Day 34 King
DAY 34: KING
She groans as she pushes herself upright, weaving a hand through her messy bed hair.
A headache is prevalent, now pounding against her skull.
Maybe she had too much to drink last night.
Funny, when was the last time she got a hangover?
She'd been swallowed by too much anxiety and stress lately she'd forgotten how often she'd used alcohol as an escape in the past.
On cue, she glances down at the garments she'd received from Queen Sophia.
Even the bed she's lying in is way more lavish than her wildest dreams. Things have been rather lax lately but she and Orian have a little over thirty days to get the Revolc and Dia princes to agree to come back to assist Rhett.
Sure Edaps is safe now, but the same can't be said for Meisyr. Leda nudges aside her creeping thoughts. They had no time to waste. They had to head out as soon as tonight...
Right as Leda swings her legs over the bed, she's snagged by the arm and yanked back down. Astonishment courses through her, but in a flash, she lands on something firm—and it's not the cushiony mattress.
A chuckle fills the air. "Humans are rather defenceless."
Before Leda can dare scream, he slaps his hand over her mouth.
Who was it? Avel? No, it definitely doesn't sound like him. He wouldn't dare try this, for that matter. Then who? What in the world happened to her last night? Did she get too drunk she accidentally fell into bed with somebody? It definitely isn't the first time.
Focus, Leda, her subconscious hisses. You can't move! Now that he's slapped his hand on top your mouth, you can't call for help either!
She jabs her elbow into their well-built abdomen, but they don't flinch in the least. They're unduly strong.
The strength of a Spade.
"Hehe, if you act like that, you're just making me want to tease you more." He blows in Leda's ear, causing goosebumps to shoot up her body. Her heart pounds loudly in her ears. Her captor uses that exact moment to free her, laughing as he does. "I'm kidding, lil' human. Calm down."
As soon as his hold is gone, Leda escapes to the furthest corner of the bed for safety. She sweeps him over once with her eyes and is automatically stricken.
He has tousled navy blue hair that hang over his ears, both thick and lustrous.
His eyes are a mesmerizing amber, flecks of silvery light performing ballets throughout.
His face is strong and defined, and although his dark eyebrows are sloped downwards he wears a playful smile, stretched back to his ears.
He's identical to the prince she's become acquainted with for weeks now. So much so. And although Spades fundamentally look alike, this resemblance is uncanny. He isn't Ro, but you can sure argue otherwise.
"Leda, right?" Another nonchalant laugh leaves his mouth as he hops of the bed and stands appropriately. "Didn't mean to scare you. I sincerely wanted to meet the human lil' Ronan brought up but I guess I got carried away." He brightens. "I'm Ronan II, by the way. It's a pleasure to meet you."
The Second Prince drops his head in a mannerly gesture. Hand at his hip, he leans forward until she's inches from his smirking face.
"That aside... you're gorgeous. Dark hair and eyes. You even have cute brown skin. If lil' Ronan doesn't snatch you up I might have to."
"Lil' Ronan...?"
"I'm referring to Ronan III. He does blow his top whenever I call him that so I wouldn't suggest adopting it. That stick in the mud hates nicknames—he won't let anyone give him one."
"He got angry with me when I gave him one too," Leda finds herself saying. "But I think it's starting to grow on him."
"That so? My little brother doesn't let just anyone get that close."
His grin expands as he lets out another laugh. One from the bottom of his heart.
Are they really brothers? Leda's subconscious has to ponder the idea entirely. They're nothing alike. While Ro is more on the hard-bitten side he seems pretty lighthearted and a lot more spirited on top of that.
"I'm guessing you're feeling better?"
"I haven't had this much energy in months!" he replies.
Leda only then notices that he's fitted in black and blue military wear.
Winding back his arm, he reaches for the large axe he's propped against the headrest of her bed.
Then in mere seconds he's in the middle of this spacious room, waving around his weapon in clean, swift attacks; manoeuvring his body with vast ease and enjoyment.
"I genuinely believed I was a goner," he goes on, dropping the hilt of his weapon against the ground and leaving a deafening echo.
"I could feel my life slipping away from me and each day was filled to the brim with overwhelming regrets.
