for this ask game. excerpt from the iron crown.
The doors opened. Heinrich entered escorted by guards, hands up and empty. In the years since Eudossia had last seen him up close, he had changed. He had grown tall, taller than her, and stronger, too. His face still bore the flush of youth, but his eyes were ringed with shadows far beyond his years. Tears prickled at their corners, but did not fall.
All Eudossia could ask was: “Why?”
He smiled as if to laugh, but it was cold and snarling. “Why?” he repeated. “Surely you know why.”
Eudossia looked to the ground, her heart caught in her throat.
“Don’t play dumb with me, cousin!” he cried. “Don’t you remember? You were hardly older than I am now. Small, scared, and powerless. Your entire family had been murdered, and you were moments away from joining their fates. Do you recall who saved you?”
She swallowed. “You did, Heinrich.”
His shoulders fell. “Yes,” he said. “I saved you. I saved you because you were my cousin, and though we had never spoken, I loved you. I put my own safety on the line for the chance that you might live. Then what happened?”
His nostrils flared and his hands curled into fists. “My father was a strong, healthy man. They told me he fell violently and suddenly ill, dying within a matter of hours. I didn’t even get the chance to say goodbye. I didn’t even get the chance to mourn. Within weeks, I was invited onto the ship of a churchman by the name of Ildebrando of Sovana. The moment I stepped on, the shipmen picked up their oars and began hurrying downstream, away from my mother on the docks. I thought they were going to murder me, so I jumped off and tried to swim for the shore. I was not quick enough. One of the men jumped in after me and pulled me back onto the boat, even as my mother called after me. I was held on that ship for days, until my mother agreed to hand over the Imperial Regalia. This is how your ally became regent of the Empire.”
Eudossia shook her head. “But you looked so happy at your coronation!”
“Do you think thirteen-year-old boys are incapable of lying, cousin?” he asked. “I did that. I did that for two long years, donning a false smile and doing every stupid thing he asked of me. All for this. So that I could listen carefully and put together the pieces of every traitor who involved themselves in my father’s murder. I counted down every day until my coming of age at fifteen, when I could be free from Ildebrando’s control. When I could have my revenge. On my guardian, on the Church, and even my own family. Starting with you.”
“Well,” Eudossia said. “You failed.”
He buried his head in his hands, masking his tears with laughs. “Have you no shame?” he asked. “Do you even regret what you did?”
“I didn’t kill your father!” she cried. “But even if I did, why would I feel sorry? He murdered his wife’s family in cold blood—even my little brother! He was an evil man, and his death was for the good of everyone.”
“Ah, look at you! A modern-day Brutus, selflessly freeing Rome from the grips of a cruel tyrant! We all thank you for your service, great lady!”
Eudossia sneered. “You’re a King now. Can’t you be grateful for that?”
“You’re a Margravine. Wouldn’t you rather have your father back?”
“My father’s death was the best thing that ever happened to me!”
It was enough to shock even Heinrich. He took a step back and said nothing.
Eudossia had not meant to say that. She had not even thought. Yet she had not lied.
