Demons, Witches, and Toads (BoyxBoy) - Chapter 115: Chapter 115

"I hope we're not making a terrible mistake," Violet mumbled, staring out the window as the carriage ascended the winding path leading up the hill. She kept her gaze fixed on the twisted spires of the castle in the distance, its form growing larger and larger as they approached. Violet sighed heavily, propping her chin up with one hand. "Does having doubts make me a bad person?"
"No," Robin said softly. Her former classmate was seated across from her, staring down at his hands. "It's only natural. Turning against our emperor is terrifying." He swallowed hard. "But regardless, my sister is a Royal Mage. As scared as I am, I can't abandon her. I'm sure you feel the same way."
Violet nodded stiffly. "A friend of mine became one only two years ago." Her gaze darted to the carriage floor. "And if I had won the tournament, I would've joined him." Violet's stomach twisted at the thought. "Right now, I'd be trapped alongside the other mages, powerless as the emperor destroyed my mind and body..." Her voice caught, choking on the words.
When the rumors first began, Violet had never wanted to believe such horrors could possibly be true. However, once the five princes defected, along with several other noble families, it became impossible to remain in denial.
The empire was ruled by a murderer who butchered his own subjects like they were livestock.
Violet let out another low sigh, leaning her head against the carriage window.
Joining the rebellion was horribly dangerous and Violet was terrified. Regardless, by fighting against the emperor, she was doing the right thing. Perhaps the white-haired boy from the forest would finally be proud of her.
Violet was jerked from her thoughts as the carriage abruptly screeched to a halt, several former knights stepping out in front of them.
"State your name and business," one called loudly, his sword at the ready.
"Violet Dolloway and Robin Wires," Violet announced. "We're here to join His Majesty, the Rebel Emperor." She dug through her bag, holding out the papers she'd been gifted by the noble who'd recruited them. Violet proceeded to stick them through the open window, presenting them to the knights. At the bottom of the document was the crown prince's seal, proving they were genuine.
The knights looked them over before giving a single nod. "Alright, you may enter." And with that, they stepped to the side, allowing them through.
The carriage began to roll forward once more, approaching the twisted castle that was the Vivok estate.
Violet's eyes widened with surprise as they grew nearer. Surrounding the grounds of the estate were countless people. Many stood in small groups, practicing swordsmanship or magic. Spells flew through the air towards dummies and targets while knights sparred vigorously. Around them, more rebels were sharpening weapons and moving supplies, so busy they didn't even bother to acknowledge the approaching carriage. This quickly changed, however, when the carriage finally rolled to a stop and the estate's doors flew open.
Standing there was Wheeler, Priscilla at his left and the pretty white-haired boy at his right. The moment the Rebel Emperor appeared, a hush fell over the rebels, bowing deeply as he made his way through them.
Violet's breath caught, taking him in. The Wheeler of her memories was nothing like the man before her now. Had he always been this handsome?
She'd remembered Wheeler as an awkward, gangly little boy, but he had to be at least six feet tall now. His chest and shoulders were broader, extenuated further by the loose white shirt he wore, the sleeves rolled up and front laces undone. She assumed he must have been training, if the gilsten of sweat on his half exposed chest was anything to go by, a wooden talisman hitting against it as he moved towards her. She squinted at it. Was that a toad? Well...it seemed at least some things never change.
And speaking of toads, Wheeler's pet was currently perched on Priscilla's shoulder, watching her with its beady little eyes as she and Robin exited the carriage.
Wheeler grinned, extending a hand in greeting. Violet was about to accept it, when the realization struck that Wheeler was no longer her classmate. The man standing before her was the rebel emperor—their new leader. She quickly gave a small curtsy, followed by a bow from Robin.
"It's been a long time," Wheeler said, his voice still as cheerful as she remembered it, though lower now, like a gentle rumble of thunder. "You have no idea how excited I was to learn you'd be joining us."
"Who thought we'd meet again under such circumstances?" Robin replied with a smile. "From now on, I get to say our emperor abandoned me in a swamp. I'd like to see someone top that at a dinner party."
"And I am still so sorry about that," Wheeler stammered.
Robin chuckled, giving him a light smack on the shoulder. "No hard feelings. Besides, it certainly doesn't hurt to have someone in your position owe me one."
Violet's gaze flickered around the crowded castle grounds, the rebels absorbed in their training once more. "It seems you've built quite the army."
"It's all thanks to the people of the Icy Mountains." The voice came from a young woman as she and a man, almost identical in appearance, approached.
