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The Princess and the Emperor	By : senorita_finkelstein Category: +1 through F > Arthur and the Invisibles Views: 1466 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Nothing here belongs to me. “Arthur and the Invisibles” and its characters belong to Luc Besson, Celine Garcia and Europacorp respectively. I am making no profit off of this, nor do I intend to. Again, I own nothing.

Chapter List
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Selenia kicked and screamed as she was dragged to Maltazard's private chambers. She felt disgraced, humiliated, betrayed — she felt like such an idiot for believing he would keep his promise, that he would provide all he claimed he would for her kingdom and that he would spare Betameche and Arthur. She felt so stupid for agreeing to marry him, to giving him her first kiss...but it had been for the sake of everyone else. Because she was so devoted to her people and her land, she married the enemy.
Yet now here she was, being taken to his bedroom, dragged like a ragdoll or a prisoner. This would not do. This would not do at all. As she was now married to him, this made her the new empress. This meant he had to take her seriously and yet, he didn’t. Instead, he ignored her demands to keep up his end of the bargain and ordered her to be taken away to the chambers when she dared speak out.
How dare he? How dare he treat his new wife, his empress, this way?! She healed him and this was the thanks she got? All she asked for in return was that he stay true to his word yet he couldn’t even do that! Well, if he thought she would let him get away with this, then he was dead wrong. Because fool her once, shame on him. Hell hath no fury than a new bride and empress scorned, especially if said bride was none other than Selenia, heiress to the throne of the first kingdom, now the empress of Necropolis.
Selenia gritted her teeth as she was tossed into the Maltazard's private quarters, now hers as well. “Is this any way to treat your new empress?” she hissed at the osmates, who cowered back as she glared icily at them.
“Emperor’s orders,” said one of them simply, before they quickly shut the door and locked it, running away afterwards in fear of their master’s new wife.
“You cowardly stooges!” she shouted after them, banging on the door with her fists. “Get back here and release me at once! This is a direct order from your empress!”
But the osmates didn’t return, and she heard the sounds of their feet running on the floor disappear. The newly made empress sighed, slamming her fist onto the door before she leaned her back on it, slumping to the floor. It still felt so surreal that she was now married to the emperor of Necropolis, that she was the new queen — the empress of the seventh kingdom. If she had been told a couple of days ago that she would have chosen the evil M as her husband, she would have laughed and assumed the person was insane. But now, she could believe it, because her loyalty and compassion was what drove her to such a decision — for the sake of her family, friends, kingdom, she made a deal with the devil. And even for his sake, for she had sympathized with his plight in his decomposing…and she still did, even now, for some odd reason.
What was said was said, and what was done was done. Now, she would see to it that the seeds she planted in this desolate garden bloomed to their fullest. It was her new mission now, to get the emperor to bend and do as he had promised her. It was his duty to her as her husband, just as it had been her duty as his wife to heal him. What goes around comes around. One can’t make promises they can’t keep, and she knew very well this was a promise he could keep — he was just being stubborn.
“Well, my dearest husband, two can play at that game,” Selenia remarked to herself. She already carved out her own future and was set upon it now, so no other path would be taken. And if anyone, and she meant anyone, tried to dissuade her… they’d have another thing coming, because this empress wasn’t taking orders from anyone.
Not even her own spouse.
So Selenia kicked the door, trying to knock it down to no avail. She winced at the harsh impact on her foot, but persisted with another kick. She wouldn’t sit around in this damned room, just waiting for Maltazard to arrive. She wouldn’t be humiliated like that, made to just prepare herself for her wedding night. Not when there were people who counted on her, not when she had her duties, not when she had her spirit and dignity still intact.
She would make him keep his word and act upon his favors. She would make him listen to her, no matter how stubborn and selfish he was — she was his wife, ergo he had to listen to her whether he wanted to or not. He would bring the good diplomatic relations, he would spare her people and prove that he did, he would free Betameche and Arthur — she would make sure that he did all of these things, no matter what. So she delivered yet another strong kick to the door and followed that with slamming her fists on it even harder than before, gritting her teeth at the pain that surged through her limbs.
“Damn it!” she cursed. “What the hell are these doors made of?” She rubbed her knuckles lightly, sighing. “At least he knows how to pick door locks, I’ll give him that…” she mused, not even caring how outlandish it sounded that she was throwing her husband, M of all people, a bone. But it was true, he was better off in some aspects of guarding himself than well...as much as she hated to admit it, her father wasn't exactly the best ruler in the last couple of moons. The recent attack upon their kingdom by the osmates further proved it, as he just fumbled around, not really giving many orders to their really small and already weak army. It was a wonder that the mere help of a human child was what managed to help them survive yet another day, though of course she'd kicked some osmates' asses too.
And now she couldn't help but wonder how her kingdom would fare if its army was combined with Maltazard's army. Perhaps they would get stronger, to the point where no one would even dream of attacking them. The only way to find out was to make sure her husband lived up to his word.
Speaking of husband, Selenia heard the lock to the door click, followed by the sound of the door creaking open. She turned and saw none other than Maltazard standing in the doorway, an eyebrow raised with a slight smirk on his face. His black hair was now pulled up by a light green thread into a short ponytail, in contrast to his bride's short fiery red hair which had a single braid in it. “I do hope that you’ve calmed down now,” said the emperor. “It wouldn’t be right if our wedding night was less than ideal because of the bride’s insolence—”
“Oh no, the bride isn’t the one being insolent here,” she interrupted, shooting a glare at him. “It’s the groom who is being insolent by not keeping his promises.”
“That’s quite a bold claim you’re making there, my dear,” said Maltazard, his eyes narrowing at her. He shut the door behind them, taking a step towards her. “I always keep my promises. I just don’t rush things, that’s all.” He placed a hand on her shoulder.
Selenia pulled away from him, continuing to glare. “It’s not rushing when it’s something of utmost importance. I’ve done what I promised you: I’ve given you my first kiss and healed you. However, you haven’t exchanged what you promised to me.” She folded her arms. “So forgive me if I don’t believe in your sincerity. I’ve given you what you wanted, and yet you haven’t given me what I want. All I want is for you to release my brother and friend, and follow through with proving that you'll spare my people and beginning some diplomacy. If the latter is so hard for you, then I am prepared to help in any way I can. After all, I am the empress now,” she stressed on the last part.
“So demanding,” Maltazard huffed, folding his own arms. “I am fully aware of what I have promised you. Honestly, dear, the fact you don’t believe in your own husband’s sincerity…it hurts me so.” He put his hand over his heart, feigning hurt with a mocking tone in his voice. “I merely put your brother and friend in the prison for a little while, not forever. Do you really think I’m that cruel enough to permanently imprison my own brother-in-law and my wife’s friend? Besides, they aren’t alone either — on the contrary, they’ve got some company in that cell.”
Upon hearing the word ‘company,’ Selenia suddenly felt this strange worry build up inside her. “Who is with them in that cell?” she demanded to know. “Is there another innocent person you’ve captured? Is it Mino? Who?!”
Maltazard cocked an eyebrow at his wife for a second. "Mino? Goodness no. I've found much better use for him during these past thirty moons." His lips curled down into a frown. "The prisoner they share a cell with is someone who I'm sure you already know." His eyes narrowed, his voice becoming lower with a hint of disdain in it. That damned Archibald was what he wished to say, but figured that would only lead to yet another tantrum from her, so he held his tongue a bit. He hated how he could easily recall the moment that he returned, saw that his people who once applauded him were now focused on this outsider, this human after all that he went through for them. For a kingdom that he fought and strived to protect but spat back in his face, giving him nothing in return. Well, look who was laughing now. He was their king and would be until his passing, which wouldn't come for a long time. Oh, what a glorious twist of fate, thanks to a single kiss. "That is all I shall say in that regard." He turned from her. "As for the rest of your demands: all in due time, my dear. All in due time. And oh, trust me, I've done much harder things in the past, so diplomacy is the least difficult action I could take," he chuckled. "And as for your offer to help, I appreciate it but you've only been empress since our marriage, which took place not too long ago. What would you know about ruling a kingdom, princess?" He turned to her with a cocky smirk. "You haven't been around as long as I have. You haven't even gotten a taste of what it means to have the throne, to rule over the land. I have. So it should be I who offers you help in politics. After all, you're hardly a real empress yet."
Selenia gritted her teeth, clenching her fists so hard her nails dug into her skin. How dare he say such things to her? How dare he talk down to her as if she hadn't been educated in these sort of things? Nearly all of her life, she had been preparing to inherit the throne. She spent years studying her people's history, her kingdom's history — everything there was to know, she searched for it. She even prepared to pull the sword from the stone, and if only it could realize her heart was in the right place... so yes, she knew a thing or two about ruling a kingdom. The fact that her husband would even question her on such...it angered her. His words on how she wasn't a real empress enraged her. She was an empress by both inheritance regarding the first kingdom and by marriage regarding the seventh kingdom. Whether the emperor liked it or not, that was her title now and she'd be damned if she wouldn't fight tooth and nail for it to be recognized.
“I am a real empress,” she said firmly. “The moment we married, I became empress of the first kingdom and Necropolis. All of my life, I’ve learned all I could and prepared in anticipation for the day I would gain this title, and I won’t just stand here and let you belittle my new title.” She took a few steps towards him, her face just inches away from his as she leaned up and hissed, “Whether you like it or not, I’m your empress now and since I am empress, you will treat me as such and listen to what I have to say. That is an order.”
His smirk faded. "My, my, quite the stubborn one, aren't you?" His eyes narrowed at her. "It is true you technically did become empress by marriage, and I am fully aware that like most royals, you were made to prepare for your ascension of the throne. But that doesn't mean you know how it is to actually hold such a title, nor do you have the experience. In every other aspect, you are still very much just a princess. So no, I'm not belittling your title. I'm simply telling you: you may be newly crowned empress, but you have no real power yet." He then scoffed at her. "So I don't have to listen to your so-called orders, not when I am the one who's been ruling this land for centuries. You on the other hand haven't ruled any land, let alone your own. So it is you who will treat me as your king and listen to what I have to say. That is an order," he said the last four words mockingly.
She knitted her eyebrows together angrily, then furiously grabbed him by the collar and yanked him even closer so that her mouth was to his ear. "Listen here, Maltazard, and listen good: I don't care how long you've been ruling over this wasteland you call an empire," she snarled. "All of my life, I've been working hard for the very moment I would become queen of the First Kingdom. I spent hours, days, nights and years agonizing over every detail and I even listened in on father's council meetings just to be aware of the politics. For you to say that because I have only held this title of empress for a short time means I suddenly have no real knowledge or whatever... that my experience is somehow not enough..." She swore she could almost feel hot tears of anger building up, and pushed them back as far as she could. She would not cry, nor would she let him see her cry. It would only stroke his ego. "That is far from the truth. I am not just a princess. I have power as an empress — you just haven't seen it yet. So yes, you actually have to listen to what I say and take my orders, unless you wish to see true insolence...my king," she spat the last two words out, both coldly and mockingly to drive it home. "And if anyone is stubborn, it is you, for you hesitate to do a simply thing such as grant your bride her wishes on her wedding night."
“You’re quite a daring one, I’ll give you that,” said Maltazard, his teeth gritting. By the gods, this princess was so stubborn — it was as if she didn’t know the concept of giving up, of giving in. “If you really do have power, then prove it. Show me this power, and perhaps I shall take your orders then…” Then he snorted at her last remark. “And oh please, if I have any stubbornness, then it is merely inherited from my wife.” He smirked at her as she fumed at this remark of his. “Last time I recall, you’re trying to deprive me of celebrating on our wedding night. Have you forgotten that it takes two to tango, my flower?”
