I looked at her confused about why she looked so sad.
”Bounty hunter, there’s no chance for me to have true love.” She whispered softly.
”Why not?” I ask.
”If I don’t marry king Riven everyone will die. His forces are more developed with technology than us, we wouldn’t survive a battle.” She says tears brimming her eyes.
”So you’re prepared to give up your life?” I demand.
”If it means saving my people, then yes!” She yells. “I wish I could get to know you and love you but I can’t. Don’t look for me again, please forgive me.”
With that princess Nerina drives the hilt of her dagger into my forehead knocking me unconscious. She climbs into the emergency escape ship and heads back to her fortress.
When I wake up I cry for the first time since I was eleven. I lost Nerina and she will never be happy. All because I failed to assassinate king Riven ten years ago. All because I chose family over what was right. My brother will die this time and Nerina will be happy as queen of both of our people.
Since I kidnapped Nerina the wedding was postponed for a week and they reinforced the security. But this time I didn’t need to sneak in since I wasn’t planning on kidnapping her. As prince Dairk, first in line for the Crystilian crown, twin brother of King Riven, I have an invitation. When I kidnapped Nerina I was wearing a mask so no one but her would know it’s me. I sit in my designated spot and clap with everyone else when they become king and queen of Crystilian and Haima.
During the reception Riven steps out on to the balcony with Nerina, I follow. “Riven! It’s so good to see you! How long has it been, ten years?” I ask enveloping him in a hug.
”Darik! It’s great to see you too! I can’t believe it’s been ten years! Ah you must meet Nerina!” Riven says leading me over to her.
I bow and take her hand, placing a kiss on it. “It’s wonderful to meet you, queen Nerina.” I smile and look up at her.
I see the moment she recognizes me, I mean how could she forget the eyes she stared into so deeply? Plus the striking green eye and blue eye would help. “Wonderful to meet you too, prince Darik.”
With that I stand up and turn back to my brother a dagger suddenly in my hand. “Darik, I want you to think about this carefully. Will you really kill your own brother?” Riven asks me.
”Oh my dear, dear brother, you’re the one who forced Nerina into this marriage. You didn’t simply ask her, you threatened her people with a war knowing you would win either way. I should’ve killed you ten years ago but I chose family over what was right then, I won’t make the same mistake this time. I do love you dear brother but I won’t let you keep doing this, knowing you’ll kill Nerina in a matter of months when you get bored.” I say self deprecatingly.
”Darik what are you talking about? I could never kill someone.” He says with false confusion.
”You killed our entire family except me because you couldn’t put someone who isn’t blood as leader of your army now could you? I watched you slit all of their throats, mom’s, dad’s, Arlin’s, Male’s. All of them! I watched you kill all of them. And you dare lie to my face and say that you could never kill someone? I told myself that you had a good reason and convinced myself not to assassinate you! I pledged my allegiance. We were eleven! You were eleven when you became king! I was eleven when you put me in charge of your army! You then sent me away for these past ten years on my bounty hunter missions. I haven’t cried since then until I saw and lost Nerina. You’re not getting away this time.” I promise him. With that I drive my dagger into his heart and let him fall.
”I’m sorry, I love you Darik.” He says blood burbling out of his mouth.
”I love you too Riven.” I say turning to Nerina and bowing. “Long live queen Nerina, queen of Crystilian and Haima.”
I disappeared into the night just a legend whispered under the stars.
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