As soon as Liam entered the grand hall, the king waved him over. His nerves were at an all time high- his heart never feeling so alone as he moved his way through the nobles to the high table. The king was dressed respectfully, his angry face seeming to be down-tuned for an occasion like this... but when he saw two empty chairs next to the King.... he felt hollow.
Elianna.
His mother.
Liam had been so used to greeting the Princess and his own mother and the king -who would barely acknowledge his existence- to which he delighted in. Now... the phantom seats looked over him.
And when the King opened his mouth as Liam sat, he knew he wanted to leave.
~~~~
The breakfast was bleak. Bitter food that tasted awful on his tongue left him lethargic. He just wanted to silence the King, who blathered on about royal affairs he had no interest in, and get this dreadful day over with.
Leaving the castle to head toward his mothers funeral was a day he wished he never had to endure, yet here he was.
The grounds surrounding the castle were nothing beautiful to witness, even walking through them didn't feel the same without his mother by his side.
Prince Liam quickly boarded the royal cart, alongside the broody king to attend the funeral. It had only been a few minutes since breakfast ended, but it felt like a lifetime.
They cart was stationed at the castle gates, just behind the walls of security so they would would be comfortable in departing.
As he sat down, he gulped, nerves for his first royal appearance as soon to be King of the Southern Kingdom was toying with his mind.
When would his coronation be? Where would it be? Would it be in the Royal temple where they were all held? Who would attend? What would he have to do?
Questions about questions riddled his mind; sighing deeply and resting his chin on his palm, looking outwards.
Prince Liam wore only black. A dark cloak covering his body, wrapping it around him so the dark shirt and trousers were hidden.
He looked incredibly handsome, and did notice some of the female servants gawk at him as he entered the cart.
His hair was combed, no longer messy. Neat and tidy, just like his mother would have liked...
Liam's eyes flickered, falling to his lap as his heart pounded against his rib cage, and the smell of fresh grass overtook his senses.
Anything, he'd do anything to distract his mind from the pain that was building in his torn heart.
So he decided to memorise everything around him like he used to do as a child... a way of forgetting his troubles, and filling those gaps with objects.
The seating, and the cart itself were very extravagant, no expense was spared to travel in luxury, he thought.
From the velvet interior to the gleaming handles, everything was perfection.
There was no roof dawning the cart however, as that way he could greet and wave to the people of the southern kingdom on this mournful day.
The sun overhead remained dull, as if, the sun itself was in mourning, and dread ached in his stomach. So much so that he wanted nothing more than to leap from his seat and escape to the confinement's of his room.
But he remained, still as stone.
The creaking from the cart signalled it was now in motion. The bumpy trek made everything rattle.
He sat across from the king, his intimidating glare fixated on everything and everyone as the gates groaned open.
Bearing an expressionless face, Liam glanced toward the king. He seemed agitated, constantly staring out to his surroundings, flicking his head in different directions looking for something.
Or someone...
That's when it clicked, why was security so high? There was no need for it surely? It was just a funeral after all.
This peaked Liam's interest and he began to attentively pay attention, watching every tremor that the king gave off as the cart rolled out of the castles boundaries.
~
The magnificent castle gates opened to reveal the royal cart trotting through, carrying two.
The Northern king.
And Prince Liam.
Guards flanked them, from all directions on horses.
Security forming a perfect line for the royals to travel through without congestion.
Blocked entry from the ground. Huh. Clever.
But no sentries high in the sky to spot danger.
She clicked her tongue at his idiocy.
Stupid fool...
Aloysia perched on the rooftop of a local home trying to remain hidden from the public eye, and so far, succeeding. The trip into town... that was challenging; having to change her attire and fit in with the locals was stressful. But the act of mourning came naturally, which is why no one had bothered the grieving citizen as they walked into town.
However, due to the morning light, even with its rays dulled, she she had to be extra careful. There was no cover of nightfall for her to trail through so easily.
Her sisters cloak was burning a hole in her heart at her absence, and with no comfort from her weapons, she felt naked.
Stripped of all that she held dear.
Instead, swung around her waist, was Zeleks bow. It was nothing close to the complexity and extravagance of pitch. But it would do all the same.
Her crimson glare fixated on the strolling wheels of the cart beneath her hood. The steady breeze pushing it along as well as the stride-full horses pulling it.
Inside, she could see the Prince. Liam...
His face did not shine like it used to, not how she had seen it in the gardens. She could only imagine the torment scourging through his body that hid in the darkness of his clothes.
It matched the black banners flying high all over the street- all over the town. Almost waving with the wind to say good bye.
It was a beautiful sight, but sorrowful nevertheless.
Aloysia shifted her weight onto her other leg while crouching, and squinted her eyes to get better sight lines. She couldn't dare glaze over the banners for too long, her emotions still painful as they hummed within.
She gripped her spare dagger tucked away in her boot, feeling the familiarity flood back to her.
Aloysia stalked the cart as it ploughed down the street.
Scaling rooftop to keep it in her sights, she witnessed the people of this town parade and bow at the royals, all very blatantly unaware of the shadow lurking above them.
Citizens were all dressed in black as well, wishing to send their condolences for the loss of the Queen.
Business, homes, stalls, alike were abandoned for this occasion.
They truly loved their queen.
Aloysia sighed, realising a heavy breath.
It wasn't necessary to be here already, but she just couldn't ponder, or twiddle her thumbs to wait for nightfall... needing to keep herself busy; her aching mind needed to see every detail, spot every flaw in her plan cultivated with her brother to ensure everything went smoothly this evening....
Let's just say her brothers paranoia was creeping up on her.
But also... to allow them to reach the temple, to allow them just to say good bye.
For the princes' sake.
Besides, her rational side needed time to mentally prepare to let go of the fears herself.
Her heart clawed at her throat at the reminder of what the Queen had instructed her to do.
'Find the creation stone'
It was not going to be simple. Nothing In her life ever was going to occur without tremendous complications...
Focusing at the task at hand, she spied the royals diligently.
The Northern king inside the cart appeared agitated to Aloysia, as she continued to examine her prey. A smile tugged at her lips; a guilty one at that.
He was nervous, expecting an attack.
She chuckled to herself.
He would sure get one for what he did to her, but that could wait until after the funeral, and then fate will decide for itself...
The cart strolled into the temple grounds, finally reaching the end of the street.
Citizens crowded around them, slowly making their way inside as well as to catch a glimpse of their soon to be new king.
Then, silence...
The streets, towns had all hushed. The chaos reining moments earlier had wained.
Aloysia stood tall upon the roof holding a hand to her heart, and peered toward the sky.
Her body slowly made its way to the temple.
She sat- atop it- surrounded by the silence to just breathe.
Her plan- as masterfully thought out as it was... was risky- the main risk being herself. She would have to let it take control of her without being completely submerged- just enough to give her the advantage.
Welling eyes was the only sign of regret for what she was about to do as the cloak wrapped around her head, suffocating her. She would practice -until the stars signalled- enough to bend it to her will, to release the reins, but tug them back when needed.
Closing her eyes painfully tight, and inhaling the morning air, all self control to hold back the threatening flame within was relinquished; her eyes awoke to the stinging sensation crawling down her spine, controlling her.
Bright embers danced in her eyes as they burned brighter than the sun.
A grin smudged onto her face as her body gave in- unable to control an inch. She would wait- patiently, ready for the royals to re-emerge.
She couldn't wait...