Page 53 of Kingdom of Lies

“Course, course, he’s an important man. It must be hard being chalk to his cheese?”

That cuts deep. “Sorry?”

“Such a brilliant and respected lord, it must be hard following in such footsteps without the, ah, necessary facilities?” he seems to have enjoyed saying that.

Keep your temper, Karul, he’s not worth it.

“I always remember that night we all went to that ball. Remember, the girls from Lady Salva’s were there as well.” I say.

“Oh yes, how could I forget? That’s where I met my…”

I cut him in his tracks, “There was this girl, Julia. I think her name was, to be honest, I can’t really recall. I was too busy fucking her to ask her name,” I let out a loud false laugh and watch his face drop with delight.

“My wife? Julia, that was the night we met.” he shutters.

“Me too,” I say, leaving him to his bloated belly and newly broken ego.

I move from the bar and settle amongst the rest, leaning against a marble pillar. My ears scan their conversations until I find one that might take my fancy.

“Oh, him, I hear he likes it in ladies' underwear,” a voice exclaims.

They all, of course, laugh.

"Oh, I have one. Did you hear about Loras?" A voice adds. "He is no less than a miou, falling for a human woman, can you imagine?"

My ears prick up at the mention of a miou, warriors esteemed almost as much as they are feared. I edge closer. My movements are silent, a predator among sheep.

"Preposterous," other noble scoffs. "Purchasing a human is one thing, but to fall in love? It's beneath us, beneath an elf."

Their disgust is palpable, a foul taste on the tongue, yet it plants a seed in my mind.

I turn away, allowing the notion to simmer within me. My father has consistently underestimated the power of emotion and the chaos it can sow. Perhaps it's time he learned just how devastating it can be when harnessed by the right hands—my hands.

The crystal chandelier above casts a constellation of light across the polished marble floor. With each step, I take an echo in the grand hall. The nobles around me are nothing more than stars already dead, their light hollow and fading. Another sip of strong liquor burns its way down my throat as I let their laughter disappear into the background.

"You boy," a drunk voice slurs near me, "you look like someone with the weight of the world on his shoulders."

“You look like someone who should be asleep in bed,” I reply.

“And indeed, I should, but I can’t find a single soul to lead me to it,” he laughs.

“I can call you a human. They have added benefits. You can slit their throat as they read you a bedtime story,” I say.

“Ah, humans, I once loved one, you know,” he drunkenly confesses.

“Really?” I say, intrigued.

“She was the most beautiful creature I have ever set eyes on. In fact, every time I close my eyes, I see her. It’s only when I open them that she disappears. It’s only when I have my eyes open that I need a drink to help me close them again.” he says as tears swell in his eyes.

I have never heard an elf speak in such a way about a human. He must be mad, like that miou.

This is all too much of a coincidence. There are forces at play. Guiding my way.

“You see, my boy, we elves may think we know everything and control everything, but I have a secret for you. The one thing we do not fear can turn us to dust. Look at me. I was once a powerful and most cunning elf. How, you may ask, did I become such a feeble being? A human did this to me.”

It hits me like a hammer to the head. Can I harness this power that has wrecked this dark elf?

I reach over and touch his shoulder, “Get you safe to bed and dream.”

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