Bow To The King

Back to Manor

The strange roads turned into a familiar landscape and I finally realized where we were headed.

We were going to Benedict's Manor.

I suddenly couldn't breathe. I closed my eyes shut because the only thing I could see was darkness. I would have to face them. That's why he wanted to bring me?

I figured out I was being used, for Gelid's gains and I had no idea what they were. What if Gelid was going to abandon me and offer me as a peace offering? At that moment, in that car I hated him. Still, strangely the idea of being left behind by him made me grieve greatly. Finally, the moment I was dreading the most came and our cars stopped.

"Get out big boy." The big man sitting right beside me commanded and I obeyed, well after some hesitation and him getting more pissed at me but I knew I had to, I had no other choice.

Gelid's men crowded around him as he gave them instructions. I stood behind hoping he wouldn't see me and I would slip back into the car, If I could just open this door without making any nois-

"Aiden you come here," Gelid's voice rang through my ears as he ordered me to come. I slowly looked toward him and everyone around him was looking at me, menacingly. I nodded my head and walked toward them at a much slower pace.

"All of you leave, wait for me at the entrance," Gelid ordered the men and they left until it was only me and him. "It's your father's house, isn't it? He inquired fully knowing the answer already yet still asking the question. I nodded but kept my eyes on the ground.

Suddenly a hand came in contact with the side of my arm and stayed there. I looked up and it was his hand, he was comforting me. "I know you must be thinking- look me in the eye." He was annoyed and could hide it in his voice. I would've chuckled at this if our situations were different but I did what he told me to. I looked up into his eyes. His light hazel eyes stared back at me with an intensity I had never experienced before.

"I know you must be thinking that I betrayed you, I didn't. You must know about the secret parties that are held there, well I am invited to one and you are going with me." I always wanted to experience how it felt to be invited inside but never thought ill be finding out in such a manner. "I want you there. They sent you to me only for you to be killed. Seeing you here with me today will send them a sign that you are here to stay. So get hold of your nerves and don't let them see your fear." The man read me perfectly, he said exactly what I wanted to hear at that moment. "Yess sir!" My voice was loud, it wasn't timid like before but more confident and steady. I had even surprised myself.

"Let's go!"

We were let inside pretty quickly. I remember all the invited guests had to be checked probably by security officials before they entered the manor, but since we were 'Special guests' there wasn't any need to do so. As I entered through the entrance all the haunting memories came back like waves of the ocean. I noticed some familiar faces but they were too focused on Gelid and failed to recognize me. "This way sir," one of the house help guided us through the main hall and into the chambers where all these gatherings were held.

once we were outside, the doors behind which my curiosity had lied for over ten years opened for us. I walked closely behind Gelid. The inside wasn't any different from the rest of the manor. There was a pool table, a bar, a small library in the corner, and many other stations to keep the guests entertained. I wasn't surprised at this but the most peculiar thing about these gatherings was the people that were invited. I looked around and everyone looked as if they belonged to the 1800s, from the worlds of Kings and queens. Just then I noticed what Gelid was wearing. I had been so fixated on my past that I didn't even realize what Gelid was learning. He looked the same as everyone else, nothing different. His upper body was covered by the long milky white coat, while his head was covered with the same colored hat and he held a long stick with the serpent's head. Looked as of he was king of the world where all these people lived.

Everyone was chattering among themselves, but we didn't stop. Instead, we kept walking through the crowd. Waiters roamed around offering drinks to the guests, some of the guests keenly accepted the offer while others rejected it. I knew one of the guys who were catering these things. We used to be friends but when everyone changed their way he did too. As we kept walking more familiar faces came into view and I realized one thing each and every individual had abused me in one way or another.

Finally, we stopped once we had reached the man Gelid was looking for. "Good afternoon Mr. Benedict. I see you've arranged yet another gathering for the likes of us." The man I was dreading to meet the most turned around to look at the owner of the voice which had just spoken to him. As soon as his eyes reached Gelid's face, they glistened with something I cannot tell.

"You came? EVERYONE GELID IS HERE!" Benedict screamed louder than he ever had and everyone dropped what they were doing. Before this the place was filled with noise, people gossiping and playing around but now it was pin-drop silence. Everyone looked at us with wonder and admiration, well not us, only for Gelid. I moved behind Gelid, making him a veil and covering myself from the villain of my story that stood right in front of us.

Then suddenly something unexpected happened. Everyone who was present in the room bowed. Their backs were completely bent as they offered their respects, including Mr. Benedict's. It felt surreal as I had never seen him in such a position in front of anyone, I had always thought that he was a complete authority, but apparently not.

After a minute gelid spoke "Rise." and they did. As soon as this word escaped his lips.

"My Lord, what brings you here? And Mr. Baris? I can't see him anywhere Did you not bring him along?" The more they talked the weirder the wording got, my lord???

"I'm here for business Benedict. I wanted to talk to you about something. And yeah Baris. I've sent him urgently there, meanwhile, I've got myself another right-hand man until he returns."

"Who?" No, don't do it don't do it don't-

But he did. Slowly he moved away leaving me bare in front of the man who was mostly to be blamed for my trauma and the abuse I had suffered through the years.

"Aiden?"