6 years ago...
The Annual ball event at moonveil kingdom arrived with a tone that screamed 'the night was going to be eventful'. The palace walls were decorated in fine colours. The head chef and other kitchen servants had prepared a feast. Drinks ranked from most expensive to most valuable. Guests varied from Kings and Queens, Princes and Princesses, Noble men and women alongside Knights and Merchants all from different Kingdoms. They all wore dresses that made than stand out differently. A classic ball. King Alaric sat on his throne with his best friend, King Malric. They wined and dined, talking and laughing about even the silliest of things. "Where are the boys?" King Alaric asks his wife, Queen Amara in between laughs. The Queen's eyes scans the hall. No signs of the 17 year olds Aurelian and Draven. "I'll go look for them", She says before excusing herself from the throne. As she leaves,Valerius Thornvale, the grand duke of Nightbane walks past and smiles at her. His smile was all teeth. Sharp and sinister. Like he knew something noone else knows at that moment. Queen Amara smiles back politely before fully exiting. Grand duke Valerius glanced at the royal table and nods a go-ahead to the servant there. The servant discreetly put a few drops of phantom veil elixir into King Malric's drink. A potion known to make a man feel a sudden desire towards a woman closest to his wife without the man being aware of his actions. King Malric takes the drink and gulps it,"excuse me my friend, I have to use the restroom", he says putting down the golden cup. "Don't take too long", King Alaric jokes.
King Malric finished his business in the restroom and was heading back to the event hall when the potion takes effect. He felt a sharp ringing in his ear and his head felt light. King Malric held himself up against the wall. "What's... going on?" He asked to no one,"why am I feeling hot?" He subconsciously loosen his royal attire. He looked ahead, everywhere was blurry. No No No. He mentally tries to ground himself but it wasn't working. Just then, Queen Amara walks by, "King Malric? Did you happen to see the Aurelian and Draven?", she asks. King Malric couldn't make out the face of the person in front of him, the voice also wasn't clear enough but something told him she was close to his wife, Queen Calista. He took a step forward before speaking,"I want..her", his voice was raspy and his words unclear. Queen Amara tilts her head, her smile never leaving her face,"is something wrong, King Malric?" She questions. King Malric grabs her hand even though the tiny conscious part of him screamed no, the potion was powerful and his moved. "Come with me", he demands, his voice was horse but his words were sharp. Queen Amara looked unsure,"t..to where?", she asks but King Malric just begins to pull her away,"Just come". He pulls her past the open oak doors of the event hall. King Alaric caught a glimpse of his friends figure though he didn't quite see the second figure with him but he could make out that it was a woman. He chuckled to himself,"Malric, I guess you've still got it in you huh, even though your wife's here", he mutters to himself. He stands up and makes his way out of the hall,"I better stop him before he does something stupid and put his marriage on the line", he thought. King Alaric walks past rooms and corridors. "Where did he go? I could swear that was him just now", he scratched his head, unsure. He turned around to leave when he heard it. A noise. Muffled. Like someone was struggling. Coming from the opposite chamber. Was his friend forcing the woman? He thought. He didn't think twice before bursting into the room. "Are you stupid Malric? Just because you're a king doesn't mean you can force....", his words died in his throat the moment he saw the woman his friend was trying to have his way with. His Queen. His wife. Her face was tear streaked. And her eyes? They held fear. Like someone who had lost all hope. Raw anger filled King Alaric's veins. His fist connected with King Malric's jaw. "You bastard! I thought we were friends!" He yelled. King Malric stumbled back, grunting in pain. The effect of the potion wiped away from his system. He looked around. How had he gotten here? What had he done? "Alaric..I.." "you what?" King Alaric shoved him aside and wrapped his arms around his wife. "I trusted you like a friend, how could you do this to my wife of all people, Malric? How?" King Alaric's voice rises. "Your... your wife?" "Don't play dumb with me!" King Malric looked at the terrified expression on Queen Amara's face. "I..I didn't know...", he pleads. "Leave Malric, I would not like the others to hear about this, not because of anything but the dignity of my wife", he commands. "Alaric..." "LEAVE!"king Alaric yelled. "Please let me explain...", King Malric tries again but King Alaric shuts him down. "Today marks the end of our friendship and I... I, King Alaric of Moonveil kingdom, declares war against you and your kingdom". King Malric takes an unsteady step back,"please you don't have to do this, just listen to me...". "You should get out of here before I order the guards to drag you out!" King Alaric threatens. King Malric turns around, his shoulders hunched as he walks out of the chambers. He also leads his family and his people away from the Moonveil kingdom. In the shadows, Grand Duke Valerius Thornvale smirked with victory along with some noble men who had planned the evil deed. No one was to know about what had really transpired that day, so the Grand Duke saw an opportunity, he eliminated the noble men just to keep that day a mystery. "Kings are easiest to break when they trust." —Valerius Thornvale.