You can't understand the relief I felt to find a doctor staring me in the eye when I woke up two days ago only to tell me after those agonizing months 'you're completely cured. '"
He reenacts the story with plenteous vigour, his laughter both contagious and hearty.
"Because of lil' Ronan, a human, and Mond of all people too.
" His face lightens. "Oh, that reminds me!
I need to go greet this Mond! I heard from the little kids on market square that he's a wolf hybrid.
I've never gotten to see a Mond, let alone a wolf one of all things, so I'm pretty excited—"
Ronan II doesn't receive the opportunity to finish. He's slugged from above. His forehead hits the ground, hard, and practically shatters the marble upon contact.
Leda's mouth plummets.
"So this is where you were hiding." Leda's bug eyes travel towards the entity who now occupies the spot beside Ronan II.
Without a regard that he'd practically cracked the marble—with someone else's face, moreover—the tall man juts his chin.
His blue eyelashes flutter as he skillfully sheathes the halberd in his hand on the guard on his back.
Ronan II easily pries his head free from the ground, as an ostrich would from a hole. He gingerly holds a hand to his hair where debris from the flooring are interspersed, but there isn't a drop of blood or injury to be found.
He grunts as he sits criss-crossed. "Elder Ronan, that hurt!"
"Your fault for dismissing morning sparring," Ronan replies, blue hair tied in a ponytail long enough to reach his back. "Just because we're back to full health doesn't mean you have the right to fool around."
"But Elder Ronan, I don't understand why we have to do training so early," Ronan II whines. "Our kingdom is in the midst of being rebuilt, and we just had that huge service yesterday afternoon. I think we can wait another day or two before sparring with the men from the military."
"Yeah, right. This entire situation has been a wake-up call to our kingdom. No Spade wants to wait around for another weakness to swallow them whole, more so the military. Jack Nixon... likely would've reiterated the same."
Ronan II hauls himself his feet and with a fluid kick, catches the staff of his axe at his chest. Maybe it's the mention of Jack Nixon, but he gains a more solemn air to him.
The oldest Ronan isn't any different. He shifts his stunning amber eyes left, onto the bed where Leda is currently gawking. "Hmm?" His eyelashes flutter. Then, suddenly, he loses his footing. "No way, the human Ronan III mentioned was in this room?"
He trips over thin air but manages to catch his balance in time. There's no erasing the astonishment contorting his face, but he buries it in a hurry. Snagging Ronan II by the collar, he places a hand at his chest.
"Please forgive me and this dolt," he says. "It was the least of my intentions to disturb your rest."
Ronan II clenches his teeth, clearly losing air with Ronan holding in the way he is. But Ronan merely carries that elderly brother air to him. Responsible, mannerly. With extreme brute strength...
Leda does her best to shut her mouth, tuning out the huge hole that has now formed on the ground.
So these are Ro's older brothers? They look exactly identical, but they have widely different personalities.
Still, flashbacking to their grim state a little over a week ago, she never would've believed they'd be the same individuals.
"No, it's fine." Both brothers perk up as Leda forces a smile. "I'm just glad to see you two are back to full health. I guess I wasn't expecting Ro's older brothers to be this... lively." Or deadly...
Ronan blinks, slowly at first, and unhands his younger brother. As Ronan II coughs loudly to regain his breath, Ronan tilts his head to the side.
"Oh," he says, "she's very sweet."
"Lil' Ronan picked up a real jewel, right?" Ronan II agrees. His hand massaging his throat, he sends her a wink. "A human, of all things helped saved our lives."
Leda returns a smile as both brothers engage in their own conversation. He kept saying that, but didn't bring up Avel even once on his list of saviours... So even these brothers are unsure of how to feel about a Heart saving their lives.
"Leda."
She raises her head. It's the least of her expectations when both brothers invade her vicinity with matching giddiness.
"Tell us, was Ronan III crying the entire time?" Ronan II asks her. "Our little brother is such a crybaby."
Ronan bears a semblance of a smile. "He gets all red and teary-eyed. Has this whole sense of self-righteousness that when he doesn't get his way, he bawls from guilt."
"What prince bawls like some baby, right?" Ronan II sniggers, hands over his abdomen. "Remember when we were kids, he'd always give us the stuff he wanted only to cry right afterwards?"
