Chapter 1: The child named Gawain
The dinning hall was pin drop silent as though there weren't a group of people in it. Monisha sat lazily on the head chair while resting her head on her hand. General Storm sat beside her and stared at the plate in front of him. He turned to his men and realized they also weren't eating regardless of the sumptuous aroma from the meal.
"You seem wary of the meal served." Monisha said calmly, her meal remained covered by a ceramic plate. "Are you afraid I poisoned your meal?" She chuckled lightly and sat straight.
"You don't seem hungry as well milady," Nicholas pointed in a playful tone. Monisha smiled subtly and gestured the empty seat beside her.
"I await the presence of someone."
Just then the door was slightly opened and a beautiful vampiress walked in. She was carrying a child in her arms whose face was buried in her blonde hair and his arm was around her neck. "Forgive my lateness."
Monisha waved her hand and the child was put on the chair beside her. His pale chubby hand rubbed his eyes, he was dressed in a regal black russet and his hair flowed down his shoulders to his waist. "Thank you Eliana."
Eliana bowed slightly and brought out a cup. All eyes were glued to the boy with curiosity laced on their faces. His presence gave off a feeling of uncertainty in their guts.
"Who might the child be milady?" General Storm inquired.
"My son." Even Eliana was taken aback by her words, the little boy opened his eyes and the air tensed up. It was as though a boulder was placed on their shoulders. All words that were intended to be spoken was retreated.
'what kind of child has such aura?' Fraden said to himself. He turned to meet the child and his stomach twisted when the child was staring in his direction, the intensity of those piercing blue eyes. His instinct signaled only one thing 'Flee'.
"Gawain…" Monisha hummed out his name like a melody on a harp. The boy's attention was completely stolen by her and his body turned to her as he stretched his arm to reach her. "You all can breathe, he doesn't bite unless told to."
Sweat rolled down general Storm's cheek to his chin and finally dropped on his pants. He felt suffocated, only after Monisha's words did he realize he had been holding his breath. "You both aren't related."
A stern voice cut through the tension and echoed in the hall. Monisha's lips curved in pleasure and she raised her head to turn to the man. Lawrence had his hand gripping his sheathed sword and his eyes glued to Gawain with a pure intent to murder. "What is the boy?"
Ruth snapped her head at Lawrence with fear in her eyes. She didn't want the friction between him and the heiress to make flames. General Storm was also flustered about Lawrence's tantrum. "Stand down soldier." He commanded
'What?!' Eliana gritted her teeth at the audacity of the man sitted in the dinning hall. Monisha ignored him and signaled for a cup. Eliana handed her a glass cup arranged amongst others on the table. The fear gradually turned to curiosity and wary
Monisha smiled darkly and pulled a strange shaped knife out of her dress. Everyone was both confused and curious. "Milady please ignore the behavior of my subordinates, they are all interested in knowing you that's all…"
Monisha covered the sharp knife with her hand and forcefully slit her skin. Blood gently dripped from her hand into the cup beneath it. She was completely calm and composed, Gawain stared at the cup with glee in his eyes. He seemed more expectant to receive the bloody glass. Fraden stared at them with pure disgust and anger.
"Barbaric!" He could hold in his thoughts anymore. Nicholas was surprised as well as Ruth and the general.
Once the cup was full, Monisha's palm was engulfed in red flames and her wound was healed. "General Storm," She started calmly and turned to the man who was gradually getting drenched in his own sweat. "Your men are quite the character."
"A joke star," She turned to Nicholas who bowed with a smile. "A curious cat." She turned to Ruth who's face reddened in embarrassment. "An angry bird," she sighed at fraden. "And then this one," both eyes met. Lawrence still had his hand firm on his sword.
"I wish Sirius could learn from you." She joked and then gave Gawain the cup of blood. "Feeding a child isn't barbaric, soldier." She lifted the place over her food and dug in herself.
Fraden balled his fists and turned to Monisha, although he was nervous and a bit wary of the woman's power. He still detests her from the bottom of his heart.
