Page 100 of The Heartless Archer

“A little drop of blood, how much of a sacrifice can that be? There is no one keeping them in check other than the witch hunters and the common hatred that is embedded in human nature.”

“Is that not enough? Despite your musings, Noora had a life that was mostly tinted in darkness; a little glory is what she deserves.”

His mother shook her head, turning her back on him. She picked up a few papers strewn across his desk.

“Your crush on her has to seize, Kai. The witch personifies everything against us.”

Annoyance was starting to form in his chest, his mind hazy from the liquor. He could not hold his tongue anymore against his mother’s ridiculous spewing.

“And what does she personify?”

She turned.

“She stands for rebellion. Why do you think she is taking part in this? She wants to show the people how mighty her lineage is and how easy it would be to overthrow the crown. Bringing that head of the dragon towards the crowd was an act of rebellion.”

“That is utterly ridiculous. She brought the head because she was mad at me. It was my fault I did not believe her when she told me there was a monster residing in the mountains.”

His mother stopped her pacing. “What do you mean beforehand? Nikolai, did you help her before the trial?”

He shrunk in his seat, his eyes following the swishing of the liquor inside his glass. “Of course not, I saw her by accident before she headed to the task. I did not spew a word, she was the one who was raving about monsters and mountains.”

“Do not lie to me. How would she know about the mountains? We only told the contestant about the landscape right before the task.”

Nikolai threw his hands up, exasperated by this ridiculous questioning, he felt like he just committed a crime, which was laughable.

“I did help her, just a bit–”

His mother sounded like she was growling as she interrupted him.“You are the kingdom’s downfall Nikolai Emil Gyldenlove. A ruler is supposed to have his kingdom at interest not a filthy–”

“Careful, Mother, what you are about to say might be damning.” He looked her straight in the eye, how could she know what interests he had? Everything he did was always for his kingdom, without any exception. Or else he would not stay in this damned palace and marry a girl who was practically perfect but bored him to sleep. A slow grin spread across her red lips.

“Their ways are barbaric. We do not want to impersonate a barbaric handling in Oy Frossen. If Noora wins this tournament it could give the subjects the wrong impression. The people already find her sympathetic, which is bad enough. I will not condone her behaviour and use this as a revenge act.”

Nikolai groaned.

His mother was not usually dense, though she could be blinded by power. The only thing Noora wanted, he was sure of that, was the gold to leave the kingdom. There was no hidden agenda or some master plan behind her taking part in the tournament.

His mother was still raging.

“The Gyldenlove family is known for their proper upbringing and ancient traditions which are close to excellence.”

“How would you know, you aren’t one.”

For a moment it was silent in the chamber. Then his mother charged at him and he barely could sit up before she slapped him across his face. His head flew to the side at the impact, his nostrils flaring as he slowly looked up at her. His glass tumbled to the ground as he got up and crowded her, her glare not failing to pierce his skin. “I am more Gyldenlove than any of my children will be since I am the one who has worked for this crown more than anyone.”

“Worked? Do you call seducing a man and entrapping him into a loveless marriage work? You may fool the subjects of this kingdom, but we all know how you and Father treated each other.”

She raised her hand again but this time he was quicker. His hand caught her wrist, exerting enough pressure until she grimaced in pain. “One time you caught me but never ever raise your hand against me,again.” His voice dipped low as he glared at her, crowding the queen until she was slipping over the bottom of her gown.

“How dare you talk to me like that, I am your mother.” She sounded offended, however he knew it was only an act.

“You might be my blood but lately there has been no proof in anything that you are my mother.”

Her lips parted, though she was interrupted by a heavy knock. She cleared her throat, smoothing out nonexistent wrinkleswhile Nikolai rolled his eyes and threw himself back onto the settee.

“You may enter,” her voice called.

The door swung open with a creek and a sound appeared, wood hitting the ground repeatedly until the person was inside the office. At Noora’s presence, the king sat up from his leisurely position. He only saw her this morning and yet she looked a lot better than she did when she woke up. Still, the skin under her eyes was an ugly lilac, her cheeks sunken in, more than usual, and her lip crusted with blood. The new scar that ran down her face was oddly entrancing to him. Her form was shaking as if she could not hold herself long enough on the crutches before she collapsed.

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