Ixion's expression was blank as he stared at the pages. His blue eyes were hollow, devoid of glee.
Such was par for the course whenever he thought of the past.
Ixion waited for the ink to dry, then closed the book and locked it away before going to lie in bed.
He would sleep if he could.
***
He lay still in his bed for a few days, lost in thought.
Eventually, his body scread at him to do the duties of a normal human.
Before all of that…
As per usual, Ixion checked his Soul Scripture.
A deplorable reminder.
❖❖❖
Na: [Ixion Catatran]
Title: [Hollow Crowned King]
Aspect: [Soul Winder]
Class: [Seraph]
Core Rank: [Boundless] - (333/600)
Traits: [Noble] [Soul Shatter] [Defiance] [Karmic Soul] [Astral Projection]
❖❖❖
'Hollow Crowned King…'
Ixion, the king who'd ascended the throne before the age of six, and one who's Soul Cried the day his mother died — his Aspect awakening.
'To call a five-year-old king's crown hollow…'
That was simply the world he lived in.
A world that had defined him before he could define himself.
Ixion stretched, with his resolve refreshed, and began whistling as he made his way to the dining hall.
***
After he ate his 'fair share', he found himself standing behind Runa as she dusted a vase, Lord of Truth set down nearby.
The cat woman tried to pretend the King was not behind her, looming over her shoulder, but the still shadow cast upon the vase soon grew impossible to ignore.
With a fidgety turn, she bowed before Ixion.
"I greet you, Your Majesty."
Ixion bellowed:
"Runa, my dear. You can call — Oh, right, never mind!"
'I forgot I told her only to ntion casually when we were alone!'
Ixion brought his fist over his mouth. He coughed and ordered:
"Ahem! Follow !"
Lot chirped:
"Follow !"
Ixion pointed at the Lord of Truth and cheered:
"What he said!"
Awkwardly, Runa set down the goose-feathered duster in the wicker cleaning basket, then motioned a nearby maid to take it off her.
With that taken care of, she bowed.
"At your behest, Your Majesty."
Then she scooped up the Lord of Truth's cage and began following the enigmatic King.
Ixion humd as he walked down the winding corridors of the Royal Palace.
"Darling, Runa, humor as we walk."
Runa, a half step behind Ixion, flicked her tail slowly back and forth. Her fingers tensed.
She lightly nodded.
Runa had definitely ward up to Ixion, but after witnessing the chef's terrifying execution, it was confirmation of all the terrifying rumors.
That unsettled her greatly.
She was following an unhinged King who could kill with a touch.
Ixion slowed his pace until he stood side by side with the maid. He looked down and into her green eyes.
With an odd seriousnes inflection, he asked:
"What is love? Do you know?"
Before Runa could answer, Ixion looked away and added:
"I've never quite had soone to teach . From what I've been told, it's sothing you discover on your own. Sadly, given my position, I think it's a moot point."
Runa looked up at Ixion, catching a glimpse of his placid expression; the pitiful eyes hidden behind the proud exterior.
The courage ca slowly.
"Love… Your Majesty. I'm sorry to say I don't know much about it either."
Ixion smiled, then exaggeratedly threw his body back and said.
"Ah, my darling Runa! Are you saying you weren't loved as well?!"
As the cat heard the King's words, it was like a switch flipped in her mind; like the emotions hid within pushed past her fear of death's touch.
"No, I was loved. I was deeply loved as one could be, I'd say."
Ixion quietly chuckled, then said:
"So you lied to a King? How bold!"
His tiny fit of laughter quickly ca to an end. He regained a calm countenance. He said:
"You said you were loved, yet you don't know much about it? Sounds a little hypocritical."
Runa continued with a asured pace as she slightly swung Lot's cage, sothing the bird seed to thoroughly enjoy as it kept him quiet.
"Your Majesty. Love is… not sothing one understands. Sorry if it's presumptuous, but I'm sure you've felt it before. You may not have realized, but you definitely felt it and received it."
Ixion looked up toward the palace roof as he scratched his chin, sothing red catching his eye.
"Have I, now? I don't rember such a ti!" Ixion paused and gripped his head. "Ah, do I have the old person forget disease?!"
Runa stopped and gave a long sigh to the King.
"No, you don't, Your Majesty. You're in your twenties."
The corner of Ixion's mouth twitched upward.
"That tone was awfully cordial of you."
Runa lowered her head and bowed.
"My apologies, Your Majesty!"
Ixion boisterously laughed.
"I told you to call Ixion when we're alone!"
Runa curiously tilted her head up and looked at the King.
"Pardon?"
Then, she began to draw her head around, only to find nobody surrounding them in the halls.
Ixion snickered.
"You can address and talk to however you may. Zabaniyah has made sure to clear the area."
Runa shivered, and her face grew pale.
Ixion reeled back and cried out:
"Relax, cat! Do you think I ordered them all to be killed! Heavens no! I'm not so tyrant."
Runa didn't seem to be convinced of his words, but whatever train of thought she held was soon rudely interrupted.
Dropping from the chandelier above, the jester splatted on the ground. Despite the awkward landing, she rolled around as if just fine and clapped.
"Correct, correct you are, sir King! You're not just any tyrant. You're THE tyrant!"
Ixion's gaze descended to the jester.
"What does that make you, the tyrant's fool?!"
The jester squird, then scread:
"Oh, why, oh my?! Is it not obvious? It makes a King's jester!"
Ixion spun around dramatically, whipping his cape.
"Zero out of ten! That wasn't even a joke. Be gone!"
The jester brought her hands to either side of her face and squird.
"Ixion, Ixion. Have I offended you? Is it ti for to be punished? Whipped?!"
Ixion smiled at the jester. But for the first ti…
'I'm a little mad.'
Ixion was actually trying to hear Runa's response.
He wasn't asking what love was for so theatrical display — he wasn't trying to make a mockery of her.
What he wanted was to finally understand the concept that drove his mother mad.
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