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~ Twenty-Four - Season IV ~
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The Impact of Her (ALL SEASONS) ~ Twenty-Five - Season IV ~
The guards immediately looked up to me with wide eyes. “In this matter, we are asking you to risk your lives to protect us. The very least that we can do is to minimise casualties,” I continued as I walked amongst them. “With all that I am, I will talk to His Majesty and see if I can persuade him to take the forest trail.” A smile finally appeared on their faces. And the captain gave me a nod of approval. It might not be the best promise. But it was better than nothing. If the lives of our guards didn’t matter to James, it mattered to me. ~*~*~*~ After the meeting was dismissed, James still hasn’t returned. Instead of waiting, I took the time to visit Grandpa Ben. And upon my arrival, the Medicine King mentioned that Grandpa Ben had some kind of progress. But it would continue at such a sluggish pace. And I would take that rather than nothing. Grandpa Ben’s clothes were changed as well. He didn’t sweat as much. And he seemed to be resting more peacefully. As I watched over hi
The Impact of Her (ALL SEASONS) ~ Twenty-Six - Season IV ~
“I assume that the terrified look on your face is a yes,” James remarked.“I thought you already took care of them,” I said as I turned to James, horrified.“I never specifically stated how I took care of them, didn’t I?” James smirked as he put his hands behind his back. “I wanted to have a bit of fun with them. And besides, it is only fitting that you decide their fates.”My eyes widened, which caused a smug grin on James’ face. “Have you lost your sanity, James?!” I asked, furious. “Why are you putting such a responsibility on my shoulders??”“Robert,” James chuckled as he approached me. He then put a hand on my shoulder and continued, “If there is one thing that you need to learn about being king is how to make decisions. And there are choices that you don’t like but you have to do it.” He briefly tapped my shoulder and left the room with his guards.The torturer looked at me as well before he followed them.I took a step closer towards the hanged pirates. They were covered with w
The Impact of Her (ALL SEASONS) ~ Twenty-Seven - Season IV ~
James’ eyes widened.‘Did he suddenly realise something?’ I asked myself.“Why the sudden interest?” James asked as I walked past him. “Did the pirates tell you anything?”I kept my silence as I reached the other side of his desk. Slowly, I smiled to myself for a brief moment. Guilt was evident in his tone. “We were always forbidden to go there,” I replied as I slowly turned back around, “And the pirates didn’t say anything.”James nodded. But I noticed a quick sigh of relief from him. He wasted no time and immediately shook his head. “Why are we discussing this?” he asked as he turned to me.“I wish to go there. Now.”“That won’t be possible.”“And why is that?” I asked as I crossed my arms. “Is there something to hide?”James chuckled as he walked past me. My eyes followed his every action. “There is nothing to hide,” he said as he stood behind his chair. “I just don’t understand the sudden need to go there. There is nothing to see.”“Do I look like I care?” I answered as I approach
The Impact of Her (ALL SEASONS) ~ Twenty-Eight - Season IV ~
“What about it?” I asked.Gonzalo answered with a question, “What are you planning to do?”I sighed as I leaned onto the table. My arms supported my weight as I raised my head. “Since when was it your duty to meddle with the affairs of monarchs?” I asked as I looked directly into his eyes.“Since you decided to take the path that you are currently on,” said Gonzalo as he replicated my stance.“I don’t understand your hatred against mortals. Everybody has the capacity to change,” I replied. “Not every single one of them is the same.”Gonzalo scoffed. “I have been alive for a longer time than you, Your Highness. I have seen the evolution of mankind after we separated from them. They did change… but it was for the worse,” he snarled. He continued, “Their greed got the best of them. They continued on with their corrupted ways. They would step on others to obtain what they want.”“You are generalising an entire race of species. You don’t even take the time to visit their realm. You merely
The Impact of Her (ALL SEASONS) ~ Twenty-Nine - Season IV ~
Moments later, another group of guards entered with the prisoners.The pirates walked in a straight line as the guards walked beside them. Their hands were chained. A locked, metal chain was placed on their necks. That connected them with one another. They dragged their feet as they entered.Sweat and blood drenched their worn-out clothes. Bruises and whip wounds covered their skins. They were already thinner than before. And the lack of rest was evident on their faces.My right hand slowly curled into a fist as I turned to the captain. I specifically gave out orders that the pirates shouldn’t be treated with hostility. But it was clear no one listened to me.The captain finally caught my glare and lowered his head in shame.“Is there something wrong, Your Highness?” Gonzalo whispered.“Why are the pirates in such a terrible state? I thought I was clear when I ordered that they should be treated well,” I gritted my teeth.“That is not how we treat our prisoners, Your Highness. I merel
The Impact of Her (ALL SEASONS) ~ Thirty - Season IV ~
The atmosphere instantly shifted.The pirates raised their heads and looked at me, confused. The nobles continued their mumblings. My family, especially James and Gonzalo, turned to me. Their heavy gaze drilled down on my back.I did my best to maintain my composure. But my inner emotions were too tense, it was about to explode. And all I could do was to slowly grip onto my chair.My page resumed, “As the future ruler of Western Wind, I was taught to listen to my people and their needs. And these pirates are no different. They only want to provide for their families. But their abilities - their knowledge - were limited to the sea. And with no one to assist them, they resorted to violence.“Therefore, I changed my punishment from death to absolute exile. I hereby banish them to the northern borders of Western Wind. No one is to step in or out from the forgotten island but the ruling monarch. Signed, Robert Dex.”The nobles stood up in uproar as my page stepped aside. The pirates looked
The Impact of Her (ALL SEASONS) ~ Thirty-One - Season IV ~
My eyes widened as I stared at both of them.“Well, confused and shocked at most. Because your decision wasn’t something a victim of such a horrible experience would say,” Elizabeth explained.Mother then entered the conversation, “What came as a shock to me is the fact that you were given power to govern over the forbidden part of the kingdom. How were you able to do that?”I gestured towards the door so the three of us could start walking. I gave way to Mother and started, “After I was able to talk with the pirates, my immediate thought was to give them what they want. And all they wanted was a place to live. A piece of land that they can call their own.“When they mentioned that Grandmother previously gave them the northern borders of our kingdom, I knew what I had to do,” I continued. “But I had to make sure that James would hand over the borders to me.”When we arrived at the door, Elizabeth asked, “Why were you so confident that James will agree to your bargain?”Elizabeth’s que
The Impact of Her (ALL SEASONS) ~ Thirty-Two - Season IV ~
Pride. Joy. Contentment. Relief.A sudden flush of emotions rushed through my body as I watched everything unfold.The guards assisted the pirates as they built the foundation of their new homes. Some of the guards helped the families as they went through their supplies. The smiles on their faces were gratifying to see.And somehow, this sight gave me a reason to be proud of my decision. Especially during this difficult time in my life.It wasn’t as simple as it looked like. It wasn’t about a cheap pardon for those who tortured me. I only wanted to return what was wrongfully taken from them: a life.However, a part of me still wished that I could do more for them. As much as I wanted for them to live amongst our people, it wasn’t a possibility. I knew all too well that society would never allow such a thing. Even if that was who the pirates truly were: our people.I also didn’t want to cause more trouble than what I already did. I already gave James enough of a headache to ponder upon
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