vector/iii
137. Loathing (resisting urge to make Wicked references)
"... and the King was so hated by his people that no one mourned his death," Michael was saying as Vector wandered in. "He was considered insane by the people but he would never listen to the advisers and any suggestions of such were met with death."
"What is this?" Vector said, flopping on the foot of the bed.
Michael glanced up over the edge of his book but kept going. "The accusations that the young Prince had murdered his parents were widely ignored by the people and while the Queen was greatly mourned, there was great rejoicing when the Prince was crowned. Texts show that the Prince was considered the savior of the kingdom; charming, handsome, intelligent and capable of forging peace treaties with even the most ferocious of war lords, said to be willing to do anything for the good of his kingdom and better the lives of his people."
"Sounds like a sap," he muttered.
"However the Prince soon caved under the pressure-"
"Weakling."
"-and was soon discovered to be just as bloodthirsty and cruel as his father. He amassed armies and declared war on former allies, taxing his people to breaking point, driving them into poverty, famine and decline."
"Someone needed to smack him, huh?"
"Despite his victories, he was always alone and afraid for his life, fearing other were always plotting against him. He feared for his life at every turn and soon anyone who spoke out of turn was considered an enemy and put to death. The formerly loved Prince had become a tyrant King, hated and feared by his people, alone, afraid and unloved in his castle."
"What a loser... Ah, what an idiot. No wonder everyone hated him."
"By the time he died his kingdom was in ruins, unrecoverable and his people died out leaving little but ruins behind. It's unknowns whether he committed suicide or the people finally grew restless and the last of his guards assassinated him but what little counts remain say that the survives of his purge looted the castle and his treasures, even taking the jewels and clothes from his body throwing his body in the pit he once used to torture his victims."
"Serves him right, you know?" Vector laughed. "What kind of idiot would lose control of himself and his kingdom like that."
"Mmm, a man hated and fears and cursed never to be loved by anyone," Michael murmured, getting up off the bed and putting the open book down in front of him. "What a pitiful creature."
Vector stared down at the picture next to the passage Michael was reading. Crumbled ruins depicting the king surrounded by demons and spirits and blood. His fists clenched in the sheets. Him. It was him.
He turned to stare up at Michael as he changed from his school uniform. He didn't want to be... soft. But still, hated, feared and unloved. He seemed such a miserable man when Michael read it back. Was he really so pitiful even now?
"I've changed," Vector said firmly. "I'm not insane and I'm not that weak. I'm in control now. I won't ever be that madman again! I won't let anyone take control of my life ever again! I'm not like that monster!"
"And you're loved," Michael murmured.
Vector blinked up at him and Michael flashed a soft smile, turning Vector embarrassingly red.