Chapter 140

FELIX

I returned to the castle with a newfound sense of purpose.

I could only hope that Sofia was feeling that same rejuvenation as well. Maybe by this point she had reunited with her lost love Samuel–or perhaps not, since time worked differently in the void.

But I knew she was trying, and that was what mattered most.

My parents were waiting in the throne room with me once again. For the first time in weeks, there was a bit of hope in their eyes.

I had not realized how tired and worn-down they had been looking until I saw them full of energy again. It hurt me to think of their suffering, of the internal battles they themselves had been fighting. Perhaps I needed to give them more grace for all their actions recently.

If I had learned anything from Sofia, it was the power of forgiveness.

No better time to start than the present.

I gave my mother a large hug, startling her slightly. But she quickly recovered and wrapped her arms around me. Her body was so thin that I wondered if she had been eating, and if I wasn’t mistaken, she was slightly teary at our first moment of affection in weeks.

I pulled back and looked at my parents. “I went to the library. I need to see Charles.”

My mother and father looked at each other for a long beat before turning their attention back to me.

“We just came from the dungeons, actually,” my father said slowly. “Your brother claims he wants to help.”

I raised an eyebrow. “And? What did you tell him?”

“I said you were the king and that it was ultimately your decision,” my father responded. “And I believe that wholeheartedly.”

So my father was at last respecting the fact that I was the one with the crown now. I had to give him that credit–it shocked me, but I was happy to see that he had started to become more self-aware.

“Thank you, Father,” I said. “I will go speak with him.”

“Felix!” My mother grabbed my arm. “What did you learn at the library?”

“I learned all about my curse,” I said. “And more importantly, I learned how to get Mila back.”

“We are sorry,” my mother said, sincerity shining in her eyes. “I feel awful about what happened to her.”

“We’ll get her back and you can apologize to her in person,” I promised her. “But right now I need to speak to my brother.”

“What are you going to do about Charles?” My mother asked anxiously.

I grinned at her. “I think I’m going to set him free.”

The dungeons seemed smaller this time around, less menacing. Down here, though, I could sense that the magic was fading even faster than it was on the surface. Despite my newly-uncovered memories and recharged magic, there was still a lot of destruction that I needed to sort through.

Charles was in his cell in that same corner spot as last time, but he looked more awake and alert as I approached him.

“Felix!” He called out. “You’re back!”

“I went to the Library of Magic,” I told him as I strode up to the bars.

“And?” Charles asked, running over to the edge of his cell so that he could see me better.

“I read that book on my curse,” I said.

Charles nodded slowly. “Did you find everything that you were looking for?”

“That’s not everything,” I said, and proceeded to tell him all about Sofia, the past lives, and Mila’s magic.

When I finished my tale, my brother’s jaw was practically on the ground.

“So… Mila is an enchantress?” He said in disbelief.

“Yes.”

“And the two of you are somehow predestined to protect all of the magic in Fresonia?” Charles repeated again.

“Yes.”

Charles started pacing around his cell.

“Well, you’ve done a pretty shitty job so far,” he said.

I tilted my head at him. “Are you seriously making jokes right now?”

“What?” Charles laughed. “It’s funny! I’m allowed to find humor in a dark situation, Felix.”

I shook my head, a tiny smile blooming on my own face. “You are completely ridiculous, Charles.”

It was almost like old times.

Charles’ face grew serious as he neared me once more. “Did you speak to Mother and Father?”

“As a matter of fact, yes,” I said. “That’s a big reason why I’m down here.”

“And what did you… think?” Charles asked tentatively.

“I think that there are a lot of things the two of us need to work through,” I said slowly, “but we are going to need all the help we can get if we’re going to save the magic.”

“I’ll do anything to prove myself,” Charles said desperately. “I’ve been beating myself up down here, Felix, thinking that the dying magic is all my fault. I don’t really care about your role as King, but Fresonia means everything to me. That’s why–”

He cut himself off, but I knew what he was saying. That’s why I tried to overthrow and kill you.

“Fresonia needs your help,” I said. “But I do too, and I need to know that you won’t stab me in the back again.”

Charles placed a hand over his heart. “I swear that I won’t do anything to hurt you. Or Mila, for that matter. I acknowledge that I don’t have the greatest track record when it comes to you two.”

“It hurt me when you started a rebellion against me,” I told him. It was high time I was honest. “We’re brothers. I love you. Fighting against you was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.”

Charles nodded. “I was blinded by jealousy and rage. I didn’t know how to handle it, especially once you found Mila and everyone was gushing over you all the time. All I wanted–all I wanted was for someone to notice me and my talents for once.”

It was a fair statement. I still felt bad over his treatment.

“Do you still think you’d be a better ruler than me?” I asked him. “And be honest. You will not win your freedom by lying to me.”

Charles hung his head. “I can’t lie to you, brother. Yes, I do. But I promise to respect your spot on the throne and not try to steal it from you again.”

“I understand that it can be difficult to be a second son,” I said. “I don’t think I was always as sympathetic to your position in life as I could be. But I hope that we can start over and maybe even reach a tentative peace moving forward.”

Charles’ eyes brightened. “I would love that.”

“I still don’t trust you,” I warned him. “I still think you are a danger to this country and to me. But I’m willing to adjust the parameters of your imprisonment to help with this situation. If we are able to save both Fresonia and my marriage, then perhaps I will reconsider your sentence.”

Charles bowed his head. “I completely understand.”

“Then do we have a deal?” I stretched an extended hand through the bars.

Charles gripped it in a firm handshake. “We have a deal.”