Craven

  The clock’s bell chimed, and the room was filled with the echoes of its rings and chimes.

  The sound ceased abruptly when a quill fell swiftly onto the wooden table, leaving a dark stain on both the paper and the table.

  “Are you trying to get on my nerves?” A loud voice rang out in the room.

  The man dropped his elbow onto the hard table and pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration.

  “Well, I think it turned out very well,” I said, scratching the back of my neck.

  “Well? WELL? You were this close to meeting your successor!” He yelled.

  “You were fortunate that your brother was there to help you!” He added.

  I cleared my throat and took a drink from the goblet I was holding, gripping it firmly.

  I looked up at him and started to speak.

  “I had to follow him—” I coughed.

  “For goodness' sake! Don’t you have any pride?” He stood up and walked slowly toward me, his heavy steps echoing like a crank.

  He has a rge physique and puffy light brown hair, which partially obscures his cyan eyes.

  His imposing gaze made me look down and shudder.

  I dared not to meet his piercing eyes directly.

  His intense stare felt like a thousand weights pressing down on my back.

  Then, he let out a breath and patted my shoulder.

  “Isn’t it basically a blessing from the gods?” He said, his tone calming down.

  My face began to flush. I looked up, meeting his cyan eyes with a fierce gre.

  "Death should not be seen as a blessing." I said, my voice filled with anger.

  His expression turned displeased, clearly disapproving of my response.

  But then his expression softened as he forced a small smile.

  “You know, there’s a saying,” he began, pausing for a moment before continuing.

  “that a man who remains still will eventually be overtaken by a beast.'” He turned his back to me and stared out the rge window in front of him.

  “However, should he choose to climb, he can escape the beast,” he added.

  I chuckled sarcastically.

  “Isn’t that cowardice? Escaping something you could have fought?” I retorted.

  A brief silence followed. He let out another breath and turned to face me.

  “This is not cowardice, Aedeide. Not every man can survive the beast that shows up at their door.”

  “Well, I don’t agree,” I said, standing up from my seat.

  Turning my back on him, I walked toward the door and smmed it shut in frustration.

  I didn’t think I would st any longer if I stayed there, I might have been punished for what I might have done by now.

  Shaking my head, I let out a deep breath and adjusted my white cravat.

  As I walked slowly down the silent hallway, I felt a cold breeze coming in.

  I gnced around, my eyes paused when I saw an open balcony with thin white curtains fluttering in the wind.

  I stepped outside to embrace the chill.

  Approaching the white railings, I rested my hand on them and stared at the yellowing sky as it descended.

  It felt as though the sky was staring back at me. My face softened as I began to reflect on the events that had transpired.

  Tears began to fall down my cheeks. I looked down, letting my bangs hide my face.

  I didn’t want the clouds to witness my moment of weakness.

  My hands clutched tightly together as I rested my head on my forearms for a moment, then looked up again.

  The vast pins feel so lonely, I thought. I decided to wipe away my tears.

  As the sun set, the moon shone brightly, as if ready to bring hope and light to those enveloped in darkness.

  Crickets chirped softly, and the cold wind moaned as the trees gently rustled.

  The only sound was the pervasive silence.

  Was this what he wanted? Peace? I contempted deeply, closing my eyes for a moment and letting out a deep breath.

  “I’m sorry,” I muttered under my breath, my voice trembling and my heart aching.

  I clutched my chest as my thoughts became a tangled mess of despair and guilt.

  Slowly, I looked down at my trembling hands, my expression reflecting the depth of my dread.

  All it took was a sharp bde—my bde.

  Did I kill him? I bit my lip until it bled, the metallic taste of my own blood serving as a grim reminder of that bitter end.

  As I stared deeply at my hands, it felt as if his death was somehow tied to them, like red strings binding me in pce.

  I was merely a puppet, controlled by these deranged predators.

  I looked into the distance once more.

  The freezing breeze offered a brief respite, and my dark hair swayed as if it were part of the wind.

  I could still see his face, full of resentment.

  I tried to reach for him, but it was too te.

  His body has grown cold. My breath began to quiver.

  I was too weak, too slow to save him.

  I colpsed onto the ground, clutching my chest as I began to hyperventite.

  My eyes fell on the ground where my sword y. It was covered with blood.

  His blood.

  Lost in my thoughts, I stared at the dark sky and began to weep.

  My hand gently brushed away my tears.

  My trembling fingers traced the bck string around my neck, mirroring the sky before me.

  My hand paused as it grasped the stone amulet, pying with it softly before letting my hand fall.

  As I looked down at my pale hands, small tears fell onto them.

  My hand reached up to my neck, clutching it tightly.

  I released my grip and let out a heavy breath, running my fingers through my hair.

  “It turns out you weren’t a liar; I’m a craven,” I said, my voice quivering.