Chapter 2: The Cost of Defiance

  18 Years Earlier (1099 AD)

  Location: Jenju Castle

  The grand hall of Jenju Castle stood in solemn silence, the throne at its far end bathed in the light of torches lining the walls. The rich tapestries depicting the Empire's history seemed to darken with the tense atmosphere that filled the room.

  James burst into the throne room, his steps hurried and frantic. "Father, I need to talk to you," he said, his voice tinged with desperation.

  King Arnold, seated on the gilded throne, raised an eyebrow. "What is it you want, my son? I find it intriguing that you finally wish to speak with me," he replied, his tone laced with suspicion.

  "I want to talk to you alone," James insisted, glancing toward the king’s advisor, who stood near the throne.

  King Arnold gestured to the man. "Weasel, leave us," he ordered.

  The advisor bowed. "At once, Your Highness." With a last look at James, Weasel exited, closing the heavy doors behind him.

  The moment the doors shut, James stepped closer to his father, his eyes burning with a mixture of fear and anger. "Where is she?" he demanded.

  The king's brow furrowed. "Who do you speak of, boy?"

  "Stop pretending!" James snapped. "Criselda—my beloved. What did you do to her?"

  The king’s expression darkened as he leaned forward in his throne. "So, it is true then. You’ve been hiding this from us for how long? How long have you kept such a secret?" His voice trembled with controlled fury.

  "But I love her, Father!" James cried, his voice breaking.

  "Ingrate!" King Arnold’s fist slammed against the armrest. "She is a servant—nothing more! How dare you defy your mother and me! You were promised to someone of noble blood, and yet you sullied our honor with this... this foolishness!"

  "I don’t care about the damn betrothal!" James shouted, tears welling in his eyes. "Please, Father, don't punish her for my actions. I beg you."

  The king's face remained cold and unmoved. "I know not what you speak of. Leave now, before this conversation worsens."

  James’s hands tightened into fists. "You're lying," he growled. "You know exactly where she is. Tell me the truth!"

  "I have told you all I know," the king replied, dismissing him with a wave of his hand.

  In a moment of raw fury and desperation, James raised his hands, invoking a dark incantation. "Dolor, anima mea manu," he whispered.

  King Arnold’s body convulsed, his hand clutching at his throat. "What... what have you done?" he gasped, struggling for breath. "This... this magic... it’s forbidden."

  "Tell me where she is, Father!" James's voice cracked, his tears flowing freely. "You know I have no control over them—these dark spirits. It’s too strong. Just tell me, and I’ll release you!"

  The king's face reddened as he strained against the magic’s hold. "I know... nothing..." he managed to choke out before his knees gave way, collapsing to the cold stone floor.

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  The sight of his father, weakened and gasping, only fueled James’s anguish. "You killed her, didn’t you?" he screamed. "You took her away from me... you took everything! You deserve to die for this... Mortuus!" he chanted, his voice filled with bitterness.

  King Arnold’s body stiffened, his eyes widening in disbelief before the life drained from them. He fell to the floor, his hands falling limp.

  The heavy door burst open. Queen Aurelia rushed inside, her expression one of terror. "What is happening here...?" Her gaze fell upon the king’s lifeless form, and she let out a cry. "No! Arnold! What have you done, James? Arnold, wake up!" Her voice quavered as she knelt beside her husband.

  James stood in a daze, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He couldn’t process what had just happened, couldn’t believe what he had done. "It wasn’t supposed to be this way..." he whispered.

  "Answer me, James!" Aurelia screamed. "What did you do to him?"

  "For what?" he retorted, his voice rising. "You took Criselda from me... I know I’ll never find her now."

  The queen’s face twisted in a mix of horror and disbelief as she reached out to her son. "Arnold... please... wake up..."

  "Shut up!" James roared, his voice breaking as the darkness within him surged once more.

  The queen’s body jerked as the dark magic took hold of her, binding her in place. "What are you doing...?" she gasped, her strength fading.

  "You and Father... you planned this. You’re wicked... both of you. You took her from me... you killed me, Mother!" James shouted, the words torn from his throat.

  "Son... stop this madness..." Aurelia's voice weakened as the magic constricted her chest. "Please... don't... Mortuus!" The final syllable left James’s lips as his mother collapsed like a marionette with severed strings.

  Moments passed in utter silence. The weight of what he had done came crashing down on him. "No... no, no, no..." he whispered, collapsing to his knees beside his parents. "This isn’t real... wake up... please... wake up..." He cradled his head in his hands as sobs wracked his body.

  In the dim recesses of the throne room, a shadow moved silently toward the fallen royals. Weasel stepped into the flickering torchlight, a twisted smile on his face. "Ah, what a lovely sight," he murmured, his voice low and dripping with satisfaction. "Finally... finally..."

  6 months later

  Location: Planax Village

  A woman approached the village gates, her form weary and travel-worn. She wore a simple cloak, a bandana obscuring much of her face. Her eyes, though, told a tale of hardship and desperation.

  "Ahem, state your business," the head guard barked, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

  "I'm here to see my cousin, Ariadna," the woman replied, her voice soft. "She told me to show this badge to the guards if I needed entry." She held out a small metal token.

  The guard took the badge, examining it with a skeptical eye. "Wait here. I'll have it verified," he said curtly, signaling another guard to take the token inside.

  "Thank you," the woman said quietly.

  The head guard glanced at her with narrowed eyes. "Before I let you in, remove that cloth. We don’t allow concealed faces in the village."

  The woman hesitated, then pulled the bandana down. Her face was marred by scars, evidence of past suffering.

  The guard’s expression softened, his voice lowering. "Who did that to you?" he asked, the gruffness in his tone giving way to genuine concern.

  "It's a story I'd rather not recount," she replied, her gaze dropping.

  The other guard returned, whispering something in the head guard’s ear. After a moment, he handed back the badge. "You may enter, but remember—any trouble and you’ll answer to me. Karsus is the name," he said, stepping aside.

  "Thank you, Sir Karsus," the woman said, her voice sincere as she stepped into the village and made her way to Adriana's home.

  Criselda collapsed into Ariadna's embrace the moment she entered the small cottage. "It’s been so long," Criselda whispered, exhaustion evident in her voice.

  "You look dreadful, cousin. Sit, I’ll fetch some water and clean clothes for you," Adriana said, her eyes filled with concern.

  "It was a long journey, but I’m safe now," Criselda replied, forcing a smile. She placed a hand on her swollen belly, feeling the faint flutter of life within.

  "And the baby?" Ariadna asked, her voice soft with worry. "You must be exhausted. Did you come all the way from Sordian on foot?"

  "It was safer that way," Criselda said. "If anyone knew I was pregnant, I wouldn’t have made it this far."

  Ariadna’s face darkened. "What about Prince James? Does he know?"

  Criselda shook her head. "No. It’s better this way. If they found out about him... they’d hunt us both down."

  Ariadna’s expression softened as she reached out and touched Criselda’s hand. "You’re safe now, cousin. No one will find you here."

  As the two embraced, the village seemed to stand still, unaware of the chaos that had already begun to unravel.