Selenia growled. “Don’t act so cheeky now,” she warned him. “Like I’ve told you before, delicate flowers might have thorns.” She tightened her grip on his collar, pulling him even closer. “I will let you celebrate our wedding only if you follow through with what you’ve sworn to me. So I’d suggest you do that now…” Her nose pressed onto his as she gave him a deadly look. “…unless you really do wish to see the power I possess…” She then whispered into his ear, “Oh and believe me, my dear husband, I am fully aware it takes two to tango, which is why I persist.”
Maltazard felt a strange sensation of shivers and warmth run down his spine from the way his wife was handling him. She was very persistent, which was irritating yet so…attractive at the same time. The feeling of her nose on his nose, her hot breath on his ear — it was enough to nearly make him shudder in a strangely morbid delight. He liked this flower; he liked her very much…now if only she wasn’t so difficult and obstinate, then that liking he took to her wouldn’t be combatted by irritation at the same time. Still, he was glad he chose her — she healed him and provided him rule over one of the lands he had wanted to conquer for years. So he sighed and decided that he’d throw her a bone, just this once. If he caved into some of her demands now, then maybe she wouldn’t be too difficult for the following days and nights to come.
“Alright, alright, I shall grant you the favors I promised,” the emperor relented, though that was only partially true. He would grant her one single favor for now. The other favors he promised — well, those would stay on hold still. He intended to celebrate his healing and his victory as much as he could, and he wouldn’t let the princess or fickle little matters such as politics stop him. “I shall let your brother and friend go.”
Selenia softened at this, letting her husband’s collar go as she looked at him surprised. “Do you really mean that?” she asked, her voice suddenly quiet and soft, a glint of hope in her eyes. She knew she couldn't get her hopes up again, especially not after what happened earlier, but still…it sounded too promising, the thought of Beta and Arthur being freed.
Maltazard nodded. “Of course,” he replied. Strangely enough, there was this feeling inside of his chest as his multicolored eyes met her amber eyes for a second — seeing that hopeful look in her eyes made his heart beat slightly quicker for a moment, a small knot almost forming in his stomach as he heard her voice soften. Damn it, why was he feeling such things though? He tried to keep his focus as best as he could. “In fact, how about we head down to where they are now and I shall let you see them.”
Selenia’s eyes lit up with joy. She couldn’t believe her ears. “Yes, yes!” she cried happily, trying her best to hold back tears of relief and joy that were building up. Finally, she had gotten him to see her way — she had gotten him to keep his promises. Soon he would see her as his empress, and she would strive to accomplish more after this. But for now, she focused on one thing for now: her brother and friend would be freed. “That would be great!”
Maltazard smirked and opened the door. “Then follow me.” He beckoned for her to come along with him as he walked out. She is rather…adorable when she’s excited, he admitted to himself. Then he inwardly slapped himself once he realized what he had just said. What in the name of the gods are you thinking?! She’s just the princess…and you are Maltazard, ruler of Necropolis and the first kingdom. Focus on what you’ve achieved, not some girl…no matter if she healed you or not. Besides, she’s so obstinate. Yet she was also beautiful. He cursed himself. Damn it, why did Sifrat’s daughter have to be so lovely? She really did blossom from a simple seed into a delicate flower — a flower with thorns, yes, but still quite a gorgeous flower nonetheless. Now, if only he could tame this florescent being…
She nodded and proceeded to follow him. She was eager to see Betameche and Arthur, yet also felt an ache in her heart knowing it’d take a while to free the other prisoners, but she would do her damn best to make sure each and every single one of them — especially Mino — were freed. This she swore to herself, along with making sure that the war between both her kingdom and Necropolis would come to an end…starting now, hopefully.
And Selenia would also make sure her husband, Emperor Maltazard, wouldn’t lie this time, that he follow through with everything. This she also swore, for as the new empress, it was her duty to her people and the innocents who happened to dwell in the seventh kingdom.
As for her marriage, well…she would try to make it work. She would try to tame him, try to make sure he didn’t fall back on his words, that he didn’t conquer any other lands — she would keep him under check. This was something she couldn’t swear, but she would try to make a reality no matter what.
For this was Selenia’s life now, ever since the moment she kissed Maltazard, the moment she married the emperor of the Necropolis. There was no turning back, only moving forward from here on out.
And that was what she was going to do: move forward. Starting now.
“We’ve been separated for two hours, and I already feel like I’ve lost a friend,” Arthur lamented as he paced back and forth in the cell he and Betameche had been tossed into by the osmates. He could still recall the very moment they had been captured, which had been only seconds after Selenia declared Beta her successor if she failed and bid Arthur farewell before going in to fight M alone. The boy recalled asking the prince ‘Shall I congratulate you or go into an anxiety fit alongside you?’ before they were then interrupted by Darkos, who said, ‘I’d love to also congratulate you’ in a sarcastic tone before both were seized by the dark prince and osmates. “And I’m a jailbird on top of that! We’ve got to get out of here, Beta!” he cried as he turned to the minimoy prince, worried about the little time they had left. The boy worried about those who were waiting for them back at the first kingdom, those who counted on them. He worried about his grandmother, how worried sick the old woman must be. But most of all, he worried about his friend, Selenia, and how she was fairing as she was no doubt in battle with the evil M. “We’ve got to think of something!”
Betameche tapped his forehead anxiously, trying to come up with a plan to get out of the cell and try to save his sister. “I’m thinking, Arthur, I’m thinking!” By the gods, he hoped Selenia was alright. Despite their many spats, they were still siblings who cared about each other, so the very thought that she was in danger…that she was facing the lord of Necropolis all on her own—
Then Arthur recalled something — a detail that he never really paid attention to until now, one that the princess of the minimoys would mention every now and then during their journey. “Wait, why was her being unmarried such a big deal? I can understand if it means the kingdom has no ruler, so that’s why she chose you as her successor, but…” He turned to Beta. “She acted as if facing M alone while unmarried presented a different threat. Why is that?”
Betameche gulped. “Oh god, you just had to bring that up now?!” he cried out, now even more anxious and worried sick about his older sister. What if Maltazard knew of the fact that Selenia wasn’t married? What if he saw the opportunity and took it? After all, that’s why the osmates declared that their master wanted to see the princess, so that he could—
“Is that why the osmates said, ‘the master wants to see you’ back when they attacked the first kingdom?” Arthur asked as he took a step closer to the prince. “Is that why Darkos made that remark, ‘what’s a princess of your rank doing in a place like this’? Why is her marital status so important? What does it have to do with M?”
Betameche gulped. “You don’t want to know.”
“I do want to know, so tell me right now!” the boy demanded as he grabbed the minimoy prince by the shoulders, shaking him roughly.
“Strangling him won’t do you any good,” a rough, gravelly voice suddenly spoke up.
The two turned to see someone in the corner of the cell: a silhouette of what appeared to be an old man, around sixty-one in human years at least. He was sitting down, arms curled around his knees. It looked as though he'd been in the prison for a long time, for several years at least, judging by the way he spoke and looked, even with the little light that shone upon him.
"And besides, you'd better save your energy if you want to eat," the old man continued.
Arthur looked at the old man curiously. "What do you mean?"
"If you want to eat down here, you'll have to teach them something new every day," the old man explained. "Otherwise, you'll go hungry. And it makes sense... complete sense... knowledge is the one true source of wealth, is it not?"
"What kinds of things do they want to know?" the boy pressed on, even more curious now. With some knowledge of what the osmates — and by extension, evil M — wanted to know, maybe he could find a way out of here. Maybe... at least, he hoped so.
"Pfft, anything will do!" the old man snorted. "From the elementary laws of physics to the behavioral patterns of wrinkles... even how to cook garden peas. I taught them how to write."
With each word the old man spoke, Arthur could recall his grandfather saying the exact same things before he disappeared, when the boy had been around seven years old. Could it be that this elder was his long lost grandfather, who had been missing for three years? “And to paint, especially on large canvases,” the boy continued for him, eyes widening as he felt a new sense of hope, a sense of joy inside. Had he finally found his grandfather after three long, miserable years of being apart? Was this truly Archibald Suchot, the man who discovered the minimoys? “And to harness light using mirrors, and to transport water from one place to another—”
“Yes, that’s true,” said the old man, raising an eyebrow in confusion. “But how did you know all that?”
“Because the man who invented all of those wonderful things is my grandfather!” Arthur cried out happily, a smile gracing his face.
The old man’s eyes widened. “Arthur?” he asked incredulously.
Arthur held his arms out wide, tears springing to his eyes. At last, he found his grandfather. Archibald Suchot was still alive, and he was right here all this time. “Grandpa!” he cried joyfully, an overwhelming sense of happiness surging inside him.
“Oh, my grandson!” cried Archibald happily as he got up, with Arthur’s help. Both grandfather and grandson hugged each other tightly in what had to be the happiest moment in both of their lives since the elder’s disappearance. “I’m so happy to see you again!” Archibald pulled away from the hug and looked at his grandson for a moment, studying the child’s appearance since he had been rather small the last time they had seen one another. “Let me look at you — my, how you’ve grown!”
Arthur smiled bashfully. “It feels more like I’ve shrunk,” he admitted, and he wasn’t wrong. After all, the size of a minimoy was much different compared to the size of the average ten year-old human boy.
Archibald nodded with a smile. “Yes, that’s true, but how did you manage to get down here?” he asked his grandson.
“Well, I found your riddle,” Arthur answered.
Archibald then remembered the Shakespeare-related riddle he left behind, the day he had disappeared — the day M had gotten his revenge. “Oh yes, of course — my riddle! Oh, you are a true hero!” He hugged the child again.
“Hello, Archibald,” Betameche greeted the old man, standing across from where the grandson and grandfather were. “Remember me?”
Archibald’s eyes widened again as he recognized the prince. “Betameche? Is that really you?”
Betameche nodded quickly, feeling tears sting his eyes. It had been years since he saw his old friend.
Archibald ran over to the prince and shook his hands eagerly. “Oh, I’m so happy to see you again! How is your father, that noble king?” he asked, since it had been a long time since the human man saw Sifrat, much less the royal family in general.
“Very well indeed, thank you,” replied Betameche.
“And your sister, the charming Princess Selenia?” Archibald continued his questions.
And with that, Betameche froze, his lips quivering as tears fell from his eyes. “I – I don’t know!” he cried out, throwing himself into the elderly man’s arms as he broke down sobbing. His fears from earlier came back and he was scared of what might happen to his elder sibling. “She – she went to face M alone!”
“What?!” Archibald’s eyes were as wide as saucer plates, a bad feeling forming in his gut. He couldn’t believe it — well, actually, he could. He knew that the princess was rather adventurous. But still, the thought of her going to face the evil M alone, knowing what the emperor of Necropolis was capable of… and the human man knew what the emperor was seeking from the princess too, so even more fear clouded his mind. “Please tell me she’s found a husband.”
Betameche shook his head sadly, more tears spilling from his eyes. “No, she hasn’t,” he sobbed. “She’s still unmarried. She appointed me to be king in case she failed.”
Archibald felt his heart catch in his throat for a moment. “Oh my god…” He looked down at the ground, realizing what this meant.
