chapter 3

Alexander woke up and prepared for his father funeral

He took a deep breath , trying to steady his nerves .he knew that Nikolai's return would stir up old wounds and challenges , the fragile peace he had built for himself . The thought of losing the throne sent shivers down his spine , but he also knew that Nikolai had his own kingdom.

As Alexander made his way to the grand hall, he could feel the tension in the air, the knight stood at attention, their armor gleaming while the advisors whispered among themselves. Alexander took his seat on the throne then he greeted everybody while trying to project an air of confidence he did not feel. The grand doors of the hall swung open and Nikolai walked in with a serpent wrapped around his neck. He was dressed in the royal attire of his kingdom, a royal symbol of his power and authority. The room that was noisy suddenly fell silent as all eyes turned to the rightful heir.

Nikolai approached the throne, his gaze never leaving Alexander's face.

Nikolai stopped a few feet away from the throne, his hands resting on the hilt of his sword. The greenstone on the pummel glinted menacingly in the light. He spoke loudly enough for everyone in the hall to hear

"Brother", how surprisingly comfortable you have made yourself on that throne "

His voice carried a mix of sibling familiarity and a dangerous undercurrent. Alexander could see the fire burning in Nikolai's eyes, a fire that mirrored his own fear but burned hotter, fueled by righteousness.

"Tell me Alexander," ..do you sleep well at night knowing you've stolen what was meant to be mine?" His voice dropped lower ,,more dangerous as he studied Alexander's face. Beside him, his trusted advisors and general's stood at attention, ready for any command.

Alexander, desperate to maintain his grip on power, choose his words carefully. "At least am a king who rules his people with mercy and compassion. Unlike you who rules with an iron fist !"he spat out the words knowing they would strike a nerve with Nikolai's pride and temper.

Nikolai's face darkened, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword.

"Mercy and compassion? You dare to speak of them when you took my kingdom?

He took a step closer, his voice low and menacing.

"At least I earned my throne through blood and sacrifice unlike you"

Alexander smiled knowing that he has stepped on his brothers tail, Alexander smile faded away when Nikolai said "who knows if it wasn't you that killed father on the battlefield"

Alexander: what nonsense are you talking about

Nikolai : I know what I'm saying brother, he said with a smirk as he noticed people whispering among themselves

Alexander: father was killed by an unknown soldier from the other kingdom, as he killed father, one of father's soldier killed him .

Nikolai "liar " he shouted

Alexander : I'm not lying you bastard

Nikolai: father died in the battlefield while he was trying to protect you

Alexander : are you trying to make sense right now , just know that you are not making any sense

Nikolai : it was you father was trying to protect

Alexander : that does not mean I killed him

Nikolai smirked then said I know you too well Alex, I know that it was you who struck him down just to take this throne, that rightfully belong to me

Alexander : you are just talking out of point and I didn't kill father

Nikolai didn't stop throwing accusation, the room was deadly silent except for Nikolai's accusations echoing off the walls like judgement itself

Nikolai continued accusing Alexander but Alexander didn't say anything .

an elderly advisor stood up slowly his voice shaking but clear as he spoke

"Prince Nikolai with all due respect, his majesty went to that war with the late king while you went to the mountains for haunting, his majesty was fifteen while you were seventeen, you were supposed to be crowned king because that was the late king's wish before he passed away, as per our kingdoms' law, you however went missing during that time "the elderly advisors words hung heavily in the air as his gaze turned to king Alexander then he continued"king Alexander took turn as he was next in line. No one doubted his rightful claim at the time. You, prince Nikolai were presumed dead or lost in the mountains during that haunting trip.

Nikolai's expression darkened but he listened intently. The advisor continued by saying "your accusations are grave, but they lack substance. , King Alexander has ruled us well, with wisdom and justice, for ten years now prince Nikolai all I want to ask is where were you during those years? What proof do you have besides suspicion ?

...Alexander smiled and looked at Nikolai whose face was flushed with anger and frustration, he opened his mouth to restore, but the advisor silenced him with a raised hand "prince Nikolai, we all mourned your presumed death. King Alexander has ruled justly since then. Accusing him without proof would only cause unrest....

Nikolai advisor wanted to speak, but Nikolai shut him up with a glare

Then through greeted teeth, Nikolai said "you would speak of proof ", he said, his hand going to the sword at his waist. The serpent around his neck hissed quietly as he felt his master's anger

"Where was my rightful place as the eldest son? Where was my chance to prove myself worthy of this throne ?

The advisors' expression softened slightly, but his voice remained firm

Prince Nikolai, your rightful place was presumed lost, the kingdom needed stability , and your brother stepped up to fill that void. The council and the people accepted king Alexander's rule because there was no sign of life from you. The advisor said then sat down back.

Nikolai's eyes flashed with a dangerous light as he slowly drew his sword. And the serpent around his neck uncoiled slightly, it's head rising to stare at the advisor, " then let me prove myself now"Nikolai growled.

"let me challenge my brother for the throne" Nikolai said

Meanwhile, Ariel the youngest prince observed the scene with barely cancelled glee. A calculating smirk played at the corners of his mouth as he watched Nikolai draw his sword, the situation was turning perfectly in his favor-no matter who wins this fight, he would have his chance at the throne, he taught. Alexander, who had been slightly observing the tense exchange, stood up from his throne and drew his sword with a swift fluid motion.

