A/N: Hello and welcome to chapter four of Dark Desires! Last chapter we saw from Reaver's point of view, so now it's back to our murderous princess XD. I can't help it, I like dark stuff in my fantasy lol
Dark Desires
Summary: When Reaver is bored in the throne room waiting for the king, he and the princess, Annabel, have a talk about her one day taking the throne. He didn't expect to help her in a bloody coup.
*Manipulative*
When Reaver entered the throne room he was able to see that the princess and Logan were already present, along with a member of the Mourningwood community. The king looked as tired as ever, but the princess had quite a sinister smirk on her face. It was no surprise why. He had already been informed by one of the guards that they took their orders from her now after she made an example of one unfortunate soldier who crossed her path.
The Hero of Skill took his place next to the princess, briefly sharing a knowing smile with her, and he bowed his head respectfully. "Hello, your majesty. I'm not late, am I?"
"No." Logan shook his head. "In fact you're right on time." He stood up from his throne to give his declaration. "The court will now begin to discuss our waste disposal issues. Reaver will give his solution and a member of the Mourningwood community will stand against them. You may speak, Master Reaver."
Reaver smirked as he began to give his solution. "Your majesty, I'm sure you must have noticed a certain aroma permeating around the city as of late. I'm afraid it's not merely the stench of the underprivileged. Bowerstone is beginning to have a serious waste disposal issue. We require an immediate and inexpensive solution and I have one. Currently, some of our waste is deposited in the Mourningwood swamp. With very little effort, Reaver Industries could rework the sewer system to deposit all of our waste into the region. As you know, it's a desolate place with no financial benefit to the kingdom; the reason behind this decision is flawless."
The person from Mourningwood shook his head desperately. "No, no, this isn't right! We all belong to the earth! It's in our blood, it's in our fingernails! We in Mourningwood deserve to be clean just like the rest of the kingdom. What about building one of those...what's it called, a sewage treatment plant?"
The king looked to be mulling over the decision when the princess stepped forward. "Brother, if I may?"
Logan nodded, giving his approval. "You may."
Annabel crossed her arms and held her head high. "The cost of constructing such a building would require a substantial amount of gold from the royal treasury. And that's not to mention the guards one would have to station to make sure it wasn't vandalised. I believe that Master Reaver's solution is the one that benefits the kingdom most as a result. It is inexpensive and can be implicated within hours. A new building would take months to construct and we simply do not have the time nor the patience to stir in the stench of our own excrement."
"I'm in agreement with you." Logan hummed and faced the court. "With my royal decree, the region of Mourningwood will now receive the city's sewage. Master Reaver, you may begin the flushing immediately."
"Excellent, your majesty. I will get my workers on it right away." Reaver smirked and faced the flabbergasted Mourningwood resident, who was too stunned by the king's declaration. "You are no longer needed. Be off with you."
The man opened his mouth to protest, but the princess narrowed her eyes. "You heard him. You were dismissed." A ball of fire appeared in her hand and her glare was enough to send him scurrying away with his tail between his legs like the coward he was.
Logan watched him run out of the court before facing her again. "Annabel, was all of that necessary?"
The princess huffed and let her fires disappear. "It was. If you allowed him to protest anymore than he already did, we would've had to execute him for disobeying an order from the king. It wouldn't do well for our image. No, it is better for there to be a more public display such as that. Word would spread that we are not to be trifled with."
"You mean, you are not one to be trifled with." Logan glared accusingly at his sister.
Annabel merely smirked and shared a brief sly glance with Reaver. "What difference does it make, dearest brother? As long as the decree is seen through, it makes no difference to the people as to who sits on the throne."
"I would not say such things if I were you." Logan's voice was little more than a growl. Any lesser woman would've cowered before it, begging for mercy. But Annabel was not a mere tavern wench who would be swayed by an empty threat. She was capable of magic whilst Logan was not.
Annabel's dark green eyes flashed momentarily but she let her magic fade from her fingertips. "Forgive my words, brother. Clearly you are the one who should be making these decisions, not I. I am merely making sure that your decree is not ignored by the citizens."
"See to it that it remains that way," Logan said with a hint of a snarl in his tone.
"Dear me, Logan. Do you see me as a threat to your power?" she asked innocently. "I assure you that I don't quite envy your seat on the throne. Sitting there listening to dull speeches and complaints from the nobles and common rabble is far too tiresome for me."
Manipulation worked both ways. She was content to mask her intentions before her brother until she was ready to seize the throne for herself. Rumours of the king suspecting his beloved younger sister of treason would spread like wildfire, inflaming suspicions that the king was too paranoid to rule. Word travelled fast in the castle and it wouldn't be long before the nobles in Millfields and Bowerstone began to gossip about the accusations.
