“So now,” the king continued with a smile, “I have something you want, and you will give me something I want.”
Aizel was struggling to follow his logic, if indeed one could call it logic. It was also getting harder to keep her sister from turning toward the king before he revealed his true intentions. “You’re bluffing.”
The king shook his head, the smile on his face spreading to a broad grin, as though he were enjoying this conversation immensely. He glanced back at Turio. “She thinks I’m bluffing.”
As soon as he saw the king’s expression, the old man burst out laughing. “She thinks you’re bluffing.”
The king’s face became serious again as he shifted his gaze back to Aizel.
Noting the change in the king’s mood, Turio immediately stopped laughing. “His Majesty never bluffs.”
“What do you want?” Aizel glanced between the king and his advisor, trying to follow the balance of power.
“I want the life of a son of Frederich of Iseldis. You take a life, and I will free a life. It is poetic justice.” The king’s face turned thoughtful. “And it is in my power to give you this opportunity.”
His request was both easier and more difficult than Aizel had expected. She had never killed someone before and she did not relish the thought of doing so. But in exchange for Celesta’s life... she couldn’t just say no. “How many sons does King Frederich have?” she asked, stalling for time.
The king flicked his hand toward the other man standing near the throne.
“Four,” the man answered.
“He will hardly miss one,” the king added. “Though he might miss them all should something happen to each of them.” The small smile on the king’s face told Aizel that he dearly hoped something would indeed happen to them all.
“Does it matter which one I... dies?” Aizel asked, unable to even kill someone in a sentence.
The king shook his head. “No, but I shall provide you with the easy opportunity to take the life of the one you saved.” He smiled, seemingly pleased with himself.
Aizel had an astonishing realization. “Was that entire attack just to rid yourself of one man?”
The king shrugged. “Among other things, yes.”
Aizel was intrigued. The enemy of her enemy was her... friend? “Why is it so important that he die?”
“I would not expect you to understand.”
Aizel felt as though the king was speaking to her as he would to a small child. “Try me.”
“I am,” he responded, still smiling serenely. “I am giving you the chance to save your sister’s life by providing something I want.”
“The death of your enemy?”
“Yes.” The king tapped the arm of his throne, finally growing impatient.
Aizel knew her questions sounded obvious, but she had just intentionally forced the king to admit that this Frederich of Iseldis—or at least one of his son’s—was indeed his enemy.
“Do we have a deal?” he asked.
“What happens to me if I succeed in killing this prince?” she asked, realizing that the end of the bargain hadn’t been mentioned.
“That depends on how well you succeed,” the boy king responded. “I am a just king. As such, I can assure you that, if you do not return here having fulfilled this request, your sister will die.”
Aizel nodded. “But until then, she is safe in your justice and will not be harmed.”
The king nodded. “See, we do understand each other.”
Aizel hoped he would be honest in this aspect, and her grip tightened possessively on her little sister before Celesta finally managed to push herself away and glance through the room.
Seemingly satisfied, the king flicked his fingers.
