There in the castle, the palace was under attack. The King was hiding in his own dungeon. Kaden had long changed into his military attire and dispatched a searching squad to find Maurice and Braxton to bring them to him, And another team to escort Aaliyah from forest and send her safely back to her residence.
King got an idea that he could still have a chance if he begged Kaden mother to pity him and let his life, so he ran to her chamber which was undisturbed, she sat on the sofa near the fireplace away from all the chaos. “Oh my beloved! Have our kid mercy on me! He’s set to end his own father’s life. Help him get back on tracks, how will he face Jesus in heaven? I’m worried for our child alone, my love.” He knelt at her feet and she gracefully folded her book close. “Been a long time, haven’t seen you since long. How are you?” she blinked gently and slowly.
“Lost in my love’s thoughts alone.” He buttered some more. She seemed pleased.
“Kaden visited me last time he came for a tour. He talked of the love of his life he’s going to marry.”
“Yes. He is.” The King rasped out. He was in hurry for his life and not up for talking nonsense but he had to keep up with her. Kaden engagement only happened today, the king could only understand he must have set his eyes on Aaliyah from the very start. He was only waiting for the right time.
She smiled, Lost in her own beautiful past. “I realised it when I heard your footsteps.. approaching My chambers.” She said regarding the marriage, delighted in her heart.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ybriYKAfF
“what!?” the king pardoned. Not understanding, she stays locked in here. How would she know about the marriage when he himself got to know about it right about now.
“I asked him to tell you, I am missing you. I want to see you, your majesty. Has been a long. I’m rotting here.. Counting my days till death takes me away from you.. somewhere you won’t be able to reach me.” She was on edge brimming tears, emotional she grew, clenching her heart. Forgetting etiquettes, she fisted her chest feeling the pain.
“Yes. Ah, I remember. He brought it up before leaving. Didn’t I also answer him to tell you, I miss you too?” a smile crept up his monstrous mask of a face.
A tear escaped her pool of grievances.
He heard more smashing and falling of decorations faraway in the gallery of his precious palace, doors being kicked broken in search of him. Urgency rose in him.
“Help me my bella! Your son is getting out of control.”
“Have you known the royal physician said I can get better and have efficiency to live a longer life. Only if I can live in the outskirts of the city, in the open, midst positivity. Away from the fire, the poisonous gas it emits, and the occasional drinks. Yet I chose to stay in this palace, so I can see you everyday, so that you can visit me without any barriers…can’t you see I sacrificed so much for you? From the start! I had been blind!” she rose knocking him away and turned her face away from him, her voice raising with her sadness mixed with anger.
But at this critical time, he had his issues to worry about, he couldn’t feel her. Making up talks and talking sweet to her was becoming hard with rising tension. “My darling, I promise. I’ll spend each of my left days with you. I-I wish to spend my old days with you, my heart. My life isn’t worth anything without you. But if I die early, I won’t be able to look at you down from the heavens, weeping for me, sorrow in your eyes..I can’t! I can't see you suffer in my loss.” He rest his creased forehead on his palm with his elbow on his knee.
“My son made a promise to me as well. He said, 'If he couldn’t come to you, as per his own wish. And is forced to bow to you under my pressure, that’ll be the last you’ll see of him.’ The last he made to you was his request. This, is what you get, proving my love. Wrong.”
“But he’s destroying my palace!”
“He’d never pick a weapon unless it’s a battlefield. I’m sure You Provoked him that he came down to this.”
“Please! Stop him. No! I did not do anything.” He stood up too, Making hand gestures. She had her back at him though.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VPYZggNLC
“Okay, I’ll plead him, for your life, but only, once.” She sighed giving in to her love.
“Thank you. Thanks a million I’m sure he’ll listen to you. Once this is over I’ll gift you a jewellery of your choice! I love you!” he nearly started hopping in pure joy.
After a long while her door was knocked lightly. There came voice of Kaden. “Mother. If I am not disturbing you. Can I come in?”
“Yes. My Brave Son.” She beamed with pride at his arrival.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKutASzijH
When he entered his eyes narrowed, looking at the man sitting across from his mother, resentment flared in his eyes. “You!" He exclaimed, spotting him. "Guards! Arrest him!”
Her mother hurried to Kaden and caught his hand and pulled him close. “My Son, please leave your father alone. No sin can be too grave to pester your own Father!” she rested her hand on his cheek.
Maurice tried to steal gazes looking in another direction still trying to hide and sweating cold.
“Then You don’t know what he did. He didn’t have the guts to tell you. huh?” Kaden piercing eyes fixated on Maurice.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIpRHJWszw
“Dear-“ she started again with a pleading expression and he cut her off.
“This man sent knights to kill me and my fiancé!” he fished out a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket and slapped it in her palm. She read again and yet again but the words couldn’t make any more sense. Her hand fell from his jaw to holding onto his chest. She could die of shame this moment, her knees weakened but her son held her up, his grip supporting her still. “Issuing a confidential order for our execution.” He seethed out and gestured the guards with his sword to take him into custody. The Royal Mistress didn’t make a sound. She couldn’t even look back at the man. Only when her Kaden touched her chin she could raise her head high, “Mother. I only kept my promise. Don’t go hard on yourself. I’m not punishing him as a failed father but as an incompetent Ruler.” He kissed her forehead and took his leave with her blessings.
Aaliyah heard her name being called from a distance. Jaq met her eyes and in a blink of an eye both disappeared into the darkness. The prince laid limp with his limbs broken, his head shaved and bloody knife carvings on his face. His ears torn off, his nose broken.
But her Breathings were already growing heavy. She could feel her death near. She hid behind the tree entering the more dense part of the forest, so no one could find her. She didn’t want anyone to witness her death, and knew once she falls her shadow guards will take her to the right place, but till the soul leaves her body no one should know.
She clenched her heart, a piercing pain jolting up and she threw up. Just then she heard a rustle of leaves, “No! Don’t come down. This is my Order!” she said into the darkness with remaining energy, she knew she cannot be saved, she signed up for this.
“Aaliyah!” voices were nearing. She slid down behind the tree…and exhaled her life out.
..
ns 15.158.61.5da2
