The King’s Kindness Is No More

now, Grace was probably just three years old. I smiled unconsciously hearing her voice, she had almost mastered the art of speaking by the age of two. She was a prodigy through and through.

I remember being jealous of her talent, she was not only intelligent but talented with the sword as well. Compared to me, who was average in all aspects…she was a gem that I couldn protect.

The image of her lifeless body riddled with wounds overlapped with her face.

I won let that happen….ever again.

”B-bwother….you
e hwurting me. ”, Grace said, wincing in pain as I had unconsciously strengthened my hold on her.

”Ah. ” I let her down on the bed, ”Im sorry… ”

”Its owkay brother, Ill forgive you twhis one time. ” Grace said, consoling me while patting my shoulder with her tiny hand.

”A-aiden? ”

I turn to the door to find the rest of my family, looking at me with disbelief.

****

After a lot of hugging and crying, all of us finally settled down.

”Ill go and inform the doctors that youve woken up. ” My elder sister, Vivilian Kerian said unable to hide her excitement.

I nodded and reciprocated her smile, glad to see her again.

”We were so worried!! ”, my mother exclaimed while hugging me tightly. ”Y-yeah, we were!! ” my father, the king said….also hugging me. I felt a little suffocated by their affection as it felt alien to me….since it had been so long since I felt it. Nevertheless, I hugged them back tightly.

I had missed my father dearly, he might not have been the most competent king but he was a good father. He passed on his ideals to me when I was young, always be kind and just.

A rather simple ideology, but one I practiced regularly to appease my father. I wanted him to be proud of me…after he died, I made it my way of life since I wanted to- I don know.

I wanted to protect his legacy….if that makes any sense, because of that everyone I cared about died….

I don want to think about this right now. Right now…I just want to be with my family.

My parents continued to sob and embrace me, though it felt good. I couldn meet my mothers eyes. Even hugging her made me feel uncomfortable.

How could I look at her when I…-

.

.

.

.

.

– I killed her with my bare hands.

****