Page 11 of A Kingdom so Crimson

"If you'll excuse me," I said, my voice quivering with barely contained rage. I turned on my heel, refusing to look at Levon, and stormed away. Jesri's amused chuckles echoed behind me, each one twisting the knife of frustration deeper.

Suddenly, the screech of a chair dragged across the stone floor cut through the air, and a firm hand seized my arm, jerking me back. Levon stood inches from me, his breath grazing my ear as he whispered, "The King's Match is where courage truly shines, my lady. And you possess more than enough of it."

Levon's gaze burned into mine for one last lingering moment before he let go and strode away. As he passed Jesri, I could feel the tension between them, Jesri's eyes blazing with suspicion. The anger that had surged through me just moments ago drained away, leaving behind a cold, suffocating panic. My body felt frozen, my thoughts spiraling as I tried to grasp the truth that now seemed so obvious.

A tournament.

Jesri's plans for me had been laid out all along, hidden beneath layers of training, tests, and cruelty. And this King's Match was the finale, making me nothing more than a pawn in his twisted scheme.

My throat tightened, choking off any words, any cries. The realization was crushing, a wave of dread so deep it left me hollow. I was trapped, just as I had been as a child, knowing that no one would come to save me.

Unable to bear the weight of my thoughts after breakfast, I felt a desperate need to escape, to push my body until the pain drowned out everything else. I ran as hard as I could, forcing my legs and lungs to burn, chasing the edge of exhaustion.

When I finally collapsed to the ground, I retched up my breakfast, grateful that I had retreated into the colorful woods rather than defiling Jesri's pristine pasture before the party. I sat there for a while, trying to catch my breath and sift through any clues about the King's Match, but came up short.

It was well past lunchtime when I finally forced myself to stand, the need for answers driving me forward. I sought out Darius and found him at the back gates, surrounded by his men as they prepared for the upcoming party.

"Did you decide to bathe in filth on purpose?" Darius remarked, his nose crinkling at the unpleasant smell.

I scoffed in annoyance, "I need answers, Darius. What am I being set up for?" His stance became rigid, a telltale sign that he knew more than he was letting on. "What do you know?" I demanded, the taste of bile still lingering on my tongue. The fewremaining men dispersed quickly, sensing the tension in the air and knowing better than to provoke me further.

"Eliah, all I know is what I've told you—"

"No!" I interrupted, my nails digging deep with my anger's metallic edge. "Sir Alder mentioned a Match. What kind of Match, Darius? And why? What is this for?" My voice trembled, a desperate plea for clarity amid the suffocating fear that I might be condemned to an unforgiving fate.

I approached him, snarling low and trying to assert myself despite his towering stature. He could easily overpower me with his years of training, large muscles, and weight. He smelled of coal and sweat, never skipping a day to grow stronger. Over time, he had become something of a father figure to me, supporting and challenging me to be resilient against the harsh words of others. He had continued to comfort me after finding me, once, in tears with scraped knees in the forest. I was so young then, unable to recall the exact words that had wounded me, but feeling their impact nonetheless.

"Eliah," he hesitated, sensing his contemplation. "Let me talk with Jesri first."

"Why?" I breathed, refusing to suppress my anger. "Why all this secrecy? Why must I always be kept in the dark, Darius? This ismylife." My voice quivered. "It's my life," I hesitated, uncertainty creeping in. "Isn't it?"

His eyes brimmed with sorrow, silently confirming my fears. A profound hopelessness washed over me as Darius firmly gripped my arms; the weight of his silent words crashed down upon me.

"Eliah," his gaze burned with conviction. "It's an immense honor to be chosen by King Thealor. Believe that you are worthy of such recognition and that you aremorethan your training. Trust me."

He pulled me into an embrace, offering a warmth that seemed to mend the parts of me that felt lost. Speechless, I eventuallypulled away and walked off, the sense of betrayal heavy on my shoulders. Each step away from him deepened my anger, cutting through me like a blade and severing the last ties to this bleak existence and the dreams I still clung to.

I refused to let this define me. I was more than this miserable life. If they chose to withhold the truth from me, I would uncover it on my own.

5

Iwent to the musty library, eager to search for any records or accounts regarding the King's Match. Yet, with each passing hour of fruitless searching, my disappointment grew into frustration. It became clear that Jesri had intentionally kept this information from me, just as he had with so many other things. He always kept me in the dark, controlling what I knew, feeding me only the scraps of knowledge he deemed necessary. It was his way of ensuring that I would always have to come to him, rely on him, and be chained to him.

Jesri's influence permeated every aspect of my life like a shadow I could never escape. He manipulated the world around me, crafting a cage of ignorance and dependence. The King's Match was just one more secret he held over me, another way to tighten the chains that bound me to him. As I sifted through dusty and brittle pages, the bitter realization sank in: I knew nothing about the King's Match or anything else of real importance because Jesri had made sure of it. He wanted me powerless, reliant on his every word, and ensuring that Iremained under his control. For too long, I had been ensnared in his web, blind to the world beyond the confines he set for me.

Instead of the answers I sought, I did, however, find tales of ancient heroic Magics and the dark shadows that lurked within the kingdom's history, one of which was the archaic Magics called Spellcasters. I huffed out, slamming the book shut at the dark fables Jesri kept, thinking such thing as odd, and realized that the sun had dipped lower, prompting me to hurry back to my room to get ready for the party.

Through the large crystal windows, I saw the breathtaking courtyard with flowers adorning tables laden with an array of pastries, meats, fruits, vegetables, and wine. The musicians had arrived, meticulously arranging their instruments beneath the flowered banner. In the distance, the servants bustled about in the greenhouse, gently cradling butterflies designed to be released at the commencement of the celebration—a moment I cherished above all because it was the one night Jesri let me be free. As I ascended, inhaling the warm, earthy air, my anticipation heightened, knowing that Aoife waited with that stunning dress.

Aoife helped me into the vibrant light blue dress; each layer of chiffon fabric flowed effortlessly and shimmered with a mesmerizing sparkle. The bodice sparkled with intricate crystals that glimmered like miniature constellations, casting radiant light beams in the golden sun. The long sheer sleeves billowed softly, trimmed with a delicate white lace hem that mirrored the neckline.

She dusted my lips with matte pink powder and lined my lashes with charcoal, illuminating my gray-blue eyes to echo the vibrant blue of the gown. She wove a delicate white flower crown and rested it atop my dark auburn hair, which was kept in a long curtain of loose curls.

I couldn't deny feeling more attractive than ever, and I was determined to counteract the rumors and lies that portrayed me as a naive, boyish orphan taken in by Jesri out of charity. Despite his claims of goodwill, Jesri never missed an opportunity to remind me of every derogatory rumor he heard about his so-calledpitiful ward.

I hurried down the back stairs that led out behind the estate and stepped through the doors into the courtyard. The space buzzed with activity as guests arrived in wide-brimmed hats adorned with feathers, sleek trousers, fitted tunics, and gowns in every pastel shade. Musicians played melodic symphonies while servants moved through the crowd, offering platters filled with wines, teas, lemonades, and various foods.

Hiding in the shelter of the estate's west corner, I pressed against the weathered brown plaster wall, scanning the crowd for Calum's distinctive golden hair among the guests. Unable to spot him and suppressing my disappointment, I took a deep breath and ventured into the lively gathering.

---