Annabel was not just a pretty face. By feigning loyalty, she would maintain support while stoking the king's paranoia. Any attempt by Logan to declaim her actions against him could be explained away as mad rambling, and would eventually be drowned out by the clamour for Annabel to take the throne and seize the power she secretly craved.
Her cleverness made her quite the dangerous woman and Reaver liked dangerous. They were truly two of the same kind; it reminded him of how he often used his tongue to swindle people into sacrificing their youth and beauty to the Shadow Court so he could retain his. 'Just remember, my sweet. You couldn't have gotten this far without me planting the seeds earlier today.' He flashed a charming smile and twirled his cane. "Is that all for today, your majesty? Or are there more appointments for today?"
"There is one more," Logan replied, casting another suspicious scowl at the princess. She ignored it and turned her back towards him so he wasn't able to see her victorious and sinister smile. She had him exactly where she wanted him. To think she managed to plan this whole coup out in less than a single day. It was amazing. Reaver didn't think even Sparrow would be capable of such a feat.
"Samuel, the head of the Brightwall Academy, is here to plead his case about reopening the academy," he continued. "Master Reaver, I assume you have a counter argument in place?"
"Not at the present, no," he admitted. However the princess stepped forward and locked eyes with her brother.
"I do," she said calmly. "With your permission, I would like to speak for it when he arrives."
"Permission granted." Logan nodded. "Please do be mindful of what you say. What you say could dictate how the people react to the outcome."
"Oh, do not worry about me, brother. You should have more confidence in my abilities." The princess's dark grin only grew and Reaver could feel his anticipation grow. He yearned to see how the young woman would handle this situation. In her previous court appearances she had only spoken to convince the king of either one of Reaver's suggestions or another's. She had never made her own counter argument. This would be a good test to see if she was indeed ready to become the queen.
The doors to the throne room opened and in stepped Samuel, the head of the Brightwall Academy. He was flanked by two royal guards clad in the uniform of an elite soldier and he looked a little nervous.
Logan stood up from his throne and cleared his throat to address the court. "The matter at hand is the future of Brightwall Academy. Samuel will speak for the town and its scholars. Annabel will dispute his cause. Samuel, you may speak first."
Samuel bowed his head and began to speak with that annoying stutter of his. "Y-your majesty, a-as you know, the academy was founded by your late mother. She would hate to see it remain closed. I came here only to ask that you please reopen the academy. By doing so, you would be doing a great thing for the town and the people seeking knowledge."
He finished his proposal and now it was Annabel's turn. All eyes would be on her.
The princess stepped forward and cleared her throat to make sure she had the court's full attention. "My king. The Brightwall Academy was indeed founded by our mother and there is of course a lot of appreciate for knowledge in the Age of Industry. However, may I remind you that the tomes located in the library contain knowledge that is very dangerous if it is in the wrong hands. The last thing this kingdom needs is for the less intelligent people to learn how to summon monsters from the void or work a firearm. Therefore, I propose that while we do reopen the academy, we introduce an admission fee."
"B-but only the rich would be able to afford to learn!" Samuel protested.
"Incorrect. Those who truly seek knowledge will not think twice about paying a small fee upon entry," Annabel countered. "As the head of the academy, you are more than aware that many of the prized books in the library are older than this kingdom and prone to damage. By introducing this policy, those who use those books will be more careful with them and not want to risk damaging them."
"Your majesty, please, I beg you," Samuel pleaded, growing desperate. "Brightwall is not flowing with an abundance of gold. We're in the middle of a shortage right now as we speak!"
"Interesting." Annabel folded her arms across her chest. "The court representative from Brightwall tells me otherwise. Zachary? If you may, please step forward and inform the court on how the current situation in Brightwall is."
A man with a large beard and straw hat on his head stepped forward, his broad chest puffed out proudly at being called upon by the princess. "Your majesty, Brightwall is positively booming at the moment. Carriages carrying supplies from the capital arrive every three days, ensuring we do not suffer any shortages, and the town council is in agreement that the levies placed by the king are more than fair."
With a victorious smirk on her face, Annabel faced Samuel again. "You see? Your attempts at a free handout not only mean you are lying to the king, but you are also insulting the intelligence of the representative you elected to have a voice in the court. However, it is not my place to make the final decision. That rests with the king."
'For now.' Reaver caught the silent addition, even if she didn't say the words aloud. With this statement from the Brightwall representative, she had Samuel backed into a wall. How in the name of Avo had she prepared all of this in such a short amount of time?
He didn't get a chance to ponder that for very long. Logan had been more than content to watch the debate silently but now he had risen from the throne to proclaim his declaration. "I've made my decision. The Brightwall Academy will be reopened, however we will charge admission fees to ensure the tomes inside remain in their present condition."
