Axel Flare

The throne room is empty. Everyone must be preparing for the funeral. I am surprised house Xonos supported me when I asked them not to look into their memories. Unlike the wanderer bodies that were thrown in the Dark creek, Father's body does not have any burn marks. Mother on the other hand, is unrecognizable. Her once beautiful and regal face now marked with ugly dark burned skin.

They do have one thing in common, the bullet holes in their hearts. It seems the attackers shot them from a close range, hence none of the Metallica's could deflect them before the damage could be done.

I am jealous of my brother and sister. At least they have each other, at least they do not have to bury their own parents at the Xerta Castle where our eldest sister's body lies as well. I do not know if they are traitors. Melody claims she saw them heading out in wanderer rags just before the explosion.

I sigh as I hear footsteps behind me. "Good morning Lady Melody." I say without turning back. She is the only one who visits me at court. Her presence is something I got used to, but now that I am going to be crowned king, I doubt her too. Who knew being king was this exhausting?

"I do not suppose you mean that, your highness." she starts, "Have you thought about my proposal? You do still need a heir if you are going to be king." When she put her hand on my shoulder in the video, I thought it was out of kindness. But now I know she was putting on a show, not only for the court, but all of the kingdom.

I gag beneath my courtly mask when I imagine using my son or daughter like a pawn as my parents did. I despise the thought of a young child raised to be a weapon to use. But the thought of a crown resting on my head is too much of a temptation to forget. I love the power as Azela and Ashton once did, and I hate that part if myself.

"You know I do not favor women romantically, lady Melody. My answer remains the same." Mother and Father barely cared about what I did. Fixing my marriage was not their top priority. Unlike Azela and Arieon, I was not a powerful pawn in the twisted game they used to play.

But now I am king, and love is slipping out of my grasp. Mother would say to put the kingdom above my 'pastimes' and to accept Lady Melody's hand in marriage so House Metallica's alliance stays true to the crown.

"I understand." she says as she dips her head in a bow, "My father is delayed at our estate. Unfortunately he will not be able to make it to the funeral." And so it has begun. The deadly game which may lead to the end of the reign of Flares.

"Mel." I call out, my voice so low that she almost does not hear it. Her charcoal black hair and gray outfit studded with sharp gleaming metal edges look dangerous as ever.

"Yes, your highness?" She purrs, knowing her plan is already working. She does not bother to hide her smirk as she walks towards me, her finger tracing the golden metal edges of the throne.

"Will you marry me?" I ask, not bothering to kneel like the man in the old movies Arieon used to watch. A king never kneels. Melody is two year older than me, just eighteenth years old. Yet she happens to be one of the most important pieces in the game.

"See you at the altar two years later, Axel." she says and strides out the room. She was promised a throne by my parents, and she will get it. And now, I have to face their graves without and ounce of hate clouding my face.