Sinthia and The Demon Duke of DeSidea: 17

“She snuck out, Your Majesty.”

The king was in his office as per the usual, dealing with the paperwork that preceded an Imperial visit. This was the first time an Emperor and Crown Prince from the Nova Empire would visit Ophelia in almost three centuries, so the amount of preparation to be done was immense. Once he heard that sentence however, his hand froze mid-writing. He lifted his eyes, staring at the auburn-haired man that had delivered the news. Although his face did not show it, the king felt a stirring of frustration beneath the surface. His youngest was being so difficult at the worst possible time. He stifled a sigh, then put down his quill.

”How so?”

”A maid helped her. She brought a uniform to her.”

”A maid’s uniform?”

”Yes. And she had on some makeup to disguise her appearance somewhat.”

”Where is the maid now?”

The man turned round, then ordered, “Bring her in.”

the door opened, and in walked two knights, dragging in a small, scared woman. She had been crying, it was obvious from how red and puffy her eyes were. Again and again, she sniffled, trying her best not to sob loudly. Lissa.

”You helped Sinthia sneak out, did you not?” The King asked, kitting his fingers together.

”Y-Your majesty... I was... I just.” She hiccuped, her shoulders trembling.

”Did you or did you not.”

”I did.”

”Do you understand what that entails?”

She sobbed. “I’m sorry, Your Majesty. Please have m-mercy!”

”Where did she go?”

And to that she shook her head no. If he were capable of it, the king’s brow would have furrowed. “You’re not going to tell me?”

”N-no, no it’s just... she... she said she needed to go.”

”Go where.”

”To have fun! She said sh-she was bored... and that it was too quiet. I felt bad f-for Her Royal Highness s-so I helped her. Please Your M-Majesty.” She was messy. It was beginning to get on his nerves.

”You were fully aware that she was under house arrest, and yet you helped her sneak out. Do you understand the consequences to yourself? The consequences she will reap and yours are vastly different. Do you understand that?”

The only reply he received were more sobs. He thought he would get no further with the bumbling mess of a maid so was ready to send her to the holding cells in the castle where criminals were put, but she suddenly said, “I-I knew that I’d be in trouble. And I knew that I could be punished very b-badly. B-but... but what was I to do when the princess was looking so lifeless? Before the accident, Sh-she would just sit in her room, stiff like a board, staring out the window. Sometimes she would h-hum. And whenever I c-came into her room, she would look so happy to have someone in there with her. Sh-she would talk and talk and talk with me. And I didn’t respond as much as I knew I should have. And then the accident happened. I felt so guilty. I thought that maybe if I’d been more friendly, then she wouldn’t think to do something like that! I would pray every day that she woke up, and when she did, I promised that I would try my very best to be a friend for her.”

The king watched her try her best to speak, unable to look at him directly. Her hands clutched at her skirt, like she was trying to draw strength. She was trying not to hiccuping sob so much, and it was a bit shocking to see such a raw display of emotions. “After she woke up, the princess was filled with new life. And I was so relieved! I talked to her as much as I could, and soon she and I... we would talk for hours at a time. S-she told me.... that she likes nicknames too. And she nicknamed me Lissa. And she asked what her nickname should be, and she made me choose one for her. B-because no one ever gave her one. So when she went into house arrest, I could see the shadow of Her Royal Highness before the accident coming back, and I didn’t want to be as passive as I was back then, so I helped her. Please, Your Majesty, please don’t be mad at either of us!”

There is was yet again. That word. Passive. His daughter had accused him of being that too a few days ago. She had said that she would no longer endure his passivity, along with her siblings’ abuse. Was it really so bad? So bad that she had to act out like this? The king found himself thinking of this for the first time. “Your Majesty... should we lock her up in a prison cell?”

He did not reply immediately. He was thinking. The right thing to do was to lock her up and make her an example. No staff would dare stray out of line like that again. It was the proper course of action, for she had disobeyed his orders. That was the right thing to do. “Ever since the first time you laid your eyes upon Sinthia, you had vowed to be a spectator.” Those words somehow came back. Why would they suddenly appear? He was not a spectator. He was not simply watching her... he wasn’t.

”No. Keep her confined in her quarters until further notice.” He muttered, his thoughts getting busier and busier. “As you wish, Your Majesty.” He remembered the first time he saw the three-year-old Sinthia, executing a curtesy. Her fringe had bobbed a little when she came up. “Take that child away.” He recalled, looking to her nanny. The smile that she had faded, and she had sadly escorted the little girl away. Cedrick gasped lightly, the rest of that memory coming back as clearly as if it had happened yesterday. Back then, as she was led away, confused about what had happened, he remembered her small voice ask her nanny, “Did I do something wrong?” Her nanny had then swept her up into her arms, sensing that it may get difficult to lead her away. Now in her arms, Sinthia had looked back at him, her large eyes confused. But mostly hurt.

Cedrick felt a headache come about, and in the silence of his office, he put his face into his hands.“Did I do something wrong?” Her small voice kept playing in his head. After she had been taken away, he had tried to enjoy his meal. But it had no taste. It was like everything had been taken away. In the end, he had given up. On the food, and on her. There it was again. That feeling. That overwhelming feeling that threatened to make him behave unlike a king. He had felt it so many times since that time Sinthia was three. Every time he heard something to do with her, he felt it. Every time he saw her splendid report cards, she felt it. When her birthday came and went and he sent her nothing, he felt it. When he would catch a glimpse of her sitting in the garden all alone with her head down, he felt it. When she would keep her eyes glued to the floor around him, he felt it. And now, when he was making the decision to punish what may be her one and only friend, he felt it. 

That heavy feeling that brought turmoil into his otherwise calm heart. Guilt

He’s finally getting it guys😔🙏🏾❤️