Chapter Eighteen:
I Hope to Live on in Your Memories
Riley
The conference hall of The West castle was silent, all except for the sounds of a video Alexei was watching. It was a recording of the battle between The West and The North, yet the entire film was based around one person: Dmitri. For ten long hours he fought like a true hero, and not only brought victory to his country, but sent the few living soldiers from our side home with their tails between their legs. The twenty soldiers who did return were currently being whipped as punishment for their insolence, but they would be back on the field in no time.
Why were we watching the film?
Because Alexei was losing.
He had watched the cruelly wound tape six times since Monday, when the battle had taken place. Every time he watched it, he grew more and more emotionless, and by the sixth time, his reaction was beginning to agitate his Prime Minister and commanders. This was the first time my mother and I were allowed to watch as well, and while the rest of the room fumed at Alexei’s failure, we held secret smiles at Dmitri’s success. Though, I truly was terrified as I watched the battle go down. The deal Alexei and I had made five years ago was ringing in my ears, and my soul ached as if it knew it would soon be departing from my body following this battle’s existence.
The tape finally concluded, with the last shot showing Andrew’s Cavalry embracing their friend, who they thought was dead after the explosions in the main field. Dmitri’s triumphant and tired smile closed the reel, and when it paused on his face, Collin stood and threw his chair across the room. It slammed into the wall and shattered into pieces before he threw his finger at the screen, “This is because of you!” He yelled to Alexei.
“Excuse me?” Alexei scoffed, slowly turning to eye Collin.
“You should have executed that little bastard when you had the chance!”
“I think we have more problems than that,” Walter interrupted, pulling a marker out and circling the entirety of The Five Cavalry, “All five of these brats were the reason this battle was a loss, not just Dmitri. They all proved their skills, skills we don’t have within our own, which is why three of our five are dead. With he being a soldier again, he’s probably teaching that entire army how to fight against us. It’s the equivalent of having a mole, except this one has no intents on fighting on our side as well.”
“Someone made sure of that,” Collin spit to me.
“Riley isn’t the only reason,” Max reminded, “Dmitri would have either killed himself or gotten himself killed if he hadn’t escaped when he did.”
“He’d be more useful dead than alive,” Collin snorted, turning to his king in anger, “Can you say something!?” He yelled in Alexei’s face.
“What do you want me to say?” He finally asked.
“We need to strategize, something!? This is a huge back hand to the face! That fucker thinks he won…!”
“He knows damn well he is not anywhere close to winning,” Joshua cut him off, standing and lighting a cigar, “Besides, this was only a test.”
“A test?” Max prompted.
“You all think I acted on impulse by sending the soldiers I did to The North, but you are sadly mistaken. Every move I make is well thought out, and this entire battle went exactly as I had planned it.”
“Explain how that’s so?! He killed three of our Cavalry…?!” Walter tried.
“First of all, please stop shouting, because you're beginning to agitate me. Secondly, those three were useless from the get-go, and I'm happy to be rid of them. Thirdly, you all seem to forget something; currently, Dmitri cannot fight unless I bring the fight to him.”
“Heh?” Walter popped.
“It is illegal for a Cavalry to partake in any off grounds battle until he or she is eighteen years of age. His birthday isn’t until November, which is just before The Cavalry Initiation Ceremony. He was barely old enough as it is to become a Cavalry, and he is especially too young to fight in a real war based on The Committee’s standards.” Joshua sneered.
“Which you broke by bringing air warfare into the play, yet another advantage The North did not need over us.” Max sneered in disgust.
“Am I missing something here?” Collin snapped.
“It’s simple,” I began, which made the four turn to me in surprise, “He brought the fight to Dmitri because he wanted to assess how much of a threat he has become since leaving The West. If he could survive and win a battle against our soldiers, then it shows he has certainly progressed. Depending on how many he killed, and who his victims were, Joshua can see how much of a problem he’s dealing with. He can continue to pick off North soldiers in the meantime, but his real war is with Dmitri now.”
“How so?” Walter snarled.