“Grandpa, what’s going on?” Arthur asked, walking over to his grandfather and the prince, who looked as though they had seen something so horrible that it shell-shocked them both. He still didn’t understand this whole marriage thing and why it was so important that the princess was wed.
“Arthur, there’s this tradition the minimoys have,” Archibald began to explain to his grandson, while trying to comfort his crying friend. “The princess must find a husband by the time she reaches 1001 moons, and bestow him her first kiss. With this kiss, they are married and he inherits her powers, and she inherits his. The kingdom now has a king and with that, he will give her children who she shall pass her knowledge onto until they grow old enough to inherit the throne.”
“Wait, so a kiss is marriage in minimoy tradition?” asked Arthur, shocked by what he was learning.
Archibald nodded sadly. “Yes, and the couple is bound for life until one of them passes on.” He then let out a sad sigh. “This why it is important that Selenia finds a husband, so that M won’t seize the opportunity to—”
“DON’T SAY IT!” sobbed Beta, pounding his fists onto the elder’s chest. “DON’T! ‘CAUSE IT MIGHT HAPPEN IF YOU DO!”
“But why does he want her first kiss?” asked Arthur, feeling a sense of dread building up inside him. It explained why the emperor sent his soldiers after the trio at the start of their journey, yet the boy had no clue why the ruler of Necropolis wanted the princess of the first kingdom as his bride so badly, aside from power over the land obviously.
“Because Arthur, he’s…disfigured in appearance,” Archibald responded slowly. “He once used to look like a regular minimoy, over hundreds of moons ago before he became the ruler of these wretched wastelands. He was even a knight, believe it or not. But then, it all changed when his behavior became…least desirable, to put it lightly.” And that was putting it lightly indeed, for the old man had no idea how to explain to his grandson about Maltazard’s alcoholic tendencies, since the boy was still rather young. “During a vulnerable moment, a weevil bestowed a kiss upon him and with that kiss came a curse, which is how he became disfigured.”
Arthur winced, an ungodly image flashing through his mind. “Sounds really unfortunate.”
“Indeed, and with everyone shunning him for his decomposing appearance…M became who he is now, the tyrant of Necropolis,” Archibald explained. “But there’s always a way to lift a curse and with this one, it’s the first kiss of a princess that can free M from his monstrous form — this is why he wants to make Selenia his bride, why he wants her first kiss.” This sent the prince into a further sobbing fit, to the point where Suchot’s shirt was almost completely soaked with tears.
Arthur felt his heart nearly stop at this. “So if M kisses Selenia, they’ll be husband and wife for eternity…he’ll not only have his cure, but the first kingdom will be his to conquer…”
Archibald nodded, a sad look in his eyes. “Yes, you’re correct — that is exactly how it would turn out.”
“WHY DID YOU HAVE TO BRING IT UP?!” Betameche shouted, suddenly leaping out of Archibald’s arms to shake Arthur rather violently, much to both of their shock. “WE’RE ALREADY IN A DILEMMA ENOUGH AS IT IS BEING JAILBIRDS, BUT THEN YOU HAD TO MENTION THAT SPECIFIC DETAIL WHILE SHE’S STILL OUT THERE, FACING HIM ALONE AND UNMARRIED AND ONLY THE GODS OF THE FOREST KNOW WHAT’S GOING ON?!”
“Curiosity killed the cat!” Arthur yelped, trying to pry the shorter minimoy’s hands off of him.
“WELL IT AIN’T THE CAT YOU SHOULD BE WORRYING ABOUT NOW!” Beta fumed, continuing to shake his friend. “WHAT IF SHE’S DEAD? WHAT IF HE’S MARRIED HER? ANYTHING COULD HAVE HAPPENED AND—”
“PRINCE SIMONO MATRADOY DE BETAMECHE, YOU CALM DOWN RIGHT NOW!” Archibald shouted, causing the prince to let go of the human boy and the duo to turn to him, startled by how loud he was. “Like I said before, strangling him won’t do you any good! We need to save up our energy if we’re going to get out of here and help Selenia out.”
“Right,” said Betameche, nodding slowly. He turned to his friend. “I’m sorry for strangling you, Arthur. It’s just that—”
“I understand,” the boy interrupted. “I’m worried, too. But grandpa’s right. We’ve got to save up our energy and find a way out of here.” He then turned to his grandfather. “Do you have a plan on how we can break out of this cell?”
The old man shook his head. “Not now, but I’m sure I can think up of something.” He put his hand to his chin, trying to dive deep into his mind to pull out an idea or two. “Maybe we could—”
“What’s with all the racket here?”
The three turned to see a pair of osmates staring at them from outside their prison. “We heard shouting,” the first osmate said.
“Master doesn’t like any loud noises disturbing him,” the second osmate spoke. “Especially not when he’s trying to celebrate his marriage.”
“Nothing’s going on,” Archibald quickly lied. “My friend over here stubbed his toe, that’s all.” He gestured to Arthur, who quickly rubbed his foot, faking pain to sell the story further. “We’re very sorry. We didn’t mean to disturb the emperor during the celebration of his—” he stopped as the last words registered in his mind. “Wait, did you just say…marriage?” He hoped he misheard that last part.
The second osmate titled his head at the prisoner before nodding slowly. “Yes, I said marriage. The master’s gotten married.”
“Wh-what do you mean by that?” Betameche stammered, feeling sick to his stomach. It couldn’t be… oh gods of the forest, please don’t let it be true—
“I guess no one told them,” the first osmate remarked to his fellow guard, shrugging nonchalantly. He then turned to the prisoners. “The master has found himself a new bride.”
Arthur let out a harsh gasp. “You don’t mean…” No, it can’t be.
The first osmate nodded. “He’s gotten the kiss of the princess, so a wedding was had a couple of hours ago.”
“He’s much easier on the eyes now, but still intimidating,” the second osmate added.
The first soldier elbowed him. “Shhh! Be careful with what you say. Someone might be eavesdropping, and you don’t want him to find out about what you said or else you’ll get thrown in the dungeons too.”
The second soldier gulped. “Right, right…” He turned back to the prisoners. “But anyway: the emperor’s celebrating his wedding at the moment, so it’s best you keep your mouths shut or else.”
The two osmates turned away from the prisoners, beginning to walk off in the opposite direction. “Shame the bride’s a stubborn one,” remarked the first soldier. “I’m sure the master would’ve loved to celebrate with her, especially since it’s their wedding night. And there’s such a big banquet, too.”
“She’s also just as scary as him,” the second one commented. “Did you hear how she attacked Bruce?”
“Oh yes, I have. Figures the master chooses a woman who’s similar to him in some manner.”
“I never would've guessed that the princess of the first kingdom could be so scary.”
“I never would've guessed that he'd actually marry the princess.”
“Shhh! Remember: be careful with what you say.”
“Right, right…!”
To say Arthur, Archibald and Betameche’s hearts sank at this was an understatement of the century. The three were heartbroken at the news they had just received. Their worst fear had been realized. Any plans on breaking out of their cell and rushing to aid the princess fell apart at that very moment. A sense of grief washed over them all, for they had failed.
Emperor Maltazard had seized his opportunity and taken Selenia’s first kiss.
Betameche curled up into a ball on the floor and sobbed even harder than before. His older sister was now the wife of the evil M. He failed her as a brother. He could have done something to help her. He could have tried to fight off the osmates and run to the quarters to assist her, but he didn't. He was such an idiot. Now she was stuck as M's consort, his little bride, and it was all his fault. You're a failure, the voice in his head said.
Arthur rubbed Betameche’s shoulder. “There, there, Beta,” he tried to calm down his friend. “It’s alright.” But even as he said this, he knew it wasn’t alright. His stomach churned and his other hand curled up into a fist. They were too late… they hadn’t even had the chance to get out of the prison before the news was dumped onto them like a wave of debris down a sewer. “S-Selenia’s a fierce one. She’ll…she’ll manage somehow.” He felt a lump form in his throat, a sudden numbness washing over him. One of his friends was now saddled with the tyrant of these wastelands they were trapped in… and just that thought alone was enough to make him twitch violently for a second.
Archibald let out a heavy sigh, many thoughts racing through his mind as he paced back and forth through the cell. Of all the things that had to happen, why this? He knew of Maltazard’s plan to claim Selenia’s first kiss so he could be healed of his curse, for they had a long conversation about it years ago. And yet…the human man never would have guessed Maltazard would succeed in his plans. All his prayers for the plan to fail had been in vain…for M got what he wanted: his healing, the first kingdom and the hand of the fair Selenia in marriage. The man's heart ached for the princess. He could only pray she was fairing alright now, that she was fighting for her freedom.
“Hope you got your last laugh, Maltazard,” the old man muttered, his hands shaking as his eyes narrowed, envisioning the now healed emperor smirking as he stood outside the cell. “And I hope it was worth it…”
“What are we going to do now, grandpa?” asked his grandson, who was still trying his best to comfort the sobbing prince.
“I…I don’t know,” said Archibald sadly, turning to the child. “I – didn’t think he’d win. I always thought that…” He shook his head. “I just hope she’s okay.”
“It’s all my fault,” Betameche whimpered amidst his sobs. “If only I had tried to do something...!”
“Beta, don’t talk like that,” Arthur spoke softly, rubbing his shoulder again. “We were captured by Darkos and the osmates. It’s not like we could have fought them all off—”
“We could have tried to!” Beta interrupted him. “I could have tried pulling out a contraption and—”
“And what? Hope it pulled out a weapon and not the bubble blower?” Arthur interrupted, crossing his arms. “Be realistic: we were outnumbered and unarmed. We were about as good fighting them as Selenia was in fighting M.”
Beta’s lip trembled. “Don’t remind me,” he whimpered. “I’m fully aware of the fact my sister couldn't—”
“Both of you, quiet down!” Archibald suddenly shushed them. “I hear voices!”
The two quieted down and all three prisoners listened in, hearing the voices more clearly — one of which was very familiar.
“I hope the cell you’ve put my brother and friend in isn’t a dark and nasty old chamber,” Selenia said as she walked alongside Maltazard, furrowing her eyebrows at him. “Because if you did put them in such a prison, I’ll—”
“Relax, my lovely flower,” Maltazard interrupted his wife. “I wouldn’t dream of throwing my brother-in-law or my wife’s friend in a nasty little cell. On the contrary, they’ve got the most luxurious one there is.”
Selenia cocked an eyebrow at her husband, not really believing a word he said. “Somehow, I cannot trust your word.”
Maltazard gasped in fake hurt. “Oh how you wound me, my dear!”
“Forgive me, but you have yet to prove yourself to be fully trustworthy,” she spoke skeptically.
He rolled his eyes. “Yes, I’m aware of that, but fear not: I shall prove myself trustworthy.”
She huffed. “I’ll believe that when I see it.”
“And see it, you shall.”
The trio’s eyes widened. “It’s Selenia!” Arthur gasped.
“And Maltazard,” Archibald added, his voice filled with distaste as he spoke the name.
Betameche twitched violently. “I can’t believe that’s my brother-in-law… out of all the people in the world, it had to be him?!”
“They’re coming here,” Archibald noted. “She must have convinced him to let her visit us.”
“Maybe she’s going to free us?” Arthur suggested, a bit of hopefulness in his voice.
“With M as her husband? Yeah, when ants sprout wings and fly,” said Betameche snarkily. “He probably lied to her, just to get her to cooperate with him if the guards’ words are to be believed. I mean, he just said he gave us the most luxurious cell there is!” He gestured around the prison. “Does this look even remotely luxurious to you?!”
