Secret Existence

Fate

      How ironic is it that a small match that was produced from a tree could single-handedly burn an entire forest of those trees? So too a simple rumor if it manages to get out of control. It doesn’t matter how it spirals about, how much damage is done, nor what is added or subtracted from its chemical equation. What matters is that it successfully carries out the purpose it was produced for.

        It all started on a midsummer night when the roaring orange flames rared their heated head outside the central pit. All the royal and official families of Italy gathered for the annual hunting games that were held by the capital government. It was mostly the honoured males from each family who’d take part in the three-day event. Those consisted of young and hearty fellows; usually the smart, quick-witted, strong, and consistent ones. Above all, many girls, whether of noble, royal, or maidservants, would especially live for this type of display. Especially to see the acclaimed top handsome males of their time battling it out within the boundaries of the field particularly picked out for such an event.

       Cattivo was the name of the field. It was surely special as it was infamous for the thousands of captives that died and the gallons of blood that fed its greed and hunger. The field was similar to an illusive maze which hosted several terrors and horror-filled creatures. If one was not careful, they could very much fall victim to the children it bred. This and more was why the royal government liked to use the grounds.

      There is something about the chaos that makes a person’s eyes spark flames. Hence, the sight of it makes them feel all the control, challenge, and the urge to conquer run from their fingertips, into their veins, and corrupt their minds. This is exactly what controls the governor’s mind, and that he did, no matter how long or hard it took to take over the Cattivo lands.

             The hooves of horses trotted powerfully around the compound which held the campsite to accommodate the guests. Many carriages with royal families, dignitaries, and men coming in stallions of all kinds followed by their soldiers; on horses and some on foot.

              Cattivo’s camp of soldier heavily laid around the surrounds of the camp and the maidservants, eunuchs, and maidservants with the imperial guards stood as protective arms around the King and his several wives and children who sat while being treated with the utmost comfort and five-star service an ordinary man would die working hard to obtain.

              The archery competition was about to proceed while the heartthrob princes rode in on their horses. “Here comes the arrival of the top seven general princes of His Majesty!” The head eunuch echoed throughout the gathered group. The King stopped drinking his wine from his golden cup and looked up coolly at the sons of the dukes and duchesses of Italy.

           One by one they skillfully sprung from the backs of the clearly high-bred black stallions. They greeted his Majesty and went to their designated seats. Within the mix were Prince Tyrez and Jourz, who were known among the nations as best friends and top two within the ranks of general princes. They sat side by side as they giggled among themselves at the swoons and squeaks of the many females who were in high spirits at their arrival. Of course, this has become a natural expectation among the seven. As such, the King signaled for the supervisor to continue on with the competition.

             One among the officials’ children, a fairly pretty yet average girl was in particular head over heels in love with Prince Tyrez. Hence, since she had found favour with the King’s favourite wife, she had promised to put in a word or two for her. However, this concubine was never loyal to any other except herself, not even her children, and so of course such words never crossed paths with the ear of the King.

              At the time, the same girl was still the shiny apple within her father’s eye and so after weeks with no word from this wife, she had managed to talk her father into discussing this idea with the King in a meeting.

     The girl however was a snake who discretely hissed and made minions who would do her bidding. After a while of keeping tabs on the prince and making amends with his friends, or so they thought. Unfortunately, they were blinded by all the riches in the position of the mesmerizing men who bent their will into theirs. Behind closed doors, they were the butt of the princes’ jokes; nothing but pretty pawn pieces in their game. Of course, the mastermind was Tyrez himself who, like his friends, was incarnate of Narcissus.

    Nevertheless, they were coaxed into continuing to keep up with the girl’s affairs. That girl is Myra. She was confident that tonight would be her night to make known her appearance to the prince.