Gawain gleefully drank the blood, his little legs swinging under the table as he savoured the taste. Fraden's face twisted with every sip the boy took.
Once he was done his eyes glowed with an uncertain intent, he turned to Lawrence who also had his eyes glued to him. He raised the cup above his head and slammed it on the table.
The force was strong enough to crack the table and smash it to pieces. Everyone was surprised by his actions and tried their best to avoid the flying debris, Monisha on the other hand arched her brow in confusion as the debris that came towards her burned to ash. The room was engulfed with dust and the candles were blown out by the wind pressure.
Ruth coughed out loudly as she crawled out from underneath the chair. "Who knew this was a safety shield?" Her eyes widened as the dust slowly settled.
Blood slowly stained the marble tile, the scene in front of them had the general gaped, shock evidently written on his face.
Monisha's hand was pierced through with a sword held by Lawrence that aimed for Gawain's head, her second hand was wrapped around Gawain's waist pulling him to her embrace. Lawrence held Gawain's hand that was stretched towards his heart, already tearing his flesh. Both Monisha and Lawrence stared at each other with murder intent. "What? do you expect me to stay and watch you kill him?"
Lawrence quickly pulled out Gawain's arm and skillfully cut off Monisha's hand. He jumped back and glared at her, while Monisha steadied her breathing. Lawrence touched his chest, he frowned deeply as he felt warm liquid gushing out. "That child tried to kill us." He stated clearly and turned to the little boy that looked happy and proud of his work.
"He was seeking your attention." Monisha sighed and healed her arm. She picked Gawain up and tilted her head at Lawrence, her eyes glued to his blood soaked jacket. "Don't tell me you don't like kids?"
Gawain stretched his hand towards Lawrence a bit carried away, he didn't even realize the mess he had caused. Lawrence stared at the boy like he was insane and then at Monisha like she was a lunatic. Sheathing his sword, he turned to the general who stood aside dazed by what had happened.
"I'm leaving." He stated shortly and walked out of the room. Eliana was about to attack him when Monisha intervened.
"Let him be." Monisha turned to Gawain and then at Lawrence's retreating figure. "You're really something, aren't you Gawain?"
"Milady, I am deeply sorry." General Storm walked over to Monisha a bit concerned about what happened. "I'll be sure to discipline my subordinates I promise."
"Don't bother," she waved off her hand. Gawain wrapped his hands around her neck and buried his face in her hair. He didn't seem interested in anyone now Lawrence had left. "They are quite competent. You have good eyes."
Ruth, Fraden and Nicholas all bowed to her and apologized for their actions. "We're deeply sorry for what happened." Nicholas was the one to speak.
"Do tend to your colleague's wound." She brushed them off and left the room. General Storm tailed behind her as well as Eliana.
"I've never seen Lawrence that mad before." Ruth stood straight and stared at the wrecked room. "I thought I was a goner."
"I didn't think he would attack the boy." Fraden confessed and turned to Nicholas who stared at the spot on the tile stained with blood.
'I was right after all."
Chapter 2: An heir with a difference
"You sure throw tantrums don't you?" Ruth scolded Lawrence as they all rode back deep in the dark forest. "I don't even know if we were lucky or She was being kind." She helped dress his wounds and bandage his palm.
"I knew she was just a mad woman who gained wealth at a young age." Fraden added and leaned on the seat. "But you are really fast, I didn't even notice you had left my side."
Lawrence closed his eyes, completely ignoring their words. Nicholas sat opposite him and stared at him a bit coldly. "Well thanks to him, we'll be in for trouble once we get back home." He stated and turned to the window. "I don't even get why you attacked the child."
"Maybe if I had let the table hit you or pierce your skin, you would have had a better understanding." Lawrence replied obliviously and pulled his body away from Ruth. She seemed to be stalling just to keep touching his body.
"There's literally no respect between us is there." Nicholas scoffed and leaned on the seat. Ruth sat up and arranged the items in the box.
"But I think it's obvious now that she isn't a threat." She started calmly. "I mean she's trying to stop the existence of rogues,"
"Are you listening to yourself right now?" Fraden shot a glance at her.
