Chapter 51: To Be Judged by Fate or by Choice

Chapter 51: To Be Judged by Fate or by Choice The walk through the palace was silent, but Hordin’s mind was anything but that. The chaos that kept stirring in his mind was greater than the greatest tempest. What kind of trouble have I got myself into? Every step he took only deepened the weight in his chest. The grandeur of the halls barely registered—his focus was locked on the man leading him forward, Lexon. He was the commander of the Vermillion Kingdom’s army, the man who had taken him into custody and was now bringing him... where exactly? Hordin didn’t know. That uncertainty made his fear worse. He knew one thing—he was going to face the King again. That alone was enough to leave his stomach twisted in knots. The last time had been overwhelming, and that was before everything had spiraled further out of control. And his father. Hordin swallowed hard. His father would hear of this, and when he did... The thought alone sent a chill through him. The old man’s parting glare burned in his mind, a promise of punishment, of something far worse than the Vermillion soldiers’ anger. Hordin had been afraid before, but this was different. This wasn’t just fear of being accused—this was the terror of knowing he couldn’t talk his way out of it. He didn’t even know if anyone would believe him. And now, he was being led deeper into the palace, unsure of where he was going or what would happen next. He clenched his fists, trying to steady his breathing. He didn’t succeed. They’re going to kill me It didn’t take long for them to finally reach their destination. Two large doors were before him, and he couldn’t help but recall the last time he went to see his father. Lexon opened the doors and entered with Hordin still shaking behind him. Henndar sat at a table in the middle of the study room but barely registered their presence as they approached him. He had his head buried in a book. and only nodded when Lexon requested to leave. The room was brightly lit, which should have eased his nerves—but it only left him feeling exposed, like there was nowhere to hide. Swallowing hard, he forced himself to focus as Henndar suddenly let out a sigh and closed his book. "Sit," he gestured to a chair. Hordin did so but sat so straight that every muscle and fiber of his being were stretched. "Hordin?" "Y-Yes sir?" His fear was increasing by the minute "Things have become quite complicated, you know? On two occasions, a major event occurred and you were found at the scene." Henndar paused. "No matter how you look at it, you seem suspicious. And your kingdom is already a shady one as it is. I have made my decision, and you will be held here for observation. If you’re found innocent, you’ll be sent home. If not..." He let the words hang like a noose in the air. "B-" Hordin wanted to speak, but his fear held his tongue. Henndar studied him in silence for a long moment, seemingly waiting for Hordin to speak, but all there was was silence. Hordin could feel his pulse in his throat. "As I said earlier, I have made my decision, but if you have something to say, you should say it." Though his voice was calm, Hordin still felt uneasy. His mind went blank with fear and Henndar could see his hands trembling. "You’re very scared, aren’t you?" Hordin clenched his fists harder to hide his trembling, but that did nothing to assuage his fears. One misunderstanding could lead to his death, maybe a war. "I won’t tell you not to be scared. You should be. Know that if anything goes wrong because of you, you will be playing with your life, and your precious Bone Kingdom will be on worse terms with us." Hordin gulped. "I hope you now understand the situation you’re in?" Hordin’s mouth opened, but no words came out. He tried again. Nothing. His throat felt tight, his breath shallow, like something was physically stopping him from speaking. Maybe it was fear. Maybe it was the crushing weight of knowing there was no way out of this. He forced himself to swallow, but even that was difficult. "...I—I understand," he finally whispered. His voice barely made it past his lips, but the silence of the room made it ring louder than he wanted. Henndar didn’t react, only watching him with an unreadable expression. Hordin lowered his head, his fingers digging into his knees. The air in the room felt suffocating. There was a sharp knock. Henndar exhaled through his nose, breaking his stillness as he turned toward the door. "Enter." Lexon stepped in, giving a slight bow before shifting his gaze to Hordin. The commander said nothing at first, but his presence alone was enough to make Hordin tense further. Henndar’s gaze didn’t waver. "You have a choice now. Even though I’ve decided." Hordin swallowed, his throat dry. "You can walk out of here with Lexon as a suspect." Henndar’s voice was quiet but edged with something colder. "Or you can speak if you want to go home." Silence. "That would make you a criminal." Hordin didn’t answer. He couldn’t. This wasn’t a choice he’d been given. He wished better, but all he could do was go along with it all. Letting fate do it’s thing was much better than making the wrong choice. Henndar tapped a finger against the book’s closed cover, his expression unreadable. Then, with a sigh, he finally turned his gaze toward the commander. "Take him." There was no hesitation, no second thoughts. Hordin flinched at the finality in his voice. Lexon nodded and gestured for the boy to follow. "Let’s go." Hordin forced his legs to move. They felt like lead. The walk was silent, but once again, his mind wasn’t. Each step made his chest feel heavier, his thoughts tangled in a loop of uncertainty and dread. He barely processed the turns they took, the grand corridors they passed through, the soft echo of their footsteps on the polished floors. They passed many soldiers, but their presence barely registered in Hordin’s mind. He should be going to a cell, a cold, dark room with chains and stale air. He was sure of it. And yet— As they stopped, he couldn’t help but wonder. A detour? The door before them wasn’t a dungeon gate. It was... a room. A real room. Lexon pushed the door open and stepped aside. "Go in. This is where you will be staying." Hordin hesitated, his heart pounding. Was this a trick? Some twisted game? He stepped in slowly, his breath catching at the sight before him. The room was lavish—far more than what he had back home. A soft bed, elegant furniture, and warm lighting. It was nothing like the cold, stone confinement he had braced himself for. What... what was this? Before he could wrap his head around it, the door opened again. Lexon was gone, and a maid entered, carefully setting a tray of food on the table. She glanced at him briefly before speaking. "Water is already prepared. You should take a bath." Hordin didn’t move. Why was there no hostility in her tone? She left without another word and silence fell once more. Suddenly, his breath felt uneven again. He stood there for a long moment, unable to process what was happening. Then, without thinking, his knees buckled, and he sank to the floor. Elbows on his knees, fingers threading through his hair, he sat leaning beside the door. He couldn’t think. He couldn’t decide. What was this supposed to mean? I’m a suspect- a prisoner, so why are they treating me like this? He forced back the tears wellin up in his eyes. What should I do? I’m still dead if I’m kept here or if I’m sent home. But I’m innocent. He felt a lump in his throat. Then- Tak Tak. He heard the sound but his mind barely registered it. Tak... Tak-Tak-Tak It was slightly louder this time, but still registered as background sounds. Tak-Tak-Tak-Tak... Tak... Tak-Tak-Tak... Tak. it was clear this time. He knew the sound. Hordin’s head shot up as he listened for which direction it came from. Tak-Tak-Tak... Tak-Tak-Tak-Tak... Tak-Tak-Tak... Tak (pause) Tak-Tak-Tak-Tak... Tak... Tak-Tak-Tak... Tak "The window" He rushed to the window and there it was. His only companion through all this. His heart pounded as he opened the window for it to crawl onto his shoulder. What if I’m caught with it? if anything goes wrong because of you, you will be playing with your life The words repeated in his mind and he trembled slightly. What if he was being watched? His eyes darted around as he cupped the doll and quickly rushed to the bath. Even if they were to spy on him, they wouldn’t look inside there. Right? His heart pounded violently as he sat on the floor. He got lucky once. If they had seen the doll...No. He wouldn’t get lucky again. He clenched the doll tighter. If they saw—if they even suspected—He swallowed. He had to be careful. His life was on the line. In the silence of the room, he cried with the doll staring at him as it sat in his palm.