Word count: 2435

"You deserve it. You deserve the beautiful life you made. You deserve everything." — This Is Us, 2016-2022

I slammed his fist against the table, angrily. My royal advisors jolted in their spaces and let out terrified gasps.

Clenching my jaw, I scanned each of their pale faces, taking in their bewildered looks. They should have known better. Why they decided to go along with this, against my wishes, was ludicrous in my eyes. In my eyes, they were going directly against me and my rule. It was unacceptable. Border-line traitorous.

"How many times do I have to order you not to do this?" I asked, my voice level and smooth. I was the calm before the storm.

My younger and only brother stepped closer to me, his green eyes watching me nervously.

"Y — your majesty, t — this is a good opportunity for the people of South Zora t — to see his majesty." Jonathon stuttered, the wrinkles on his aging face becoming more prominent. He was the only one bold enough to speak and defend his idea. Still, that was because he had lackeys who always hummed their agreement when he spoke.

Adjusting my heavy, golden crown that rested on the top of my head, I straightened my tense posture. "What makes you think that, Jonathon?"

He gulped audibly, his hands trembling. "W—well, the l—last time the King visited the South w—was one-hundred and f—fifty years ago."

Forcing Jonathon to maintain eye contact with me, I briefly considered his words. Unfortunately, and annoyingly, he made a valid point.

"No, I said it before and it appears I'll have to say it again since nobody in this goddamn place will listen to me, I'm not traveling South. The people there don't need to see my face. They are doing perfectly fine." I snapped out of my reverie, remaining stubborn, and angry.

"But your m—majes —" Jonathon attempted to protest, resulting in receiving my deathly glare.

"That's enough," I roared, gaining control once again. The room fell into utter silence. Just how I wanted it. How I ordered it. "You can all leave now."

Reluctantly, they left.

The only person who remained was my brother, Cale. He was only a year younger than me and despite not having the crown, he had everything I wanted. A happy marriage.

"Elon," He started, dragging my name out. "You should consider this. I've heard rumors from people in Zora Central and they are saying it's chaos in the South."

Shifting my gaze to him, I took in his dark brown hair which was nearly black and his long face. He had a beard that was neatly trimmed just like my own. However, most didn't notice our similar complexion. Instead, they often commented on our different eye colors. He and my younger sister, Zara, both had jewel-like green eyes — which came from our beautiful mother — whilst I had dark eyes like my father.

"And what happened to you being on my side?"

Unlike my advisors, Cale didn't quake. He wasn't scared of me in the slightest. He knew I would never harm my family. "I'm your brother and friend and so it's my job to call you out on your bullshit."

I stared at him in mild amusement, "Oh, really?" I queried, dryly.

"Yes, brother. You are worshipped throughout the country. By showing up in the Sadorna South, you will aspire the people to hope again. You might even stop the riots." He told me, knowing exactly what to say to convince me.

When I didn't say anything, he continued in a lower voice.

"And, you might also find her."

I froze as I felt my breath hitch.

Her.

My soul mate. The woman who was made for me. The one I still hadn't found.

Seeing my reaction, Cale softened. "You haven't looked down South — for all you know, she could live there."

I had searched high and low for her ever since Seraphina died. Everywhere up North. But never South. The thought had occurred for me to search there but my father and his father before and so on had found their soul mates in the North. I assumed mine would live in the North too.

There had never been a Queen from the South.

"It's highly unlikely," I retorted, refusing to have too much hope. I had been let down so many times. It was always a struggle to get back up after every failure.

"But it's possible." He countered, exaggerating the word.

Sighing, I took my golden crown off my head and placed it on the long and expensive wooden table.

"I will only do a parade and a speech. A short speech. Nothing else," I conceded, begrudgingly.

Cale smiled brightly. "Good, I'll let Jonathon know."

He scurried off, his form conveying his relief. I suspected my royal advisors had been hounding him about this. They were delusional for thinking my mere presence would stop riotings occurring in Sadorna.

Sadorna was the capital of the South and from what I had heard, it was a complete mess. The citizens of the South succumbed to barbaric and chaotic methods to survive. There were mobs, gangs, corrupt law enforcers and evil people who lived there.

I didn't know much about Sadorna. I had seen images made by painters and the place left a lot to be desired. There were buildings that towered higher than one could imagine. There was wreckage everywhere and empty, incomplete houses.

The South had always been poor. Nothing would change that. The people there needed to see that this was just how life was.

Sighing, I dragged a hand down my hair, feeling my rough cheek. It had been too long since I last had a shave. I was in desperate need of one.

The main hall was now empty, giving it an eerie atmosphere.

My eyes drifted to a miniature painting of Seraphina. Her golden locks fell down her face angelically and her piercing blue eyes had been painted vividly. She was definitely a beauty.

I didn't hate Seraphina — it wasn't her fault. When I first met her, I was convinced she was my soul mate. She fell head over heels for me and believed every word I said. It was only when I saw her walk down the aisle, I realized my mistake. For a while, after we got married, I treated her horribly. I said some dreadful things to her — words I wished I could take back.

Yet, she didn't treat me differently. She even forgave me.

One night, I told her I had made a terrible mistake in marrying her.

Even though finding out the truth hurt her deeply, she still tried to help me. My desire to find my soul mate slowly ate at her and our marriage. When she fell ill, I did feel grateful but I was also deeply upset. I loved her as a friend. She was one of the closest people to me and she wanted me to find my soul mate.