"Just hear me out, besides saving her pocket there are a lot of things that can be done. Expandable roads and farmlands also people won't have to live in fear anymore. People can travel and be free." She smiled warmly and pat her chest. "i think she's a good person, though mad, she's a good person."
"I think you're mad as well." Fraden retorted and folded his arms. Lawrence turned to Fraden and smiled.
"You must be disappointed you won't have enough intel to bring her down." Nicholas hummed like a melody. The sounds of singing cricket and the hooves of the horses that road filled in the silence."This is an advise from a friend and colleague Fraden."
Fraden glared at Nicholas. "If you want to live long, I advise you leave Minister Jasper." Ruth felt a bit misplaced, all she wondered was why there was a lot of bad energy in the carriage. "He will only use you to accomplish goals and throw you into the den of the heiress to die."
"You guys are so boring." Ruth commented and turned to take a peek at the moon.
The next day
(Cerdonia)
All minsters gathered in the court room, the king sat on his throne and by his sides were his two sons. They were both dressed in silver russet while the king was dressed in gold.
General Storm stood under the elevated platform and reported his investigation, he told all that happened and all the words that came out from the heiress mouth.
"I see." Sirius nodded slowly. "If so then I believe I support her expirements." Jasper didn't seem pleased at all, in fact he was furious.
"Sirya, don't you think you might be supporting a potential coup?" He asked, a few ministers nodded as well. "What if she's creating another abomination Milord?"
"I have known lady Monisha since I was able to walk. She isn't one to do such." Minister Johan interrupted. "Milord if there's anytime to be supportive to the heiress it's now."
"You have no idea what vampires are capable of." Leif was the one to speak this time. His voice was calm yet it carried power and authority. "She's a creature full of deceit and wickedness. If I'm not mistaken, one of your men attacked a child because he felt the murderous nature of the child. True?"
"Yes milord." General Storm bowed.
"Then what makes you think in the slightest way that woman means good, she is capable of doing anything. She has both the power and the money." Leif said sternly. "At least I for one don't trust her."
Sirius sighed heavily and cupped his chin. General Storm turned to Magnus who had a flower in his hand, his eyes were focused on it and his finger played with its petals. He didn't show any interest in taking part in the conversation.
"And what is your idea in this matter prince Magnus?" Everyone turned to Magnus, he on the other hand was unreasonably calm and ignorant to most of the stern faces among the ministers.
"It's true, as the first son of the king, we will much likely want to hear your opinion." Johan urged.
Magnus sighed lazily and tilted his head. "I can't entirely pick a side since I haven't come across this woman." He started slowly. "But I took a stroll a few days ago and I believe I can say she isn't against us. If I'm not mistaken, this vampiress or heiress is constantly paying bills that are meant for royal family. She's the reason why there isn't any friction between vampires and the humans also why rogues aren't crawling into our homes and jabbing our neck."
Jasper frowned the more Magnus spoke. "Is there anymore she has to do to prove she's on our side. I for one would never sacrifice so much for people who think low of me." His eyes trailed off to his father who seemed surprised by his son's words.
"But her true intentions are not clear." Leif retorted to Magnus.
"I love you little brother but let's think logics not antics, She said she's tired of paying bills, that's clear enough to me." Magnus shrugged his shoulders.
"Bills are her duties, Milord you wouldn't understand this since you don't know the importance of responsibility." Jasper sternly lashes out at him. Magnus glared at his uncle.
"Don't speak of responsibility when you can't even keep fit." He continued. "From all the factions in the kingdom uncle, yours is the poorest. It's obvious the heiress is taking action because of the greed of the ministers."
"So you believe the woman means well by engaging in the experiment." Another minister asked with a bit of understanding in his eyes.
"Yes, if she actually planned to take over, doing it now is a bit stupid." Magnus leaned on his throne and played around with his flower. "She should have done it during the early outbreak of rogues."
"And if she is planning something dubious." Leif asked. "People change brother."
