Childs Play
Planet Nefaria, Elysia Realm 20507 G.E
7 years ago….
“Your highness, are you paying any attention?” I turn my attention away from the elegant note in my hand that my gaze had been fixed on for however long. I find that the rest of the class is staring back at me waiting for an answer. I blush furiously as I clumsily fumble around with the note before shoving it into the pocket of my skirt and turn my attention back to the Professor. “Yes, Prof. Gertrude. Please, continue.” As she goes back to teaching the class the geographical landmass of our realm the spotlight shifts from me. As much as I try to focus on her words the worse my mind gets distracted by the note I found in my desk this morning. Butterflies flutter in my belly and my heart thumps faster. My mind keeps flitting back to the letter as a permanent grin forms my face.
Meet me in the gardens tonight before the moon sets. I shall show you how truly devoted I am to you, if I should ever have your hand in marriage.
— Rome
I couldn’t wait until tonight.
After Geography class I have lunch with my older brother Adramelech, although he doesn’t like his birth given name, so we call him Malik. I’m eating my food and clutching the letter to my chest and staring at Roman talk to his friends with my eyes glued to his persona when my brother’s shadow peers over me. I knew that if he saw it I’d get a whole ’nother lecture about how “bad” Roman was and that he was yet another one of my brother’s enemies. We sit further away from the others for privacy. I try to shove the letter in my pocket, but he grabs the crumbled paper, and rips it up and throws the torn pieces at my anger ridden face after reading it.
“Malik,” I hiss. “What is your fuc-”
He scowls at me with a dark glint in his eyes. “You know I hate that brother fucker,” I roll my eyes at his childish name calling.
How mature…
He rubs at his bloodshot eyes and combs his hands through his shiny brown hair.“I’ll be damned if I let that fucker around you.” I sigh and reiterate what I know. I knew Malik was having trouble with substance abuse, but my father and I had never mentioned it. He probably just came from smoking a mace blunt or shooting pipe. You never knew with him.
“He didn’t fuck Dmitri.” I whisper yell, careful to keep my voice down. Besides I’d even known because Dmitri told me so.
“That’s just a lie you told to get the rest of the Daredevils to vote for you to be president of the swimming team! And he didn’t even sleep with Lucy.”I add. Lucy was his long term girlfriend and he was convinced Roman had ruined her virtue, but I’m sure it was long ruined since before she even approached him.
“I won’t let him ruin your virtue as he ruined hers, but don’t say I didn’t warn you, little sis.” He picks up his laptop and rounds the table. He leans down next to me and whispers in my ear.
“He’s playing you.” He then kisses my forehead and walks away. I’m so baffled as his display of rare affection that his words become a mere whisper in the back of my mind. I find myself smiling for the rest of the day.
By the time my final classes Algebra and Cosimera Code are dismissed and school is out I’m so giddy and filled with joy that I ditch the royal truck taking my brother and I home and skip home towards the palace; away from the Divine School of Arts, through the city of Pandora. On the way home I do my daily charity giveaway for a few villagers and gave them money from my purse. Just because they were born without the gifts of Finneas did not mean they should suffer. I hated that the Divine were more blessed with riches and lived in Irongate City more luxuriously than the Mindless or the Damned, even the wretched;which was a horrible name.
Since I was a royal I was automatically deemed a Divine, although we wouldn’t know for sure until I was 18 and went through the Sanguine Ceremony. They praised and thanked me, some even went as far as to kiss my expensive heels, but I blessed them and went on my way before that could happen.
I was no saint, as they thought.
By the time I got to my home; to Pandora’s Palace, it was dark outside and I was sure it was time for dinner. The guards bowed and escorted me towards the dining hall. Although my heels were covered in mud grass and the tail of my dress was stained with god knows what, I was still happy that I had gone to visit our people today. I could go to sleep knowing that I did the best I could for them when no one else would. I glide into the Dining Hall passing maids and servants, still filthy from outside and sit in my resigned chair across from my brother. My fathers face lights up when he sees me.
“Temperance. My darling, I missed you at breakfast today.” I place my napkin at my lap and fix my cutlery.
“Sorry father, I was in a rush. We had an exam in Divine Ethics today. I wanted to be early….” I lie, hoping he can’t see through it. But then of course my brother had to open his big fucking mouth….
“Oh-so that is why I saw you in the arms of Roman Narcisse, exchanging pleasantries?”
You little shit.
My brother always looked down upon me, although he was an older male he still despised me for being the rightful legitimate heir. He always was out to get me or ruin my friendships and anything I loved. I sip at my freshly made berry wine and avoid my fathers scrutinized gaze, whilst glaring at Malik as his face adorns his smugly smirk.
He wipes his mouth with his tablecloth and places his clasped hands on the table.
“I don’t want you talking to Roman. Do you understand me Temperance.”
Although it sounded like a question, the deep timber in my father’s voice implied that it was a command. I knew my father loved him as he did his own child, but he feared that I’d get pregnant out of wedlock and face the chopping block. I’d never let that happen.
Instead of answering him I continue eating and sipping my wine as if I’d heard nothing.
“Did you hear me, girl?” He grinds out after a few moments of silence.
“Yes father,” I set down my fork and face him head on.“ But you must understand that I love him, and you can’t make me s—” I flinch when his hands slam down onto the table as he stands and the glasses chatter. The tears pool at the corners of eyes as he begins shouting. Malik snickers as father yells.
“Since when have you the GALL to speak to your King like this!?” He questions, fury blazing in his molten amber eyes. “I AM, AND WILL ALWAYS BE YOUR KING BEFORE I AM YOUR FATHER—YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT BY NOW! WHEN WILL YOU GET THAT THROUGH YOUR THICK SKULL.”
“But—”
“NO! Why must you test my rage Temperance! As you know how deadly it can be? You will stay away from that boy if you know what is good for your well being,” He sniffs and pinches his nose in distress, before gulping all his wine. “If I hear of you seeing that boy again, I will lock you in these palace walls until I am ready to hand you my crown if it keeps you from seeing him.”
Tears of rage and despair finally fall free at his threats. I try and wipe them away before they can make themselves known, but it is too late.
“If Mama was alive she wouldn’t keep me from him.” I bargain.
“Well she isn’t. You are my only living heir,” In my peripheral, Malik scoffs and downs his glass of whiskey.
Father takes a step closer.
“And I will not watch your fucking head roll down the bloody gallows as hers did! You will marry the Duke of Pointe Château. I have made my point clear and if you choose not to see it, I will make good on my promise— Tell me you understand me.” He demands calmly.I stand there; listening, but not quite receiving…
“Tell. Me. You. Understand.” He punctuates with each word. I break contact and look away.
“I understand, my King.”I state solemnly. We sit in silence, the tension suffocating.