“Quiet!” Archibald shushed the prince, gesturing to the silhouettes that drew nearer and nearer with each minute. “They’re coming.”
Surely enough, Maltazard and Selenia arrived at the prison, with the newly titled empress moving forward while the emperor trailed behind her, a smirk on his face as he saw the eldest prisoner. I won, the emperor thought smugly. And you thought I wouldn’t. Once again, I’ve shown you who is supreme.
“Betameche, Arthur!” cried the new empress as she ran towards the prison.
“Selenia!” the two cried as they ran to the front of the cell, gripping the bars tightly.
“Oh thank the gods, you’re alright!” Selenia cried as she hugged the both of them through the bars. “I’m so sorry this happened. You weren’t supposed to end up here. I – I tried to make sure you two would be free and allowed to return home peacefully, but—”
“What do you mean?” Arthur interrupted. “You’re talking as if you made a deal with M.”
The former princess looked down. “That’s because I did,” she sighed.
“You what?” Archibald cried.
She turned to the old man, eyes widening. “Archibald? Is that you?!” she gasped at the sight of him. It had been so long since they’d last seen each other.
He nodded. “Yes, it’s me.” He walked over to the front of the prisoner and they hugged one another through the bars. When they pulled away from the hug, he patted her arms and said, “You haven’t changed much at all.” He smiled slightly. “It’s good to see you again.”
She smiled back at him. “Likewise!” Then her smile faded. “I just wish it was under different circumstances…”
The old man’s small smile soon faded. “Likewise.” He looked down for a moment, then back at her and asked, “So, you married Maltazard?”
She nodded sadly. “Yes,” she replied. “I gave my first kiss to Maltazard.”
Arthur and Betameche both gasped at this revelation. “What?!”
“You willingly kissed him?!”
“Why would you do that?!”
“Selenia, what were you thinking?!”
Archibald shook his head at his grandson and the prince, then looked back at the former princess. “I’m sorry about them,” he apologized on their behalf. “They’ve just been worried sick about you, especially after hearing from two osmates about your wedding to M…”
Selenia’s heart ached. She hadn’t meant to cause such distress for her brother and friend. She only did what she had to, what she thought was best for them. And the fact that they had to learn of this from the osmates, it only made it hurt even more, especially as she took notice of the wet tears on her brother’s blotchy face and the way Arthur’s body trembled. She looked at Archibald and saw sorrow in his eyes, and she knew this wouldn’t be the only time she saw such a reaction to her decision. She could only imagine how her father and Miro would react, how her people would react to the news that their new king was none other than Emperor Maltazard of Necropolis. She could even hear her father’s voice.
“Oh Selenia, what have you done? Why did you choose him as your king? You’ve practically condemned us all!”
“So, why did you decide to do it?” Archibald asked, snapping her out of her thoughts. “Why did you give him your first kiss? Why did you marry him?”
“I did it for my kingdom and my people,” Selenia answered honestly. “This war has gone on long enough. The constant raids, the constant losses, the constant fear and threat of being wiped out — the first kingdom doesn’t need that. It needs stability and security. It is my duty as future queen to provide this for everyone, and make my people and kingdom's safety a priority. With this marriage, Necropolis will no longer be a threat to us. So I made a deal with Maltazard that if I give him my first kiss and healing, he would stop the raids and provide a secure, fair rule over the land.” She gestured to the other two prisoners. “And he even promised he would let Arthur and Betameche go unharmed.”
“Yeah, and how did he follow that promise up?” Beta asked rhetorically.
Selenia stared at him. “I know. Believe me, I was angry when he ordered for you to be thrown in here, even if it was supposedly temporary.” She shot a glare at her husband, who stood far behind them all. The emperor simply shrugged in return. The former princess rolled her eyes and looked back at the trio. “But I promise you now, you’re all going to be free soon. I've convinced him to keep to his word and let you go.”
Arthur and Betameche's eyes lit up. “You did? How?” her brother asked.
"A lot of persuasion," she replied simply. "Once I have my mind set on something, I see to it that it's done. My dearest husband learned that recently."
Archibald chuckled, a mixture of light heartedness and sadness in it. "You're a very brave and thoughtful one, I'll give you that," he said. "It's very noble of you to want to protect everyone by making such a deal, by entering a marriage with him. But..." His features changed to a look of concern. "He's not one to keep his promises when it comes to good deeds — perhaps back then, he was, but not now. What if he lies again and goes back on his word? What if he uses this as an opportunity to conquer the first kingdom and take more slaves and prisoners?"
"Don't worry, he won't," Selenia answered firmly. "I'll make sure he keeps his promises and that this war ends. As empress, it is my job to ensure the prosperity of these lands." She put her hand over her chest as she said these words. It was a tough decision and she understood why it hurt her friends and brother, but it had to be done. Now she could only pray they would come to understand why she did what she had done. "And I swear that the emperor shall not go back on his word, unless he wishes to face the wrath of his empress."
"Oh, how touching," Maltazard said as he walked over to the four, a condescending grin on his face. "You really believe I will cower to your demands so easily? Honestly my dear, you don't know me at all." He shook his head at his wife.
"Watch it," she warned her husband. "Or I'll show you more of my thorns."
He put a hand up. "There's no need for that now. Besides, I thought you were focused on your little brother and friends?" He turned to the three prisoners. "By the way, what a pleasure it is to meet my brother-in-law and the companion of my bride. And to see you again too, Archibald." He bowed mockingly.
"The pleasure's all yours," Archibald retorted.
Arthur titled his head, confused by the appearance of the emperor. He expected him to be much more...threatening in appearance. "That's Maltazard, the evil M? He's...not as scary as I thought he'd be," he admitted aloud.
"That's what you're focusing on?!" Beta yelled at the child, looking at him incredulously. "Not the fact that he's the one who sent those osmates and his son after us? Not the fact that it is considered bad luck to even say his name aloud due to all the destruction he's caused? Not the fact that he's ruled these lands as its tyrant with an iron fist, pillaged towns and took the survivors as his slaves, and to top it all off: that started with the betrayal of his own people?! Not the fact he's been trying to take my sister as his bride and even succeeded?!"
"You just had to bring that up?" Arthur asked, glaring at the prince. Now it was his turn to be upset. "Rub the salt in the wound further, why don't you?"
"Oh I'm sorry," Beta spoke snarkily. "But last time I checked, you're not the one who's his brother-in-law! It's not your kingdom he now rules! It's not your sister he's married to—"
"Calm yourself," Maltazard interrupted his in-law. "I have no intention of ill-will towards the new land I've acquired, not after my lovely flower has given me the gift of healing." He gestured to his wife. "And don't you worry, I shall treat her right."
"I don't believe you for a second," Betameche hissed. "You dirty, son of a..." he trailed off, trying to find the right words. "Son of a cockroach!"
"You're not as clever with insults as your sister," the emperor said bluntly. "That hurt as much as a prick from a needle would on my previous form. Even Darkos could do better than that." There was a hint of disdain in his voice when he mentioned his son. It was no secret to the citizens of Necropolis that the emperor held no care for his only offspring, given the circumstances of the dark prince's birth.
However, this made the new empress felt a twang of sympathy for her new stepson. What kind of father would speak of his only child with such disdain? She was aware of Darkos' parentage, that he came from the same weevil whose poisonous kiss turned Maltazard into a decomposing beast, but still...it wasn't like he chose to be born from such an ill-fated union. Rather, he was just unfortunate to come from such a case.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Archibald's next remark.
"So I see you've gotten the kiss of a princess and your healing," the old man commented. "Shame that it had to come from an arrangement by Selenia for you to acquire it and become king of the minimoys just so the war would end. You knew of her loyalty to them." He pointed at the emperor accusingly. "You knew the future queen needed a king. You knew she would do anything to protect her kingdom. You knew of her compassionate side—"
"Are you accusing me of using bribery to get what I want? That's low, even for your human standards, Archibald," the emperor scoffed. "I'll have you know that Selenia willingly gave me the kiss and the healing. In exchange, I promised to cease any fire upon the first kingdom and to refrain from any more pillaging and enslavement. I even swore to be a fair and just ruler. Did I not, my precious flower?" He looked to his wife.
Selenia looked at her husband and nodded slowly. "You did promise me that, yes," she said quietly.
Maltazard smirked. "And I shall keep that promise. Besides..." He looked to the prisoners. "I could have easily just conquered the first kingdom by now if I wasn't going to keep my word, but I didn't."
“Doesn’t change the fact that you’re still a monster,” Archibald spat. “Maybe not on the outside anymore, but on the inside? A malevolent barbarian 'till the end.”
“Maybe, but I also know how to be noble,” said Maltazard simply. “I promised my dear wife I’d let your grandson and her brother go, and so I shall.” He snapped his fingers and in came some osmates, along with Darkos. “Release the new prisoners,” he ordered.
Darkos looked at his father, surprised by this. “But father—”
“Do it now,” Maltazard ordered. “Unless you wish to upset your stepmother, and I’d hate for my bride to be upset on her wedding night, since that means I’d have to resort to…well.” He drew a slicing notion across his neck for emphasis.
Darkos nodded quickly and opened the cell doors, and the osmates dragged Arthur and Betameche out much to their grunting, kicking and protests. “Hey, wait—!”
“Wait a minute, what about Archibald?” Selenia asked Maltazard, gesturing to the elderly man who still remained in the prison. “He should be free too.”
“Ah but I didn’t include him in bargain, did I now?” the emperor brought up, a cheeky smirk on his face. “No, I said I’d let your friend and brother go, and I’m keeping my word now. I thought you’d be happy and satisfied with this.”
Selenia's fists shook angrily. How dare he act so smug? How dare he use their bargain and turn it on her? Well, she wouldn't have that, nor would she let him get away with it. “Not when you’re keeping one of my other friends as a prisoner!” she shouted, stomping her foot. The two osmates, Arthur, Betameche and Darkos all looked at the former princess, surprised at how stubborn she was being when facing M himself. “You will release Archibald this once,” she commanded. “As your empress, this is a direct order.”
Maltazard chuckled. “My, what a defiant one you are, Selenia. It’s very attractive…” He licked his lips as he looked at her for a moment, then his grin faded. “But also becoming a nuisance. I’m giving you what you want by freeing those two, yet you persist in your insolent behavior. Why must you keep demanding for more?”
Selenia glared at him. “I demand not for much but the freedom for all of my friends, including the one you still wish to hold in prison even though he’s done nothing wrong,” she responded sternly. She didn’t understand why Archibald had even been captured to begin with. There was no way he’d been trespassing anywhere near the territory of the wastelands, so how did he end up a prisoner of Necropolis? Or was it an attempt of M to gain knowledge that could be used to conquer and pillage the remaining kingdoms? It wouldn’t surprise her if that was the case, which made her thankful she chose to marry him, for it meant that such a plan wouldn’t be put into action. This would save countless lives, at least she hoped it would. “I will only repeat myself this once: release him now.”