"When we were kids?" Ronan echoes. "He was doing that right before that disease struck!"
Ronan II's laughter grows hysteric, and even Ronan starts chuckling under his breath. Leda has to fight the warmth bubbling up from within her. Their brotherly bonds are apparent. It reminds her of her and her brother, before he passed.
"Where is that rascal?" Ronan II says, grappling for his weapon. "I want to spar with him and see how much tougher he's gotten."
"He's already outside with the men," Ronan responds, securing his. "Taking over your duties."
He snorts, "That's my lil' brother. Always diligent." He props his axe over his shoulder. "Elder Ronan, keep score."
"I'll only allow up to ten minutes. Then you have to get your work done."
"Yeah, yeah." Smirking, Ronan II glances over. "What do you think, Leda? Want to come watch?"
Ronan sighs, "You'll only injure her."
"No, I won't."
"It's how it always ends up. You get too carried away."
"This time I'll be careful not to hurt Leda." He nudges his head. "Just come along. If push comes to shove Elder Ronan will keep you safe."
Ronan smiles warmly for confirmation. "You'll receive a rare scene of Ronan III getting beaten."
She hops off the bed, beaming from ear to ear. "Now, I don't want to miss that."
Seated across from her, Orian's green eyes and red, diamond-shaped pupils stare directly at her. Adorned in a loose-fitted black and red outfit, his bandages have dwindled to quite a few and underneath the warmth of the sun in the central yard where Ronan and his brothers are training, it's cozy.
"A zom-huh?" Orian asks after a long hesitation.
"I'm basically dead," Leda responds, her mind still attempting to wrap around the information he's disclosed to her.
"I died that day Rhett came into that casino.
But since Rhett's a necromancer, someone who can bring dead corpses back to life, that's exactly what he did.
He brought me back from the dead all right, but with a price—immortality. "
Orian's ears fall flat. "Master, are you angry with me?"
"For keeping this from me, hell yeah," Leda replies.
He drops his head. "Master Rhett knew you would become rather angry if he told you."
"Then that day I first came here, I was already dead and never realized it." Her mind is racing. "And I have to eat this fairy meat because my body isn't stable, let alone adept enough to function in Annadia."
"He was sure you wouldn't be put in a situation where you would find out."
Leda tosses some fairy meat in her mouth, chewing briskly. "I was given the huge scare, but basically, I can 'die' over and over again and not really die. I'm immortal." Leda pauses, really digesting the idea. "Well, that's pretty cool."
"'Cool?'" Orian repeats, hopefully raising his head.
"This also means I won't age, right?" Leda muses. "So I'll be nineteen forever, huh? I've never really liked the idea of zombies but being one that isn't decaying or all disgusting looking doesn't sound too bad."
Orian cracks a weak smile. "That's good."
Leda blinks, slowly. "Then the reason Rhett can't use his necromancy on every dead body he comes into contact with—"
"It does come with a price, yes," he replies. "Mainly since Master Rhett is the one that has brought you back, he experiences the same pain that your body goes through."
"So you're telling me he also felt the pain of having his head severed?" A smirk crosses her lips. "Serves that bastard right."
He chuckles. "Master Leda..."
"Stop acting tough, little brother! I knew you were scared!"
Orian and Leda jerk their heads into the distance where the three brothers are still bickering, even after letting the rest of the military guys go. Ronan II has an arm around Ro's shoulders, Ronan standing beside them and taking equal part.
"How many tears did you shed for us?" Ronan teases.
"None!" Ro struggles to be freed but Ronan II's hold is unforgiving. "This matter is already finished with. Leave me be, idiots!"
Ronan II tightens his hold around Ro's neck, playfully ruffling his head. "Who're you calling an idiot, you rascal!"
As Ro slaps rapidly at his forearm to let go of him, both lightheaded and fuming, his older brothers laugh it off.
Orian's gaze has shifted to a rather warm one. "Spades are really refreshing."
"You think so, too?" Leda laughs. "All of these Spades honestly have these hearts of gold. I love how peaceful and together these people are."
"My only wish is that the children weren't so aggressive when playing with my ears and tails."
Leda chuckles as he awkwardly flattens his ears. "Nobody can seem to get over how you're a Mond."
"Yes..." Orian sighs but brushes it aside. "Master Ro's elder brothers are different from what I imagined as well."