“If Dmitri alone can kill three of our most elite soldiers, then he certainly is going to be an issue if he fights Joshua. Joshua is going to do one of two things in the meantime; send more soldiers out with the potential of getting them slaughtered, while also trying to thin out The North’s numbers, or do the more logical thing and wait until Dmitri is eighteen, when he can draw him out of The North for a real one on one.”
“You certainly are too bright sometimes, Riley,” Joshua chuckled, crossing his arms casually, “What would be my advantages in waiting until he was eighteen?”
“This war has made something very obvious; Dmitri is your biggest threat. He is what stands between Alexei becoming the only King of England, and of rotting six feet under. There are multiple reasons as to why you would wait. For instance, if Dmitri is at the castle, then you don’t have a window to go after the royal family. Every soldier you send that way will end up dead, and you’ll just be burning through bodies, which leads to the second reason.
If he is eighteen, you can use a distraction to draw him out of the castle. It would get him away from the castle long enough for you to infiltrate, as well as give you an opportunity to catch him when he’s vulnerable. Then again, he isn’t going to fall into a trap like that so easily. If he ever did leave the castle, it would have to be a large circumstance to get him to abandon his post. As much as he wants to win this war, he wants to protect his king and queen as well, though all of this is what you’ve already planned out, and you only want me to explain it to make yourself look smarter to your peers,” I said, trying to get around the obvious.
Joshua saw right through me, though, and smiled behind his cigar, “There is something else, as well, that would easily draw him out of hiding.”
“Which is?” Max asked.
I swallowed just enough to not show weakness but allow myself to feel an ounce of fear. Joshua came around the table and slid a finger across my cheek, where he collected a drop of sweat that had betrayed me and crept down my face, “Surely he would come running to The West if he knew his beloved big brother was going to be publicly executed for treason,” he hissed in my ear, which made his posse gasp a little.
“You’re serious?” Walter breathed.
“Ask Alexei; he’d be more than happy to explain,” Joshua said while nodding to Alexei, who was still frozen as he stared at the tv.
He did reanimate to slightly turn in our direction and speak, though, “Riley and I made a deal the night of Dmitri’s escape, which simply stated, ‘I will keep you alive until Dmitri poses a threat to my country. The day that happens, is the day you will hang for your disobedience.’ I held my end of the bargain, but now, little brother, I think it’s time you hold up yours,” he whispered stagnantly.
At the end of the table, our mother slowly picked her head up, her eyes glowing with anger I hadn’t seen in years, “You have stolen everything from us…” she whispered, which made Alexei turn to her, “You’ve torn this family apart, and subjected our country to years of torture. I have given you everything I had and much, much more. If you harm a single hair on Riley’s head, it will be a mistake you will regret the rest of your days.”
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Alexei snorted, “Oh, so now you think you’re a savior too? I didn’t see you coming to the rescue when Dmitri was a child, but then again, you always liked Riley the best. It amazes me that you think I honestly listen to, or respect, anything you say.”
“You are a spoiled fucking brat, and a stain on this family and its name,” Mom spat, which made me gasp a little in horror.
Alexei paused, and stood tall to intimidate her. Joshua backed away slightly, intrigued to see where this was going, but also not trying to get himself into trouble either. He was already on thin ice after losing so many soldiers to The North. She looked him fully in the eyes, with the same expression her beloved son wore on the battlefield just days ago: courage, strength, and lack of fear from death. He puffed a ring of smoke as he pondered her words, then smirked and put his hands in his pockets, “I'm happy you finally admitted it, Mom. I knew you felt that way long before this entire war started, but it is good to hear you finally say it.”
“You know damn well I never felt that way about you, Alexei. You and your brothers were everything in the world to me, but you destroyed that. I have done everything you’ve asked of me, but this is a line you will not cross…!?”
“Would you like to join him?!” He yelled, which made her jump slightly, “If not, I suggest you shut your mouth!?”
“It’s not so fun when someone tries to guilt trip you, is it, son?” She hissed.
