suffering, we cannot expand our nation. Do you want our population to lessen?” Father raised his voice as I sank into my chair. I didn’t mean to insult him. I only disagreed.

It was not necessary. There was plenty of suffering. Shadows manifested wherever terrible conditions existed. Our nation had stood for two hundred years. Before, we appeared anywhere and lived independently. We gathered because loneliness became miserable, and misery felt easier together.

“Do tell, Aurelius. Why do you consider the law incorrect?” The Head Council, Dolus Malus questioned, and other members stared. I nervously looked away. They had high expectations. I did not want to say the wrong words.

“The children in the nursery—” I took a deep breath. It was my chance. “They need food. We can simply recruit more shadows. Suffering is everywhere. Don’t you—”

“You’re concerned about the smaller picture,” Father scolded, “When we breed our own, the kingdom gains control. Those wanderers we don’t care for.”

“No!” I waved my hands in disagreement. “I truly am considering all points.”

“Sire, calm yourself. The prince has a point.” A member named Vanus interrupted. “There may be thousands of us here, but thousands outside. We cannot control outside manifestations.”

“We may simply take them, force them into true shadow culture, and have them work in the trading areas. Our population, according to Aurelius, will grow tenfold,” Father responded. I grew upset. I had not suggested that at all.

I took a quill and wrote my idea on Father’s paper. If it were a law, maybe they would listen. I don’t disagree with increasing our population, but—

I heard a cry.

I looked toward the door. While the adults argued, I slipped from my chair and opened it. Shadows cried in the hallway. They poured dark matter from their bodies and mixed into one being with multiple eyes. A few children had escaped the nursery, and guards chased them back. My heart ached. They wanted food. We can’t collect enough souls from one area.

Shadows reduced soul overpopulation and recycled its energy. We were not meant to be trapped in one place.

I went back and finished writing the law.

“Aurelius, you’re a shadow prince.” Father turned to me and grabbed the scroll. He read what I wrote as he passed it to Dolus. “You should have no concern for the nursery or outsiders’ treatment. Leaders do not act that way.”

“We do not need to force them!” I argued as Father stood up. My eyes widened as he stepped closer. “I-I–we could offer — a new home—”

“I have heard enough. You lack the proper development of shadow traits.” He motioned for the guards to come closer. “Sly. Cunning. Devoid of petty emotions. That is what a shadow should be. You are faulty.”

“That is not true!” I argued unconvincingly. “I–I am not faulty!”

“Send him to the river,” Father commanded the guards, as they quietly grabbed my arms. I struggled to free myself. My feet kicked, and I couldn’t reach the floor. Truly, would he listen to me?

“I won’t go!” I argued. “It’s not fair! You—You asked for my opinion and tossed it away.”

“Chain him. Teach him how dangerous it is in the real world. The boy lacks any rough edges.” Father turned away from me. My eyes turned blurry as the court agreed. Would he really leave me outside? I wished to go outside then if I was so rejected here. I could phase through objects if I focused. They knew that—

They hoped some creature would find me first and harm me for the lesson.

Perhaps I should test his patience further. I wished to choose my way to get kicked out again. At least then I tried to get him to listen to me. Even if I fail.

“The law was incorrect. Our people shouldn’t be forced to live with you!” I spoke louder while my heart raced. Father ordered them to send me away immediately. The guards silently dragged me. As they took me outside, I tried to speak, but they covered my mouth. I looked at the trees and the tall grass. The smell of fresh rain made my shoulders relax.

The outside air felt refreshing and cold. As we neared the River of Silence, the land changed drastically. There were no trees and few plants, despite the river running through it. Each biome was its own land. Some had nations. Some had speaking creatures. Others, like the river, seemed to function on their own.

Here, there were only soft glowing flowers, gray tones, and quiet water.

The biome did not suit a kingdom’s claim, though it felt peaceful. The guards set up the chains as I slowly sat down in the water. It felt warm. I thought about how I could bypass the guards. Although the memory of the court made my heart skip a beat.

The water was not as deep, and the calm sounds felt like something I could sleep in. I tried to ignore the danger of being here or the swelling in my chest. They chained my wrists while glancing at each other. I watched them move away before wondering where the river went. The land grew lighter in tone; the color shift was unexpected.

I mapped out the path back home.

Though first, I wanted to explore.

If I could understand the world beyond the kingdom, perhaps I could learn how to stop Father from using our people.