2 The Evil Tyrant

<2nd of June, 977th year of Orion>

The Army of Leonis declared war all across the Continent of Orion. Their commander, Sebastian Leodegrance, promised he would not spare a single soul who dared raise their sword at him.

At first, no one took him seriously.

However, at an alarming rate, he crushed each and every kingdom in the Continent of Orion that arrogantly pushed against him. Genocide after genocide... his name spread through the rain and wind... to become a storm in that once peaceful land.

In just a month, he had reached the frontier of Cassiopeia, declaring to kill everyone just like the rest who refused to kneel down to his rule. But for the first time ever, he did not immediately march through.

On the 4th of July, on the birthday of Princess Ava Cassia, he announced an offer, or more like a threat.

"I will not hurt your people. Not a single strand of hair. But I demand Princess Ava Cassia's hand in marriage."

The one and only ruler of Cassiopeia that would be crowned the Queen in the future, Ava Cassia, decided to agree to that offer. Rightfully so, seeing how terrifying the speed of Leonis' conquer was.

In just a month, he had claimed almost one-third of the Continent's land for his soon-to-be-established Empire of Leonis.

But why such an offer?

For millennia, Cassiopeia had lacked the birth of a Princess. The bloodline of Cassian Daughter was proven to always be blessed to give birth to outstanding offspring.

It was known that the Daughter of Cassiopeia would be the Andromedas of worlds. Their children would grace the world with greatness no matter who the father was.

Sebastian Leodegrance was just one of many men who wanted that grace from Cassian Wombs.

[Look, Isla, I created a necklace for us.]

Isla wiped her tears. She changed Ava's hair permanently to black and, at the same time, took off the blue diamond necklace from her neck.

[I've created this necklace to prevent us from ever getting pregnant.]

[After he kills me, take this necklace off my neck and wear it always. Never, ever take it off.]

Isla wore it on her own neck now, and then, she looked at their hair.

[Huh? How to trick him? Well, we can always use our flawlessly designed spell.]

Actually, both of them had the same hair color. They both had luscious blonde hair that made them look exactly like each other.

But, even though Ava loved that fact so much, looking exactly like the Princess would almost be a crime. Isla must change her appearance.

Finally, Ava decided to create and perfect a spell over the years. She created a spell to change their hair color. It would be a double and triple spell to change between Blonde and Black.

And fooling everyone, Ava would sometimes ask Isla to change places. Isla would pose as the Princess, and so Ava would pose as her Lady in Waiting.

They learned the exact same thing and the exact same skills, and they almost mastered becoming each other. Ava loved this game, and Isla loved to make Ava happy.

[Now, after we fool him, you must live and protect everyone. Remember, Isla, you are as strong and as smart as me. I know you can do it.]

[From now on, you're Ava Cassia.]

"You put a lot of pressure on me, Sister," Isla smiled. The dim light in her eyes showed her bottomless sorrow. "I might be as strong and as smart as you, but I definitely am not as talented as you."

"You were the one who invented this spell that could even trick a monster like him. You were also the one who made this necklace to protect me even after you died..."

"My dear Sister..." Isla almost cried once more, but she held it in. "I am sorry that you couldn't be buried with the same hair color as mine. You've always liked us to be the exact same..."

Isla brushed Ava's left forehead, and her own bangs parted as she looked down on her. They had the same old and subtle scar on their left forehead.

"After everything ends, I will dye my hair black permanently... so we can be together in the afterlife with matching black hair."

Isla kissed her sister's forehead, right on top of her scar... and whispered, "I will always love you."

***

Sebastian was getting dressed in Cassian formal attire. No Cassian male fitted formal clothes could properly match his size because of his wide shoulders and broad chest, which was why he wore it open in the chest area.

Northern males with a pirate bloodline would grow so tall and strong, yet with leaner waists and just a little longer legs. They evolved after generations of living in the seas.

Their shoulders and lungs were wider and bigger to support their swimming skills, and so were their nimble legs and leaner waist to balance themselves on top of swaying decks. On top of that, their skin was often rough and dark.

However, Sebastian was the perfect mix of Northern and Pirates bloodline balance. His skin was not overly fair but spotless, if not littered with scars. His hair was darker, like the Northerners... and his eyes...

The sun had risen. Today was the funeral he promised his bride.

Speaking about funerals... last night, he learned a lot of things. That Isla, the Lady in Waiting... was more than a servant to Ava. She was her Sister... closer than the real one too.

Knowing her love for her Sister, he wondered if she hoped Isla would survive and succeed in tricking him.

But Isla must be killed. The fake must be terminated.

He had risked making her extremely angry at him by killing her Sister, but after everything, he knew he had made the right decision.

Now that she had been caught, and he had her Knight and people as his hostage, he would be able to convince her to bear his child. Even after he murdered her dearest family, she would have no choice but to be his bride.

Would she hate him for the rest of her life? So be it.

It would be better if she hated him. It would be easier to kill her after she gave birth to his child.

KNOCK KNOCK!

His aide called for him.

"Your Majesty. Everything is ready."