The Saints' Massacre

A rather simple village had gained the attention of the mighty emperor, Emperor Ricardo Hendrix II. And it was all because of a small, unnoticed widow in the village.

"You know, if you were to be a concubine for me, I'd cherish you to the ends of the earth!" The emperor exclaimed in loud voice. "I'd give you anything you want, just become my concubine."

Certainly, the emperor's taste wasn't bad. The lady he proposed to had shining platinum blonde hair and silver-ish blue eyes. The beautiful lady had an utmost disgusted scowl towards the emperor.

"Your Imperial Majesty, aren't you married? If I remember correctly, the Crown Prince is turning 13 this upcoming month." The lady rebuked him calmly.

The emperor's eye twitched slightly before brushing off the lady's comment. "My fair lady, that is not related to my proposal-"

"I reject your proposal, Your Imperial Majesty. I have two kids to take care of. The kids that my one and only husband who died in your silly war left me."

The emperor and the lady shared silent yet unnerving glares for a moment before the emperor turned to the kids that were with the woman.

The one standing beside her was a tall lad who looked slightly similar to his mother, slightly dark blonde with hazel brown eyes. He hid another kid behind him, comforting them with a hand on their head.

The kid behind him was a small girl who looked no less than 10. She appeared timid yet in awe of the emperor, seemingly admiring him from behind her brother. The girl looked like a smaller replica of her mother all together.

The emperor scoffed at the sight of the kids. "Why, you don't need to care for them. I'm sure they tire you a lot concerning the fact you look extremely tired, my lady."

"I said no. I'm staying with the kids, never will I be your concubine, Your Imperial Majesty. I kindly and firmly reject your offer." The lady had the last word before gesturing her children to head back home.

She held their hands tightly as she walked away. The boy looked slightly worried at the sight of his mother's firm rejection towards the emperor while the girl took a quick glance at the emperor, smiling at him warmly before turning away.

✧✧✧

Now, the same lady from earlier was holding in her voice, trying not to scream as the other villagers chanted curses and swears at the pitiful lady.

"Death to the witch!"

"She has brought calamity to our village!"

"Let the witch burn and return to where she came from!"

The mad mob surrounding the burning stake which the woman was tied to chanted loudly. The lady simply looked over at her children with a sad smile.

The girl simply stared at the bloodied, burned and multilated body of her mother. Her mouth hanging slightly agape as she cried silently.

Her brother covered her ears with his hands, preventing anymore of the curses the villagers wished upon their dear mother from reaching his younger sister.

The girl sobbed uncontrollably, burying her face in her hands as her older brother hugged her tightly, still covering her ears.

"It's alright, little angel." The boy comforted his younger sister with a sad voice. Hearing the angry mob curse at his mother was the last thing he expected to ever happen.

He took a quick glance back at his mother. The lady had her fair face burnt off along with the skin on her body, revealing the bloody muscles and possibly bones.

The boy quickly looked away, trying to forget what he saw. He no longer heard his mother's screams of pain or sadness anymore. He didn't want to remind himself of it.

✧✧✧

The emperor looked out the window of his study which was behind his luxurious chair, staring out at the distant smoke in the distance.

"Your Imperial Majesty, the Crown Prince is here." A guard outside the door informed. "Let him in." The emperor simply replied before hearing the door creak open.

The crown prince was a rather frail looking boy with black hair and gold eyes just like his father, the emperor. The young prince hesitated for a second before talking.

"Father, I heard a witch was burned at stake today." The prince said, "but I also heard that she had two kids with her." He added.

"Ah, that witch." The emperor chuckled softly before turning his head slightly to face his son. "The kids will be taken care of, don't worry. They're innocent."

"Father," the prince started,"I still don't think a witch with kids should be burned at stake. I mean, if she can take care of the kids well—"

"Quiet." The emperor demanded with a stern glare as to which the prince immediately shut his mouth. "Sorry, Father."

The emperor looked back out the window at where the smoke has dissipated. "I've ordered for the kids to be taken under the care of Viscount Corthel. You don't need to worry about them."

The prince knew his father played a part in the scheme, but he didn't dare to say anything. How else would his father have arranged everything accordingly if he wasn't part of the plan?

"I suppose that's good, Father." The prince muttered, "Though, I do question your choice since Viscount Corthel is known for having, well, questionable lovers."

"Oh, don't worry. I've assigned guards to make sure that the kids are safe—especially the girl. She seems fond of me." The emperor said with a smirk and turned around fully to look at his son.

"Aeros, you'll be emperor one day." The emperor said in an authoritive tone before walking over to his son. "You'll have to learn to not always show empathy nor sympathy."

The emperor placed a hand on his son's shoulder and smiled at him. "You'll also have to learn to not react when anything happens." He said before slapping his son across the face harshly.

"After all, my dear son—you are Aeros Adonis Hendrix, the rightful heir to the throne. You may be a year younger than your sister, but, you're the legitimate one."

The prince bit his bottom lip nervously for a second as he held his face where his father had just slapped him. "I understand, Father."

"Good, that's my son." The emperor ruffled his son's hair before waving a hand. "Now head back to your room, dinner will be served in an hour. Study hard and make my decision to make you the crown prince worth it."

The prince nodded his head before bowing. "I bid farewell to Father." He wished before turning and heading out of the room. The emperor let out a soft sigh as he watched his son leave.

"Those children might become harmful to me. Perhaps I should rid of them soon, lest they exterminate me and my entire bloodline." He told himself before walking back to his desk and sitting down.

"Blood begets blood and revenge begets revenge. Ah, that classic old saying." He muttered before pulling out his pen and starting to work.