I was seated quietly at the table admiring all the food in front of me. The last time I had such a delectable feast was at the palace banquet so I was really enjoying the platter before us. I wasn't the only one enjoying it though - Toval and Rodair were also. They were genuinely caught up in the drinking, laughing and merriment of the entire situation. Kovin on the other hand was steadily finishing up terms and even though I was supposed to be paying attention to the negotiations, that wasn't really my thing and I wasn't quite sure what all it entailed so I didn't get too involved. The food had my full attention and I wasn't going to let it go to waste. Richie was across the room with a scowl on his face yet I didn't even care. Who could at a moment like this? I knew he was still mad about the injury and yes I was feeling a little pain but I was too hungry to give any more thought on that subject.
As I was chowing down on a delicious morsel of food my train of thought was momentarily seized by a question directed at me, "So Lady Ezran, I heard that you defeated Prince Derrick and gained the favor of Crown Prince Baymun - how exactly did you manage to do that?" The King's twinkling eyes curiously examined me across the table, seeming to really want to know how a woman managed to become the Empire's Champion.
I took a big swig of ale from my goblet to clear my throat then calmly said, "I think some of the rumors going around are a bit stretched - I didn't get a chance to defeat Prince Derrick and the Crown Prince doesn't favor me at all . . . I believe he honestly thought I would've met my demise already."
The table was silent for a split second before the King erupted in laughter. "Seriously?! He sent you on a fool's errand eh? And yet here you are alive, well and being victorious! Haha!"
While the other men began to make some jokes surrounding that topic, I noticed that Kovin was drinking heavily while being oddly indigent and quiet. He was probably upset that the guy's were indirectly making fun of his prince, making me wonder why he was so loyal to such an evil man. Kovin was honorable - annoying and conniving sure, but honorable nonetheless. Yet he was so incredibly loyal to Baymun that it just didn't make any sense. 'Why would he dedicate his life to a demon?'
The King interrupted my thoughts once again, "But Lady Ezran surely there must be a better reason other than potential death as to why the Prince, who's going to be King to a woman-hating Empire soon, would choose a woman to become his Champion. It doesn't make sense that he would allow it. There must be a different reason?"
Honestly I had been plagued by this question myself, however I couldn't come up with a good explanation as to why. But as confusing as it was, I still didn't like thinking about it because the more I dwelled on it the more I would hate that horrible demon prince. I'd be reminded that I wasn't allowed an opportunity to kill him and was now his servant, killing people in his Empire's name. It just rubbed me the wrong way - sure Richie and I would've probably died in that arena if I'd refused . . . but would that be worse than servitude? I didn't have the answers to these things; the things I did know was that I didn't REALLY want to die, I wanted to help my race continue and I wanted to make a difference. Perhaps the difference wouldn't happen right away but building fame could assist with that. The more victories I accumulated the more people would know my name so when the day came that I could make a change, it could potentially be widespread.
After a few seconds of thinking I finally answered the King, "I'm not sure. That's something only he would know . . . He did say that it'd allow me a chance to prove that women could be more than tools."
"Yet he uses you as his Champion? Isn't that the same thing as a pawn or 'tool'? Ha, the Prince has a weird sense of humor!" As the King laughed again Kovin quickly downed the rest of his liquor, abruptly stood up and quickly exited the room. Not many of the other people cared to notice, but I did and since I was tired of hearing the demon prince's name I excused myself to follow Kovin out. Toval and Rodair were prepared to follow, but I quickly gestured for them to continue eating as I made my way out the dining hall.
"Hey Kovin what's your deal? The guys were just messing around - I'm sure that they didn't intend to berate your 'precious' prince." I came up behind him noticing that he was a little unsteady on his feet. Since we were in the 'enemies' territory I didn't want him walking around intoxicated by himself. Also . . . this might be the perfect opportunity to find out a little more about Kovin. I never got much out of the man's personal life before; he was incredibly secretive and wouldn't even disclose how he had received the scar on his face. Maybe since he was drunk I could get some back story . . . I knew feeling that way was wrong, like I was taking advantage of him, but him following that cruel ruthless prince just didn't match-up. Curiosity was eating me alive and I just had to take a chance while the going was good.
