Esteban managed to dodge all of Shuriki's guards as he made his way to the barracks looking for Higgins. He wasn't quite sure what to say to the man once they were face to face. All Esteban knew was that he just couldn't go a second more without seeing him. It was true that Esteban had never treated Higgins with any sort of dignity while they were in public. But behind closed doors, Esteban had loved his unperceptive guard. He wondered if he could forgive Higgins for what he had done. He understood just how easy Higgins was to manipulate and control. It was one of the things that initially drew Esteban to him as at the time, Esteban simply had the desire to control anyone. The loyalty and friendship that Higgins showed afterwards is what had kept Esteban interested. Esteban began to convince himself to blame Shuriki entirely for the death of his grandparents and take pity on poor stupid Higgins.
When he approached the door, Esteban saw that it had been tampered with. He pushed it open and silently entered, preparing himself in case he encountered an intruder. He peered around the small room and saw no one except Higgins lying in his bed. As he stepped closer to Higgins and his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he gasped and covered his mouth, taking a step back. The scene was horrific. Higgins laid in a pool of blood, eyes wide with shock and fear. Esteban began to tremble. His world was falling apart. Higgins was the last person alive that had meant anything to him and now he too, was dead. Esteban let out the breath he had been holding in and stepped back towards Higgins. He knelt by his bedside. Esteban took Higgin's lifeless hand and held it tightly in his own. He rested his head upon it and began to sob.
"Oh Higgins... what have I done?" Esteban whispered through his tears as he was overcome with regret. He wondered what things would be like now if only he had treated Higgins better. Higgins would never have turned on him. Perhaps his abuelos and cousins would still be alive.
"It's all my fault. I loved you Higgins and I should have told you so. I should have showed you more." Esteban continued. "It's all my fault and now I suffer. I deserve to suffer"
Esteban hung his head, not able to pull himself from his former lover's side.
"WHO'S IN THERE?!" A voice demanded from just outside the door that Esteban had left ajar.
Esteban jumped up and put his hands in the air as two of Shuriki's guards entered.
"Chancellor! What happened here?" One of them asked after taking one look at Higgins's gruesome state.
"I do not know. I didn't do this" Esteban insisted.
"We'll just see what the Queen has to say about this" The other guard said as they both stepped forward and lead Esteban from the room.
Esteban went with them willingly, peering over his shoulder as he did to get one last look at Higgins.
All the what ifs and perhaps and if onlys didn't matter now. What was done, was done.
"Chancellor Esteban will be pardoned for this crime. The man deserved what he got." Shuriki stated as she sat upon her throne, flanked by Victor and Carla. She then directly looked at Esteban who was standing right in front of him. "After all, he did murder your grandparents."
Esteban's blood boiled as Shuriki spoke in a manor which implied she had nothing to do with his family's deaths. On the walk back into the palace he had planned to confess to Higgins' murder. He felt he was guilty of causing it even if it was not he who placed the slit in his throat. Upon listening to Shuriki however, he just couldn't do it. He burst out in anger.
"I did not commit this crime! All of this death was you! All of this suffering is because of you!" Esteban shouted as he firmly stood his ground.
Shuriki laughed at him "Oh Dear Esteban! Don't get yourself all worked up over this." She rose from her throne and walked towards Esteban. Her tone became malicious. "I don't really care who killed Higgins. I had no more use for him. Whoever did it, saved me the trouble of getting rid of him myself. Now, you must go back to your room and rest up. We shall be wed tomorrow and I expect you to be looking your best."
Esteban could only glare at her with disdain. He remained silent as she brushed past him on her way out of the room, followed by her henchmen. She paused for a moment but motioned for Carla and Victor to go ahead. She then stepped back towards Esteban and whispered in his ear "Do not worry about the wedding night. I don't want that anymore than you do. I know you much more prefer the company of men anyways." She then let out a boisterous evil laugh and left Esteban on his own. She was doing everything possible to make him suffer. She knew his secrets and she knew his weaknesses and she was very good at using them against him. She knew that he would never confess to the crime and she knew that he would never admit to anyone that he and Higgins had an intimate relationship. She knew she had control over him. She knew that despite his hatred towards her, he still wanted the power. In the morning, Esteban would have no choice. He would have to marry her. He would become the first King of Avalor in over four decades.
The marriage ceremony was a quick and private event. Esteban was glad to get it over with and retreated back to his room the moment it was finished. There was a bigger ceremony to take place that evening. His coronation. The leaders from the city were all invited to attend and watch Esteban finally get his crown and title.
When the time came, Esteban made his way to the throne room where he would stand with Shuriki. He pushed the door open quietly and realized that guests had yet to arrive.
"Nobody has seen him since the invasion. Although it seems that he visited his mother some point after" Esteban overheard Victor telling Shuriki.
"Ahh King Esteban!" Shuriki announced when she spotted him lingering near the door. "We were just discussing Avalor's Royal wizard. Please. Join us." She then continued her conversation with Victor. "And what did his mother have to say?" She asked.
"His mother is dead. Her house was burned down during the attack. Nobody knows or nobody is saying where he is now" Victor explained.
"Esteban? What is your opinion on this royal wizard? He is young is he not?" Shuriki asked.
"This is true." Esteban replied. A bit reluctant to give away information about Mateo. He had always liked the royal wizard. Well, he didn't have any reason not too anyways. Against his instincts, he told Shuriki what he knew. "His power does not match yours and he is not half as powerful as his grandfather was. He has learned much in his young years. But the boy lacks confidence. I do not see him trying to fight back on his own. If that's what you are concerned with my Queen."
"Hmm.. It is a bit of a concern that he is still out there somewhere." Shuriki said. "We will have the guards on the lookout. And Victor? When you go North, you will have your guards and your people be on the look out for him too. Carla, you will do the same"
"Go north?" Esteban questioned "What are you talking about?"
"Victor will go North to Cariza. My followers have taken over there and temporarily have control of the crown. Victor will go there, marry Queen Teresa and we will claim the land as a territory of Avalor. Carla will head North to Cordoba to do the same." Shuriki explained and Esteban began to realize that she had far greater plans than simply claiming Avalor. She wanted to claim all of the Ever Realm. Avalor, being the largest port city in the world was just the best starting point for her.
"They have agreed to this?!" Esteban asked in shock.
"Of course not dear." Shuriki laughed. "But I'm not really going to give them much of a choice am I?"
Esteban glanced at Victor and Carla who beamed with excitement over their evil plans. They too had always craved power and now they too would have it. The thought made Esteban angry yet at the same time, he would be glad to see the father/daughter pair away from the palace and out of Avalor.
It was then that the guards fully opened the doors and guests began to arrive. Shuriki sat at her throne, Esteban stood by her side and Victor and Carla not too far away. As the leaders walked in, the each greeted Esteban and Shuriki and congratulated them on their union. At first Esteban was ashamed by his position of power and the disapproving looks of the citizens, who knew how he had betrayed his entire family, didn't remedy that. However, when the time came for his uncle's crown to be placed atop his head, Esteban stood tall, exuding confidence and pride. He smiled for the first time in days. A truly genuine smile. He had finally gained exactly what he had always wanted. He liked it.