THE BLIND KING

"My King, the suitors have arrived!" announced one of the high officials. I briefly surveyed the sea of faces around me, each mesmerized by the palace's lavish interior—gazing and drooling, circling like beasts eager to pounce on their prey. Annoyed, I let them be; soon they would learn their place. I tapped rhythmically on the golden carvings of the throne with my index finger, the ring clicking with each movement like an old measuring device. Nonetheless, I couldn't escape the necessity: I needed an heir soon, and despite my resistance, I knew I also required a female. But they were all weaklings—simple and unworthy. No one in my realm matched my caliber, not even my sister, who introduced these walking disappointments with a smile. "This, your highness, is Breza and her daughter Lipa, forest fae; Adriata and her daughter More, sea fae; Zima and Leda, daughters of winter." I didn't blink or acknowledge these insignificant beings parading before me. They might serve for a night or less, but to bear my child? I felt nauseated and irritated. How long would this facade endure? My sister's relentless stare felt like it was boring holes into my head. When I thought I could finally retreat, the loud thump of the door announced an uninvited guest. "How dare you be in my presence, witch? Who was stupid enough to disobey me and let you in?" I jeered through gritted teeth. "Nox, arrogant fool, you know indeed why I'm here!!" the woman said, walking toward me, dragging a small, frail girl behind her. "You will not address your King so disrespectfully by his name!!" Lux, my sister, shrieked. The silence was instant. All eyes were on the two intruders. I could feel the crowd's astonishment and my sister's rage. "He is no King of mine! So, if you please, shut your pretty mouth..." spat the old hag. Gasps and murmurs filled the room. Grinning, I stood from my post and slowly strode to meet the woman. The girl was shivering from head to toe, whispering "please, let me go" over and over. The hag didn't move and barely looked at anyone but me. Nearing the two, I pushed the old woman out of my way, grabbing and jerking the girl's chin up to see what the fuss was about. Emerald green eyes, adorned with the lush eyelashes I had ever seen, mocked me from the bland, unpleasant face in the room. My hold grew harder, moving the face left and right. She started silently weeping while I traced my other hand from her collarbone to the mounds of her breasts. I cupped one and squeezed making her yelp in pain. But I wasn't done, not yet. She was brought like cattle, so I will see her as one. Still holding her face sturdily, I moved the other one from her breast to her butt, grinning at the tears that were spilling from those fae eyes of hers. I liked fear, desperation, desolation, and raw energy that made me harder than lust. I didn't waste a moment and moved my hand beneath the layers of her skirt and plunged one finger in her core. She squeaked and started bawling even more when I added a second one. I retrieved my fingers and wiped them on the nearest knight. She slumped on the floor, her face smeared with tears, panic, and despair were seeping from her in waves. "So... you thought that I would choose a rag because she has some fae blood?" My wrath was now palpable. The smell of urine and fear made it grow even more. "You need her!! And if you weren't an ignorant prick, you would see what lies beneath!". "Enough!" jeered my sister, pointing her spear at the hag's throat. "I was only starting. So move yourself from my sight, Lux!" the witch said, tapping the tip of the weapon. I studied her calmly, ignoring the other one. "You really have no fear or common sense?! Why should I bow to your demands?" . "Look, really look! The eyes are the windows of the soul!" firmly she said cupping her cheek. I throw my head back laughing, "Insolent woman wants to bind me with her spawn, and then what? Steal my crown, my throne, my powers? I let you speak to see how far you would go with this charade. Now it ends! Go, before I change my mind and end your pathetic life!". She didn't move, she didn't speak, she only stared into my golden eyes. My nostrils flared, and my blood boiled with rage at that power dominance she was trying to assert. With a flick of my fingers, I snapped the girl's neck, ending this inutil interaction. With a thud, the body slumped on the marble floor. I was going to turn and leave it there, but the witch janked my arm and whispered, " Your sight will be taken, dimmed to a fog until that rock solid heart of yours feels true, unselfish love to someone with an emerald bloodline". A thunder filled the room, after that curse was made. The witch and the body of the girl vanished between two breaths. A vishous scream left my lips the moment I felt my sight sweep away. "Find her!!" I commanded everyone in the room.