The Scattered Blossoms of the Saga of Evil
One Who Protects: Len
I was dead inside. I had just heard the most recent news. But let me start at the beginning. Let me tell you my tale.
My father had disowned me. They thought my twin sister would make a better heir to the throne. A woman would be easier to manipulate. Let the lords keep their power, hidden behind a figure head of a monarch. I pity that sister of mine. But she was lucky.
She got to live in a palace. She could eat fine foods. She could wear nice clothes. I was not so lucky. The lords and nobles had shoved me into a corner of the palace; let me grow up working for the cooks. I was the rightful prince. But that was okay, I didn't object to being a servant.
I did not need a rank. No, I was angry at them for their reasons. Selfish adult reasons. Twins shouldn't be separated.
But, even that I could live with. It wasn't so bad living with the servants. The cooks taught me to make tasty brioche. I learned the best way to polish silver so that it shines in both sunlight and moonlight. I was as happy as I could be, considering my situation. I was sort of an adopted child in the kitchens were I mostly worked. No, back then I wasn't that angry at them anymore.
Then, when I turned nine, the nobles remembered me. Oh, Len, that disowned twin who lives in the servant's quarters. The king in his old age and weakened mind had decided that I would overthrow him. Like in the tales, that son defeats the father. Of course, I had no intention of such. But how was the sick, decrepit old ruler to know that?
They were going to banish me. Send me away to some far remote corner of the world. A place where I could never again see the kind cooks, or the nice maids, or the helpful butler that snuck me sweets sometimes. Somewhere that was far away, having me leave the only people in the whole world that I could call friends.
They delivered the news the previous day. To my surprise, I found little anger in me. In its place there was sadness, loneliness, and a dull aching feeling that would not leave my body. Today I would leave my home.
The butler entered the kitchen, "Time to go. Come on Len, cheer up. I bet you'll make friends where you're going."
His words did nothing to cheer me. I got up off the kitchen stool that I had been sitting on, staring into space, counting the seconds until I had to leave. I kept my head low as I followed the butler down the palace halls. My footsteps echoed in my soul, counting the seconds until we reached the throne room, until I was forced to leave.
We soon exited the dingy, stone hallways that crisscrossed the palace, the ones designed for servant use. Now we entered the shiny marble corridors. On any normal day, I would have been exited to enter these halls, and, if I had been feeling really brave and nobody was looking, I would have taken off my shoes and skidded down the corridor on my socks.
Today I could not play such games. My heart did not feel light enough for games. Instead of sliding down the hall, laughing, I found myself standing at the open door of the throne room, all eyes on me.
Whoever said that time goes by faster when you dread something was right. Time mockingly sped up so that I found myself dropping my gaze from the king and staring at the smooth marble tiles.
"Enter," called out the king's feeble voice. As I slowly walked the length of the hall, I snuck a glance at the throne. The king was old and feeble, his beard dragging and his clothes were sagging. He did not look like the powerful king who ruled the country of Loewyl. Instead he looked like an old man, who should be lying in bed, and certainly should not be in charge of running a country.
Standing behind him was the princess. My sister. Her cheeks were plump and rosy; her hair was the same shade of yellow as mine, only cleaner and not caked in grime. She wore a yellow dress that was embroidered with black lace. She looked at me, her eyes wide and curious.
The king spoke, "Because of the danger you posses to the kingdom of Loewyl, I herby banish you for-"
"Wait!" the princess had spoke, "Daddy, don't banish him. Please."
The king held firm, "I must banish him, for he shall be my downfall."
The princess seemed just as stubborn as her, my, father, "You can't. Because from now on he will be my servant. I'm princess and I get to chose who I have serve me."
The king sighed and gave in to the stubborn princess.
My heart had lifted at that statement. I was not to leave. I was not going to be shipped off to some remote corner of the world. I was going to stay. I smiled. I remember looking up at the princess, and I saw her smile too. Her smile was so happy and carefree that I was moved. I would keep her smiling. Forever. No matter what it cost me, I would not let that smile fade from her face.
Even now, as I reflect on the tales of my past. Even now as my sister grows to be more and more ruthless. Even now, as I begin to fear that the country may fall to ruin. Even now, I will still try to keep that smile on her face. Even if fate is against me, I will try my hardest to keep my beloved sister smiling and laughing. Even if they are right, and my sister truly is evil, then I will become an evil as well. Even if the whole world becomes her enemy, I'll be there to protect her. So, dear sister Rin, please just stay there smiling and laughing.