God's Game

CHAPTER 10: Hanged Promises

CHAPTER 10

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Today is the perfect day for the festival. The sun has risen mightily in the sky and there are a few clouds that accompanies it. Hustasia was engulfed with the heat of the bright sun, waking up everyone for a beautiful day. The birds were singing too as though they are excited for the festival later before noon.

Contrary to the perfect day, my sleep wasn't all perfect last night. I have been tossing and turning around my bed trying to sleep but my excitement and dread for the event, plus my hatred towards my mother and my worry for father made it difficult for me to fall into slumber. Nicolous' snoring did not help either.

Although I was not well rested, I am more than prepared for the festival later. Arlette and I finished what I was going to wear for the festival. The thought of it made me smile and gave me enough energy to get up and take a bath.

Despite the lack of sleep, I felt refreshed after taking a long warm bath. As I was dressing up, I was hearing the cheers of the Hustasians on The Square outside the temple. The Hustasians are definitely enjoying themselves right now. The loud music from the band, who were playing a loud up beat melody with their harmonicas and drums, can be heard echoing in my bathroom.

I glanced at myself in the mirror one last time. Arlette and I stitched up the suit and the ball gown perfectly. We stitched the purple coat with the purple gown that had gold linings that stretched from hips to the hem of the dress. The sleeves of the coat were tight on my arm but loose before the wrists with ruffles of white by the hem. I topped it off with thick gold rings on my ring fingers. My usual apple cut hair was gelled back revealing my gold feather earrings.

Mother would hate this, but I looked good so I could not care less. I'll stand out among the crowd but that's the point. I want people to stop putting gender or label on clothes. I want people to normalize letting other people wear what they want to wear without being judged or sexualize by it. It's your attire after all, they shouldn't have a say on that.

Nicolous' jaw practically dropped to the floor when I stepped out of the closet. He was wearing the champagne colored suit that he tried on but he was wearing a gold wreath of feathers and a gold ring.

"Beautiful," he said "so this is the 'statement' you're referring to?"

I nodded "a suit with a lower body of a ball gown, like a Sagittarius." I winked at him and he gave a chuckle.

"Yeah right." He rolled his eyes and scanned me from head to toe one last time, in awe with my purple and gold dress. "That looks so good, sister."

I couldn't help but smile. "Stop swooning. Let's go to the festival, I'm sure everyone is already enjoying themselves down there."

He nodded and held out his arm. I grabbed onto it like a lady who isn't exactly wearing something a lady would wear but whatever.

We stopped by the altar room where we saw Arla. She was wearing a sleeveless and backless maroon long gown accented by the gold spiral designs that draped down to the floor. The dress gave out her form beautifully. Her hair was gelled in a clean bun that had beautiful gold dove pins on them. Her thick gold bracelets highlighted her light colored skin.

"Ahry," she smiled at me as we approach her "that looks," she scanned me from head to toe with a grin on her face "you look like a lady who isn't a lady"

I chuckled at her. "Mother's not gonna like it" I smirked.

"No, she wouldn't." She smirked "you look stunning, sister."

"As do you," I replied.

She smiles "Nicolous!" She turned her head to Nicolous "You look like you've aged from a 10 year old boy to an 18 year old man with this outfit!"

"Thank you. I look great as do you" they both chuckled. My mouth broke into a smile.

The door opened and revealed a tall, dark and handsome Alexander. He was wearing an earth-toned suit accented by black collars. He wasn't wearing anything inside the suit, which showcased his toned broad chest with a gold necklace around his neck.

"Do I look good?" He said with a quirky smirk on his face. We all rolled our eyes to him. "Just admit it, I look good." He shrugged.

"You do look good, as always." Arla crossed her arms. Alexander responded with a chuckle.

"I know." He said and winked at Arla.

I took a long deep breath and thought about how perfect my family would have been. Though my mother always made her intentions clear, some of those intentions were just not for the benefit of the family but for the benefit of Hustasia. As I exhaled the long breath I took, I found myself again giggling with my siblings and completely forgot the horrible mess that is our mother.

That's when the door to the altar room opened and my father comes through. He was wearing a black leather suit with a gold dove pin on it. His pants matched with his brown shirt he was wearing inside the suit. His beard was longer and so was his gray hair.