"Of course they do, that's why she's trying to change the flow of money in her pocket." General Storm muffled in his laughter and smiled proudly. "I believe discussing this matter is not useful, cause either way we're indebted to her and the king agrees to her expirements." Sirius stared at his son in disbelief.
King Sirius sighed and nodded slowly. "The meeting is adjourned." Magnus smiled and stood from his throne.
"I'd be taking my leave then, there's a town's play in Bacelia this evening and I don't want to miss it." He bowed deeply and walked over to his brother. "Have a good day father, let's go Leif."
Magnus pulled his brother and left the throne room. Jasper glared at his retreating figure. "Are you sure about this?" Leif said as they left.
"Do you want to sit and listen to our uncle whine about eating someone else's hard work?" Magnus replied.
"Sirya, your sons are quite knowledgeable." Minister Johan praised. Sirius smiled subtly and nodded.
"I'll be taking my leave sirya, I have to discipline my men for insubordination." General Storm bowed to the king and left the throne room.
"Brother you really aren't going to agree to what Magnus says are you?" Jasper turned to Sirius a bit flustered.
"I decided to acknowledge the heiress's expirement, Magnus only made the court understand my reason." Sirius retorted and stood to leave. "It's high time you start working on faction, it's obvious now that you're feeding yourself not caring for your people."
Jasper bowed at his brother and gritted his teeth in rage.
Hallway.
General Storm strode down the castle's hallway, he had a smile on his face cause he couldn't hold back his amusement.
Flashback (the night General Storm and his men left the Moralé's mansion.)
General Storm was about to alight his carriage, the servants of Monisha bowed to him as he climbed.
"General Storm," Monisha stood by the door and called to him. He came down from the carriage and walked towards her. His men were already in their carriage ready to leave.
"You called milady." He bowed slightly and stared at her.
"I believe you said you wanted to win my favor right." She asked.
"Yes milady, I would want to gain favor from you."
Monisha smiled sinisterly and hummed. "Good, I need you to accomplish a task for me."
Storm nodded slowly, "I believe the princes are back."
"Yes milady, I personally escorted them to the Palace." He replied and turned to his carriage.
"You know Storm, I believe in the essence of the first child. The significance of the first son is something that mustn't be taken lightly." Sirius smiled sadly because he could understand the reason for her words.
"Magnus has indeed been overshadowed by his brother's light." He replied calmly.
"In all honesty, Sirius might be a good king but he is a great failure as a father." Monisha spat blatantly. "He has been blinded by the love of his second wife and committed the same sin his father committed. I follow the only laws of God in all my ruling and I believe God made the significance of the first son clear by sending the Messiah."
"I can't argue with that fact milady, but I doubt magnus is bothered, he is a reserved easy going person." General Storm seemed a bit lost by her words. What sin did the Sirius's father commit? And why is she interested in Magnus all of sudden.
"I need you to bring Magnus out of his cone. I believe he might be reserved but isn't one to be talked down on by any man other than his father." Monisha stared.
"It is as you say milady but then again I am not sure I'll be able to do that." He bowed slightly.
"Of course you can, you already have a catalyst in accomplishing your task and that is the pig in the court." She continued. "Jasper will definitely try to manipulate the son closest to Sirius's heart for his own gain."
General Storm sighed, the name of the man makes him feel disgusted and ashamed on his behalf. "Create an opening during your report and give Magnus the chance to speak, in a way he can't be brushed off or outspoken."
"If I may ask milady." General Storm was curious to know what her reasons may be. "What do you wish to know?"
"When he speaks, you as well will understand two things." Monisha turned to leave into her castle as she waved him off.
Flashback ends
"Either he is fit to be king or not." General Storm laughed out wholeheartedly as he walked down the enormous staircase. "I have truly made the right decision in following you, My lady Monisha."
In the Morale Mansion
Monisha stood by the window in her library. A white turtledove sat on the frame with a ribbon round it's neck. Her lips curved in pleasure as she read the letter in her hand.
She hummed. "All hail king Magnus of Cerdonia."