Chapter Five

Everett

Fear.

Confusion.

Betrayal.

Everett felt so many emotions that he couldn’t quite separate them. He didn’t even know that his name had been entered into the Choosing ceremony. No royal had ever been included in the pool of names. He was the heir to the throne and he was being thrown out of the kingdom without hesitation.

After the previous interaction with his father, being completely dismissed from the discussion in the throne room, he had already been angry with him.

That was nothing in comparison to the hatred he felt when he heard his name called throughout the town square. The king oversaw the names placed in the ceremony. Nobody else could be behind this. He’d never felt betrayed like he had at that exact moment.

His feet carried him into the throne room where his father was already sitting, as if he had expected this conversation was going to occur. “What the fuck?”

Everett snapped, his tone colder than ever before. His father narrowed his eyes at the choice of words, his posture still relaxed without a care in the world. “How did my name get into the pool? This isn’t possible. I’m supposed to be taking over the throne, now I’m being sent on a mission that could be my death sentence,”

he stopped before the throne, his cheeks warm with anger. “I thought it was only fair to our people that we be included in the drawing. It’s unfair to deem ourselves more worthy than others. It makes us seem like dictators. Besides, I believe you have the capability of returning with the sword. Even if you’ve failed so many tasks, this one should be different,”

the king glanced at the rings on his hand, more interested in the gold than his son. Everett could hardly process what he was saying. This had never happened before, he couldn’t determine what had made him decide to change everything so suddenly.

The world around him was caving in, his lungs feeling as if they were closing. He was truly sending him beyond the walls. He didn’t want to believe that he was superior to others, but his life was important for the future of the kingdom. “It’s not as if you’re my only son, Roman will still be alive if you don’t return. Now go on, you’re running out of time to say your goodbyes,”

his father continued, a cruel smile forming on his lips. Everett’s eyes went wide, the words like a punch to his gut. He had done this on purpose. He had entered Everett’s name to get rid of his defiant son. “I can’t believe you would do this. Mother and Roman will never forgive you,”

his voice was void of emotion, not wanting him to have the satisfaction of seeing his emotions.

“Good thing they’ll never know.”

Everett laughed breathily, shaking his head as he ran his hand over his face. “You’re unbelievable. I knew you were a shitty father, but I didn’t know you’d stoop so low,”

the words struck a nerve in the king leading him to push to his feet. Before Everett could process what was happening, a hand connected with his face. The stinging sensation spread through his jaw, already aching.

“You ungrateful child. You speak to me in ways I would have someone hung for. Don’t think for one second that I regret this decision. Roman was always my choice for heir,”

he snapped before turning on his heel and returning to his spot on the throne.

The room was silent before his father raised his hand, waving it in dismissal. “Fuck you, your highness,”

Everett laughed once more before he quickened his pace to exit the room. His anger boiled to the surface, causing his hands to shake. The moment he stepped out of the room his eyes locked with his brother’s, a pained expression written across his features. “I’m so sorry Ev, I didn’t know,”

his voice was soft, the hurt in his tone. He wanted to be angry with his brother after what his father had said, but he couldn’t blame his brother for something that wasn’t in his control.

“He just wanted to find a reason to keep me from the throne. I won’t give up hope; I promise you I’ll do everything I can to return to you, brother,”

he wrapped his arms around his sibling, unable to truly say goodbye. “Return with the sword just to spite him. I can’t wait to see the look on his face when you do. Make him regret the way he treated you,”

Roman whispered into his ear before breaking away from the hug. There were so many more things Everett wanted to say, but saying them would make it seem as if he was never returning. “I’ll try my best. Keep mother company while I’m gone, I’m sure this won’t be easy on her,”

he forced a smile, roughing up Roman’s hair before he made himself walk away from his brother. The longer he stood there, the harder it would be for him to walk away.

Everett debated during his walk to his mother’s study if it was a good idea to visit her before leaving.

He couldn’t decide if she would be hurt more by hugging him goodbye or not having to let go of him at all.

He found himself knocking on the door to her study, her soft voice calling him in.

Her study was peaceful and warm.

It was the most calming place in the palace besides the garden.

The walls were lined with books of all genres, many made-up stories, and other history about the world before the plague.

She had candles lit to keep the lighting to a minimum, only giving the room an even more relaxing aura.

“My sweet boy,”

she smiled, standing from the chair she sat, abandoning her knitting to meet him for a hug. “I was wondering if you’d stop by before going on your special little mission,”

she tapped his nose, completely unaware of the dangers that came along with the Chosen’s mission.

She was naive, to say the least.

His father had kept her sheltered within the palace and given little information about the rest of the kingdom.

Before marrying the king, she’d grown up in the palace as a maid. She never once experienced life outside of the palace. “A special mission indeed,”

he hummed, rubbing his hand on her back for comfort.

“I’m so proud of you and your bravery, Everett. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect son,”

she praised him, filling him with warmth from the soft words. It was the opposite of what he heard from his father. “Maybe you can bring me something from the outside world. I know there’s nobody left out there, but I’m sure there’s abandoned towns that have treasures beyond imaginable,”

she spoke with wide eyes, dreaming of something more positive than everyone else. “I can try my best to find something to your liking. I’m unsure of how long I’ll be gone, but I will miss you,”

he kissed the top of her head before pulling himself away from her grasp. He could feel the emotions rushing through waves, threatening to drown him in the pain. Walking away from the only two people he loved felt like he was ripping his heart out of his chest.

As Everett left the study, not looking back to see his mother’s face again, he tucked away all the painful thoughts. He allowed the grief to become buried inside of him, only the anger towards his father remaining on the surface.