Only regret

Seated on the throne in a large palace, Auric stared at his ministers. He had retained his looks from twenty years just that he now looked cold and his eyes looked dead...

The ministers had grown to fear him, ever since he was he was crowned twenty years ago, he had proved to be ruthless, cold and a better leader and by his side was Odin.

"The plague has affected two towns at the Western border and the casualty has risen to two thousand people."  A pot-bellied minister replied with a straight face but not daring to stare at the King. His head was dropped low and if one studied it well one would see bits of his fats trembling like there was no tomorrow.

The room was drowned in total silence when he finished his account. The other ministers sat quietly even fearing to breathe.

"Why is it so?"

The words, even though said calmly sounded like a thunderclap in their ears.

"Your... Your Majesty... The..."

"I didn't know you were a stammerer, Minister Alfred."

Auric said sarcastically, his eyes dimmed a bit and he tapped his finger on the arm of the golden throne.

Minister Alfred felt a chill pass through his spine. He began sweating profusely even though the room was well-ventilated.

"Your Majesty...forgive this servant..."

"What are you talking about? What is there to forgive?"  Auric interrupted once more, his tone, deep and cold without any intention of allowing him to manoeuvre himself. " Five years ago, huge resources were passed to the Health Ministry for them to cure this plague and we received a report that it was complete so what happened."

Minister Alfred dropped to his knees while the fats on his face trembled like an earthquake happened. "Your Majesty, forgive this lowly servant. I will personally correct it." 

Minister Alfred rattled as though his life depended on it.

Auric descended the stairs and walked towards the trembling Minster with Odin lingering a few metres away from him.

"Two weeks. Clear this mess or else..."

With the words hanging on his neck like a guillotine, Auric walked away amidst the bows of the other ministers.

Outside the throne room, Auric pulled off his robe and gave it to a nearby servant.

Silence encompassed the duo till they reached the study room.

Auric moved towards the window and stared at the beautiful garden which served as an eye-pleasure.

"Am I doing well?"

Auric questioned, his face still cold and his voice stiff. Odin stared at his lonely back and sighed.

"You are the best, you've done your best," Odin replied with his hand crossed on his chest and a small smile playing on his face.

A dry laugh echoed through the room, it sounded silly and miserable. "How many years have I got?"

Odin dropped his head low while his eyes dimmed in sadness. Why was life so unfair? As a god, he was suffering but he still cared about his people. As a god, he couldn't save himself but here he was thinking about a subpar race.

"Don't think about this, let's make good use of our time."

Good use of our time? Funny how it sounds like I have a choice.

His life had been orchestrated and he was just following it without a choice. Happiness felt foreign to him. He had now embraced the pain. Pain, something that would never leave you.

His only regret was dragging his friend into this mess of his. That was his only regret in life.