I closed my fingers over the cold hilt of the dagger, then stopped. Sunlight streamed over the gardens before my terrified eyes and my body trembled. If I died, I would never see things like this again. There wouldn't be a second chance. No. I couldn't do it any more than I could make a decision about the man. I didn't want to die, and a promised after life... though I had been taught to believe in one, I couldn't risk everything yet. I'd been made king, and I didn't want to be one, but there must have been a reason.
Besides, even if I couldn't do it there was still an assassin out there. If I didn't watch my step I might meet death anyway. Hopefully in my sleep. If not, at least I could come before the gods with a clean slate.
Footfalls thumped behind me and broke my morbid chain of thought. I turned, my hand still on the hilt of my dagger. I wasn't quite that ready to meet an assassin.
"Your Majesty!"
How could I forget the endless chain of duties being king would mean? I shuddered inside. I still wished I knew why I'd been chosen, but they were expecting me to make a choice. I had to make one.
"Everyone is waiting for your decision, Sire," the nobleman told me, breathless. "You must hurry."
I needed to stop myself before I pouted again. Somehow I didn't want to ruin my already unstable position, but I hadn't come to a decision other than not killing myself. I followed him back, but my steps were leaden with dread and I steeled myself against it. A fragrant scent of roses brushed through my senses as if a beckon from the wild and I glanced towards it. The man's back was to me, and the archways to my immediate left. What if I didn't want to make a choice? What if I just ran away?
But if I did, would the assassin get the crown and this mantle? Did it matter? I didn't have much time to think about it. I either ran now, or made a decision that could put me back in danger.
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