His face morphed into a completely deadpan expression, which made everyone else shudder. It was an expression many of us knew well, and impulsively, I slid closer to Morgan to try and stand in between the two when he completely caved. He went to speak, but the lock clicked, and someone peeked into the room hesitantly. “Um, excuse me…?” Everyone turned to the door, where a small child stood. He had warm orange hair and piercing green eyes, wore a prince’s combat uniform, and was smirking slightly in embarrassment at his intrusion.
Alexei’s entire demeanor softened, and he even flashed a small smile to the boy, “Yes, Landon?” He asked lovingly.
“Is this a bad time?” He whispered.
“A little; is it important?” Alexei asked, holding his arm out instinctively. Landon rushed over to cuddle into his father’s side, smiling up at him like he was the brightest star in the entire galaxy. Alexei returned the gesture, and combed a hand through the boy’s hair to keep himself composed long enough to speak with his son.
“Matthew is home; he said you had requested to see him, and he’s waiting downstairs in your office,” Landon chirped.
Maxwell and I both gasped a little, but for two entirely different reasons, as Alexei sighed softly and nodded, “I see, tell him I will be down in a moment if you would. Also, please be ready for practice by five; tell your mother I will meet you both in the ballroom. We will pick up where we left off yesterday.”
“Can Kyle come too!?” Landon cried.
Joshua, Max, Collin, and Walter all bit their lips at the question, which made Alexei harden awkwardly as well. He sadly bent down and took Landon’s shoulders, grasping them tightly to try and reassure him, “I'm afraid he can’t, son.”
“Why not?” He asked, tilting his little head.
“Kyle didn’t come home Monday night…” He tried to say lightly.
“Didn’t come home…?” It took Landon a minute, but when he realized what his father meant, tears began to stream down his face. He shook himself free and wiped his eyes fast, stuttering sobs that broke Alexei’s heart. “He’s dead, isn’t he!? You let him die!”
“Landon…!?” Alexei bawled, reaching for his son to try and console him. Landon choked on a hard cry and shoved his hand away, then turned and bolted downstairs. The door to the meeting room slammed shut behind him, and an eerie silence followed it. Alexei’s hand slowly fell, as did his head.
Joshua shifted uncomfortably, then sighed in annoyance, “You should tell him why Kyle didn’t come home,” he snapped to antagonize him. Alexei was still quiet, which made Joshua huff in anger, “You know, you truly are a fucking hypocrite. You refuse to tell that kid anything. Be honest with him; tell him all about how Uncle Dmitri murd-…!?”
Alexei shot up and grabbed Joshua’s throat, slamming him into the television. It screeched, snapped, and sizzled, sending sparks through the room that made everyone duck. Joshua wheezed violently in horrific pain as Alexei tightened his grip in pure hell-bent fury, “I told you to keep your fucking mouth shut. Your job is to listen to me, and only listen, Joshua. If I say jump, you say how high. Otherwise, I do not want to hear anything that comes out of your mouth. I will raise my son how I please, and do not need input from a useless slob like you…”
“You still cling on to the slightest hope that he’ll come back one day…” Joshua weakly whispered, which made Alexei’s eyes widen in horror, “You think if you coddle Landon that it will make up for what you did to Dmitri, but it won’t. Nothing will ever take away the fact that you tortured that kid. Then again, you’ve proven with the boys and Quinn that you can control yourself, which means you just targeted him because he was easy.
The guilt is eating you alive; you know damn well why Dmitri left, and you can’t handle the fact that he did. All you’ve ever wanted was this perfect happy family, yet you’re the one who destroyed it. You march around this castle saying Dmitri is your mortal enemy, yet you don’t tell your son, the next in line for your throne, that he’s killing his best friends.
Why do you protect him? Why do you try and keep his image pristine, even if it’s just in the mind of a child? Do you really think he’d ever forgive you? That he’d give up being The North’s puppy dog in exchange for the person who had him beaten senseless? What kind of demented fantasy are you living in, Alexei?
You tell all of us the same thing every day; win the war, and kill everyone in our path that opposes us. Well, I hate to break it to you, but Dmitri is the biggest opposer of the war next to the three royal families. If you’re going to kill them, then you definitely need to kill him too. What are you going to do when he marches into this castle, sword held high, and cuts your head off? Will you leave behind everything you’ve worked for because you love a child who didn’t fall for your bullshit?