He glared back at her. “On the contrary, he’s partaken in ruining my life,” the emperor shot back. “But you wouldn’t know that. You know nothing of what happened all those years ago. You know not of the facts, but what you’ve been told through those supposed history lessons.” The lord of Necropolis looked away from his wife for a moment, feeling a sudden pain in his heart — the first surge of pain he’d felt in centuries. It was one of the downsides that came with healing: the numbness shielded him from this sort of pain, but with the disappearance of that advantage, he now felt the pang in his heart all too well. The hurt that came with remembering the past, how he went from being a beloved figure by the citizens of the first kingdom to the villain in the minimoys' folklore. After all he had done for them, that was the payment he received? They chose this pathetic human and his books over his heroic actions. They turned on him for one simple mistake he made. Well now was his time to have the last laugh. “His imprisonment is my vengeance,” he said coldly, though there was a hint of hurt in his voice too, one that only three individuals in the room seemed to notice. One of which was the emperor's bride.
Selenia’s expression softened, yet she still stood her ground. She would talk with him later about his past, find out what he meant by that and how exactly the human ruined his life, but for now…she focused on what she strove to do: to see all of her friends freed. So she said to him: “Whatever might have happened in the past, that doesn’t give you the right to imprison him now. Haven’t you ever heard of the phrase, ‘Two wrongs don’t make a right’? This won’t bring you any retribution in the long run, only consequences that will hurt even more. So release him now.”
Maltazard stared at his wife for a moment, his stern gaze faltering the moment his multicolored eyes met her amber orbs. There was that strange feeling in his chest again, one he couldn't comprehend. What are you doing to me, little flower? he asked silently. Despite the anger and hurt he felt, he knew she had a point, yet he couldn't relent. He had his victory now and he wanted to relish in that, and releasing one of those who wronged him would only put a damper on that victory. "I'm afraid I cannot do that, my dear flower," he told her, shaking his head. "Not when I've finally won."
Selenia's face fell and her heart sank. She felt a pain inside her, one she couldn't explain but his words hurt her so. She blinked back tears and shook her head. Focus. Don't get distracted by emotions. Don't let it get to you this much. She breathed in, then shouted, “To hell with winning!” She stomped her foot even harder on the ground, startling those surrounding her save for her husband, who looked at her in surprise. “Don’t you have any sense of honor? Any sense of dignity within you?! You may celebrate now, but later on you’ll be filled with nothing but coldness! You’re separating a grandfather from his grandson — you’re tearing apart a family yet again! And for what: some pathetic revenge? To relish in a supposed victory over something that happened centuries ago?!”
Maltazard blinked at his empress consort for a few seconds, surprised by her fierceness. So bold and daring... he quickly regained his focus though, his eyebrows furrowing at her as he spoke: “You don’t know what happened all those centuries ago. You have no idea—”
“I might not know the full story, but what I do know is that wronging him won’t make you feel any good in the long run,” she interrupted him. She refused to cave in and back down. She would have her way, whether he liked it or not. Archibald would be freed, and that was that. “Why so much hatred? Why must you be so hellbent on keeping him a prisoner? What usefulness can this even provide you?”
Maltazard was about to object and argue in stubborn favor of his decision, but realized once again…the empress consort had a good point. Archibald held no use anymore as he now had the first kingdom, so his plans of conquering it by using the knowledge of what the human had taught him and the osmates were rendered all for naught. Furthermore, keeping him as prisoner while freeing the other two made his wife more stubborn. If he wanted to prevent any more difficulty from her and partake in any festivities, then he would have to give into some of her demands...even if it meant giving up a part of his revenge scheme. So he sighed and said, "I see your point. I suppose I could add onto my promise." He looked to the remaining prisoner. "Alright, I shall let Archibald go as well." He gestured for one of the osmates to release the elder. He then looked back at his wife. "Only because you keep insisting."
Selenia smiled slightly at this, feeling proud that she managed to obtain the freedom of yet another friend and get M to see things her way. "Thank you." She bowed at him, then walked over to her friends and brother.
Maltazard scowled for a moment, then huffed as he watched his wife begin to talk with the former prisoners. "You're welcome," he muttered, feeling his ears twitch slightly. There was this strangely nice feeling as those two words echoed through his mind, but he tried to push back that thought. She was just a stubborn princess whom he was giving into temporarily, that's all. Just his needy little wife. Still... she was a bold one. Most flowers didn't stand up to weeds, but this one was a special kind of flower who did, which strangely enough made him thankful he had picked her. He liked good challenge once in a while anyway.
Next time, she would be giving into him though. He would make sure of it.
“How on earth did you manage to get him to cave into your demands so easily?” Archibald asked, once he was let out of the prison and stood alongside his grandson and the minimoy prince. “I’ve tried talking sense into that guy before, yet he never listens. How come you were able to do it?”
Selenia smirked. “I’m the empress,” she said simply. “He may be emperor, but he’ll have to listen to me now that I’ve got this title. He’ll recognize that I do have power here, despite what he thinks.”
“That was amazing!” Beta gave his praises. “The way you stood up to that son of a cockroach was — wow! I’ve never seen anything that incredible in my entire life!”
“You were really brave,” Arthur added into the praise.
“Hey, I wasn’t going to just sit back and let him keep Archibald a prisoner,” said Selenia as she folded her arms. “I had to step in and help no matter what. It’s my duty as queen to see that everyone who was falsely imprisoned is released.” She looked at the old man. “Despite whatever the king may say.”
Archibald gave a small smile. “Thank you, your majesty.” His smile faded. “I only wish you became empress under better circumstances.”
“So do I,” Beta added, giving his older sibling a sad look. “Did you really have to make such a bargain? I know you don’t want the war to go on any further, but how do you know if M will—”
“He has to keep his end of the bargain and provide peace for our lands,” Selenia interrupted, firmly. “If he wishes to be able to partake in any festivities and go a night without any difficulties, he shall follow his empress’ commands.” She glanced at her husband for a moment. “Whether he wants to or not, it doesn’t matter.” She looked back at the trio. “The First Kingdom shall be safe, so don’t you worry. As empress, I’ll make sure of it.”
Archibald nodded at this. “Alright. I have faith in you, your highness.” He bowed at her slightly, as much as he could given his age.
Arthur bowed as well. “So do I.”
Betameche bit his nails nervously. “But what about father? How am I supposed to tell him when we return that you married Maltazard?” He began pacing back and forth nervously. “Do I walk up to him and say, ‘Oh hey father, about Selenia…well you see, she decided to marry M. Don’t worry, it’s for diplomacy’s sake’ and pray he doesn’t faint or freak out? What if he does both?” He then looked at his older sibling. “And the council — oh gods, the council! How will they react to the news that you married the ruler of Necropolis and made him the king of the first kingdom?!”
Selenia paused for a moment, lost in thought. The council — she hadn’t even given any considerations about how the council would react. She had been so focused on diplomacy between her kingdom and Necropolis that she neglected to think about what it meant for relations with the remaining five kingdoms. How would they react to the new queen’s choice? How would they react to the emperor of Necropolis now taking a seat alongside them? And her father — he would no doubt be shocked to the point of a near heart attack when she would eventually return to the first kingdom with her new husband. She would have to explain everything carefully. She prayed he would see eye to eye with her for once. “I will tell father everything when we arrive back at the first kingdom,” she said finally. “And I will explain it to the council as well when we face them. Don't worry, I can assure you everything will be alright.”
“How are you so calm?” asked the prince, looking at his elder sister incredulously. “You’ve literally married the enemy and yet you don’t seem to be the least bit concerned—”
“Oh on the contrary, little brother, I am concerned,” the empress interrupted. “However, I cannot afford to lose my calm when it comes to these things. As the new ruler, I have to keep a level headed mindset and remained focused on my goals. When you're older and in a similar position — not in the same vein, but almost akin to this one — you will then know exactly what I mean.”
Betameche opened his mouth to protest, but found no words leaving it. He sighed. “Alright...I'll try to have faith in you.”
Selenia smiled. “Thank you, Betameche. I promise I won't let you, father or the kingdom down.”
Arthur then recalled something. “Wait, but what about Mino? Miro asked us to find him if we could. Do you know if he might be here as a jailbird?”
“I don’t know exactly where Mino is, but I do know that he’s here,” Selenia responded. “Maltazard told me that he’s been made use of, so I assume he’s been put to work somewhere. I’ll try to find out where and have him be released as well.”
“I saw him a couple of moons ago,” Archibald mentioned. “Last time I recall, they put him in charge of the lights and such.”
Selenia raised an eyebrow. “The lights?” She tilted her head, confused for a moment. Then, she looked to Darkos and the osmates who stood across from them. She walked over to the dark prince and the soldiers, asking: “Excuse me, but what does the ‘lights’ job entail? I’ve been told of a prisoner here who’s been put in charge of them.”
“You know those high balconies kings usually walk up on to address crowds of thousands? Well, father has one to address the army and all the citizens of Necropolis,” Darkos explained. “But it’s really dark here, so he needs light to shine on him so the people can see him clearly. So we put this kid — Mino, I think his name was? — in charge of the lighting.”
“He’s a little mole,” an osmate chimed in. “We caught him by the border of this kingdom thirty moons ago.”
“He was trespassing,” the other osmate added. “So master ordered for him to be put to work, kind of like the seides. But a bit easier, y’know?”
“I see,” said Selenia, nodding. At least she had a clue of where Mino might be now, what he had been doing and gone through during the time he was gone. He sounded better off than the seides, but still…another innocent being falsely imprisoned by the lord of darkness. That wouldn’t do — that wouldn’t do at all. She would make sure Miro’s son was freed as well, no matter what. She would make sure another family torn apart would be reunited once more. As empress, it was her duty. “Thank you for this information. It is very helpful.” She gave her stepson a smile and a nod. “Merci, Darkos.”
Darkos froze. This was the first time he had been thanked for something, even if it was pretty miniscule in this case. Still, he had never heard the words thank you being uttered in regards to him, not even by his father whenever he managed to do something right. So to hear this from his father's new wife, his stepmother... it felt nice. Really nice. "You're – you're welcome," he stammered, feeling a sudden wave of overwhelming emotions building up inside him. He almost felt tears spring to his eyes. No one ever gave him praise, even if this was pretty miniscule — it still meant a lot to him.
With that, Selenia walked back to her friends and brother. "Alright, a slight change of plans: I'm going to find Mino and somehow have him released. Then I'm going to talk with Maltazard and persuade him to have us all embark on the way back home together."
“And how will you manage to do that?” asked Arthur, slightly concerned yet also intrigued.
“I have my ways,” Selenia answered simply. “Just trust me.”
“Good luck,” Archibald told her. “You’re gonna need it. Maltazard’s not one to be easily persuaded, nor is he very patient.”
“I’m fully aware of my husband’s impatience and stubbornness,” the empress said. “But I’m not someone who backs down. I’ve persuaded him once, so I’m sure I can do it again.”
The old man nodded. Then Beta piped up, “Say hi to Mino for me when you see him, will you?”
Selenia nodded. “I will.”
And with that, she walked away from the trio, towards her husband.
“Grandpa, do you think she’ll succeed?” Arthur asked his grandfather.
“I’m sure she will,” Archibald replied reassuringly. “Selenia’s a tough one. If anyone can handle Maltazard and his crooked ways, it’s gotta be her.”
“I still can’t believe she married him,” Betameche commented, twitching. “Does this mean Darkos is my nephew now?” Arthur’s eyes widened at this while Archibald merely laughed. “I’m being serious!”
“Let’s try to focus on something else for now, especially since Darkos seems distracted at the moment,” Archibald suggested, making a gesture to the dark prince, who seemed lost in thought as he watched the emperor and empress talk.
“What a turn this journey has taken,” Arthur muttered, looking down at the ground. “Two hours and so much has happened… one of my friends has gotten married, and it’s to the evil M. And here, I bear witness to the first moments of their married life.” He gave a loud sigh. “What a night this is.”
