Ch.1 Separate Ways
"Oh! Uncle Gakupo, Aunt Luka, Aunt Teto, when did you get here? Have you come here to visit again?" Rin asked smiling while stilling fighting off her brother. "Hey, quit it, Len!"
Uncle Gakupo, the duke of Venomania, Aunt Teto, duchess of Utauland and Aunt Luka, Uncle Gakupo's sincere and loving wife. They are the last remaining part of my family now. Father died days after he became king uniting our home in the country we know today. Mother died after she gave birth to Rin and me. Or at least that's what was told to us by them.
Their expressions of their faces today seemed unusual somehow. I didn't know why, but once they arrived the air became still and cold. However, I chose to ignore it because Rin was with me.
"Yeah, have you come to visit us again?" I said, pushing Rin off of me trying to land the final blow of our battle.
"No, children, it's not like last time." A fake smile was plastered on Teto's face unlike the usual genuine, warming one she was always greeted us with whenever she come to play with us. I could tell she was desperately trying to hide something, but was failing at it. No matter hard she tried, everyone knew she was not a good liar.
"Then what have you come for?" I smiled, dusting myself off pulling leaves and grass from my hair an clothes.
Aunt Teto bit her lip. "We have come…." She suddenly burst into the tears."I can't… I just can't do it…" She placed her hands over her lavender eyes shielding herself from her innocent her nephew and niece.
"You bitch! You've blown our cover, sister-in-law!" Luka roared beating Aunt Luka with her shoe. Her face was a fiery hot headed flame now. Whenever she was like this, hardly, no one could stop her temper.
"Guards!" Uncle Gakupo shouted. "Take my sister-in-law away!"
"I'm sorry, children, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you anymore." She cried as she was being dragged away. "I'm sorry!"
I didn't know what was going on, but I knew it was nothing good. Uncle Gakupo was always up to something, scheming ways of getting to the throne, my throne, the place where my father sat and the place where I am destined to sit.
I knew I had to do something, but what? Things were happening so fast. Aunt Teto was being dragged away by the guards which left me and Rin alone with Aunt Luka and Uncle Gakupo, a deadly combination.
"Uncle! Auntie! What's going on? What have you done?" I demanded.
"Tisk, Tisk, Tisk," Uncle Gakupo wiggled his finger, smiling maliciously. "Len, I don't know if you know or not, but I'd like you to know this. I hate you. I've always hated you. You, your father, your mother and Rin, I've hated you all. Once your father died I thought the throne would go to me, the king's brother. However, I wasn't aware your father had children with your mother a month before his coronation."
That's right. Aunt Teto had told me how Rin and I came into the world. Although, this version was more blunt than hers. I'd hate to admit, but something deep down told me that he was telling the cold, hard, and complete truth of our parents. Whenever I asked her why her version seemed censored she always tried to convince me she was telling the truth. I'd nodded telling her what she wanted to hear, but I knew she wouldn't tell me why. Now I'd learn the truth.
"I think it's time you learned the truth, Len. But first," He smirked, folding his arms. "Luka, dear, may you restraint our lovely niece."
"Yes, dear." Luka's voice was monotone. She seemed mesmerized, liked she being controlled by some unknown force. She just didn't seem like herself.
"Aunt Luka, please don't. You don't have to obey Gakupo." She didn't respond, and continued to walk toward Rin slowly as if nothing happened.
"Aunt Luka?"
She stopped half way between me and Rin, readjusted herself and only turned her head toward me. But her hair covered her eyes so all I heard pay attention was the cold tone in monotone voice.
"Len, your a big boy now," Luka shot a cold dead glare directly down to my soul. "But even big boys know when to back down."
I was shocked. Nothing made sense any more. All I knew about Luka was scattered. Memories of my family flashed before my eyes. I remember seeing Uncle Gakupo proposing to her a long time ago. I can remember the expression on her face. It was astonished one I know that, but also a joyous one as well. Those two were so happy that day. In fact, know that I think about he wore the same clothes that day as he did then. Ironic, do you think? Clothes meant for such a joyous occasion, now become stained with love's own blood.
As a result of my shock, my body wouldn't move. It simply wouldn't. The only things that followed my brain's will were my eyes. Through follow Luka to the point where I saw her hold her down. Rin was screaming, I could hear it loud and clear. "Len! Len! Help me, Len! Len!" I wanted more than anything to protect from my family. The true colors of my family were now showing, and a wave of change washed over both Rin and mine's lives. There was nothing I could do, but be swept away in the overwhelming current.
The next thing I knew, just as Aunt Teto, I too was being pulled away by the very guards who had protected me all of my years here in Castle Crypton.
When my wits finally returned, it was too late. I was dragged to a carriage with Uncle Gakupo in it and thrown on the seat front of him. I tried struggling to leap out and rescue Rin, but Gakupo was two steps ahead of me as usual. He had his sword drawn and its tip was in direct contact of my neck. And this wasn't just anyway sword, it was his. He mouthed to me, "Checkmate." Uncle Gakupo's blade was said to be razor scrap, whatever that meant, and with the slightest movement his opponent could die. So escape was impossible for me. Reluctantly I settled down and glared at my dear uncle for all he had down to me and Rin. For now, I'll let the cards fall where they may until the day I'll have my revenge.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw crying Rin crying her eyes out and shouting me to rescue her, but I could shed a single to tell her I couldn't.
That was one of the only days I actually cried for anyone, and it wouldn't be my last.
