Chapter Eleven

After the meeting, Alseth was outside of the room waiting for me. I immediately became alert at his presence because it made me recall my dream. Him freezing my entire body cold. I disregarded him and walked by, into a smaller hallway to avoid drawing attention from the other Silvers. Unsurprisingly, he followed me. I paced myself and turned around a corner, withdrawing a silver dagger from my leg holster. As soon as he turned after me, I pushed him against the wall, dagger firmly pressed against the skin of his neck.

"Feisty, are we?" He joked. I dug the weapon deeper into his skin.

"Why are you tailing me?" He simply smiled. "Answer me." Alseth took a hold of my hand, one finger touching the blade and freezing it. Before the ice could come into direct contact with my skin, I dropped it. The moment I lowered my guard, he twisted my arm behind me and pinned me against the wall. "Prick!"

"You were the one with the blade to my neck." I tried to wriggle free, but his hold on me was firm. "You are quite beautiful, Lady Aselia." He leaned in, cool air emitting from his body, chilling mine. "Tell me, if Samson is interested in you, there must be a reason why aside from your undeniable beauty."

"You tell me." I snickered. "You're his bitch." He tightened his grip, freezing my wrist. I screamed, but whipped my head back, butting his. He stepped back from the impact, and before he could attempt anything else, I silenced him, head spinning. He held out his hand, but nothing was happening.

"You wretched-" but his insult was incomplete. He fell silent, then harshly onto his knees.

"You shouldn't be rude to her, Alseth." From the far staircase, descended Samson. "She is a friend after all." I wasn't sure how long he had been there, but he was good at keeping his presence hidden. It was uncanny.

"Actually, 'friends' is too familiar of a term." I commented, massaging my wrist.

"Well, then I hope we become familiar one day, preferably sooner than later, no?" He gestured for me up the staircase. "Shall we?" I walked up the path, followed by Samson and Alseth. They guided me into an almost empty room. There was nothing but a single, square table, two chairs on each side. We all took a seat, though I, warily, and dived straight into business. "You want answers." I nodded. "If I may." In the blink of an eye, images rapidly appeared in my mind like a movie. There was Prince Maven and Princess Mareena. Then, Queen Elara made an appearance. She and her son were plotting wickedly. Prince Maven was kind and loving to the Princess and his brother, but behind the scene, he was full of hatred, resent and jealousy.

His love seemed to ring true when it came to Mareena. The way he looked at her and promised to help her get through her struggles. His voice was always gentle when he spoke to her. When he spoke to Cal, he showed the utmost respect, both as a younger brother and a noble respecting his future King. Behind that soft, caring face was a heart of darkness. Nothing but bitterness existed in his soul. He was no different from his mother, resentful behind a proud, noble mask. Maven Calore.

I watched the memories as if they were my own. He sat by his betrothed, her body leaning against his, knowing she was in love with his brother, but he didn't care about that, only about her. He stood in a room filled with many lit monitors, watching one in particular. On the screen was Prince Cal and Princess Mareena, sharing a dance. The chemistry was there. It was evident to anyone. Then, between the two, a forbidden kiss. It was the ultimate betrayal.

"Why?" I whispered, in shock, disbelief. Now, Prince Maven stood with his mother behind him, a gentle hand on his shoulder. Why did you show me this? I didn't know how to feel. A part of me hated the Second Prince for resenting being the second born, but another part of me felt sympathy towards him. I understood why his conniving nature existed, but did he have to be so deceitful towards his own love and kin? My fists were white from being clenched too tightly together while the images ran through my mind. Not only did Samson play with my mentality but with my emotions. Tears trailed down my cheeks, tears that I couldn't hold back. The ache in my heart sung.

"You shed tears for the Second Prince." I wiped them from my face and cleared my throat.

"You did this." He manipulated me to feel this way. That was what I wanted to believe, but I knew whispers can only push thoughts and influence physical movement. Emotions are one's own, an element that is both weak and strong. The melancholy was honest.

"You are like him." Samson suggested.

"I would never plot against my own family," I said. "Especially not for a stupid crown." Samson only shook his head in response, and Alseth watched us closely. But I understand. I hated myself for acknowledging Prince Maven's side of the story. He only wants to belong. He had always felt left out, always been the second best. For once, he wanted to be noticed and appreciated because he is royalty too. You're a Silver too, I couldn't help telling myself.

"You belong with the Silver Elites. With us, at the castle." I watch Samson, unsure of what to say to him. "You're more powerful than you think, Aselia."

"You told me I was weak," I thought.

"Only to watch you rise." His last word rang in my head. Rise, red as the dawn. I recalled Horace's necklace and instantly shut Samson out of my mind, hoping he didn't hear me speak. He didn't seem surprised at my sudden silence. "Aselia Chariot Arven, I ask you once more, where does your loyalty lie?" I unsheathed a finger knife, alerting Alseth, but Samson didn't move an inch. Although he was no longer in my thoughts, he didn't see me as a threat. My sudden movement caused the Shiver to freeze the room around us, but not before I silenced him as well. I made a gash on my palm and let my blood seep from my skin, dripping onto the frosted table.

"I am my blood, a Silver." They waited steadily for more. "Prince, no…" I knew what I had decided, and in that moment, I also knew there was no turning back. "King Maven is no different than I, and my loyalty lies with him, the new King of Norta." Samson smiled triumphantly and nodded at my answer. Alseth's shoulders relaxed, and he crossed his arms.

"Shall we go head to the royal castle?" Samson held out an arm for me, and I took it willingly. "Queen Elara and Prince Marven are very eager to meet you." He didn't seem to be attempting an invasion on my mind, but he was still silenced. As we exited the room, Alseth watched me cautiously, but he didn't dare make a move. Not when Samson had just accepted me as an alliance.

His words rang true. I was no different than Maven Calore. I was just as conniving and manipulative, just as eager to find a place where I could belong. I was aware of the decision I had made, and it was that I would not let Queen Elara and Prince Maven Calore get away with treason. Samson Merandus was wrong to underestimate me because he should see me as a threat. I knew I couldn't make a move just yet, at least not by myself, so it was time I sought out the coordinates Horace left me. It was time to seek out the Scarlet Guard.