Reaver couldn't help but notice just how smug Annabel looked. She had outmanoeuvred Samuel's argument and pinned him into a corner. She was good at what she did. No doubt the representative from Brightwall would send a message back to the village expressing how Samuel had tried to lie in the court. His image would be tarnished and more support would float Annabel's way. Beautiful, clever, and manipulative. Reaver was growing to like her more and more with each passing moment.
"If that is how it must be then so be it." Samuel bowed his head in defeat. "I'll...I'll be on my way back to Brightwall." At least he knew when he was dismissed, unlike that bloody fool from Mourningwood prior to him.
His head was down as he left the court, followed by the two guards, and the king slumped down in his throne. "The court is adjourned for the day. Everyone, you are dismissed. Please go about your own business."
The representatives from each part of the kingdom dispersed and Annabel left as well. Reaver tipped his hat to the king in farewell. He would have loved to follow the princess to see exactly what she would be up to with there being no more meetings for the day. However, he knew he was not wanted or needed. He had done his part already.
'First the guards and now the people of Brightwall. Things are moving very fast for her. At this rate, it will be less than a month before the kingdom is her's.' Reaver could only chuckle. He really was beginning to like the princess more and more the longer he observed her.
Annabel walked down the steps, following Samuel and the two guards commanded by her to escort him. They were leading him to the castle's front gates, where he would meet his end. She had no intention of letting him return to Brightwall. He would continue to attempt to spread lies and slander her name across the village. That could not be allowed to happen if she was to become queen.
Once they were outside, the two guards stopped and signalled for Samuel to halt. The old librarian was confused but he started to sweat when he saw the princess coming. "W-what is the meaning of this?"
"Silence," she hissed. Her hand was a blur of motion as she slapped him hard across the face, making him stumble. The back of her hand stung, but she pushed the petty discomfort aside and gave him a fixed glare. "Quite bold of you to attempt to lie to the king in the court. I imagine my mother would be quite disappointed in you."
"Forgive me, your majesty!" The man dropped to his knees with a bow. "I was most wrong to say what I did. I just wanted the academy to be open to everyone!"
"And it is. To those who deserve to know." Annabel let out a sadistic laugh, noticing with delight how he shuddered in fear. She faced the two guards and gave them a cold smile. "Fulfil the order I gave to you."
"As you command, my queen." The soldier gave a curt nod and pulled out his pistol, aiming it at Samuel's head.
"Q-queen?" The old librarian looked up in horror. "N-no, please! Spare me, I beg you!"
The soldier pulled the trigger and a single gunshot rang out. Samuel's lifeless body slumped to the ground a puddle of his own blood. Annabel watched the dead man fall and she smiled. "Long live the queen of Albion. You two, dispose of the body. Make sure there's nothing left to find."
"Yes, ma'am." The two soldiers began to drag the dead librarian's body away and Annabel turned swiftly on her heel to retreat back into the castle. Zachary was waiting for her like he promised her earlier and he gave her a coy smile.
"So, has that troublesome old fool been taken care of?" he asked.
"He has. You will not have to worry about him being a threat to you any longer," Annabel answered smoothly. She reached into the pockets of her dress and pulled out a hefty bag of gold she stole from the royal treasury. "As promised, ten thousand gold coins for you. Do be careful on how you spend it; I don't want this getting back to me. If anyone asks, we do not know each other and I'm just supplying additional funds to help Brightwall. Are we clear?"
"Of course, my queen." He bowed his head. "This wouldn't have been possible without you. I shan't forget this."
"Then our business is concluded. But before you go, allow me to issue a final word of warning. Betray me and you won't get the luxury of an execution," the princess warned, letting her fingertips become cloaked in flame. "You will be nothing more than ashes in the wind."
"My dear, I wouldn't dream of betraying you." The man kept his head bowed and started to sweat when she tilted his chin up with a fingernail. "But you have my word that I will remain a humble servant of the queen."
"There's a good lad," she cooed with fake sweetness. "Now, I believe you must report back to Brightwall and explain how Samuel tragically lost his life at the hands of a vile mob in Bowerstone." Everyone in the city knew that the capital city harboured some of the worst criminals in the kingdom and who continued to evade justice. The princess would see to it that they were dealt with accordingly by leading the charge herself.
An informant by the name of Gerald had told her all about the Ferret gang that operated in the sewers under the city's streets. The king wouldn't lift a finger to do anything about it, but the princess would. Doing so would ensure the support of the people; they would see that there was someone willing to get their hands dirty to do what was necessary all while she continued to wear her mask in front of her brother to make him seem nothing more than a paranoid man unfit to rule.
'Soon,' she vowed silently. 'Soon, the throne will be mine and you won't be able to do anything to stop me. These times are going to be the end of you, brother.'
A/N: And that does it for chapter four. I admit I am enjoying this way too damn much XD. Why is it so much fun being an evil asshole again? No, really. Why is this so entertaining?
A Lovestruck A2#5371