On the night she died, she made me promise to not stop looking for her.

So, I honored her by putting that beautiful painting of her on the wall.

It was getting harder and harder to stay strong but I knew if I didn't find her, I would not only be letting myself down but her too.

***

LATER that night, I sat in the royal dining room with the remainder of my family. It was only my siblings, their partners, and my two closest friends — Hugo and Indigo.

The conversation was minimal tonight — I knew they were worried I was angry.

Eventually, Zara dared to speak, "Elon, nearly everything has been organized for you."

I snapped my head up from my plate and to my right. She sat next to me on the right whilst Cale was on the left. Next to them were their partners, Frank and Beverly.

Mashing my lips together, I nodded my head, "Okay."

Zara seemed surprised by my simple answer. She was obviously expecting me to lash out about talking business at the dinner table. Truthfully, I was too tired to argue tonight. I had used all of my energy shouting at my royal advisors earlier.

"We've decided to leave in five days. That way, we should arrive next Friday." Cale added, his tone holding amusement.

Tightening my grip on the fork, I exhaled loudly. "Fine."

The talk then switched to something funny. I paid no heed to them, letting them have their fun. They'd be joining me on this trip — much to their annoyance. Soon, they would be regretting this decision as much as I am.

"— Seraphina would say the same thing," Beverly said, jolting me out of my reverie.

I zoned my eyes on her, causing her to freeze. "Sorry, your majesty. I shouldn't have said that." She apologized, bowing her head.

Switching my gaze to the rest of the table, I took in their grim expressions. There was an unspoken rule amongst us that we should not talk about Seraphina.

"Make sure you've sorted out security. I don't want another disastrous event again," I ordered, changing the subject, referring to a visit I made a year ago.

Beverly let out a quiet exhale, gasping in relief. She was part of my family but that didn't mean she wasn't intimidated by me. I didn't know much about her other than she made my younger brother very happy.

"Yes, Elon," Cale answered, offering a reassuring smile.

I tuned out of their small talk after that. I never found it very interesting.

After food, I accompanied them to my private quarters where we would have whiskey and play cards. It was the same old routine.

Cale and Zara both sat at the green table with their alcoholic drinks in hand whilst the others chatted on the couches.

Zara produced a cigar and lit it. She had picked this habit up after she started having troubles with her useless husband, Frank. He was a prick who seemed to think because he married the Princess, he was entitled. I warned her after meeting him that the charming man I met was just a facade and that he was cunning underneath. She waved me off.

And now she was paying for it.

Divorcing him would be scandalous. Especially around this time — when tensions were high.

No, Zara would pay for her mistakes.

So, to cope with her troubles and failing marriage, she smoked, drank way too much at times, and acted like everything was fine.

"Shall we play bridge?" Cale suggested, blanking Zara.

I huffed and leaned back in my chair tiredly. "Sure, whatever."

My eyes drifted to the windows outside as Cale shuffled the cards. The sun was beginning to fade and over the horizon, splotches of red and blue emerged. You couldn't see the South but, over the hill, you would be able to spot the tallest, teetering tower. Stella Sadorna it was called and it was the only center controlled by the North.

Going to the South would be an adventure — one I was not eager to endure.

Rarely anybody from the North dared to go to the South unless it was for business. It was pure havoc down there. There was a high chance you wouldn't come back alive.

"Do you think the people there will cheer for us?" Zara wondered aloud, relaxing in her chair. A lazy smile was now planted on her pillowy red lips.

Cale snorted, "Of course, they will."

Zara wasn't convinced, "I think they're angry. And usually, angry people don't cheer. They yell and protest."

"What does it matter? Our presence — showing we care — will bring them hope. If we implement some new rules that make life there better then we'll be fine." Cale said, dealing the cards out quickly.

Listening to my siblings talk about politics was always interesting since they took different sides every time. Most of their debates would end with one of them giving the other the cold shoulder.

"Either way, I'm sure Kirk will produce a moving speech for Elon to read that will aspire them to be better," Cale added, talking about Kirk, my speech creator. He had been working for us for roughly three years and seemed to be doing a good job.

"Fucking hell, can't Elon create something original?" Zara mumbled under her breath, loud enough for me to hear.

"Enough," I said in a clipped tone. I threw Zara a frosty look, warning her. She bowed her head in shame and dabbed the cigar.

Silence ensued amongst my siblings. Cale was wearing a smirk on his face, pleased he had got a rise out of me. Zara was upset. She didn't like it when we argued. 

"I don't want to think about this dreadful trip anymore," I announced, angrily. This trip was simply causing too much trouble for me. 

I regretted accepting to do this. 

"Oh, brother. It might not be that bad. None of us have ever seen Sadorna before — it'd be interesting to see what it's like." Cale reassured in an unconcerned voice. 

In all honesty, I didn't care about any of that. My father went his whole life without ever stepping foot in the North. So did my grandfather. 

So, was it necessary for me to do the same? 

Apparently, my mere appearance will change everything. Just seeing my face will stop the inhabitants of the South from rebelling against a century's old regime. 

Yeah, of course, it's that simple.

We all knew it was complete bullshit. 

Seeing me would probably anger them even more. Knowing I'm coming to visit but doing nothing will only make them hate the North even more.

It was how things were meant to be. The South despised the North for its luxury; the North looked down on the South with discontent. 

Nothing would change that.

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