The throne room was charged with tension, heavy as the thick scent of incense that curled in the air. The assembly of nobles and courtiers had gathered with grim expressions, their eyes darting from one face to another as if expecting a storm to break.
And perhaps they were right.
As I took my place in front of the court, I glanced at my older brothers, Duncan, Baird, Archie, Alfie and Leo, stood by the elders, their eyes fixed on me with a blend of resentment and defiance. Though they tried to keep their emotions in check, I could see the frustration etched in every line of their faces. Duncan, the eldest, looked particularly furious, his eyes narrowed as if he could burn me alive with his gaze alone.
"Damian," he started, his voice laced with disdain, "our father was in his final moments. It's hardly surprising that he made a rash decision, giving you the throne in his weakened state. But it doesn't mean you're fit to wear the crown."
The murmur of agreement from some of the courtiers added fuel to the fire. I steadied myself, my jaw clenched as I met his stare.
"Father's decision was clear. I may not have his years of wisdom, but I have my loyalty to this kingdom, and I am willing to fight for its survival."
Duncan scoffed, crossing his arms.
"Loyalty? Don't preach loyalty to me, little brother. If it weren't for you and your obsession with that sorceress, none of this would have happened. You brought Agartha here. You trusted her. And now look at us—cursed, haunted by the undead."
I felt the sting of his words like a slap. He was echoing what many had whispered in the dark corners of the castle—the belief that I had somehow unleashed this evil by trusting Agartha. My chest tightened as memories of her betrayal surfaced. The image of her vanishing into the night with the stone that was supposed to save us still haunted my dreams.
"Enough," I replied, trying to keep my voice calm, though anger simmered beneath the surface. "What happened was unforeseen. Agartha's disappearance and the curse were beyond our control. If you're looking for someone to blame, look to the creatures that hunt us every night, not to your own kin."
Thorne, who had been silent until now, stepped forward. Unlike Duncan, his anger wasn't fiery—it was cold, calculating. He watched me with a piercing gaze, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the hilt of his dagger.
"You speak of loyalty, but loyalty is earned," Thorne said softly, each word carefully measured. "The people are terrified, Damian. They want a leader who can protect them, who understands the weight of the crown. And I can't say you've proven yourself in that regard."
The murmur of the courtiers grew louder, uncertainty flickering in their eyes. I forced myself to meet Thorne's gaze, my voice unwavering. "The weight of the crown is not lost on me, brother. I bear it every night as I fight against the very creatures that terrorize our people. I'm not hiding in the shadows, waiting for the kingdom to save itself. I'm out there, with sword in hand, facing the threat."
The court elder, Master Calder, raised a hand, signaling for silence. "Perhaps, in this trying time, it would be wise for the brothers to address their grievances formally, here before the court. Unity is needed if we are to face the dangers that plague our land."
I felt my stomach tighten. A formal audience would allow my brothers to voice their accusations freely, but it would also give me the chance to answer them once and for all. I took a deep breath and nodded.
Duncan wasted no time, stepping forward, his voice echoing through the hall. "Damian, you are young. You lack the experience to rule a kingdom, let alone one in crisis. Since Father's passing, you've taken it upon yourself to lead without seeking counsel from those who have stood by Father's side for years."
"I seek counsel," I replied, my voice firm. "But my choices remain my own. The throne demands decisiveness, not endless debate. The people need a king who will act, not one who is paralyzed by fear or doubt."
Baird sneered. "And what exactly have you accomplished? Have you found a way to rid us of these cursed creatures? Or have you simply brought us closer to ruin with your stubbornness?"
My heart ached, not only from the accusations but from the realization of how deeply divided we'd become. "I have not yet rid us of the undead, no. But I have kept our people safe, led hunts to thin their numbers, and fought beside them. I don't stand here asking for respect—I earn it every night in battle."
A tense silence fell over the room as I looked to the crowd, meeting the eyes of those who had fought with me, those who had seen the sacrifices I'd made. Slowly, a few of them nodded, quiet support that gave me strength.
Thorne, still watching me closely, tilted his head. "You speak of sacrifices, but what about those you left unprotected while you chased Agartha and that cursed stone? How many lives were lost because of your quest?"
The question stung, dredging up memories of those who had fallen while I was away. I swallowed hard, refusing to let the guilt show. "I can't change what happened," I replied. "But I will fight until my last breath to make it right. To end this nightmare. The people need a leader who won't abandon them, not one who's paralyzed by bitterness."
The court fell into a murmur, divided between whispers of agreement and doubt. I felt the weight of their judgment, but I knew I had to hold my ground.
Master Calder cleared his throat, bringing the hall to silence. "These grievances must be put to rest if we are to survive. The people look to you as examples. Now more than ever, we need unity."
Duncan's jaw tightened, but he nodded, though I could see the resentment simmering just below the surface. "Fine," he said, his voice dripping with reluctance. "But if your rule brings us further into ruin, I will not hesitate to take matters into my own hands."
The threat was clear, but I merely nodded. "Then I'll do everything in my power to ensure it doesn't come to that."
The court session ended with a cold, uneasy truce. As the nobles and courtiers dispersed, I felt the weight of their eyes on me, judging, doubting. I was the king, yes, but I was also alone, forced to carry a burden that had fractured my family and left me to stand against my own blood.
* * *
Later that evening, in the quiet of my chambers, I was startled by a soft knock at the door. I turned to see Eden and Jasmine, my younger siblings, their faces filled with a mixture of worry and warmth.
"Brother," Jasmine said, her voice barely a whisper. She came forward, wrapping her arms around me in a tight embrace. "Don't let them get to you. We believe in you."
Eden, taller and still young but with a maturity that belied his years, nodded solemnly. "They're angry because they know you're right, Damian. They see the people following you, not them. It's jealousy, plain and simple."
I sighed, pulling them both into a tight embrace. "Thank you, both of you. You don't know how much that means to me."
Jasmine pulled back, her gaze earnest. "Father chose you for a reason, Damian. He saw something in you that he didn't see in them. Don't forget that."
I managed a small smile, but my mind drifted back to Agartha, the woman I had trusted, the one who had vanished with the stone meant to save us. The betrayal was still fresh, still painful, and her absence was a constant reminder of the mistakes that had led us here.
"Sometimes," I said softly, "I wonder if Father's faith in me was misplaced. If I'd been stronger, wiser, maybe things would be different."
Eden shook his head firmly. "No, Damian. You're doing everything you can. And whatever happened with Agartha... that was her choice, not yours."
I nodded, though my heart still felt heavy. I couldn't shake the feeling that Agartha's betrayal had set all of this in motion, that somehow, the kingdom's suffering was my fault.
But as I looked at my younger siblings, their unwavering support shining in their eyes, I found a small glimmer of hope. I may have lost my brothers' loyalty, but I had these two. And with their faith, perhaps I could find a way to lead us out of this darkness.