[A/N: sorry for the late upload. Got too busy rereading the legend of the conqueror of Monaco and the ruler of the new free world.]
This brat was really starting to get on his nerve right now.
"Come on, I know something's on your mind! Just what is it?"
"It's nothing, your majesty." Ashoka answered blankly, a hint of irritation creeping into his voice. "And please don't walk backward. You might trip on the carpet."
Hearing those words, Eldrin pouted but continued pestering him.
"Come on! How hard can it be? Is it rude to say it to the king? Look, I won't even be mad if you're disrespectful!"
Just how attention starved is this kid. Well he wasn't really wrong. Ashoka was thinking about his missed opportunity to digest his potion. Well, It wasn't really missed per say, since he could still ask prince Alariv later, but Eldrin's relentless questions, after noticing his expression when exiting the court, had certainly reignited the memory.
He once again looked at Eldrin and sighed. He didn't really plan on telling him, the prince was the better choice. So, he decided to mention something else, "What you said to the farmer in the court... those weren't your words, were they, You majesty?"
Eldrin's face instantly turned red from embarrassment and he let out a sheepish laugh, "ha... how did you know?"
I can sense a copied melodramatic scenes when I see one. "Call it intuition."
After a short pause, Eldrin signed, "I...I heard them from grandpa once, back when he was still alive."
Oof, guess I hit a sore spot. He decided to remain silent, but Eldrin did not:
"I know thats not what you were thinking before,I can sense it." He scanned Ashoka's expressionless face, his eyes narrowing, "Come on, I, as the king order you to tell me."
"No can do, your majesty." Just what Alariv had said to Eldrin, he didn't know, but he had a hunch it was about him especifically, and the reason why Eldrin was so talkative with him now.
"Hey!"
Sheesh... He prepared to make up a lie once again—
"I wanted to ask prince Alariv for permission to investigate prince Oswald's case, and maybe act as a lawyer for the farmer's family. Sadly, I missed the chance during the court procession." Ashoka said with a sigh. But in the next second, his eyes widened.
Huh? Ashoka's eyes shifted to Eldrin, who, at the moment, had a smug grin playing at his face. This brat!
Distortion!
The king had used the power of the crown to distort his intention of lying into one of speaking the truth!
"Hmm? Why? Do you think I'll favour him because he's my uncle?" Eldrin said calmly, as if he hadn't just violated Ashoka's dearest right to remain silent.
Instead of answering, Ashoka silently stared at Eldrin's figure until the young king began the squirm under the heavy gaze. Eventually, he broke the silence;
"No, it's because I suspect it's not the first time prince Oswald has done something like this." He sighed, "Perhaps only the first time he's been so bold in his attempt, bold enough to get caught."
"Why didn't you ask me for permission, instead?" Eldrin asked with a hurt expression.
Ashoka just shrugged, "it was just a matter of familiarity. I'm just more comfortable with Prince Alariv, hence, he would've been the first choice. Besides, it's a personal request."
That particular topic ended with that line of dialogue, but their exchange didn't, continuing to talk as they walked through the corridor. It seemed Eldrin didn't had many people to talk to in a friendly or joking manner, hence why, after whatever prince Alariv had told him, Ashoka became one of those few people. How lonely...
"Can you go horse riding with me today?" Eldrin asked as they turned around a corner.
Ashoka thought for a moment before replying. "Sorry to disappoint, but I haven't touched a horse in my entire life." Eldrin's expression instantly fell at those words.
"Whaat? How come? Why hasn't uncle taught you till now? It's almost been a year since you've been with him!"
"Well, can't you just ask Prince Alariv or Gaius? Why not one of the trainer?" Instead of answering, Ashoka posed a question of his own.
"Um...well... uncle had forbade me from Practising such things with someone else, saying he would personally train me with those skills. But since he won't be back home till tomorrow, I decided to ask you instead..."
"What?!" Ashoka exclaimed. Oh well, there goes my chances for today. "Why won't they be home? What's even happening right now?"
"You seriously don't know? I thought uncle would've told you by now."
"Well... I'm pretty sure he was about to tell me before leaving for the actual thing. That's what I gathered at least."
Eldrin thought for a second, before asking, "Do you remember the third rule of the crown?" Ashoka nodded at the question.
["From the moment of establishment, the king will sense intent that threatens him and his kingdom."]
"So..." He left the word hanging.
"Yes. When my grandfather was still king, he had proclaimed a law. In simple term, it prohibited any corrupted creature from entering the kingdom. When he had died, and I inherited the crown from him, that was also the first law that I had to reinstitute." He sighed.