"Hella good-looking, too," Leda agrees, focused in the distance. "But seriously, are all suit princes such attractive specimens? Now I'm not sure which one I want to take with us..."
"Master, you're drooling..."
"I'm glad to hear you think my sons are so handsome. Sometimes I even look at them wondering where they get their genes from."
Leda's heart nearly drops in her chest. When they swivel around to find the source of the voice is no other than the Queen of Spades, they teeter over. Tittering softly, she approaches them with a gentle smile painting her lips.
"Good morning, Leda, Orian."
Orian scrambles to his feet in a heartbeat.
"Q-Queen Sophia," he cries, "we—"
"No need to be so panicked," she quickly tells him. "Take a seat. I was in need of some company anyway."
Queen Sophia sits on the chair on the balcony beside Leda who hasn't moved from her place, munching on the fruits a servant had prepared for them prior.
"You have nice genes, Queen Sophia," Leda assures her.
She chuckles, gently fanning her face with a tiny fan. "You think so?"
"They look just like you," Leda says. "Fruit?"
She gratefully accepts a handful from the bowl she holds out for her. "Thank you."
"Master Leda is being so nonchalant with the queen..."
Both females turn then to see a gawking Orian a good distance away.
"You may talk to me freely as well," Queen Sophia tells him, warmly smiling. "Ronan III wouldn't stop telling me how grateful he is to you two. If it weren't for your assistance we wouldn't have found a cure or saved Edaps. With such a happy smile on his face he wouldn't stop praising you."
Orian's ears perk. "Master Ro did?"
"You must be talking about the wrong son," Leda says, cheeks brimmed with fruit.
But Queen Sophia merely laughs. "I assure you I'm talking about Ronan III. He's a very shy boy who isn't great at showing his true feelings. I almost didn't recognize him when I woke up."
She puts on a tiny smile.
"We put so much pressure on him. He must've been suffering for so long all alone and I can't help but feel guilty. I myself had long given up hope to ever reunite with my family again, and yet he hadn't lost any from the beginning..."
She sniffles.
"I just have something in my eye," she excuses.
Leda laughs. The Queen of Spades really is the exact opposite of the previous Queen of Hearts.
"You already refused, but are you really sure you don't want to receive any medals?"
"If you're going to be giving medals of recognition, give it to your rightful saviour, Avel," she replies. "And especially Ro for his bravery. I was mostly in the way and didn't do much of anything to 'help.' My only saving grace is maybe the fact that I'm a sexy human being who's also a zombie—"
"I finally found you!"
The yell blares quite the distance. Leda snaps her neck in the direction of the source, only to gasp.
The King of Spades is huge, and his glower, and the way he stomps outside the palace only adds to his intimidation. The boy he dangles by the collar stuns Leda for another reason entirely.
"Take this Heart away from my eyes!" he spits, chucking Avel's body like a piece of fabric.
Leda's at his side in an instant. "Avel, what happened? Are you all right?"
She scans his half-conscious body in newfound concern, searching for any explanation to what's occurred. Spotting the dark red patch on his neck draws her focus.
Her eyelids flutter. Wait, is that... lipstick?
"Dear, what happened?" Queen Sophia inquires as her husband arrives by her side.
The king's countenance morphs in aversion. "I found him snuggled up to some girls in the infirmary."
Her eyes, as well as everyone else gathered, grow dull from disgust.
"Leda, it's not what it looks like!" Avel cries, outstretching a hand as she retreats in revulsion. "Spade woman are actually really, really aggressive! I only went to make sure they were all right and they insisted they thank my body in return!"
"..."
"Don't stare at me with those eyes! I'm innocent, I'm telling you! I only have eyes for you, my love!"
His pleas fall on deaf ears as Leda returns to Orian's side. She faces the tall man.
"So you're the king, huh?"
Possibly due to her offhanded manner of addressing him, Orian gapes at her, and the king takes a moment to gather himself. Gone is his scorn, having replaced with solemnity. He clears his voice before speaking once more. "Leda, correct?"
"The one and only."
"I heard you turned down my offer to receive medals."
"Yup."
