~~
The suspense was slowly killing Nelson.
Eira had a devious smile on her face as she finally said, "I am Eira Bianchi, your step-sister."
Nelson's eyes widened. "How is that even possible? How are you my father's child?"
Eira nodded. "I was born to his mistress, Lady Elizabeth."
Nelson's mind reeled. "But Lady Elizabeth was my dad's business partner, and she was already married! So, how is any of this possible?" Nelson questioned deeply. He was still in shock.
His father's infidelity, hidden for years.
"Why reveal this now?" Nelson asked, raising questioning brows at Eira.
Eira's voice cracked as she spat, "Because you've forgotten your father's sins."
Nelson's eyes narrowed. "Which of my father's sins are you referring to?"
Eira's eyes blazed. "Your father's cruelty, your father's greed and hunger for power."
Felicia's words echoed in Nelson's mind: "Your family's darkness will consume you."
Nelson's world slowly crumbled right within his mind.
He knew his father was quite the monster of a being, but now, he was certain that his father was merely an unfaithful and heartless monster. The entire legacy of the Bianchi clan was built on lies.
Eira's next words shook him: "You're not the rightful king."
Nelson's grip on reality faltered. "Who is?" he whispered.
Eira's smile widened. "I am."
Nelson's vision blurred and his mind spiraled. The sister he never knew he had, had just revealed that she just might be one of his greatest enemies.
The darkness closed in.
Nelson gained a grip on himself.
He was certainly beyond infuriated now. He raged, "What the hell are you talking about! I fought for my claim to the throne! So you dare not come into my palace and question my place as king!"
"I should be on the throne, and not you, little brother!" Eira spat at him in response.
Nelson's eyes blazed with anger. "You dare challenge my rule?"
Eira stood tall, her voice unwavering. "I'll reclaim what's rightfully mine."
Within the flash of a second, Nelson pulled out his sword in rage.
The air crackled with tension as Nelson and Eira faced off.
"You know nothing of our family's history," Nelson angrily spat.
Eira's smile twisted. "I know enough. Father's mistakes, your brutality... it all ends now."
Nelson's expression darkened. "You think you can undo what I've built?" He scoffed, "I've built an impenetrable empire, and no one, not even you, can dethrone me!"
Eira's eyes flashed. "I'll dismantle your tyranny, even if I have to do it brick by brick."
The clashing of swords resounded in the passage as the sibling fought head on, their fury unleashing a maelstrom.
Blades danced, sparks flew, and the chamber echoed with clashing steel.
Sophia, Felicia's handmaiden, had been passing through the halls when she heard raging yells coming from a strange dark passage.
She peeked in to see what was happening, but everywhere was too dark to make out the figures in the passage. She had managed to recognize one of the voices. It was the King.
Immediately, she ran off to Felicia's chambers to call her attention to what was going on. "My queen..my queen..the king is…you need to come with me right now", she said, panting and barely taking in any breaths for relief as she struggled to speak.
Felicia could barely make out anything Sophia had said, all she knew was that it had something to do with Nelson.
Although she should be happy that he was in trouble, for whatever reason, she just dashed out of the room in concern, with Sophia leading the way to the passage.
When they got to the passage, Felicia watched, horrified, from the shadows as Nelson fought with an unidentified figure that looked feminine. "This can't end well," she whispered to Sophia.
Sophia's eyes widened. "Your Majesty, that's Eira, the mysterious woman that the king and his kingsmen have been trying to investigate. My queen, we must intervene before something terribly bad happens."
Felicia hesitated for a moment. "Not yet, Sophia. Let them reveal their truths. We need to know what exactly went wrong to lead to a sword fight as intense as this."
As Nelson and Eira fought, Eira landed a lucky blow.
Nelson stumbled, his guard down.
Eira's eyes locked onto Nelson's as she said, "Your weakness is your arrogance."
Nelson's Face Darkened with rage. "You'll pay for that."
Nelson unleashed a flurry of strikes, pushing Eira back.
Eira parried, but Nelson's ferocity wore her down.
Just as Nelson prepared the final blow...
Right then, Felicia intervened, grabbing Nelson's arm. "Stop! This madness ends now!"
Nelson's gaze locked onto Felicia's, his eyes blazing with fury.
Felicia stood firm, her grip on Nelson's arm unyielding. "Stop this senseless fighting, Nelson," she urged.
Nelson's glare intensified. "Mind your place, wife!"
Felicia's voice rose. "I won't stand by and watch you destroy everything."
Eira's eyes narrowed in disbelief as she watched Felicia stand in between her and Nelson. "You're protecting him? After all he's done to you? To your family??"
Felicia's gaze met Eira's. "I'm protecting my kingdom from your destructive path."
Eira's expression twisted. "You know nothing about me or my plans, girl."
Felicia's eyes sparkled. She smiled, "I know more than you think."
Nelson's curiosity piqued. "What do you know, Felicia?"
Felicia's voice dropped to a whisper. "I know Eira's not the good person she is posing as."
Nelson's eyes widened. "What are you talking about?"
Felicia's smile hinted at secrets. "Let's just say... I've been doing my research."
A quick flashback reveals Nelson's Rise to Power****
A young Nelson, fueled by ambition and desperation.
His father, the ruthless Mafia King Edward, disregarded Nelson's potential and always trampled on Nelson and his mother.
Nelson's determination drove him to seek power through any means. And so, he formed alliances, manipulated nobles, and eliminated rivals.
One fateful night, Nelson, fully equipped with allies to take over the kingdom, confronted his father.
King Edward sneered. "You'll never be king!"
Nelson's eyes blazed. "Watch me."
With a swift strike, Nelson claimed the throne.
Just like that, his reign began, marked by fear and respect.
Back to the Present Day…