People Who Are Dying

"How can this happen?! She was supposed to be executed. Why did you not execute her?!" Odette's voice echoed through the silence.

Gavryll was only moving forward, pacing through the halls whilst she continued to grumble. Her complaints were a spear to someone's ear, it was boisterous and rambunctious.

"If only you had stepped in, Hera would not have an opening to do as she pleased! She would have been dead by now! Where has your brain gone to?!" She loudly argued.

She was not eager to just let this assertion go down, she believed that if only Gavryll had done something, she would have not lost her hand nor would Hera perform such opprobrium in the Imperial board. Hera would have been six feet underground if only Gavryll interceded.

Gavryll recognized the article which was what she said earlier, it was to no wonder why he did not infer. That clause article was a divine law that can resolve punishments such as death if an individual transgressed the ordinance.

Gavryll has no power in Zemira, just like how he held no power in Eustaces, his kingdom.

Gavryll sought power above all else, he was a man who hungered to touch sovereignty because even though he was born a prince, he was illegitimate.

He was born unto a courtesan, the woman the King once loved dearly. His father, the King would come to visit the brothel Gavryll's mother used to work in to express his love for the maiden. But as per royal tradition, the King was engaged to a distant relative of his mother's kin to found a prosperous nation with a Queen on the throne.

As an order, the King was sent to leave the woman he truly loved to marry.

In his thirteenth year, Gavryll lived with the King in the Palace after a decade of residing in the brothel his mother worked.

Though Gavryll was antagonized by the Queen and three of his brothers, he was loved by his seven younger sisters.

He wished to be the successor of the throne, he thought he was going to be his father's heir but due to him being an illegitimate son, he was given no power to be one.

One of his three younger brothers was eligible to inherit the throne in a prospect, it was unfair to him who was also a son.

It was why up until now, Gavryll wished to have the influence and sovereignty only to himself. Though he did experience reigning in power with Hera's decree, he was nonetheless powerless.

'Zemira and Eustaces were not that different. The power I always yearned for never underwent into my hands, I was always powerless compared to the imperial and royal family even if I am in one.' He thought.

'It was never my fault that I was born from a lowly courtesan...'

Suddenly, his train of thought was blown by Odette's assertion. Forcefully, she wanted him to believe her, she wanted him to punish who did that to her not knowing what really was going on. Being born a commoner, Odette knew not of the Imperial ordinances.

However, she once had the opportunity to acquire the knowledge of the imperial constitutions and political statutes of Zemira, but Odette asserted to not need it.

Hera once offered to guide her during this course of learning for the wellbeing of the consortium, it was a must since a consort may be able to take the throne from an Empress who came not from the Imperial family. Moreover, it was furthermore a resort to showcase talent and knowledge to those of the Imperial nobility.

Nobles take pride in their knowledge than their poise and their gold, it was by far the greatest asset a noble should have but Odette refused to take these teachings even if Hera had volunteered to aid her guidance.

"What are you even thinking about?! You're an Emperor, why are you hesitating?! The least you can do is throw her off the throne!" She shouted using dominating him.

Muddled with his thoughts, Gavryll thought not if he would hurt her. He swung his hand and a slap made it across Odette's face. Odette was awestricken, it was the first Gavryll raised a hand to hit her. It was the first time and she was irked, after all, what did she do to cause her this? She had always been like this and Gavryll always tolerated her, why the sudden change?

Gavryll only hit Hera, never did he never hurt Odette. There was no wonder why Odette was stunned by his sudden behavior.

"What has gotten into you?!" She yelled, he'd hand caressed her cheeks which stung because of the hurt.

"Why do you keep dreading unreasonable concern? Have you forgotten that you were a lowly folly of a wench from the slums of Yolivi? You, a commoner who knew not about the Imperial politics should not assert to make me believe what you think is right to do..." he angrily spoke.

"What angered you, my love?"

Of a sudden, the mood around her loomed the sweetness of her feigned purity.

Her hands slowly extended to his face and gently cupped them with a pleasant caress. Her brows met with worry though her eyes showed that she was only being a fraud to her feelings.

"Need not pretend with me anymore, Odette..."

He wore a scowl on his countenance, it was a grimace that shot arrows at her. To her surprise, Gavryll swatted her hands off his face as he scornfully looked at her.

"What...are you talking about, my love? Have you forgotten the vow you swore to me? I fake my feelings not, Gavryll. I truly love you, hang me if I did not, freely do as you please even if I turn to a corpse of your false accusation, my heart will remain to love you."

Another falsehood and it was known perspicuous, Odette spoke not her truth.

Gavryll grimaced and glared at her. "Odette, I love you not. It was unfortunate to make you believe I did, you only seduced me but all this while without my realization, I love Hera. I failed to indicate my love for her when you led me to run on your fingers and dance with your strings. Odette, you can leave the consortium as you please, you have the chance to stay as well. But I tell you, I would not treat you the way I used to nor will I let you use me. I will give you a hefty amount of sum if you leave though if you not, you can continue to live in the lavish of the Imperial Palace..."

"What are you talking about? Has Hera fully controlled you? Is it that easy to let someone use you?! You love not Hera, you love me, Gavryll..." she convinced, but they both knew it was just herself whom she was trying to convince.

"Have you forgotten the vow we made? Do you think it will be easy to forget me? I, therefore, tell you, Gavryll. I will not leave the consortium, I will stay with you until you regain consciousness and remind you that I love you..." she sobbed.

He was expressions, were merciless whatsoever, he looked at Odette who sat down on the floor as tears shed from her eyes. It was dramatic, really.

He heavily sighed in disbelief as air passed out through his mouth. He squatted to meet her eye level, his hand slowly lifted her countenance.

"I am guilty of everything I have done to Hera, but initially, everything was your fault. Now that Hera has come to this, it was only rightful for me to let go of the people who are dying..."