Stop this madness, a voice cut through the tension, Fiona stepped forward gracefully from behind Nikolai's shoulder, Nikolai sneered, his hand tightening around the hilt of his sword. "You guys should stop this, today is father's funeral and instead of you two to behave, you are acting like kids.

Nikolai : shut up (he shouted)

Fiona : you claim to be our senior but you act like a kid , you talk out of point and always try to show off, where were you when father said his last wish , and where is Maria, Martha's daughter

Nikolai : which Martha

Fiona : Martha my maids daughter

Nikolai : I don't know what you are talking about

Fiona : don't lie Nikolai, you didn't go for that haunting trip , instead you ran away with Maria, and she was pregnant

Nikolai : what nonsense are you talking about

Fiona : deny it all you want , I know that something must have happened to Maria

Nikolai : if you don't shut up , I would cut your head off

Alexander : I like to see you try

Nikolai : shut up , I wasn't talking to you

The silence in the grand hall turned suffocating.

Fiona’s asked again

“Where is Maria, Martha’s daughter?”

Her voice had been sharp, cutting deeper than any sword. The accusation, though unexpected, pierced through Nikolai’s anger like ice through fire.

Nikolai stiffened. His hand was still on his sword, but he didn’t draw it. His expression faltered—not with guilt, but with a flicker of something darker. Confusion. Regret. Or maybe fear.

“Which… Martha?” he asked, though his voice had lost some of its edge.

Fiona took a step forward, unfazed. “Martha, one of my chambermaids. Her daughter Maria used to serve us when we were children. You were fond of her, weren’t you?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Nikolai snapped.

Alexander crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes. “Is that so?” he muttered. “Because I remember how you used to sneak out of the palace with her… and how she vanished right after you disappeared.”

Fiona’s voice softened, but only slightly. “She was pregnant, Nikolai. You knew so you decided to run away with her, and none of us ever saw her again.”

Murmurs rippled through the room, nobles whispering behind gloved hands, guards shifting uncomfortably in their boots. Even the serpent coiled around Nikolai’s shoulder gave a low, agitated hiss.

“You speak lies to make me look weak,” Nikolai said hoarsely.

“No,” Fiona replied firmly. “I speak truth, because someone has to. You abandoned her. And now you dare to return and accuse us—accuse Alexander—of stealing a throne, while your own sins are buried deeper than our father’s coffin.”

Nikolai’s fury boiled over. “If you don’t shut up, Fiona, I swear I’ll cut your head off.”

The hall gasped in one unified breath.

Alexander stepped forward immediately, his sword still drawn. “I dare you to try it,” he growled. “You lay a single finger on her, and I’ll bury you in the same coffin you tried to disgrace today.”

The coffin.

It lay open at the center of the room, draped in the banner of the kingdom, surrounded by flickering ceremonial torches. Their father’s cold, lifeless body lay within, silent, but ever present. Watching. Judging.

The weight of that presence suddenly settled on them all.

“You brought disgrace to this funeral the moment you walked in with your snake and your empty threats,” Fiona spat, no longer just a sister—but a princess defending her kingdom’s dignity. “This isn’t just about who wears the crown. This is about what kind of king Valoria needs. And I don’t see a king in you, Nikolai. I see a coward who abandoned his people, his lover, and now blames everyone but himself.”

Nikolai said nothing. His sword hand dropped to his side.

Alexander’s grip loosened around the hilt of his own weapon, but his eyes remained locked on Nikolai. Sharp. Unforgiving.

“Speak, brother,” Alexander said coldly. “Or are you finally out of accusations?”

Nikolai turned his head away, jaw clenched. His advisors behind him shifted nervously. One of them stepped forward to speak, but Nikolai raised a hand to silence him.

He looked toward their father’s coffin and stepped closer. The crowd held its breath.

Nikolai stared into the face of the man who had once raised him, taught him to ride, scolded him for his pride… and eventually left him behind.

“I came back,” he said quietly, almost to himself. “I came back for justice. For what I was owed.”

“You came back too late,” Fiona said, voice barely above a whisper.

Nikolai’s eyes flickered to her one last time. “I did what I had to. For Maria. For the child I never met. And for the throne that was stolen from me.”

Then, without another word, he turned and stormed out of the hall. His serpent hissed in protest, tightening briefly around his neck before slithering down his arm and retreating into the folds of his cloak.

The heavy doors slammed shut behind him.

---

A Long Silence

No one moved. Not even the guards.

The high priest cleared his throat and stepped forward, resuming the funeral rites with solemn dignity.

Alexander, sword now lowered but still drawn, took a slow breath and returned to his place near the coffin. He didn’t sit. He stood, eyes shadowed, watching the flames flicker as prayers filled the room once more.

Fiona stood beside him. Neither said a word.

But deep down, Alexander knew: this was only the beginning.

Nikolai hadn’t come just to mourn the dead.

He had come to dig up the past.

And perhaps... he wouldn’t stop until the present bled.

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