We had made it outside in a small courtyard with the moon shining down and mountains reaching to the heavens on either side of the palace walls. It was a beautiful picturesque night which was odd since quite a few people had died this morning. Kovin finally stopped walking and steadied himself on a blooming tree growing in the middle of the courtyard. I came up beside him and asked, "Are you alright? You seem to have a lot on your mind . . ."
I could tell that Kovin's eyesight was really unfocused and he was probably feeling very hazy, "It's nothing . . . I'm just tired from the fight is all."
"Okay, you sure there's not something from your past being brought up tonight?" I asked trying to pry a little out of him.
Kovin smirked and turned his head to look at me, "You'd quite enjoy it if it was wouldn't you? I told you to stop asking about my past . . ."
So maybe he wasn't drunk enough after all. I sighed and was about to walk away dejectedly when Kovin nonchalantly scoffed while leaning his side up against the tree, "Tell me something Ezran . . . How much do you hate Prince Baymun?"
Surprise and anger welled within me at the mention of that dreaded man's name again but I quickly suppressed it. Even though I did hate Baymun immensely, I didn't mind Kovin that much and I really didn't want him to see my unbridled prejudice so I innocently asked, "What do you mean?"
Kovin's coal black eyes seemed to see through my small facade, "Please - every time M'Lord's name was mentioned tonight you'd scowl. You're not hiding it from anyone so just get it off your chest. You're serving him now anyway, right?"
Barely suppressed rage began to seep into my veins causing my hands to clench. I took in a deep breath to steady my nerves as I said through clenched teeth, "Why do you want to know Kovin? You think he's all high-and-mighty and can't do any wrong anyway so why would you want to hear what I have to say about him? I don't know what he's done to claim your unwavering loyalty, but if you don't want to tell anything about your personal life then perhaps you shouldn't ask about mine."
I was about to walk away and leave his drunk butt behind when he solemnly stated, "I owe Lord Baymun my life and entire existence. He brought me from a pit of hell and showed me that there are better things in this world to live for, to strive for and to die for. I have never left his side since, until he asked me to accompany you . . . Now that you know a little something about me, maybe you can answer my question - I know he lead the attack to destroy Eurosia which is your race. Is this all that he's done to deserve your vengeance?"
Even though what Kovin said didn't make sense (he practically labeled that demonic man as a saviour) his final words caused a little barrier in my mind to suddenly snap. I quickly turned around and rushed to look Kovin straight in the eyes, "You make it sound so simple as if the killing of innocent people is just a minor incident. Should I not feel vengeful for my entire race almost getting wiped out of existence? You don't know what my society has been through all because of that man. He nearly destroyed all of us - So YES I hate him. I hate everything about him - what he stands for, the entire Empire, all of it! I get that you feel you owe him something, but to me he will never be anything more than the man who caused the downfall of my people. And now to top everything off I'm serving that vile demon because there's the faint possibility I could make a difference at the end of this stupid charade! I hate that I'm holding out on that possibility and that he might be the key to getting my race back on track! So that's how much I hate him Kovin. Do you understand a little bit of me now?"
Kovin's eyes looked searchingly at me and he quizzically asked, "Do you realize what you're doing?"
I was exasperated, "What? Yelling at you? Is that new for you or something?"
Even though he was unsteady he tried to focus while furrowing his brows together, "You really don't know. Huh . . . interesting."
I threw my hands up and mumbled, "Why bother? You're obviously drunk - come on. Let's get you back to the camp."
Kovin wouldn't let me touch him though as if I suddenly had some plague. He was a little incoherent but finally said, "You're right though - you have every reason to hate him. But maybe you're not looking at the bigger picture . . ."
I was really tired from the battle earlier, the food was sitting comfortably on my stomach, and all I really wanted was to get this guy back to camp so I could go to sleep and forget about our little heart-to-heart but those words stopped me in my tracks, "What bigger picture?"
Kovin's scar reflected gruesomely in the moonlight but his eyes were still trying to focus, "M'Lord may have lead the attack, but he was only taking orders. Your race's demise wasn't just a whim . . . There could be other explanations. Have you ever considered that?"