“You wish for us to journey with the prisoners back to the first kingdom?”
Maltazard looked at his wife incredulously. He swore to the gods, this one kept bringing up new demands and addons to the bargain like there was no tomorrow. The emperor began to wonder if keeping to his word would actually allow him to partake in any festivities at this point.
“Yes,” Selenia answered her husband with a nod. “I believe it will be good for us both if we head there with them, so that we may formally announce our marriage there. That way, the people will be aware of who their new king is. And you will get to see your homelands again,” she added the last part, knowing he had once been a knight who served the first kingdom well before his downfall. She aware that the first kingdom was his homeland by the mere fact he was born on its soil, and now it was his land to rule over by their marriage. “Besides, I believe my father should know who his new son-in-law is and that I’ve finally taken my place as empress.”
Maltazard mulled over his empress consort’s words. “You have a good point, my flower,” he said. “It is best the citizens of the first kingdom know of our marriage and who their new ruler is. And it has been a long time since I’ve set foot on the soil of those lands.” Or paid a visit to some old friends, he thought, hiding a frown as he recalled a certain mole. Out of all the people who turned their backs on him, he would have assumed Miro would have at least remained. But no, the fool chose the side of the oafish king and that damned human over a friend who went through hell to make sure no one died of dehydration. Well, he’d learn a thing or two once the new emperor and his wife returned. “And of course, Sifrat should be aware who has taken his place as king now.” M smirked at this. It was quite ironic as he recalled a time when Sifrat’s father, Emperor Tarsirion the Long-Living, almost chose him as a successor at some point due to favoring the knight over the crown prince. Of course, it never happened, given the lack of blood relation. But now, M finally took his rightful place in the line, thanks to the kiss of the fair princess Selenia, daughter of Sifrat and eldest grandchild of Tarsirion. What a wonderful twist of events this was.
“So is that a yes then?” Selenia asked him, praying he would accept her idea.
“Yes,” Maltazard answered, nodding. He then raised a finger. “But we shall head there tomorrow. I wish to celebrate our marriage here in Necropolis tonight.”
Selenia instantly had a plan. If she joined Maltazard in the festivities, she would most likely find Mino amongst the workers who would no doubt be helping with the celebration. Then she would know his whereabouts, making it easier to execute the plan of having him be released. “Alright, but only if you let me celebrate alongside you too,” she said quickly.
The emperor looked at the former princess, surprised. “You wish to partake in the festivities now?” he asked incredulously. “After all of your protests and stalling earlier?”
She nodded. “Yes. I realize I’ve been too stubborn lately. You’ve done a favor for me by releasing those three, so I figure I should only do a favor for you in return by partaking in the celebration with you…makes sense, right?” To sell the act, she took a step closer and rubbed the spot under his chin with one hand while stroking his chest with the other, making him purr. “Besides, it is only proper that an empress sees her new kingdom and the subjects she shall rule over.”
Maltazard shuddered in pleasure as his wife rubbed the spot under his chin and his chest. It had been so long since he felt anything, so to feel her hands on him…it sent large waves of bliss down his spine. He purred loudly, pulling her closer to him by the waist as he nodded. “Indeed, that would be an excellent favor… and an empress should see the land she is to rule over, alongside her husband of course.” He buried his face in the crook of her neck, sighing happily. She was a stubborn one, but oh, did she have a way with her hands! “Alright, you may partake in the festivities, but you must stay close to me during the entire celebration.”
“Of course, my dear husband,” Selenia said softly, continuing to rub underneath his chin and on his chest. She tried not to shiver at the feeling of his hot breath on her neck. It felt so nice… damn it, she cursed silently. Why does it feel so good? “I shall stay by your side the whole night.”
The emperor pulled his head from the crook of his wife’s neck, his hands still on her waist as he smirked and said, “Then let us announce our marriage right away.”
She gulped. “Yes, we should.” Once again, the new empress wondered what she had gotten herself into.
When she had been told of the balcony that oversaw the city in Necropolis, Selenia never would have guessed it’d be this high up. She felt goosebumps as she walked arm in arm with her husband up to the balcony. Never in her entire life did she think she would be doing this, but then again, she never thought she would become the bride of M to begin with. Yet this was life now.
This was now her kingdom, her new home, and its citizens were her new subjects. That was how things were now, how they would be for the remainder of the new empress' life.
Maltazard looked at his wife with a grin on his face. “Nervous, are we?” he asked her teasingly. “Don’t worry, I was too when I first conquered this land. You’ll learn to ease into it, eventually.”
Selenia shook her head at him. “I’m not nervous,” she said, eyebrows furrowing as she glanced at him. She looked ahead, gulping and shaking. “I…I’m ecstatic, actually.”
“Don’t lie to me now,” Maltazard scolded his bride playfully. “I can feel you trembling.” He rubbed her arm reassuringly. “Really my dear, you have nothing to worry about. Once this announcement is over, there shall be quite a celebration with a nice feast for everyone. Perhaps even a dance.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her.
She rolled her eyes, but felt surprisingly calmed by his hand rubbing her arm, so much so that she leaned onto him for a moment. She had to admit, he had his way with hands, and she’d give him that. Now if only he wasn’t such a scoundrel in other aspects…
As they drew near the balcony, Selenia looked around and saw that all of the citizens of Necropolis had gathered below in a crowd of millions, along with her friends and brother who were being watched and guarded by some osmates. Amongst the crowd, she saw a certain little brown mole near a bunch of rubies with a control board. He looked rather anxious as he ran towards the area. With the clothes he wore being no different than they had been the last time he'd been seen in the first kingdom, the new empress recognized this mole as none other than Miro's missing son. "Mino..."
"What was that, my flower?" asked Maltazard, glancing at his wife with a raised eyebrow.
Selenia shook her head at him again. "Nothing," she said quickly. "I just...never knew Necropolis was this big."
"Oh my dear, if you think that's big, then just wait until you get a proper tour of the kingdom," Maltazard chuckled. "Then you will see how big it is." He then looked ahead, making a signal with his left hand.
Selenia squinted her eyes in confusion at this action for a moment, until she saw Darkos standing to their left below the balcony. Then it hit her.
Darkos nodded quickly and looked to Mino. "Light!" he shouted.
Mino nodded anxiously and proceeded to pull the levers, and light shone down upon Emperor Maltazard of Necropolis and his wife, Princess Selenia of the first kingdom. The little mole's eyes widened as he recognized the princess. "What?!" he gasped. "C-can it be...?"
Maltazard and Selenia proceeded to walk onto the balcony, arm in arm. With his other arm, the emperor waved to the cheering osmates while the new empress stared down at not only the large amount of osmates gathered around, but the workers and simple civilians who joined in the crowd too. This is really happening, she thought to herself. I'm really the empress of Necropolis. This is my life now. She breathed in and out, trying to focus on her plan. Alright, I can do this. All I have to do is keep up the act, then I can get Mino released...somehow. She hadn't figured out how she would go about doing that exactly but she would think of something.
The osmates continued to chant and cheer loudly for their emperor, until Maltazard made a gesture with his hand for them to stop. Darkos saw this gesture and held up a sign that read: stop! So that is exactly what the osmates did and they all quieted down.
"Citizens of Necropolis," Maltazard began to speak. "I promised you riches and power, and Maltazard always keeps his promises. Nothing can stop us now, for I bring you the best news: I have been healed of my ailments through the kiss of of a princess! And as you all know, the first kiss of a princess comes with a great power — and marriage!" He gestured to Selenia, who shifted slightly. "And it just so happens that I have married not just any princess, but Princess Selenia of the First Kingdom!"
Everyone in the crowd gasped, including Mino, whose eyes widened. "So that's why he looks so different...like how papa described him," the little mole muttered. Then he gulped. "Wait, so this means..."
"And with our marriage, the first kingdom is mine!" the emperor exclaimed, holding his fist up and clenching it tightly.
The crowd, mainly the osmates, went silent at this. "Someone's on a power trip," Selenia muttered, nudging her husband to make him correct his phrasing. Idiot. You'd think he'd know not to be so self-absorbed in front of his subjects... then again, she wasn't too surprised. On the contrary, it was in nature with his selfishness. Still, one would think he wouldn't make it too obvious. How embarrassing.
Maltazard shook his head and quickly corrected himself. "I mean, of course, ours." He smiled nervously.
Darkos held up a sign that now read: bravo! To which the osmates immediately began chanting and cheering once more.
Maltazard smirked and looked at his wife. "I believe you should bow," he whispered to her. "It'll make you look humble, which will fix the little reputation you've started to make amongst the osmates after your outburst hours ago."
She glared at him and huffed, before following his suggestions. She didn't care about looking good in front of the osmates, nor did she care to follow her husband's wishes — she only cared about executing her plan, which forced her to go along with the emperor's suggestions. So she bowed which erupted more cheers from the crowd. She then stood up and waved, and soon came a new line of chanting.
"All hail Emperor Maltazard and his empress! Long live his reign! Hip hip! HURRAH!"
"See? They like you," the emperor remarked.
"No, they don't. They merely see me as your little wife," the former princess said, refuting his claim.
"Well, that isn't a wrong assumption now, is it?" asked Maltazard in a rather cheeky tone.
Selenia's eyes narrowed, but she chose to hold her tongue. Stick to the plan, she reminded herself. So she remained silent.
Maltazard looked down at his subjects and continued his speech. "So let us celebrate our victory and my healing and marriage with a feast fit for all! My most fearless and faithful: let the festivities begin!" He made a grand gesture with his left hand, while holding up Selenia's hand with his right hand, and with that came a round of applause, some of which was spurred by his son holding up the 'bravo' sign again.
Selenia sighed. This was going to be a long night.
And indeed, it was a long night. The new queen soon found herself swept into the celebrations, immediately guided by her husband outside of the palace where a long table with a large feast had awaited both of them, much to her surprise. She assumed there wouldn't be much food left for her, but apparently there was. She couldn't complain though as she had to admit, she was a little hungry. So she sat down with her husband and began to eat.
"I see you're enjoying the banquet," Maltazard commented. "I imagine anger can make one quite hungry."
"It can, along with irritation," Selenia replied simply, smirking at his face fell slightly. She carefully picked up a piece of apricot and cut it into smaller pieces, then began to eat each one neatly. Once she finished, she looked to her husband. "I'm surprised you're not famished, considering all you eat are tiny insects."
"Food is food," Maltazard said simply, shrugging as he caught a cicada crawling on top of his meal. He plucked it off his dish and threw it into his mouth, proceeding to crunch down upon it, making his wife grimace. Once he finished his own morsel, he looked to his bride and continued, "Beggars can't be choosers. Once you lose your sense of taste, you have to take what you can get. If that means eating things that are seen as undesirable courses, then so be it. Besides, I've eaten much worse during the crusades I did as a knight, for the sake of survival."
"Right..." Selenia said slowly, then quickly went back to eating her meal. She would have to learn to get used to her king's unusual taste in delicacies, since they would be eating together each day, afternoon and night for the remainder of their lives. Why does it have to be the nastiest of insects though? she sighed inwardly. At least he eats quieter than the osmates though... she looked to the soldiers, who were all gathered about, devouring their share of food rather noisily. She was thankful that only she and Maltazard would be occupying the banquet hall of the palace, for she rather liked peace and quiet during dinners.