"Father!" Nicolous runs to greet him. Father bent a knee to hug him.

I looked at Arla and Alexander who were preparing to say something. But father already beat them to it after letting go of Nicolous.

"I'll be fine. Relax." My lips parted in disbelief.

"How are okay with going on a death mission?"

"We've bleached a lot, and judging from my experience it does get dangerous. That's not even Havendell yet. Perhaps you should reconsider, father."

"Hasn't the guild resurfaced? It's more dangerous now, they will kill you before you can even set foot on Havendell."

The three of us asked simultaneously asked to father. He closed his eyes and massaged his temple. The room went quiet for a minute as if waiting for father to say something. He finally took a long deep breath and exhaled sharply before opening his mouth to explain everything.

"Listen. I have been sent to dozens of diplomatic missions long before Arla was even born. Your mother knows this which is why I am the person she trusts the most to lead this mission. We are in a brink of civil war, incase you haven't noticed during your mother's address. The Hustasians are starving and soon they'll start to act out in a way we can not stop. We have to act now, do you understand?"

The three of us looked at each other warily. Father's mind is already made up and so is mother's.

"I will be cautious, I promise. I will come back here in one piece along with the fresh, abundant resources of Havendell. You can always pray for me." He tapped my head "Lord Levi watches us all." and gave us a reassuring smile.

I sighed and tried to suppress the tears that were about to fall. The room was covered with a deafening silence as we were still taking in what father said.

Father took sighed "Also, apologize to your mother."

"What?!" Arla and I said in unison.

I am still in shock because of her decision and I could not forgive her, not until I know father would be alive after this.

"As I have said, our empire is on the edge along with your mother. Do not add another burden for her." My father reminded.

Arla and I forced nod. He is right though. Mother has done nothing but pick up my grandfather's mess after he died. That is why she made the alliance with the Hudson family that brought supplies such as wheat and wood here. She's as busy as a bee everytime, leading ceremonies, meetings and addresses which often leaves her exhausted by the end of the day. She had to make risky decisions for the good of the empire. Most of the time those risks pay off, but this decision is gambling with my father's life. I'm not forgiving her if this ends badly.

As we walk out the huge wooden doors of the temple, a jazzy colorful milieu greeted us. The anterior grounds of the temple were packed with clusters of people and decorated with booths that give food and barrels of free ale. The ensemble were playing a joyful music that made people dance. The Hustasians were already enjoying themselves by the booths. Some men are already drunk by the barrels of ale while the women were dancing by the band.

A long table is set at the top of the stairwell by the temple. It is meant to host the council and the guests from other empires. Selected Hustasians will perform after mother gives her felicitations.

"Sir Florent!" My father called out to the crowd. A stern looking man turned to our direction. His gray beard covered most of his face and his short hair were black and white. I noticed that he was a bit taller than my father when we walked toward him.

"Aegon, it has been a while." His deep masculine voice intimidated me a little. "I assume these are your children." He gestured to us after shaking father's hand.

"Oh, this is Alexander, Arla, Ahry and Nicolous. Kids this is Sir Khalil Florent, a knight from Eastlanta." He shook our hands one by one.

"Pleasure to meet you." He nodded, still keeping his stern face. His eyes lingered on me for a moment, "I approve your look." He said.

"She does what she wants." Father proudly smirked at me. I shyly smiled.

"You all look great." He said, "and you," he pointed at Alexander, "you look like you could beat your father in a duel."

Alexander chuckled "I can definitely knock him out now." He laughed.

"No you can't." Father chuckled. "How 'bout you and sir Florent here have a friendly match later."

"I may be too drunk." He took a gulp from the mug he was holding. "But I can still knock those teeth out, pretty boy." He said drinking more ale. Alexander chuckled at that. "I'll go and get some ale. See you all at the feast." He gave a quick nod.

When my eyes followed him to the barrels, it laid upon my mother who was talking to some of the guests. She was wearing a white silk long gown and her hair was braided into a bun. She was wearing gold accessories that complemented her dress.

She seems to be listening intently until our eyes locked. I immediately looked away to let her know that we were still not fine. With the corner of my eyes, I saw her excuse herself from her guest and started to walk toward us.

By the way she looks, she doesn't seem happy with my attire.