"But, it seems the crown isn't omnipotent after all. Although it is powerful, it isn't completely able to suppress corrupted devils and above. In fact, even the minions of the corrupted tyrants can sometimes break into the city by leveraging their master's level. So... we have to kill those corrupted ranked creatures before they come near the city."
"And you were alerted by the crown about a danger from a corrupted devil or above, with intentions of harming the kingdom." He asked, suddenly remembering the name he had see when using his innate ability on the pillar.
Defiled ichor of the Sin-bearer. Yea...that definitely sounded like some endgame level boss...
"Well yes, though I only sensed one. But the scouts later confirmed there to be two corrupted creature heading in the kingdom's direction. One a devil and the other a tyrant. That's why uncle Gaius decided to ask uncle Alariv for help. He himself will deal with the tyrant, while uncle Alariv will deal with the devil."
"I see..." Ashoka said, before adopting a contemplative expression.
"You want to say something?" Eldrin asked, looking back at him from over his shoulder. Ashoka let out a nervous laugh.
"Ehem- I just wanted to ask his great majesty if he could allow me to investigate the prince and help out a poor farmer's family." Since Alariv was going to be out of reach for a while, and he wanted to begin as soon as possible, he decided to ask the king himself.
Eldrin snickered before replying;
"No." He paused, "Is what I would have said. But I am a just and benevolent king. So, kowtow before me a thousand times and I will allow it."
"That is too cruel of a task, my 'just and benevolent' king." Ashoka said while bowing. "I suffer from severe knee pain."
Eldrin laughed, "Alright then, I will allow it." He once again paused, as if remembering something, "Bring me a document with what you want written down. I will inspect and then sign it."
"Yes..." Ashoka bowed once more.
Before long, they reached the king's chamber. Eldrin turned around to face him;
"Now now, tomorrow, I expect to see you on the fields with a horse of your own" He held his chin high, chest out, as if trying to look authoritative, "If uncle Alariv hasn't taught you till now, I will." Soon, the facade faded as Eldrin broke into giggles.
A small smile broke onto Ashoka's face as he bowed in an exaggerated manner, "Yes, o' benevolement majesty, your words are my will." The giggles quickly transformed into laughter.
At this moment, as he looked at the figure of the laughing Eldrin, he had the urge to want to be a hero. He wanted to have the luxury to be kind to him, maybe to act as big brother for him. But as he looked at the obsidian crown on the boy's head, he quickly crushed these thoughts which had began to sprout in his mind.
***
Amidst the tender green leaves of a milkweed plant, a microscopic, cream-colored egg finally cracks. A tiny, black-striped larva—the caterpillar—emerges, its first act of survival being to eat its own eggshell.
Over the next two weeks, the caterpillar is a creature of pure appetite. It crawls slowly, constantly feasting on the leaf, its tiny mandibles making quick work of the lush surface.
It becomes a plump, banded creature, now far too heavy for the thin, tender shoots, focusing only on storing energy for what is to come, preparing itself for turning into a chrysalis, readying itself to die, and to then be born anew.
***
["The mantle of the crown rests upon the king's head for as long as they live."]
***
No. Eldrin was the "king". For as long as he breathe, the crown would not move from his head. Ashoka closed his eyes, his jaw clenched, but the words continued to appear in his mind. This boy—this child, had to die, one way or another...
With a strained but genial smile, he waved Eldrin goodbye.
He walked down the corridor in silence, each step felt heavier than the last, his breath came in short as shadows danced across his eyes. Then, his strength gave out and he found himself slumped against the wall, sliding down until he was hugging his knees, head down.
One of the soldier saw this scene but remained silent. Everyone had their own demons to fight in the silence of their mind.
"W-why?" His breath hitched. He wanted to scream, but he couldn't. Why? Why did he had to do this? Why a child? Why couldn't it just be a monster or some mindless beast? Why not even just a cliche evil villan? Why why why?
Why did he had to murder a child? He desperately wanted to escape into the warm and comforting illusion that this was all just a nightmare. But he knew better.
Because what difference was there between this, and killing someone during the winter solstice, where no would know my treacherous acts, where no consequences awaited?
There answer was, nothing. His blade would still pierce flesh, his hand would still be covered with blood, someone's eyes would still loose their luster, someone would still cry...
This was the nightmare dreamt by a god. It was as real as it could get.
In the end, he would still be a murderer, if only to himself.