It seemed her husband shared the same thoughts too, for she caught his eyes narrowing at his soldiers sometimes, which made them quiet down a bit. She giggled at this, surprising herself, but she couldn't help it — it was amusing.
After the feast, the festivities continued with a party, much to Selenia's shock. She didn't even know there were parties held in Necropolis, but she supposed there were to be a lot more surprises in store for her, so this was simply one of them. The emperor and empress sat in two large chairs while the osmates, several citizens and workers all danced about like the first kingdom's citizens would at celebrations back home. At the sight of the people of the seventh kingdom dancing, she felt a bit homesick and sighed.
Maltazard noticed the sullen look on his wife's face, followed by a sigh, so he gently brushed his hand on top of hers. "Is something wrong, my dear?" he asked her, his tone soft much to his surprise. He didn't know what came over him, why he even cared, but... he did, somehow. What is wrong with you? he asked himself, wishing he could slap himself. "You seem a bit sad."
"Oh no, no," Selenia said quickly, waving her other hand in dismissal while squeezing his. Despite its rough feeling, his hand felt nice on hers. Wait, what? You idiot, he's the enemy! Your husband, yes, but still— "I'm just a bit homesick, is all." She then gestured to the dancing. "All this dancing reminds me of the celebrations back in the first kingdom." Why are you telling him this? You're supposed to be focusing on the plan! she scolded herself. But she couldn't help it. With the way he brushed his hand on hers, she felt the urge to give him a proper answer for some odd reason.
"Ah, I see," said the emperor with a nod. Then, an idea came into his mind and he smiled at her, a smile that surprisingly didn't feel condescending to her. "Then allow me to rid you of your homesickness and help you get into the spirit of the festivity with a dance."
The new empress blinked at him in surprise. "Wait, what? A dance? You're kidding, right?"
He shook his head. "No, I'm not kidding." He stood up and took her hands into his. "Come now, my flower, let us have our first dance."
"But—" she was about to protest, but was interrupted as he pulled her to her feet, making her yelp. He dragged her to the middle of the 'dance floor', where everyone else stopped for a moment to stare at the royal couple. Amongst the crowd, she saw Archibald, Betameche and Arthur looking at her, each with different expressions. Archibald gave her a look that said "good luck", Betameche's face had a look of bewilderment on it and Arthur seemed to be a mixture of confused and intrigued, to the point where he proceeded to speak to a osmate nearby, seemingly asking a question. What the question was, the former princess wouldn't know.
What Selenia did know was that she was going to dance with Maltazard now, and she honestly had no idea how to feel about that. She felt her face flush as he placed a hand on her waist while taking her other hand into his, her face burning hot as the summer heat when his sky blue and autumn-colored eyes met her autumn gold orbs. The emperor smirked at her and she cursed herself for the thousandth time since she arrived at the seventh kingdom, for her heart began to pound harshly in her chest.
Maltazard felt his own heart beating for the first time in centuries and it was a harsh pounding too, which surprised him. Why do you allow her power over you? You're the emperor! She's just a consort, he told himself. So he kept up his smug act, deciding he would prove he had the upper hand by leading his empress consort along the dance floor. As his eyes bore into hers, he took the first few steps in dance as slow music began to play, courtesy of a few workers who were — despite their dim-witted nature — gifted with musical talent and skill. "Follow my lead," he whispered to his bride.
Selenia merely nodded, unable to speak as she found herself rendered speechless. She followed his every move, his every step and soon, they both danced in synch much to her shock. She couldn't help but note despite his barbaric nature, he was so light on his feet, so skilled and graceful at waltzing. It befuddled her. How was it that such a cold, harsh tyrant could dance like a butterfly searching for a mate? Much less dance more graceful than she, a purebred royal? She hated to admit it, but she could never really get the hang of the waltz. She was like a clumsy cockroach in that regard and yet here there was the emperor of Necropolis, born from homely origins and a brutish one in nearly every regard, who waltzed so well to the point where even the finest dancers back in the first kingdom would be ashamed to even be within his presence, for that was how unworthy they were in comparison to him. It boggled her mind to no end how good her husband was at dancing, while she required his teaching to even get by. It made her feel embarrassed, almost...almost unworthy of such a—
No, no, no! Don't think like that! You cannot ever have such...thoughts! Focus on the plan, you foolish girl! She quickly shook her head and continued to waltz with the king of darkness.
Many thoughts swam through Maltazard's mind as he danced with his new wife, one being how light he felt as though he were walking on air. It had been so long since he danced, the last time being many centuries ago when he was still a knight, and it had been at the celebration of the princess' 500th birthday. It had happened a long while before he had gone out in search of water, so his comrades and him had all been there to partake in those festivities. So they'd all perform a little jig and dance to celebrate the princess, and he recalled how those large autumn-colored eyes of hers lit up like fireworks and how she cheered and clapped, giggling so sweetly, so purely. Sure, the king and queen, who'd been holding the still newborn prince at the time, had applauded him too but the princess' applause somehow stood out to him the most.
How she ran up to him and jumped up and down as she cried out, "That was amazing! You really are Maltazard the magnificent!" And oh how he blushed at her words, his ears twitching happily as he could only stammer out a quick "thank you, princess" while his fellow knights all laughed and joked quietly how they could anticipate the chime of bells when the princess came of age, and just who shall be the next king. Even his old friend Miro had seen this and chuckled, shaking his head while muttering something he couldn't quite hear over the sound of the princess' laughter, much less pay attention when said laughter was followed by her wrapping her tiny but firmly gripping arms around his legs in a small hug.
He could still recall looking down at her and how she looked up at him with those big round golden-autumn eyes. He could still remember her next words...
"Thank you so much, Maltazard," the young princess whispered to him, smiling widely. Her eyes were filled with the utmost joy and happiness, one that the knight then wished would last the future queen a lifetime. "This is the best birthday present I've ever had. You're my hero."
His heart had nearly skipped a beat back then, hearing those words. Even now, it almost did by the mere memory of them. And oh, how a lump formed in his throat then and he barely got out his response.
"You're...you're welcome, princess." The knight bowed to the princess. "It is an honor to partake in this celebration of your birthday and to have been able to grant you this gift, even if it's in the form of a mere dance." He gave her a smile, a genuine smile and spoke the next words from the bottom of his heart, being sincere as he uttered each one: "And to hear you say I am your hero is truly the greatest gift you could ever bestow upon me. Your happiness is all that matters, so it would do me a great service if you kept smiling and laughing as you are now. Do you think you could do that for me?"
The princess nodded eagerly. "Oui, oui! Of course, my brave knight!" she squealed.
He grinned, a sincerely nice grin, and said softly, "Excellent. Then I shall continue to make you happy to the best of my abilities."
And he had meant those words back then — every single one of them. Whenever he and the little princess crossed paths, he did all he could to make her smile. He even let her play around with the sword at one point, only for a few minutes but still, he could only smile and watch as she pretended to strike down enemies with it. He told her, "Someday, this sword will be yours."
"Do you really think so?"
"I know so, for your heart is pure and I pray that it shall remain that way forever."
"Merci beaucoup, Maltazard!"
"De rien, ma princesse."
And oh, how even the queen mother had commented on how the princess had taken such a liking to the knight, how she anticipated what the future held for the two while the king would only look on skeptically, a small frown on his face as he huffed. But of course, it was never meant to be, not in the way those around them thought.
For Maltazard fell into the darkness and with that darkness came his new legacy, one of betrayal, heartbreak and pain. A legacy that would last for the rest of his time on this earth, that would follow him no matter where he went.
A legacy that also left a mark upon the princess, whom he once adored.
Maltazard shook his head. That was all in the past, he reminded himself. He living in the present now and in this present day, he was healed of his ailments... all thanks to the very same princess who he danced for many, many years ago — whom he was dancing with now in this very moment. It was astonishing how his fellow knights' words had came true in a way, though perhaps not how they would have wanted it to nor expected. Not like that mattered now, seeing as how they'd died during the long and grueling campaign for water that he lead... fallen victim to savage tribes, leaving M the sole survivor. Still, it was ironic to see how they'd been right — there was a wedding after all. Which, now that he thought about it, shocked him to his core. To think the princess had bloomed into such a delicate, lovely flower over the years and that he ended up picking that flower, marrying the princess — he could scarcely believe this was real. It almost felt like a fantasy, but it wasn't.
Emperor Maltazard had married Princess Selenia of the First Kingdom, and here he was now celebrating their marriage. What a twist of fate this turned out to be.
However, as he thought about his past and where he was now, the emperor of Necropolis felt a strange pang in his heart as something hit him. He might have remembered the once peaceful moments between them that they once shared, but his new bride didn't seem to recall a thing. It was almost as if the memories faded from her mind and all she knew now were the lies told to her by the kingdom, by Sifrat and all those who turned their backs on the one who strived to protect them. She couldn't remember that this wasn't the first time they danced. She didn't remember that he had once been her hero.
Why do you care so much if she remembers or not? he asked himself, trying to shake away these sad laments. It doesn't matter now. What matters is that you've won. With her kiss, the first kingdom is yours. You are king of the minimoys now. Stop moping and rejoice! This is your victory! And so that's what he tried to do: rejoice in his victory, doing so by twirling his bride suddenly.
Selenia gasped as she was twirled by her husband, spinning around in a circle for a moment until she found herself in his arms. She blushed as he held her, her ears twitching. His cold hands on her warm arms...it felt strangely nice, and she didn't know why. And the way his eyes gazed into hers... damn it, he was good. She hated to admit it but he was really good, even if he was a scoundrel. "For someone who's slaughtered so many, you're quite graceful on your feet," she found herself saying aloud, to which she inwardly slapped herself. You stupid —
"Thank you, my lovely flower," said Maltazard, grinning at her. "You're not too bad yourself." And he meant it. She was a bit clumsy but still did pretty well on her own two feet, he had to admit. He never would have guessed he would be dancing with her now. If someone told him years ago about the events that were to unfold, he would have laughed and thought of them as insane, but now he could believe it, for here he was now with his new wife. Life threw so many unexpected things at him, most of which brought him many woes, but this? This was something he could enjoy, for this signaled a new era — a new rule.
The odds were all in his favor now, thanks to the Princess Selenia. She who he watched grow from a simple seed into a fair lily, she who he waited to pluck from the stem — she who was the key to getting everything he could ever want, all thanks to the power within a first kiss.
"Merci, cher mari," she said quietly, deciding to relish in his 'nice' attitude in the moment. The more relaxed he was, the easier it would be to execute her plan in getting Mino released.
The newlyweds continued to dance in synch, much to most of the crowds' awe and joy. Most of the citizens and osmates began to murmur amongst themselves, some commenting on how lovely they seemed together and how they seemed like a perfect match. Others commented on the anticipation to get to the first kingdom, mainly to receive goods and to acquire some land. Then there was Archibald, Arthur and Betameche who had their own thoughts to voice.
"I can't believe what I'm witnessing," Betameche muttered, gripping the sides of his head in disbelief. "Selenia is dancing with Maltazard."
"So she is," Archibald murmured. "I didn't think I'd be here today at this celebration, much less bare witness to the newlyweds dancing but...then again, I didn't expect the newlyweds to be, well." He shrugged. "But I trust Selenia, so I'm sure she's working on the plan."
"Never thought our journey would take such a turn," Arthur remarked. "But...at least the war's over, so there's that." He watched as the couple danced, still unsure how to really feel. On one hand, it was sad it had to be this way. On the other, at least lives were spared thanks to the princess' decision. Still, it wasn't like how most of the stories he'd read growing up played out. Rarely ever did the conquerors succeed. It sent a mixed wave of feelings for the child.
