Once Upon The Life of The Wise King

The Goat

ONCE UPON THE LIFE OF THE WISE KING

Volume 1

The Birth of The Wise King

Chapter 10 - The Goat

The anti-royalists arrived at their hideout. The leader carried Prince Colin over his shoulder once again. To make sure he won't escape, they tied his wrists behind. He said to one of the black-hooded men, "Go and inform Lord Azazel that we have arrived with the First Prince."

"Yes!" the man replied and left.

The leader carried Prince Colin into a bare room with only a single bed against the wall with a small window above. He unceremoniously threw the unconscious young man on the bed and walked out of the room, closing and locking the door on his way out.

In another room with more space sat a huge person cloaked in black with an awful goat skull mask in the middle, surrounded by candle lights. He had his right elbow resting on the arm of the chair and his cheek against his knuckles. He watched keenly as his subordinate approached him. The person kneeled in front of him and said, "Lord Azazel, We have finished our task. The First Prince is currently in the room."

"Very well," The masked person, Lord Azazel, said, "let him come here."

"Apologies, my lord, but the Prince is still asleep. We used that medicine on him so he won't escape."

"Is that so?" The masked man grumbled. "Bring him here and call that woman!"

"Understood, my lord." Still bowing his head, the man stood up and left, facing his lord until he disappeared into the shadows.

Not long after, two members of the anti-royalist came, carrying the Prince, and laid him on the ground. Following them was a small person wearing tattered clothes. She had long, unruly, black hair. Her black eyes were so round, and a black mask covered the lower half of her face. She went closer to Lord Azazel and bowed her head.

"Wake him up," Lord Azazel ordered.

The young woman nodded, turned towards the sleeping Prince, crouched down, and touched his forehead. Her palm emitted a gentle light. A moment passed, and the Prince blinked his eyes.

Prince Colin saw a blurry image of a child in front of him. He blinked a couple of times as he adjusted to the dim light of the room. The child in front of him turned out to be a petite young lady, who helped him up.

"Good, you are finally awake." Prince Colin heard someone said. He turned his head and saw a man wearing a goat skull mask.

Lord Azazel stood up from his seat, walked down a couple of steps, placing a hand on his chest, and stopped in front of the Prince. "Your Highness, welcome to my lair," he said. "I am Lord Azazel, the one who is supposed to be the King of this nation and not that scum Luciel von Sierra." He sneered.

"What nonsense are you talking about yourself? You can't be a King." Prince Colin narrowed his eyes.

"Indeed, I can not be. Not right now. But are you aware," the masked man said, "that what you believe is not the truth?"

Prince Colin did not speak. He waited for the person to continue talking.

Lord Azazel started pacing slowly. "What they said about you not being the heir is a lie. In fact, throughout the generation, every heir has always been the firstborn Prince. But, you," he said as he faced the Prince, "you're the only exception. First Prince yet not the heir. What nonsense is that! What they want was someone who can manifest majika in physical form. Unfortunately, you can not do that." He shook his head. "You can't manifest majika, but you can still use it by applying it to your physical strength. And that is why you are here. I can help you manifest majika."

"What do you want?" Prince Colin asked.

"What do I want?" Lord Azazel laughed loudly. "What I want is for the world to know the truth that everyone can manifest majika and not only the royal family or some selected people."

"You are lying."

"Am I?" the masked man turned his back. "With my help, you can manifest majika. Then, you can return to your family and show them that you can be the heir. Now that will solve the problem of the nation, don't you think?" he said as he sat back on his seat. "The choice is yours."

The Prince fell silent as he contemplated what Lord Azazel told him. In his heart, he knew his desire to become the heir. It had been a burden for him as the First Prince not being one. Now that he got presented with a choice, his desire grew more. However, the masked man did not anticipate the Prince's resolution.

"You are right," Prince Colin said. "I wanted to be the heir. It is my desire. But I am not that greedy. My desires and emotions, I can't let it control my reasons."

"Quite the conviction you have there," the man praised mockingly. "But, I am afraid I can't let you out yet."

As if on cue, the black-hooded people grabbed the Prince. They cuffed him with majika imbued cuffs that restricted not only the movements of the person bound by it but also sealed the majika within.

Watching from the sideline was the small woman. With her big, round eyes, she followed the people as they dragged the screaming Prince away. He'll probably get locked up now. I should help him when I get a chance, she thought.

"Hey, you!" Lord Azazel yelled, pointing at the woman. "I know what you are thinking. Don't ever try to help him escape, or I will have your eyes next!"

The woman shook her head as if saying she would not dare do what he believed she would do.

"Do you understand?" the man asked threateningly, earning a frantic nod from the woman. "I am glad. Now, get lost!" He waved his arm, and the woman hurried out of the room.