Chains of Virtue

Wandering the halls, I could hear the echoes of my bare feet patting as I walked on the cold polished floors followed by the metal clacking of knights always 2 steps behind. Walls are adorned with gold accents and paintings of the past. Paintings depicting tragedy and the war that lasted for 20 years, his Majesty King Althea told me that my parents were killed serving in the war fighting for a noble cause. "To protect the people," he said. I always wondered what my parents looked like, if they even looked like me. The king says I'm special. I don't know how my wings make me special. His Majesty presented me to the nobles last year when I turned 8. At first, I hated their stares. It was the first time I'd seen so many people gathered around. The only people I would see were the King, occasionally his daughter Princess Dorothea, and my personal knights, although they aren't really talkative. However, King Althea made this grand speech saying something along the lines of "God has given us a gift, sending down an angel from above" or whatever that could mean, but the people's reactions were... ecstatic, and maybe even proud of me. They called me their savior, and once the day ended I resolved it within myself to be exactly that. [9 years later, Dian is now 17 years old] "I've seen enough," said King Althea in a stern voice followed by a small wave of his hand signaling for the end of the sparring match. Putting down my sword, I started to wipe away the sweat from my face and I looked towards His Majesty. "During the war, I saw beggars with better combat skills than you". I went down on one knee, "Please forgive me, your Majesty, I-" interrupting me, the King continued, standing up and walking closer to me "You once told me you wanted to be our savior, the people are counting on you. To protect them! Don't tell me that you are having second thoughts". My head shot up to look at him as he loomed over me and, furious at his doubts, I shouted "No Your Majesty!". "Good" he replied, "Tomorrow I will be having a meeting with the nobles to discuss matters of the people, especially with the rise of a certain criminal that is posing a threat to our peaceful country. I expect you to be there, you will soon be a man and I expect great things from our savior in the years to come". I bowed my head, "I will not disappoint you". [The following day at the meeting] "This situation needs to be resolved! Merchants, sailors, and traders are starting to refuse to sell and buy from us because of that... criminal!. She needs to be detained!". Another voice chimed in, "Agreed, the people are starting to gossip and some are even agreeing to the accusations she has made of the king". I flinch at the thought, "What accusations?". With slight hesitation, the noble looks at the King and responds "Baseless accusations that only endanger the people, and as of now seem to be causing a halt in our economy. I propose that a reward be put in place for the capture of this...traitor and anyone who is heard or seen agreeing with the accusations made to the King will be punished as well". Most nobles nod in agreement, "Very well", says the King, "Let the people know that there will be a reward for the live capture of the traitor Fidelia, and any collusion with the traitor will result in execution". After the meeting had ended, I was told by a staff member that His Majesty wanted to meet with me in his office. As I make my way to his office, I wonder about the criminal Fidelia, what crimes she could have committed, and why she would ever put innocent civilians in harm's way. I knocked on the door, "Come in". I headed inside the king's office. King Althea waved for me to sit. As I sat down he said "You did well in the meeting today", "Thank you" I replied. "However! It seems that you still have much to learn. As discussed in today's meeting, there will be a reward for the capture of this traitor. You will become a man in 2 weeks’ time, and I suggest you be prepared to keep your promise. Our Savior". A shine sparked in my eyes at this, "I will!". Nodding in silent approval, he said "Very well, you are dismissed". I stood up and bowed "Thank you!". I turned towards the door with a new excitement to capture this criminal and finally fulfill my promise. Later that night, I was getting ready for bed after gruesome training when I heard a knock on my door. I quickly go to open it and I see Princess Dorothea. "I hear that Father is going to let you hunt down that criminal," she says as she walks into my room, dressed in a simple but elegant gown. I bow, "Good evening small sun of the empire, and yes you heard correctly". She scoffs, "I’ve told you countless times already that there is no need to be so formal, we have been set to be betrothed since we were 10. You can at least act like it when we are alone". I closed the door behind us, "I know that very well, however, you are still the princess, and I should treat you as such". She stops walking as her back is facing me and lets out a sigh, "You know just as much as me that, that title means nothing. After Mother died, Father saw no future marrying someone else, and I am the only heir to the throne. A woman cannot rule, you know this". I reached out to her and made her face me, touching her cheek. “You might have to remind me for a couple more years then because I seem to forget every time you mention it, even if you are a woman, you are still the only heir of this empire, and I should treat you with respect”. She cups my hand that is on her cheek as she nestles in it, “When do you leave?” she said in almost a whisper. “In two weeks”, I reply. “You’re leaving on your birthday!” she shouts, as she pulls my hand down away from her cheek. “Yes” I nod. “For what purpose? That traitor can wait another day”. I sighed, “You know that I’ve been wanting to prove myself for years now. I don’t want to wait any longer. I finally have the chance to prove to everyone that I am the savior that they wish me to be! I could be out there right now looking for her!” I take a breath “but I need to wait”. She looks at me sternly, pulling her hand away and crossing her arms. “Do you even have any inclination on where to find that harlot!?”. I looked at her confused. “Harlot? This is a dangerous criminal! That is putting innocent lives at stake”. She unfurrows her brow and lets out a short breath, “Fine, do you have any inclination on where to find that traitor?”. I hesitate to respond, “No”. She lets out a small laugh, “You have no clue as to where this individual could be. You want to “prove yourself”, well you’re doing such a splendid job right now”. A bitter feeling washes over me as I process her words. She’s right, I think to myself. She drops her crossed arms and grabs one of my hands that I didn’t notice was balled into a fist. “What do you know about her?” she asks. I lightly pull my hand away and slowly make my way to my sofa nearby. I motioned for her to sit next to me, “Nothing, there’s no information that I gathered about her. All everyone seems to tell me is that the criminal is a female and that she is rumored to have been kidnapping civilians and has killed a handful of knights who have gone after her. No one knows what she looks like, where she could be located because she’s somehow always on the move, her attacks being at random locations throughout the Empire, and no clue who or how many people she’s affiliated with” I say as I am hunched over supported by my arms resting on my knees, with my eyebrows furrowed in frustration. I felt her hand run up my back between my wings as she gave me a small hug leaning her head on my shoulder, “You will be able to figure it out, I know you can”.