The members of the court began to disperse in groups of twos and threes, their murmurs and discussions filling the air.
Viktor leaned back on his chair, his gaze on the retreating figures of the court members. He knew that most of them were wolves in sheep clothing, waiting for the right moment to strike. He straightened himself from his chair, his footsteps clicking against the floor as he walked out of the room.
His gaze fell on Levi who stood outside the throne room, and he tsked. "Don't wait after me, Levi. Unless you have a fascination with standing for long hours."
Levi who bowed on seeing viktor, was quick to follow his footsteps. "It's my duty to wait after you, prince Viktor." He replied, his tone low and light.
Viktor clicked his tongue in disapproval, his footsteps coming to a halt as he faced Levi. "You shouldn't go by the rules everytime, Levi. It's ok to bend some rules to your own favour."
Levi raised a brow, slightly confused by viktor's words. "I'm not sure I understand your point, prince Viktor."
A sly smile spread across viktor's lips, as he continued walking ahead. "Soon Levi, you'll come to understand what I mean."
Levi had a quizzical expression on his face, his gaze drifting from viktor to the empty space ahead. A small smile came to his lips, the memories of his first days with Viktor coming to mind.
Levi was a soldier trained to understand the norms and rules of the society and the battle field. Yet, it was like viktor represented the opposite of everything thing he was taught. Unexpectedly, he had developed a fondness and admiration for the twisted prince that had spared his life.
"May I ask what decision was reached by the court?" Levi asked, coming back to the present.
"The Queen mother will handle the politics and Markus would support as a regent. The king's burial has been fixed for the morrow." Viktor said, his voice low and calm.
Levi nodded, his mind going back to the guardians he had seen earlier. There was something about the second guardian that made him feel uneasy.
As Viktor's footsteps slowed, Levi asked, "Is everything alright, Prince Viktor?"
Viktor tucked his hands into his pockets, his gaze drifting toward the windows. The fading sunlight cast a golden glow on his face. "Go on, Levi. I'll take a short walk."
Levi hesitated, then bowed with a nod. "As you wish, Prince Viktor." He turned in the opposite direction, leaving Viktor alone in the corridor.
Viktor tucked his hands into his pockets, strolling through the corridors as slaves and guards bowed in reverence. Soft sunlight filtering through the windows cast a warm glow on the stone floors. The sweet scent of blooming flowers wafted ahead, drawing him into the garden.
As he walked deeper into the lush oasis, birdsong and gentle rustling of leaves filled the air. Viktor's footsteps slowed, his gaze drifting across the vibrant blooms. He halted before a hedge of tulips, their crimson petals swaying gently in the breeze.
Viktor crouched down, his fingers grazing the delicate petals. "I guess Mother was right, you really survived all these years," he whispered, a wistful smile spreading across his lips.
Memories began to unfurl, carrying him back twenty years. A time he cherished more than life itself.
"Mama!" A little boy shouted, his voice echoing through the gardens.
He stopped running, his copper green eyes looking around the garden in search of his mother.
The light in his eyes brightened and a smile spread on his lips on sighting the one he was searching for.
"Mama!" He called again, running towards the young woman who crouched down, trimming the garden flowers.
The young woman, Irene, smiled on seeing the little boy running towards her. "You shouldn't run like that, Viktor. You might fall and get into a lot of trouble."
The boy laughed, revealing a scanty set of teeth. "I was looking everywhere for you, mama. Look! I have a new tooth growing over here." He mumbled in excitement, placing his finger on the tooth.
Irene laughed, her copper green eyes twinkling as she patted his hair. "That's great, viktor, but you shouldn't have come here. Your father would be enraged if he sees you out here."
Viktor pouted, his gaze lowering to the ground. "But I haven't seen you in two weeks, I missed you a lot."
Irene smiled, pulling him into her embrace. "I missed you too, my boy. I missed you more than I can tell."
Viktor raised his gaze, happy to hear that his mother had missed him. "Then come live with me, mama. We will be together all the time." His voice was filled with excitement and hope.
Irene smiled sadly, aware that his words could never happen. Even though she was his mother, they lived in different worlds. She had no right to see him or to be with him.
She sighed softly, not knowing how to refuse the boy. "I can't live with you now, Viktor. One day, when everything gets better, mama promises to be with you always."
"Really?" Viktor asked, happy that he will soon be with his mother. Irene nodded, placing a kiss on his forehead.
Viktor smiled, his gaze falling on the flowers his mother was pruning earlier. "What is this, mama?"
Irene's gaze followed his fingers that pointed on the flower. "Ah, that's an orchid. It's a delicate flower and requires a lot of attention."
Viktor nodded, his gaze narrowing in disapproval. "I don't think I want to have an orchid in my garden, mama."
Irene laughed, slightly amused by his outburst. "Why's that, viktor?"
The boy pursed his lips, his gaze turning thoughtful before he replied. "It can die easily, I don't think I like that. I want a flower that would survive through any weather and treatment."
"That's smart of you, Viktor." Irene smiled, patting his head. "Why don't you plant a tulip then?"
"A tulip?" Viktor asked, his brow raising slightly.
Irene nodded, bringing out a tulip bulb and placing it in his hands. "Go on, plant it yourself."
Viktor's voice dropped to a whisper, his gaze turning cautious. "Is it okay if I get my hands dirty?"
Irene nodded, "you shouldn't go by the rules everytime, viktor. It's ok to bend some rules to your own favour."
Viktor nodded in excitement, happy to have a plant of his own. He crouched down, digging a little hole in the ground. With Irene's help, he planted the tulip and covered up the hole.
"There you go," Irene said with a smile, using her gown to wipe the dirt off his hands.
"You should go back to the castle now Viktor, before your father gets back." Irene said, slightly worried.
Viktor shook his head, "I want to stay with you for a little while, mama."
Irene hesitated before nodding her head. "Then come sit with mama."
Viktor smiled, happy that his mother was not sending him away as usual. He sat with her on the bench, placing his head on her laps.
Irene smiled, gently weaving her hands through his hair, until the little boy fell asleep in her arms.
The memory faded leaving viktor standing alone in the garden, the tulips swaying gently in the breeze . He dipped his hands into his pocket, taking out a cigarette and a lighter.
He lighted the cigarette, the smoke wafting through the air with his gaze fixed on the tulip. He sat there quietly until a voice interrupted the tranquility.
"I didn't know you enjoyed smoking, prince Viktor."