***
“You know what it is like don’t you?”, she rambled on, “It is like he is a different person. Like I don’t even know my own brother…” Kalliste merely nodded. The walk had her listening to Aileen’s pathetic monologue and her nodding in understanding or rather pretending to nod in understanding. If Cedric had treated her badly for any reason it was most likely that she deserved it. She was not one to wish ill on anyone but Aileen deserved all the ills that came her way. She was a wicked… “I am such a sweet person, I do not deserve to be treated like this, not by anyone let alone my own brother”, Aileen’s high pitched melodramatic voice cut through her thoughts.
“…she has not had anything to eat the whole day your highness. She has been tucked in bed all day, refuses to speak to anyone and we are worried. This is not her usual behavior and so I…”Ceric waved a hand at the maid to stop her from talking, “Let me see her”The guard at the door, knocked briefly, announced Cedric’s presence and opened the door to him.Cedric strolled into the chambers, his hand behind his back. His eyes strayed for a while before they settle on Kalliste who was curled up in a ball under the sheets, “Leave us alone"The maids scurried out leaving the room.Cedric walked towards the dresser and studied the candelabra, he ran his fingers tip over the smooth golden surface. He had picked it out with his mother many years ago. He managed a small smile, “What is the matter Kalliste?”She did not reply.“Wh
“Edgar! Edgar! Please you have to help me. My child has gone missing please!”Cleopatra thought she was hearing voices in her head again or it was one of her visions that appeared real. It was not until she heard a loud bang on the door did she realize the cries where coming from the real world. She swiftly shot up from bed, this was not an unusual occurrence in Averna. She was used to waking up earlier than usual because Edgar was Averna's physician. Most emergencies happened at night but this was different, she thought. She has heard something about a missing child. She stared out of the window and it was so dark outside, she groaned, it was not dawn yet.Cleopatra walked to the mirror and stared at her reflection, her hair was ruffled courtesy of a cold bad night sleep. She quickly put on a woolen sweater over her long night dress so she wouldn’t freeze to d
***It had been a while since the volunteers set out in search of Priscilla. Cleopatra sat on the floor next to Edgar, a blanket draped around her shoulders as she gingerly sipped from the cup in her hands. It was nearly dawn, the people gathered around had increased.Not too long after it happened, the story of how she had been in Priscilla’s head was on the lips of everyone. Many people stole glances in her direction but when she turned to meet their gaze they would turn away. She hope Priscilla was found, maybe their attention would be diverted she thought to herself.“Are you alright Cleopatra?”, Edgar asked.She nodded.“
***After the talk with his mother Cedric had left feeling dirty and disgusted with himself. He took a shower and scrubbed thoroughly hoping to wash away the guilt he felt but he had come out sore and the guilt still weighed heavily in his heart.He opted for archery, anything to get his mind off his current dilemma. There was a dummy target a few yards away form him. On a normal day he was a good archer probably the best there was in all of Salvador. Today however was not a normal day and today he was not the best. He had shot a host of arrows and save for one that had hit the outstretched arm of the dummy, the arrows had flown in to the forest. A couple of guards ran back and forth fetching the arrows but his aim seemed to worsen more and more after every shot. He tried one more
***Cedric leisurely strode into the throne room, his father was pacing about around his throne, “Father”, he called out to him drawing his attention.Javaid turned around when he saw Cedric he beamed with smiles, “My son”, he walked towards him. When he got to Cedric, he pulled him into a hug, “I inquired on your whereabouts, the guards informed me you had gone to see the royal artist”“Yes”, Cedric answered, “I wanted a new painting done but thanks to Aileen I won’t be getting one”Javaid chuckled, “Let me guess she killed him?”“It is not that hard to figure out”, Cedric answered dryly.&
Aileen had on a red blouse and leather pants with knee high leather boots. She walked towards the royal stable. Cedric stood while some guards helped him wear his royal armor, a crown sat on his head as always.“Brother”, she called out to him when she got to where he stood.“Aileen”She smiled excitedly, “I got your message, where are we going?”“Routine patrol around Salvador to ensure all of dad's subject are in line”, he answered, then he turned to the guards, “Saddle Stefan…”, he turned to her quizzically.“Penelope”, she answered the unasked question , “I will ride her”“I thought it would be nice for us to take a ride, we never get time these days”, he looked at her, “It
Cedric and Aileen spent some time patrolling through the streets not minding the fact that they were both drenched in human blood.They finally strode into the castle, taking a stop at the throne room.Javaid panicked when he saw them at first but he visibly relaxed when he saw they were unhurt, “Seems like today’s hunting was quite…gory”“Indeed father”, Aileen answered and walked up to him, completely ignoring her mother who sat besides him. They had just finished a meeting together.“Father, I and Cedric had such a lovely time together today”, she said excitedly.“Aileen my child, of course you are his little sister”, Javaid replied with a smile, he was happy things were different between them, of course he had spearheaded the whole p
Cleopatra prepared for the party she had to attend later today, she had not attended any function in a long while and this meant so much to her. She was a guest of honor after all. Edwin and his wife Alena were hosting a party to celebrate the safe recovery of their child Priscilla.Cleopatra thought about how her life changed all of a sudden. A few days ago, she was only Edgar’s ward or his grand daughter as some other thought. Now she was much more than that, the people accorded her with so much respect. It was like she was a queen, a day would not pass without her receiving a gift from the people of Averna. Today it was dresses, the next day all kinds of food items. People even bought the most insignificant of items to her but she treasured them solely. She finally felt like she belonged. She knew the people had little and out of their little they were willing to give to her.