I'd Give Up The World For You

Realizing this was a sensitive topic, Conrad didn't press the matter further. "I hope Elaine is the same way. I had to lie and tell her I was working overtime and didn't know when I would be home or if I would still get my full day off. She wasn't happy about that. 

"Not sure how she'll react knowing I was involved in a coup but she probably won't care much since your reign will make things more prosperous for people like us. She certainly was eager enough to get out of the castle so she has no love for the royals." 

"Most people don't," Rukelion said. "The king dug a hole for himself there. Hardly anyone will care that he was replaced since they know their well-being is the last thing on their minds. I'm more concerned about the nobles' reactions but I know how to deal with them." 

He had been tutored extensively on diplomacy and had interacted with nobles from a very young age. He might have been away from that world for a long time but it was still all in his head. 

The people of Katalya had loved his father since he worked tirelessly to make things as fair as possible for everyone. Being that sort of king was the best way to honor his legacy. 

"It's strange thinking of you having a whole other life the rest of us don't know about," Conrad remarked. "You'll have to tell me about it sometime."

Rukelion was actually touched by that. He hadn't been able to talk about his home with anyone and this was the first time someone other than Daisy had expressed any degree of interest in knowing about it. 

"It would be my honor. Besides, my chief advisor will need to know in order to help me implement certain changes around here," he said. 

Conrad sat up and looked at him. "You're making ME your chief advisor?!" 

"Why wouldn't I? Once my lieutenant, always my lieutenant. I need someone I can trust unconditionally and, as you said earlier, I trust you most. That shouldn't be so surprising considering all we've been through together."

"I guess not…but I never really thought about details like that regarding the 'after.' I've been so concerned with making this actually happen, you know?"

"That's understandable. But I will need people I trust in positions of power after this is all over. Royal guards…advisors…senior staff in the royal army. Things like that. I plan on rewarding everyone for their loyalty," Rukelion told him. 

Conrad smiled and shook his head indulgently. "Of course you do. That's exactly the kind of man you are."

"…is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

"A good thing. There's a reason we would all follow you anywhere. You're the kind of leader who actually cares about your men. That's more than any of the other higher-ranking officers can say."

Rukelion felt a slight twinge of guilt. That wasn't how it was at all. He only cared because he needed them to continue serving his purposes and they wouldn't do that if they weren't appropriately compensated. Any care he had shown was done manipulatively. 

"Thanks," he said quietly. 

He looked back up at the stars one more time. Everything was going to change tonight. He had ceased to be Leo May the moment he entered this camp claiming his true identity fully for the first time since he was twelve.

"Get some sleep, Blaze," Conrad encouraged after a few minutes. "Goodness knows you're going to need it."

Knowing this was true, Rukelion shut his eyes. "You too." 

He desperately needed his sleep. Even a few hours would be better than nothing. He took deep, slow breaths and with great effort emptied his head of thoughts. Before he knew it, he could hear someone calling his name—his real name!—to wake him up. 

"It is time for us to go, Rukelion," Veric urged. "Everyone else is already awake."

Groaning, he sat up and saw he was surrounded by people who had begun splitting up into the teams he had assigned. He truly was the last one asleep. How long had he been out?

Rukelion did feel better rested but as soon as he was fully conscious his nerves were on fire again. After all of his preparations it was finally time to face his greatest enemy and come out on top. 

He rubbed his eyes but before he could hoist himself up Conrad was offering him a hand. He accepted it and let his friend pull him to his feet. 

The sun had barely been setting when everyone first arrived here but now it was pitch black. The night of a new moon. How fitting considering there would be a new king on the throne come morning. 

It had to be very late. Anyone sane would be sleeping by now but they still had to be careful sneaking through town. No lanterns or torches. They could move solely by the dim light of the stars if they didn't want to get caught by anyone who happened to be awake. 

"Everyone split up once we get to town. We can't all move together or it will be too suspicious," Rukelion said firmly. 

"Yes, sir!" 

Everyone headed out but he somehow found himself at the back of the pack alone with Barry. Who seemed very somber for someone who had been laughing earlier. After several minutes of tense silence he decided to say something. 

"I originally refused to teach you because I could tell you had murder on your mind. I didn't want it to corrupt you because I know what killing does to a person. You told me you had something you wanted to protect so I let it slide but you've been harboring thoughts of revenge all these years. 

"It makes a lot more since now knowing you're a prince of Katalya. I've been through that area in my travels and the destruction…I've never seen anything like it. You probably want to burn this entire country to the ground so why aren't you? 

"You've definitely killed to get where you are—I can see it in your eyes—but you aren't corrupted to the point that you don't care about collateral damage. Tell me…is it because of that girl you married?"

Rukelion sighed. Barry had always had a knack for seeing right through to the heart of things. 

"Yes and no. The citizens of Mirea don't deserve to die solely because of where they live any more than the citizens of Katalya did. I've believed that from the start. But I can't deny that I would have killed everyone who was involved in what happened if not for her without a moment's hesitation." 

"That's what I thought. Does she know about any of this?"

"No. She knows what I look like and that I'm a fire mage but has no idea what I'm about to do. She's actually traveling right now so she'll likely be shocked when she returns. I'm going to have a tough time explaining it all to her," Rukelion confessed. 

Now Barry was laughing again. "I bet! Good luck with that, kid. Taking over this  kingdom is going to be easier than dealing with an irate woman."

"Thanks," he said dryly, making the mercenary laugh harder. 

He clapped Rukelion on the shoulder. "Don't worry too much about it. First things first, you know?"

"…then why did you bring it up?"

"Curiosity. I have to admit I was surprised when I got your letter and found out how far you'd come in your goals. You got your girl and now you're about to get your revenge. I wouldn't have expected that back when you were a scrawny kid who couldn't fight." 

Rukelion didn't know how to respond to that so he didn't. Barry ended up rejoining the team he had been assigned to and once again he found himself alone. He knew what he had to do and nothing could stop him from doing it. 

Once he reached town he crept through the shadows until he managed to reach one of the palace's back walls. He shimmied up a nearby tree before making a giant leap onto the top of the wall. 

There weren't any guards around that he could see so he leapt down and began making his way toward the kitchens. No one would be in there this time of night and the secret passage that led to the royal family's quarters started there. 

Too easy. This was too easy! All he needed was a map and a handful of powerful allies to take over an entire country!

Rukelion found the passageway Anise Dudley had mentioned and slipped through it before closing the opening behind him. No one could know he was here. 

He lit the tip of his finger so he could see where he was going and traveled through the passageway for quite some time before finding the exit.. The moment he emerged he ran into a royal guard and immediately unsheathed his dagger to stab him through the heart until he realized who it was.