"You as well?" he asks Orian. He bobs his head. The king sighs. "Why must you all be so humble? Whether it be my son or that Heart who only wanted to receive simple land. You saved my people and yet refuse all ideas of repaying you?"
"I don't need anything like gold or fortune," Leda tells him, truthfully. "Just give me one of your sons and we can call it even."
"Is she proposing?" Ronan asks.
The brothers arrive from the field at this moment, having heard everything.
Ronan II smirks. "I always like a bold woman."
"To address the king in such a manner... You never change," Ro sighs.
The King tunes them out. "I heard from Ronan III about this matter," he says.
Jeez, that boy gets around quick, Leda thinks.
"If that is all you wish for, go right ahead," he continues. "Ronan is the eldest son. Out of all the princes in Edaps history, he has accomplished more than I can wrap my head around. He is the best fighter and has the most control of his magic. The ideal successor to the throne."
Ronan smiles sweetly when Leda turns his way. The king carries on.
"Ronan II is fairly childish and often slacks off, but he has a tender heart. He's the second best in any regard and will surely become your impregnable shield."
Hands at his hips, Ronan II winks. "Guaranteed," he assures her.
"Before saving Edaps, Ronan III hadn't accomplished much. Out of magic and fighting style, he is certainly vulnerable at times. Though, he does have a quick mind as well as reflexes."
Ro remains stoic upon eye-contact, arms folded across his chest.
"Nevertheless," the king goes on, "if this is a matter of stopping the Harlequins and their jinx cast upon Meisyr, you may find it in your best interest to choose Ronan."
Leda receives the info-dump with nods of approval.
"So, what's the deal, lil' human?" Ronan II asks as all brothers line up before her. "You have the three of us to choose from. Which Spade prince do you want?"
"Which?" Leda repeats. "But I already decided to take Ro."
The news stuns them all.
"Leda," Ro interjects, firmly, "as my father already told you, out of the three princes I'm the least compatible. I'm the weakest. Taking Elder Ronan would be the smartest choice."
"Sure Ronan seems responsible and tough, and Ronan II is lighthearted and knows how to have a good time, but I want you." She smiles from ear to ear. "So stay by my side, Ro."
Red blossoms across Ro's face in a huge swell, jaw falling slack.
"Lil' Ronan, she's the cutest!" Ronan II gushes, clutching at his chest.
Ronan agrees with furious nods. "Her sweetness hurts!"
But Ro doesn't respond. Or really, can't seem to. He's still blushing wildly and hangs his head to hide his face. He can only muster a tiny nod.
"Hey, properly respond to her confession, little brother!" Ronan II rebukes.
"I-It was not a confession! This is important for the future of Annadia so if she chose me I will tag along and fulfil my duty. That's all there is to it."
Ronan laughs. "He's happy. He's happy."
"Look at how red in the face he's gotten."
"I am not red in the face!" Ro denies pathetically.
Leda giggles. He's so easy to read.
"Leda!" Avel infiltrates her proximity, adorning a heavy pout. "Why don't you confess that boldly to me as well?"
Humming, she places her forefinger to her chin. "Because Ro has cute reactions?"
"I can be cute too! The cutest!"
"Can you really?"
"Yes! Anything for you."
Unable to stifle another laugh, and instead of reassuring him that he was cute enough between peaks of his insanity, her focus returns ahead of her.
"King Oeh, we need to set out as soon as we can."
He bobs his head. "I understand. I'll have the adequate provisions and preparations established."
He turns to Avel.
"You," he says, distaste back on his face. "I've already signed over those land documents like you requested. What are you going to do from here?"
Avel scratches his temple. "Most likely return to Straeh as soon as I—"
"What do you mean, Avel?" Leda interjects. "You're coming with us too."
"I... am?"
"Orian told you that Rhett needs the assistance of the four suits, didn't he? As the only prince, and considering you're the future king, we need you too."
Wonderment swims across his face. "What, Leda needs me?"
"She needs your status," Ro remarks.
"Leda, I don't know how to feel. If you want to elope—"
"We're not eloping," she enunciates.
"For something that was originally my duty, Master does it so easily," Orian murmurs, quiet enough for none but the Queen to hear. The admiration coating his features is plain as day. "She's so amazing..."
Returning her attention to what's unfolding before her, Queen Sophia smiles all the same. "That, she is."