Chapter 113: 113: Contest
Somewhere in the vast South.
In the hidden Royal Council Chamber room.
Drax stood before the council, his posture impeccable and exuding a noble aura. Since he walked in, whispers filled the air. All the councilors astonished and shocked to learn that the first Prince was alive.
Drax heard every one of their whispers but his eyes were focused on the head of the council.
The King, and also his father.
It had been a decade since Drax last saw his father. In that time, very little had changed. The King was still the same man Drax recalled. Stoic, not a ghost of a smile or even a normal expression on his face, cold green eyes bearing down on Drax like a physical weight.
When he was a boy, Drax wanted nothing more than his father’s approval. Getting it would fast track his path to the throne. It was why Drax devoted himself to his studies and lessons. And now, a decade later, it irked Drax that he still needed that approval. Even if the tables had turned.
Drax searched within him for that part of him, that little boy that wanted to please his father more than anything, and he couldn’t find him.
The King stared at him, his expression impossible to read. Drax wanted to know what he was thinking. What he was feeling.
Shock?
Surprise?
Relief?
Drax highly doubted the last one.
He clasped his hands behind him, his chin straightening, just as he was taught. Always maintain a proud front, you are soon to be king of the South.
The King raised a hand and the entire council fell silent. Everyone sat up straighter, waiting for the King to speak.
"You have returned."
Against his will, Drax felt a shiver down his spine. "Yes, your majesty. I have returned."
"The Council is pleased to learn that you are in good health."
"Thank you."
"Where have you been?"
There it was. The question Drax had been dreading.
Where have you been. Simple enough. He could say "the East". But that was too risky.
"Around." He chose to say, his voice measured. "Gathering experiences, as you taught me."
A shadow crossed the King’s dark eyes. The council began to murmur again.
"We are glad to have you back, your highness. Truly." One of the councilors spoke. "It is safe to assume you’re back to claim your birthright?"
Drax gave a subtle nod. "And it is safe to assume you won’t hand it over to me?"
More murmurs.
The King was the one that spoke. "Your brother has been home much longer than you. He has shown remarkable traits of a King. You must be aware of this,"
Drax clenched his jaw. Behind him, he gripped his hands tighter. "I am aware, your majesty."
"We get to have a contest," another of the councilors spoke. Drax turned to her. He had a feeling he’d seen that combination of piercing blue eyes and dark hair before. She looked familiar but he couldn’t place where he’d seen her. So he nodded.
"A contest? For the crown?"
"Yes." She replied. "If the playing ground were a bit more leveled, and by that I mean if you had grown up here in the South, then without a doubt, your coronation would be happening soon, Your highness. But you weren’t."
Drax felt his beast rise inside him, threatening to burst through the surface and strangle her.
"You will be given control of the capital city" The King’s voice pierced through his mind and made him push thoughts of murder to the side. "If you can yield excellent results in six months, then you will be crowned King."
"And what does my brother do in this?" Mere speaking the word "brother" made Drax want to throw up. He would never consider Elias to be his brother. Not in a million years.
"It is a contest, your highness." Another councilor said. "He will be given a city too."
"May the best prince win." The King announced, his voice booming through the air.
Drax only had one thought. If he killed Elias, then there would be no completion
*****
Anna’s eyes darted from Leila’s panicked face to Kai’s smirking face.
What?! His affinity is dripping because I held Ray’s hand?! Possessive much?!
Her brain scrambled for what next to do. Anything at all. She didn’t want to let go of Rays hand, that much was sure. But she also didn’t want Kai’s affinity to tank to the negatives!
So she did the only thing she could think of.
She lunged forward and hooked her free arm through Kai’s elbow. The movement was so sudden and violent, leading to her throwing her entire body weight against his side.
"Jealous?! Pfft. I’m not trying to do that, you giant fish." She huffed, her face bright red as she pulled both men to her sides, sandwiching herself between them. "Look at those terrifying gates! If my organs are getting sold today, you two are coming down with me!" She shoved her fingers into Kai’s palm, forcing him to hold her hand too. "Happy now?"
Leila exhaled. [Ding! Warning cleared! Kai’s affinity has stabilized.]
Kai stared down at Anna, his smirk softening into a genuine, victorious grin. "More than happy," he said. Then to throw salt on injury, he flashed Ray a smug look.
Ray, who had watched everything, merely sighed and shook his head. He knew Kai meant no harm, and Anna too. So he just held Anna’s hand and relished in the soft feeling of her palm against his.
Anna looked between both of them, glad that the issue was averted. "Can we go now?" She asked, her happy smile coming back.
"Sure," Kai said, leading them to the side of the massive gates where there was a smaller, more human sized gates. Anna wondered what the big gates were actually for.
But something else was worrying her.
The issue of Kai’s dropping affinity. She hadn’t done anything much, at least not anything she thought could warrant his affinity dropping. All she did was hold Ray’s hand.
But what worried her most was how calm Kai was while his affinity dropped. There was nothing on his expression to show that he was displeased or dissatisfied. It made Anna wonder just how many times in the past it must have happened. Was that why his affinity was low?
