The Three Kings (bxbxb)

"The world is cruel Cassius, no one will have your back when you fall, and no one would even care if you lose everything and come to the bottom of the ladder" Cassius looked at his father heedfully, leaning his head on the older vampire's chest while frowning. His small frame was seated on the King's lap, pale white legs dangling between the great monarch's knees. "You might still be six, but that doesn't mean the others would treat you any better just cause you're young." his father trailed, his elbows placed firmly over the sides of the throne, a stressed sigh leaving past his lips. "Never give up on your people Cassius. After you become the king, remember that you are their ultimate hope. You can't ever, I mean ever choose something else over your kingdom. Not-" the king stopped, giving the crown prince a small pat on the head with a smile conquering his face.  "-even a mate." finalised the king, his words swallowed by a tone that is commanding, yet soft. Cassius just stared, not uttering anything and thought for a second.. It was obvious, his father had meant that if he were to choose between a mate and a kingdom, he would surely choose the kingdom over anything. But that was his father's choice.. So... what would Cassius's be? ______ __ "Prince! You know it's not right for you to cheat!" Cassius pouted as his cousin tutted in dissapointment, his hands curled into fist while blaming himself for getting caught in admist of stealing one of the older vampire's men.  "But I'm a prince!" Cassius rebuked, seeing his cousin snort and pull the stolen piece from his grasp. Cassius flared his nose angrily, glaring at his cousin as if wanting to kill the other. "Look, you can't force me to skip practice and make me play nine men's Morris with you, only so that you could cheat and say 'it's not cheating cause I'm a prince bla bla bla', that's just plain hypocrisy right there." the older pure blood mimicked, the younger puffing his cheeks in annoyance. Cassius's cousin, who's name is Richard looked at Cassius expecting an apology, not even a bit ready to let this slide. And after three long minutes, Cassius gave up and muttered a small 'sorry' while Richard cooed at his adorable pout.  "See prince, you have to be just. That's how a king should act, and you're not supposed to go against those norms any day whether you like it or not." "I know." Cassius answered, smiling when Richard giggled and ruffled his dark brown hair. "Now, do you want to come watch me and the other Knights train?" Cassius squealed after hearing what his cousin said, jumping out of his chair and punching the air enthusiastically. "Yes!" _______ ____ "Cassius come on, we have to go! Or else your father will get pissed!" "Isn't he always pissed though." fifteen year old Cassius retorted, looking at his cousin who was fighting hard to hide the grin forming over his face at the remark. "Well that, I have to agree." Richard let out a suspire and admitted, Cassius's lips also curving up in return. The latter adjusted the tophat he was wearing so that his face was hidden well, trying to save himself from the suspecting glances coming from the impoverished mob. He had run off from the Palace to have a nice day out, his cousin too joining him in the process. This happened a lot of times for the past few years, of course his father was angry every time he arrived at the castle while looking like a pit of mud; but the old king seemed to have let loose after some time.. So Cassius wasn't actually worried.  He looked at the evening sky, his red eyes shining like rubies and his cousin patted his shoulder, signalling him to go back after their eyes had met.  Cassius didn't disagree anymore, following his cousin shortly while gazing at the people who were too busy doing their own things. Some being old serfs and peasants, while few even being higher ranked socials like that one time Cassius saw a familiar looking marquis walking round town.  But the hierarchy never mattered to Cassius, even though he was actually the next sovereign in line. Truth is, he loved his people without considering their places, to him everyone was worth protecting. And a stupid rank would never get in the way of it.  "Have you guys heard what happened to the new demon king?"  Cassius halted in his steps. 'The demon king?' he mumbled to himself and turned to look at the sight where few women were buried in a talk.  "What are you trying to say?" one of the ladies asked, Cassius's ears perking up in curiosity.  The first lady moved her hand around, acting up on what she was saying to give it a much more dramatic effect.  "I've heard from somewhere that he was getting worse and worse, he's killing everyone who'd go against him... Even his own people. It's pretty scary really, especially since the king those demons were speaking so highly of few days before is now said to have become a monster."  Cassius listened, not even caring that he had lost Richard in the way.  "Isn't that guy really young? I heard he's about eighteen or nineteen." another woman interjected, Cassius's interest spiking up on the topic.  "Yeah, but that doesn't excuse him killing people like eating dinner. Some also say he's been spending nights with men and limping everywhere like his ass got eaten by an animal. As far as I'm concerned, he seems to be the absolute worst-"  "Not at all, everyone here knows who's the actual b***h in the game." a black haired girl interrupted, setting her basket aside to join the conversation.  "The archangel." she emphasised, licking her lips before continuing to justify the reason behind her answer.  "That guy is literally batshit insane. The rumors say he's a freak when it comes to hygiene, and if someone tell a curse word in his 'holy presence' he'd snap their throats on spot. He also doesn't give a s**t if you're a child or not, be someone who is not an angel- he will roast you and eat you alive." Cassius saw the people who had heard that shiver, but he only hummed, his mind still curious on the two Kings related to those rumors. But whoever they are, it was obvious that they were people Cassius should avoid, or maybe despise.  "But do you know what the worst thing about him is?" the black head quarried, the other women yelling out multiple questions as response.  And then she whispered.  "He has done all those things from the day of his birth... But in reality, he's actually less than fourteen years old. Now can you guys even imagine what he will do when he turns older?" her answer had people in shock, looking at each other with uncertain eyes. Although Cassius knew this information wasn't guaranteed to be true, he couldn't help but want to hear more about those two leaders.  They say curiosity kills the cat, but before Cassius could ask anything from the group of women, a person appeared out of nowhere and held him by the ear.  Cassius's eyes widened once he realised who the person in question was, letting out a feminine squeak as the said person dragged him away from there, bruising his ear too while at that.  "Wait dad- I can explain!" he tried to say, but his father silenced him with a look of disbelief.  "You can explain!? Don't joke with me Cassius! I work so damn hard to keep you safe, and this is how you repay me? By disobeying me?!" the king screamed in the middle of the crowd, unable to withstand the sheer amount of anger he had been feeling inside his head at the moment.  Cassius knew he should most definitely beg for forgiveness, but when he realised just how unfair the older man was treating him, he decided to man up and hold his ground to reach his own freedom.  The brunette slapped his father's hand off, scoffing hard while stomping his feet on the ground. The people stared and he was mortified, but he didn't let it show.  "Why do I always have to listen to you!? How am I supposed to live in a pesky building for my whole damn life? What am I, a pet?!"  "Learn how to speak with an elder Cassius-" his father said, only to get cut off by the angered teen.  "I don't f*****g care about your stupid morals! Let me live my life the way I want!"  "Cassius-"  "I hate you!" Cassius gritted out, instantly panicking as he saw his father's face morph into something he couldn't decipher. The young Prince felt guilty, moving his hand to touch the man who had paled.  "Wait- I'm sorry dad... I didn't mean it." he whimpered and the king shook his head, as if trying to tell the clueless Cassius that it wasn't the problem here. "Dad are you okay-" and Cassius stiffened, seeing his father bend down and start coughing.  But that wasn't what made Cassius's legs go weak, his body freeze and his expression contrast from confusion to fear. Not at all.  Because his father was coughing blood.  "Dad-d!" his eyes watered, his cousin running towards them through the crowd and Cassius started crying like crazy.  ________ ____ "Angels aren't good as they say son. They are self centered and egotistical. They do no good." A mother says to his demon son, the future demon king. "Demons are power hungry. They don't care about our well being. So never ever side with them okay?" A dying father says to his son, the future king of the vampire clan. "Vampires are conspirators. Never ever trust them, for the sake of every living being." A teacher says to his student, the next archangel. "And always love your mate." They all said. Then what should we do?