‘Why would he do that though? The country at his feet, possessing riches most mortals cannot fathom all whilst being beloved for being the most diplomatically skilled leader in recent history. Truly it makes little to no sense.’ I heard him shout. 5 years after the incident and I still can’t wander undisturbed in public without unwillingly overhearing people react to the tragedy.
The first year was better. Back then, these kind of gossippers were treated as a menace and traitors to the country if they even dared to whisper about the former Majesty. 5 years after his passing and I can’t recall if I’ve had to endure listening to fifty or a hundred rumors concerning his death.
Hundreds of stories circulating and not even one of them manages to grasp the truth. Linus was a magnificent ruler. A man once so loved that no other man or woman of this country even considered bad mouthing him. Yet what remains of his legacy is a bunch of ignorant tales told by those who can provide little to no legitimate claim for their story. It bothers me. It bothers me more than it should.
‘I mean he even had guards right? How did they not intervene?’ The blacksmith made the blood in my veins boil faster than any mortal had ever managed before him. He continued to mock his Majesty’s guard to his friend, the innkeeper. 2 fools, I could not for the life of me comprehend how they were able to survive in this rathole. The blacksmith continued in his ways until my patience finally reached its limit. ‘Do not mock what you fail to understand.’ I shouted, marching out of the inn and slamming the door shut behind me.
Enraged I crossed the street and headed home. My temper got the best of me, yet again. Keeping a low profile seems to be easier said than done. My wandering thoughts have made stray from my path homewards. As I correct my route, my gaze wanders over my surroundings. The streets are filled with beggars these days. Poverty has risen significantly since the enthronement of our new king. Jeremy the first is what the people are supposed to call him. A ruler with no legitimate claim to the throne. No royal blood running through his veins. As hard as it is to admit, in many ways I had become jealous of him these past few years. I knew the man all too well. Jeremy was a royal guard of the former Majesty and took his opportunity to seize the throne after the incident. As a result, the fool had no clue as to how one should properly look after his country. Since his rise to power, it’s been one international conflict after the other, resulting in death and poverty throughout our streets.
It was clear that most inhabitants were unsettled about the whole situation. Many could not cope with the fact that Linus had no kin. No children were birthed by Linus’ wife for she had claimed for the longest time that Linus was not able to do so. Carella had always been full of nonsense. No matter the cost, no matter the means, she would always have her way. A woman who cared more about her reputation than anything else in this world. Manipulation and deceit were the key words one would use when describing her.
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It always boggled my mind how Linus ended up marrying a woman like that. Maybe their marriage proves that even the most brilliant minds make mistakes every now and then. Linus’ mood would always decline after having seen his wife. It may seem like a horrible thing to say but if there was one thing that made his Majesty miserable, it was that woman of damnation. It’s the woman that I’ve seen carry out the most selfish act imaginable. After the death of Linus, her Majesty the queen decided not to mourn her fallen husband. No, she would not shed a tear nor would she show the slightest fragment of sadness. Instead, Carella rushed to the aid of Jeremy in his conquest to rule the country so that she could maintain her position as a queen.
One might think I exaggerate, or that I’m slightly biased in my way of describing her and that may very well be the case. Be that as it may, the fact remains that the prospects of our nation are currently bleak at best. The country would simply be way better off with a new royal family at the throne. Jeremy and Carella are like a potion made of the most maleficent combination of ingredients. One could call them a recipe for disaster. A disaster that has been plaguing this nation for the last 5 years. Slowly but surely our neighboring kings realised that our country grew feeble. It couldn’t be long now before the nation was invaded, swept and put under the ruling thumb of another dynasty. Considering the current state of affairs, I'm not too certain I'd be against that. As the fleeting thought leaves my mind, I consider them for a brief moment.
Add hypocrite to the growing list of suitable names one might have for me. Seeing as I disapproved of the earlier conversations at the inn regarding the negative opinions of our nation. Only to have those same thoughts 10 minutes later. These 5 years have been rougher on me than I'd like to admit.
I still think about his death every day though. It was my duty to protect king Linus and his best interests and I miserably failed to do so. Linus had 4 royal guards. Me, Paden, Paxton and Jeremy. It was no secret that he trusted Paden and myself more than the other two.
How could he not? Linus had always known that Jeremy was a man filled with ambition. I never fully understood why Jeremy was allowed to be a royal guard. I guess Linus didn’t really see another option. Jeremy was a successful war commander that had lead this country in battle to many victories. After which he would often request that a piece of the conquered land be bestowed upon him as a reward for his efforts. Linus grew weary of his unrivalled ambition and ‘promoted’ him by giving him a place in the royal guard. A gesture one could not decline. With this tactical move, Jeremy’s ambition had abruptly come to a closing. Much to his own disliking.
Paxton was a very mysterious and reserved person. Close to nothing was known about his personal life and not even the meddling Carella could figure out what type of person Paxton truly was. Nevertheless he was a loyal swordsman and his family had served at various levels in our army for over a century making him an ideal candidate for the royal guard position.
Paden and I had known Linus since he was a child. All 3 of us originate from the same hometown, growing up as childhood friends. Despite the royal descent of Linus, and the constant disapproval of his parents. Linus always found ways to hang out with us. There were little to no things we did not know about each other. Later on, we became his trusted advisors and would have gladly given up our lives if it meant saving his. Or so I thought.