You and I both know the truth behind your relationship with Dmitri, Alexei; you never wanted to hurt him. You were jealous of him being the kingdom’s golden child, yes, that is true, but you didn’t hate him. The only way you were going to win the war was if you created the perfect weapon to do so, and Dmitri happened to be the easiest target because he looked up to you so much. You hoped he was just young enough, and just dumb enough, to do what you said the first time you said it, but when that didn’t happen you were terrified because your plan wasn’t working, so you resorted to physical violence to scare him into doing as you said.
You told me to mold him into everything you couldn’t yourself, then blame me for being too rough on him whenever it conveniences you. I hate to break it to you, but soldiers aren’t born from hugs and kisses. I turned him into everything this kingdom needed, and you wasted all of that time and dedication by letting him leave that night.
It’s sad, really, when you look at the situation in its entirety. I'm sure your hatred for your parents is very real, but for your brothers…? That I question every day. If Dmitri walked into this castle tomorrow and said he wanted to come home, you would welcome him with open arms and act as if nothing ever happened. You wanted to build a kingdom that was to your likeness, and share it with the people you loved. When you destroyed them, along with yourself, you thought having a child of your own would fill the void you have after Dmitri abandoned you.
Unfortunately, though, Landon will never do so.
He could kill an entire nation in your kingdom’s name, but you still would never be satisfied. He spends every day of his life doing as you say and how you say it, because he thinks he is pleasing you. He is forced to live a life of perpetual sadness, where he constantly tries to win his father’s love, just as you did yours. Replacing one boy for another is never going to quench the thirst you have, Alexei. Everyone is so scared of you only because they don’t know how weak you truly are,” Joshua said emptily.
We all waited for him to snap. There was no way in hell that after all that Alexei wasn’t going to rip Joshua’s intestines out and use them as a scarf. Joshua wasn’t scared of his fate, though, and was in fact proud that he said what he had said. Alexei slowly let go of Joshua’s shirt, stood, and let his arms drop. Joshua closed his eyes as he waited for his impending doom, but after two entire minutes of nothing happening, he opened them in shock. “Nine a.m. on Friday, November fourteenth, I want to see Riley Mortimer swing lifelessly in the morning breeze,” Alexei said emotionlessly.
Walter was shocked by the decision, but slowly lowered his head and bowed obediently, “As you wish, your majesty.”
“Until then, keep him in the dungeon. Escort the other one back to the north tower; I’ll deal with her later. We will use his execution as a way to draw out the other rat, and hopefully, put him in his place once and for all.”
Joshua slowly sat up, brushing glass off himself before holding the wall and shakily standing. He blinked, then smacked Alexei’s arm, which made Alexei slowly raise his eyes to him. “You’re not going to kill me?” he actually asked.
Alexei breathed a low sigh through his nose, then patted Joshua’s shoulder once, “No, I'm not. You’re right, Joshua; I am being far too soft. I am clinging to useless memories from the past, and letting them cloud my visions of the future. Landon will grow to hold my name honorably and do what I say, and Logan will help me lead my army to victory in my brother’s place. As you’ve pointed out, Dmitri has become nothing but a nuisance. I must let go of my childish dreams, and focus on the cards I am dealt. I cannot continue to stand by and let the other kingdoms see me as a hypocrite, even at the cost of Riley’s life.”
“I suggest keeping up your charade with Landon, then,” Joshua scoffed.
“It is not a charade,” Alexei whispered, “I do love him very, very much. He makes me extremely proud every single day. If he continues to do so, then I surely will devote my love and attention to him, and will not need to hurt him in anyway.”
“You should pop out another kid in case Landon’s a dud,” Collin joked.
Alexei raised his head, then turned to Collin seriously, “I will not make that mistake again,” he hissed before nodding to me, “Get him out of my sight, and send Logan to my office. I have another mission I would like him to take part in, regardless of what his mother says.”
“Yes, your majesty,” Walter chimed, bowing, before grabbing my arm and pulling me from the room with a nervous smile.