Chapter 2: Out

The crown was made from gold, and long points of metal that carried engravings and gemstones surrounded the ring that rested upon my father's black hair. He had a short beard as well and wore a red cloak and elegant clothing that was traditionally worn by kings. Once I become king I won't wear such cliche douchey attire that was expected of me. I planned to wear my dark armor at all times, so I could be taken seriously instead of being the storybook king my father was.

As I mentioned, I shared his steel blue eyes that were bright and serious. I also had my mother's red hair, although hers was very curly and more of an orange than mine. I assumed that my hair appeared more red and was straight, because of my father.

My mother had brown eyes and wore the attire you would expect a queen to wear. She had on a simple purple dress, along with a pearl necklace and dangling earrings to go with her crown. I was impatient with what they wanted to tell me and spoke first. "You wanted to speak with me?" 

Their worried looks became more severe as my mother answered me. "Yes. We wanted to tell you something. A-As you know... Your brother's birthday is coming up and... Well, he will be eighteen years of age." I raised an eyebrow. "That's what you wanted to tell me?" My father continued from where she left off. "We're not done yet. You see... We just thought that it would be better. For the kingdom... You know, if... We..."

I became annoyed with how long it was taking for them to tell me and interrupted. "Just spit it out already!" My parents looked at each other in concern, and my father straightened his posture as his gaze returned to me. "We've decided to hand the throne over to your brother, Dymas."

At that moment, my entire body froze. I tried to comprehend what they just told me, but I couldn't believe it. My eyes widened even though my expression was full of confusion and anger. I felt rage build up inside me like a thundering volcano about to explode, and my father quickly changed the subject with a nervous smile. "Okay! We're all in agreement! Now let's go-!" 

I screamed before he could finish his sentence. "WHAT???!!!!" Their worried expressions became fear as they saw me being fully enveloped in anger. "THAT'S WHY IT TOOK SO LONG FOR YOU TO DECIDE?! YOU WERE WAITING FOR THAT BRAT TO TURN EIGHTEEN SO YOU COULD SKIP ME OVER LIKE A PAGE IN A BOOK?!" My father took a step back and attempted to calm me down. "Now son, this is what's best for the kingdom-"

What he said only made me angrier. "WHAT'S BEST?! I AM THE STRONGEST MAN IN THIS KINGDOM, WHY THE FUCK IS IT BEST FOR THAT LITTLE MANIPULATOR TO BE KING INSTEAD OF ME??!!" My father raised a hand towards me as if he was approaching a wild animal. "Calm down! This is exactly why we don't think you would be a good fit as a king! You're irrational, angry, stubborn, cruel, and unempathetic! You treat everyone like they're beneath you, and you have no regard for anything with a life! That is not the kind of king I want to take my place!"

Everything he said was like he was speaking a different language to me and I clenched my fists. "Are you blind?! The only quality needed to rule is strength!! I've worked like a dog my entire life only to lose the throne to that spoiled brat who's never lifted a finger to do anything himself?! Why him?! What could you possibly see in him that you don't see in me?!"

My mother spoke next, afraid of how I would respond. "Well, he's compassionate, cares about how his decisions affect others, and he's actually interested in finding a queen to rule at his side. Whenever we bring up the subject of betrothal to you, you always just laugh and walk away." I raised an eyebrow, still pissed. "You were serious about that?"

My father answered me. "The throne is a partnership. You can't be a great ruler without a foundation. Besides, you will need an heir in order to continue the monarchy, and you've never once expressed an interest in a woman or anyone else. Seriously, it's like you skipped puberty!" I clenched my jaw so hard that I thought all of my teeth were going to shatter. "I work alone! I am strong alone!!" 

My father's eyebrows furrowed. "I don't know what went wrong, but we have done our best at raising you, yet-!" I cut him off even more furiously than before. "BULLSHIT!! YOU DIDN'T RAISE ME!! THE SERVANTS DID!! THE ONLY THING YOU TWO DID TO BE CONSIDERED PARENTS IS FUCK!!" My father then shouted back. "That is enough!! You have no choice in this matter!! The decision has already been made!! Dymas is going to be king! Not you!!"

I exhaled sharply trying to calm myself down. I felt my whole body shake as I let my clenched hands rest at my sides. I managed to calm myself for a moment, and let my body relax in order to speak. "Fine. Then I guess you leave me no choice other than to KILL YOU!!" Without wasting a second, I immediately drew my sword and slashed my father through the chest. "AH-!" He fell to the ground as blood sprayed through his torn clothes, and my mother screamed seeing what had unfolded in front of her. 

I walked towards him, raising my sword as he shook trying to get up. Right before I could finish him my mother grabbed my arm, trying to stop me. I only had one goal on my mind at that moment and felt nothing as I hit her head with the hilt of my sword. She fell to the ground as well, and I turned to my father again without hesitating to immediately bring my sword down over him. 

Right before the metal hit him, a bright green light surrounded him and it suddenly pushed me back. He then pulled the half of the stone of Sudre out of his coat and held it out towards me. It was glowing so bright I couldn't look directly at it. His wound instantly healed, and he got to his feet with anger on his face. A beam of green magic was shot towards me from it, and as soon as it hit me, large glowing chains wrapped around me and brought me to my knees from their weight. 

I struggled to get out of them, but they were too strong for me. I gave up and slid my sword back into its holster. The light disappeared, and I avoided my father's gaze as he stepped in front of me. He yelled, "Guards!" and knights then came from the hallways and picked me up by the chains. I struggled fiercely, but I was already restrained. My mother then sat up and rubbed her head surprised, wondering what happened. 

I continued to struggle, and when my gaze reached my father I noticed that his face carried regret behind his glare. "Those chains will only come off once you're outside The Great Wall. You are hereby banished from Reinthoria, and if you ever come back you will be beheaded for treason." My expression shifted to shock, and I struggled harder. "What?! How the hell is a human going to survive outside the wall?!"