Onsets Of Darkness

Hector stayed in his leaned back position, his body, his lips and his senses still not fully recovered from the Queen's sudden gentle assault. He has had her lips on his before, but...Lana.

"Lana." He said, finally pulling himself up. "Lana, it is t..."

"I am sorry, your Majesty. Do you need something?"

"Lana. It is me. Hector. I am...Hector, Lana. Your Hector."

"I am sorry. My Hector would not have married someone else for her wealth. He would not have deceived me by telling me the wrong name and then go on to win the contest. You have the wrong maid, your Majesty." Lana said, her head bowed.

"Please Lana. Do not do this to me. Look at me. I did nothing like that. Her..."

"Excuse me. I have to go and prepare for the banquet." She turned away and started to walk. He held her arm back, his tears falling down his cheeks. He didn't know how to stop it when his emotions were so turbulent.

"You are my life, Lana. Please...please do not look away from me like this. Please do not walk away like this, Lana. I beg of you."

"You now have a wife. And she can give you everything that I couldn't. I am sure she will stand up for you whereever. Let go of me."

He did not. Her arm was literally the only thing he was holding on to. She turned to him with a teary glare, then pulled her hand away. He was forced to let go, and she bowed and walked away.

Queen Elvira stood behind him watching.

'Dear mother. Today I married the only man that stirred something within me. But here I am, in a corner of the room we should share..watching him beg for another woman to look at him, when he is all I can see. Does he deserve being the object of my selfishness?'

She bit down on her lip as she walked closer. With every step she took, Hector's sorry attempt at quietening his sobs broke jee reslove a little more.

"You do not...have to be quiet." She said. He did not turn to her, only broke down as his kneess buckled under him. She was in time to hold him up, even though she doubted if he really wanted her to comfort him like this.

"How dare yiu lie to me, you lowly servant?!" Adrian suddenly appeared behind the one of the pillars of the long hallway, grabbing Lana by her neck and pushing her to the wall.

His eyes were red with anger. She opened her mouth slightly in an attempt to breathe.

"I..I am sorry, my lord. I swear...I swear...it was what he told me. I swear, he told me her name was Elvira."

He suddenly released her and she fell to the ground with a thud.

"I might still have some use for you. I will see you soon."

Stepping on her finger that were outstretched, gasping for breath, he left the palace grounds.

"I should be sorry to you for choosing to be so selfish. For trying to keep my love closer to me regardless of what that did to you. Maybe I and Lana are not very different. She hits you till she is tired, and I snatched you from the person who makes you happy." Queen Elvira said as she handed Hector a cup of water.

He did not have a lot of words today and he simply nodded. Maybe it was just his bad luck. He had nothing to blame the queen for.

"Will you be able to attend the banquet, or I can postpone it for you. Whatever you want."

"Whatever I want?" He asked, lifting his eyes to her. She knew he would feel like she was humoring him, since everything he wanted just walked out the door.

"I hope I can do it for you." She answered instead and managed a small smile.

"I will attend the banquet." He said simply and stood up, heading for the door.

"That is what I want."

"I am doing what your highness wants." He answered.

She could bear the spite in his words, the hate that seeped through like poison on silver, darkening his heart and his eyes that had once glowed. She had done this to him. At this point, she was sure she was still the only thing that could change his mind.

He made to open the door.

"This..is your place now, Hector. It does not matter how much you now hate me, but...before we arrange for your own chambers...this is your place."

She watched him move away from the door then to the farthest edge of the room, where the lights didn't reach.

"What would it take for you to forgive me?"

"Nothing." Came the reply.



The palace grounds were illuminated with great fires and decorations, with servants running around, setting the giant tables that was set with food of all kinds. Most of the dignitaries were around already, including Lord Lucas and Adrian.

Queen Elvira dressed In bright red, a color that matched the red on her lip. The dresses sleeves flowed almost as long as the dress itself. The edges interwoven with gold. The bodice was modest, yet flattering of her figure. Her eyes were lined to illuminate her green color, and just as her maids were about to drop the veil, Hector stopped them.

"Excuse us." He said, a small bitter smile on his face. He waited till the maids all left, before slowly removing the head gear. "What are you so afraid of?"

"What?"

"Your name...or fake name is already out in the public and everyone now believes they know...the colour of your eyes too."

"Are you suggesting I go out without my veil?"

"Why would you not? You are unarguably the most beautiful woman there is, is that not right?"

She swallowed as the images of her mother closing her face and ordering her to run flashed in her eyes.

"I will not do that."

"Then I will not attend the banquet."

"Hector!"

"You forced me here! You brought me here knowing I wanted nothing of all of this! You did that to me in front of Lana so she would...."

"What is it you like about her? Tell me. She hit you, insults you, she collaborated with Adrian to have you kidnapped and tortured. I would not go to that extent!"

"She is flawed but...I love her."

"You are blinded, Hector. You are holding on to what used to make you happy because you are not sure anything else will ever be able to."

Hector thought about it. It did not matter if she was right, to him she was wrong. She would always be.



The lights at the banquet suddenly went off, and small candles were placed right in front of each guest. A small fire that was only enough to highlight the performances was placed in the center. Everyone was curious as to why it was happening, but no one said a thing.

"Her Highness, the Queen and her Newlh wedded husband, Hector are approaching. Show your respects."

Hector turned to her as he stepped into the dark place. She had steooed out without a veil, and choose the ultimate darkness to blanket her in its folds.

"You had a prior arrangement." He said to her, finding it strange that he wasn't even surprised.

"I obliged you, Hector. Anything else...should not matter."