Wheeler grinned, gesturing to them. "Let me introduce you to our hosts, Count Lenox Vivok and his sister Lady Lilith."
The pair offered them a matching smile, bowing their heads in unison.
"The magic users of the Icy Mountains have been sacrificed to the emperor for decades," Lenox said. "Even my sister and I lost our mother to him."
"When the truth finally surfaced about the fates of our countrymen, the people of the Icy Mountains flocked to serve our new emperor," Lilith continued. "With their numbers and our growing supporters joining from the mainland, that monster's reign will soon be coming to an end."
"Your progress is truly incredible," Violet breathed. "Even we were unaware of how large your army had grown."
"Good," the white-haired boy murmured, crossing his arms. "The more the emperor underestimates us, the easier it'll be to rip him from his throne."
He was still as beautiful as ever. Violet had experienced many fleeting crushes in her youth, but none had ever come close to the boy from the forest. His gaze met hers and instantly she found herself transported back into the lovesick school girl of her youth. His expression had grown far gentler since the last time they'd met, and it sent her heart racing, an impulsive urge overwhelming her to try her luck just one last time.
"Long time no see, forest boy." Violet fluttered her eyelashes, curling a lock of raven hair around her finger. "Want to show me around the castle grou--"
"Nope."
Well, that attempt was short lived.
Her gaze drifted to Wheeler as he ran a hand through his curls, a bright smile lighting up his handsome face.
"How about you, Your Majesty?" Violet murmured, taking a step closer.
The moment she did, the white-haired boy's gaze went ice cold, a hand curling protectively around Wheeler's waist. "Once again, nope. I'm afraid His Majesty has far more...pressing matters to attend to." As he spoke, his fingers trailed a line possessively down the Rebel Emperor's back.
And at last it clicked. Ooooooooh. Well at least now it made way more sense why her advances had never worked.
They were luckily saved from the awkward turn the conversation had just taken when a group of bright eyed magicians ran up to Wheeler, bowing as they approached.
"Your Majesty," one stammered, wand in hand. "If it wouldn't be an inconvenience...could you keep teaching us those breath of life spells you explained yesterday? We've been practicing them all day and we'd love to learn more!"
"Yeah," a few others piped up, nodding ecstatically. "We want to learn to control the plants as well as you do!"
"Trust me," Priscilla said with a smirk. "It took him a looooot of practice."
"But most importantly," Wheeler said, offering the white-haired boy a soft smile, "it took an amazing instructor." His attention returned to the young mages, his smile growing into an eager grin. "And because of that, I'd be more than happy to continue teaching you!"
The mages let out an excited cheer, an explosion of 'thank you, Your Majesty' filling the air before they took off running back towards the training grounds. Several grabbed hold of Wheeler's hands, pulling him after them. Wheeler flashed them a parting smile as he was yanked away.
"He's the Rebel Emperor," Robin mused, "yet he's still taking the time to train them himself."
"That's our Wheeler," Priscilla replied with a laugh. "Always there for whoever needs him, no matter how powerful he may be." She grinned. "Even for something as minimal as this,"
"And that's why this army will fight for him with more loyalty and passion than the Grand Emperor could possibly imagine," the white-haired boy said softly, his gaze never once leaving Wheeler.
A swarm of over fifty young mages had grouped around the Rebel Emperor now, watching intently as he demonstrated a long vine curling into the air above them. One by one, smaller vines began to spring up as his pupils tried the spell for themselves, cheering and grinning as they did.
The white-haired boy was still watching Wheeler intently, his gaze locked on the Rebel Emperor as if he were the only thing that existed in the world.
Priscilla laughed, giving him a sharp nudge. "Careful Mulock, your gay is showing."
Mulock shoved her back. "As if you're one to talk."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"Oh, come on. We all saw you drooling over Frances after that servant spilled water on her shirt."
Priscilla's face went red. "Wait?! It was that obvious?"
"Yes!" Mulock replied sharply, leading to an explosion of bickering between the two.
Violet laughed, her gaze trailing across the rebels' faces; hopeful and eager, practically bursting with excitement for what was to come.
The thought caused her smile to slip, a sharp prick of worry resurfacing in her chest. It was easy to dream of a bright future where they came out victorious, easily removing the emperor without a drop of their own blood being spilt. But that couldn't possibly be the truth.
People were going to die.
Lives were going to be lost, and in the end, despite all the sacrifice, they might not even win.
Hope was a powerful thing, that was true— but was it blinding them to the horrors ahead?
All Violet could do was pray this wouldn't all be in vain.