He looked around, trying to distract himself with something else —
Only for his eyes to land upon a certain brown mole.
"Hey, is that Mino?" Arthur asked, nudging Betameche's shoulder as he pointed at the mole. Both the prince and the child's grandfather turned their heads, each gasping as their eyes fell upon Miro's son.
"That's him!" cried the minimoy prince. "That's Mino!"
"Poor kid looks so frightened," Archibald remarked sadly, noting the fearful expression on the mole's face. The little mole was twitching as well, fiddling with his hands as he kept pacing back and forth, seemingly lost and unsure what do to.
Arthur looked at Mino, then at the minimoy princess who was still dancing with the emperor. He had to alert her somehow... but how? He wondered for a moment. Then, it hit him.
He began walking towards a group of osmates, who were currently laughing and chatting about the newlyweds and how they couldn't wait to get to the first kingdom. He reached up and tapped one on the shoulder. "Excuse me?"
The osmate turned and looked down at the child. "What do you want?"
"My friend Mino over there wishes to speak with the empress," Arthur said as he gestured to the mole. "But I'm afraid he's very shy, so would you be so kind as you let her majesty know?"
The soldier looked at Mino, then back at the child and shrugged. "Okay."
Arthur grinned. "Thanks so much!" With that, he ran back to his grandfather and the prince.
Maltazard and Selenia were still caught up in their waltz when an osmate approached them. “Master?” the soldier spoke up.
The royal couple stopped waltzing and turned to the osmate. The emperor’s eyes narrowed and he growled out, “You dare disturb me as I dance with my bride?”
“I-I’m sorry, master, it’s just – someone wishes to speak to the empress!” the osmate stammered out, flinching under the harsh gaze of the ruler.
Maltazard raised an eyebrow. “Really now? Someone wishes to speak to my bride?” He looked to his wife.
Selenia assumed it was one of her friends or Beta, so she asked simply: “Who wants to speak with me?”
The osmate pointed to Mino. “The one in charge of the lights — he sent me here to relay that he wishes to speak with you, your highness.”
Selenia's eyes widened as they fell upon the mole. “Mino,” she gasped.
Maltazard looked at the mole skeptically, wondering if there was some sort of scheme behind the mole’s supposed wish to speak with his empress consort. “If he wishes to say something, he can simply come over here to do so. I won’t interject.” His eyes darted back to his wife. “Unless what he wants to say is something…of conspiracies.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Selenia huffed, trying to keep a neutral expression on. “I’m sure he merely wishes to congratulate me.” She then moved closer to her husband and grinned cheekily as she whispered, “Unless, of course, you’re feeling a bit insecure…”
“Now you sound ridiculous!” Maltazard exclaimed, shaking his head quickly. “Accusing me of being insecure — how absurd!”
“Then let me speak to him,” Selenia insisted. “I promise it’ll be quick.”
Maltazard sighed. “Fine, I shall give you approximately ten minutes to talk to him.” He raised a finger. “But take any longer and I can assure you… there will be consequences.”
“Fine.” Selenia rolled her eyes and walked past her husband, towards the little mole who stood far off in a corner of the ‘dance floor.’ She noted how frightened Miro's son seemed and felt a lot of empathy for him. Poor thing was caught while he was no doubt trying to merely explore, made into a prisoner and forced into labor... don't worry, she thought as she approached him. No more shall you be a prisoner, laboring for M. I'll make sure of it. “Mino?”
“Y-yes — Selenia?!” Mino gasped as he turned to see none other than the princess of the first kingdom standing there, right in front of him. “Wh-what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be dancing with his highness?”
“An osmate told me you wished to speak with me,” Selenia replied. She knelt down to his level and whispered, “Moreover: your father is one of the reasons that sent me here to Necropolis. I’m here to set you free.”
“What?” Mino shook his head frantically. “N-no I didn’t send an osmate to relay that! And – and you can’t free me, not when the emperor will be angry—”
“Then who sent the osmate to…?” Selenia stopped and looked to where the trio was. A certain child waved at her and gave a thumbs up. “Of course.” She shook her head and looked back at Mino. “Doesn’t matter who sent the osmate, and I don’t care if the emperor will be angry or not. You’re forgetting something, Mino, and it’s that with by marriage to Maltazard, I am granted the title of empress and as empress, I shall see to it that you are freed under my new rule.”
“But – but how?” Mino stammered, still fearful. “It’s – it’s not gonna be easy, you know. There’s osmates everywhere.” He gestured around the place.
“I'm aware of that. Don't worry, I'll think of something.” Selenia looked around, trying to come up with a way to get the mole out of there. Then, an idea hit her. “Alright, Mino, listen to me carefully now.”
Mino nodded. "O-okay."
"You and I are going to go over there to that exit," Selenia began, gesturing to an exit of sorts guarded by two soldiers. "I will make an excuse that I am merely taking you back to your post. Once we are out of sight, I want you to make a run for the rocky paths. Those will lead you to a tunnel and through that tunnel, you will end up in the Koolomassai kingdom. The Koolomassai are very friendly, if not a bit rowdy — I'm sure if you say you were sent there by me, then Max and his friends will be sure to guide you back home safely."
"I don't know if this will work," Mino said nervously, unsure. "What if the osmates or the emperor—?"
"Listen to me," Selenia said, a sudden sternness in her tone. "As your new empress, it is my duty to ensure that my people are safe and includes you, Mino. I swear to you that one way or another, you shall return to the first kingdom unharmed and be reunited with your father." She raised a finger. "You have to trust me though. Can you do that?"
Mino nodded. "Okay, I — I trust you!"
Selenia grinned. "Good."
"That's enough!" Maltazard snapped as he walked over to his bride, growing exhausted from her dawdling. The ten minutes were up and yet she still spoke to the little rodent. What for? Had she forgotten that the emperor was waiting for her? How selfish. If she thought he would wait for her any longer, then she was wrong. "Patience is the only thing for which I set myself a limit!"
Selenia stood up and looked at her husband, eyebrows furrowing. "Calm yourself," she shot back at him. "Just allow me to escort him back to his post and then we can continue with the festivities."
"After all the minutes you've wasted, do you really ask for more?" Maltazard asked his wife incredulously. "My dear, I've been generous up to this point—"
"And I ask for just another generous favor before I will comply with whatever you wish," Selenia interrupted, trying to hold back a snort. You, generous? I'll believe that when your son flies with his own wings. "Just a few more minutes, that's all I want."
Maltazard's eyebrows furrowed. "Fine," he relented. "But if you take any longer, I won't hesitate to send the osmates to fetch you. Do I make myself clear?"
Selenia nodded. "Yes." With that, she turned to the mole and began to lead him to the exit.
"I can't believe you got the emperor to agree to your demands," Mino whispered to the former princess. "He rules with an iron fist and bends to no one's will—"
"Have you forgotten that I am his empress?" Selenia reminded him. "He will have to bend to my will, because hell hath no fury than I scorned."
Mino shrugged. "I can see that." He looked ahead, shuddering as he found himself under the gaze of the guards by the exit.
"Where are you off to?" one of the guards asked.
"I'm just taking him back to his post," Selenia lied. "The light post, I mean." The little mole nodded along to the empress' words.
The two guards looked at each other, then stepped aside. "Alright, you may go ahead, your majesty."
Selenia smirked and bowed slightly. "Thank you, gentlemen." With that, she led Mino out.
"I can't believe that actually worked!" the mole whisper-yelled. "The guards really believed you!"
"Of course the guards believed me," Selenia said, rolling her eyes slightly. "They wouldn't ever think of the mere thought of their new empress lying to them. After all, if Maltazard always keeps his promises, then with that logic, so must his bride."
Mino nodded again. "I really want to thank you for helping me," he told the new empress. "I just wish it wasn't under these circumstances..."
Selenia smiled at him sadly. "Hey, don't worry. I'll be alright. If there's anyone you should be concerned about, it's M." She winked at him. "He's got no idea what he's in for."
Mino laughed slightly. "If you say so, princess — I mean, empress," he quickly corrected himself. He looked ahead and saw the rocky path not too far off. "So, I guess I should start running now?"
Selenia looked behind them, making sure they were well out of sight. "Yes, run now," she answered. "Run as fast as you can and don't look back, no matter what." She placed a hand on his shoulder. "Good luck, Mino. May your journey back home be safe."
Mino smiled up at the new empress of the minimoys and Necropolis, teary-eyed. "Thank you, empress. I'll never forget what you've done. I'll tell everyone of your kindness and bravery—!"
"That's very kind of you, Mino, but please hurry before—" Just as the new empress began to push the mole forward, urging him to run, she was interrupted by shouting from far behind them.
"Hey, the one in charge of the lights is escaping!" a seide shouted, having spotted the two. "And the empress is helping him!"
The seide's cry alerted the osmates, who proceeded to run out toward them. "Stop right there!" one soldier shouted.
"Go, Mino, go!" Selenia yelled, shoving the mole forward.
Mino nodded and began to run as fast as he could towards the rocky path which would lead him to the tunnels, which in turn would lead him to his freedom. A couple of osmates tried to run after the brown mole to prevent him from escaping, but Selenia blocked their path and kicked each back. "Leave him alone!" she shouted.
Then she heard an all-too familiar voice shout: "What is going on here?!"
She turned around and saw Maltazard approaching, looking absolutely enraged. She shot a glare at him, but found herself faltering slightly under the harsh gaze which he then directed at her.
"Master, the prisoner who deals with the lights has escaped," another soldier began to explain, then gestured to the emperor's bride. "The empress helped him escape."
The emperor's multicolored eyes widened, before narrowing into a deadly glare as they fell upon his wife. "You did what?" he asked angrily, venom dripping from each word uttered.
Selenia gulped, but tried to stand her ground. "It's true," she said, trying to sound firm but found her voice faltering. Damn it, damn it, damn it— "I helped Mino escape."
Maltazard gritted his teeth, then grabbed his consort's arm and dragged her towards him. He'd had enough of her insolence. He was generous and granted her favors, tolerated her to a certain point, and this was how she repaid him? Well, if she thought she could walk over him like a doormat, then she was sorely mistaken. "Festivities are over. You and I are going to our chambers to have a long discussion regarding this putrid act of defiance," he whispered harshly into her ear. He then looked to the osmates. "Find the prisoner and bring him back here immediately!"
"I hope you burn in hell," Selenia spat as she tried to yank her arm out of his grasp.
Maltazard's grip merely tightened. "Oh trust me, I've already been there," he replied simply.
And with that, the emperor dragged his wife back through the exit, towards the palace despite her doing her best to break free. The new empress looked behind and saw her friends and brother looking at her, Arthur's eyes filled with guilt while Betameche's eyes were filled with tears and Archibald's with despair. Yet she regretted nothing, not when there was still a chance that Mino was able to make it to the Koolomassai kingdom where he'd be granted sanctuary and a way back home to the first kingdom.
Not when Selenia knew she could take on Maltazard, despite how tough he seemed. She knew she could tame him, one way or another. It would merely take a while, that's all. But she could do it, she knew she could. For if she could easily bend his will before, then she could do it again. No matter what, she would never give up. Never.
For she was the new empress now and as empress, she would do everything within her power to make sure to right all the wrongs and to make sure M kept his word, and that there would be a new era.
An era where his rule with an iron fist came to an end.
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The Princess and the Emperor