The king's eyes
Time to confess

Samael

I give them time to settle down, to replace their rooms which obviously haven’t moved. They were places of refuge for my bad times...

During dinner, I ask them to meet me in my office afterward, because I have a lot to tell them, and I can’t wait.

Satine looks at me, puzzled as if wondering if I hadn’t brought them here simply for a possible project.

She will surely get angry again. But I can’t give up on Iris. I must act, and quickly.

I’m in my office waiting for my family. I’m going to have to tell them everything, it’s going to be brutal but the circumstances are like that.

They arrive and sit in front of me.

Satine takes the floor without delay: "You have a favor to ask us, is that it? Is that why you made us come so quickly? I suspected it..."

"Satine, I don’t have a favor to ask of you. But a lot of information to give you. There’s a lot you need to know, and I don’t want to put you off anymore.

I want us to be a family again. Having regained all my health and my faculties gave me the urgent need to replace you.

If you agree, I would like to speak to you with an open heart, and I invite you to do the same if you have things to say to me as well, even unpleasant ones." I said to them.

They look at each other and nod, for me to continue.

“I have been absent from your lives for a very long time and I deeply regret it today. I was not able, and not worthy to raise you until a few days ago... Anger and grief never left since that cursed evening.

Someone saved me, or should I say, helped me save myself.

Iris arrived at the castle ten days ago. She is a hybrid witch, her father is an elf. That’s what makes her so special... And that’s what helped her, heal me.

She was able to read my true nature, which I myself did not know, thanks to her elven legacy. And she led me to discover it, understand it, and use it to lift the bad spell and reveal myself as I really am...

If no wizard had managed to ward off the curse so far, it’s partly... My fault"

"What?" Asked my mother.

I pursue "There is a part of me that I did not control, which acted alone... To protect me. This part of me learned to strengthen against sorcery after Shezaar’s spell. It grew stronger and stronger because of the spells of those who tried to heal me for all these years, it made them unsuccessful and grew from their successes.

I had no idea. I was imprisoned in darkness and misfortune, unable to turn the page, to experience anything other than regret and bitterness. The curse was eating me slowly. I blamed myself for everything, I blamed everyone... My tantrums were out of control...

Even Iris suffered my rejection when she arrived.

But I perceived that she was special, that she was fundamentally healthy and without danger, that she knew who I am, more than myself, and that she had great hopes of saving me.

Kids... I discovered that this part of me came from my lineage...

I have a grandfather born of a magical species."

"Oh!!" They sit up in their chairs in amazement.

I continue "My father had that part too, and maybe you have it too, to a different degree, or not. Because I was able to see that it can evolve and take a large part of us if we make it live... And I gave a lot of work to this part of me without realizing it.

It has taken on a large scale, but I accept it.

It is no longer a part of me but it is quite simply my identity. I am a hybrid being. I am human, and demon."

Silence... The three of them look at me, completely shocked.

My mother with tears in her eyes, say to me: "You mean... Your father...?

He was in so much pain... He seemed to be constantly tortured and hated himself without me understanding the reason..."

I explain "He didn’t understand it himself. He did not know his true nature. His mother, my grandmother Queen Cassandra, allegedly conceived him with a demon, and never talked about it. No one ever knew, she died with her secret.

But the elves knew. They are peaceful and do not take sides. And this information could be dangerous for our family. When it was clear that I needed to know the truth, they sent Iris back to the realm to be summoned back to meet me.

Until then she lived in exile with her father."

Satine interferes: “Dad... It’s amazing... It’s crazy... Do you mean we do too? We have demon blood?"

"Yes... I don’t know if something appeared in you, but I had to talk to you about this phenomenon that may have arisen within you or which may still do so and turn your life upside down. I want you to be fully aware of your biology." I answered.

Joan: "Wow, that’s awesome!! Do we know who your real grandfather is? Is he still alive??"

"I have no idea who he is. The underground beings live recluse, away from our world, almost untraceable. And if he’s still alive, he must be very old. I don’t know if demons live that long but I’ll be surprised.

In any case, I think I’ll investigate one day, and if he still exists, he’ll have to answer for his actions... I hope he didn’t abuse my grandmother, and that he was a consensual act, even if it was adultery.

But this investigation will be for later. There is more urgent...

Iris is in danger." I said, worried.

Satine: " What?"

Joan: "Where is she?"

Mother: "What happened?!!"

They flood me with questions about all three.

"Iris has become...an important person to me. Her dedication and the heart she put into helping me...touched me. She is wonderful and exceptional... We have become close.

And she was taken from me..."

They stifle cries of surprise... They look at each other, they are afraid, of a new threat...

Another attempt to break my heart and divide our family.

I pursue "The wizard who was to follow after Iris for the healing attempts arrived three days ago.

He discovered at the same time as everyone else that she had managed to get rid of the bad spell. It was on that day that I sent you this letter to ask you to join me... The first thing I wanted after regaining my sight and my sanity was to replace you.

This day was celebrated until dawn, he took advantage of the crowd and the party to flee and took her with him...

I was worried sick...

I started looking for her when I realized that she had disappeared and that her horse was still there, I know that he took her away from me...

He must have been an underling of Shezaar.

Searches haven’t turned up anything so far, and I need to do something."

"So as soon as we meet you have to leave?" Said Satine, appalled.

"I have to replace her, Satine, I have to help her, I can’t leave her in the hands of these dark and madmen. I know you can understand that." I told her.

Satine: "So I’m coming with you!"

Joan: "Me too!"

"You honor me, but it’s too dangerous, children...

I have no idea what trap I’m walking into, nor how many there are, I don’t know exactly what I’m dealing with, they have been living in hiding for a while waiting to be able to finish me off.

I must eradicate this threat that has hung over the kingdom for too long.

You are my children, my heirs, I must protect you."I said.

Satine insists: "But we will be vulnerable if they attack the castle and you left with the soldiers! We are safer with you, and we had a very intensive training Joan and I, we were able to receive the instructions intended for the young royals, your guards made sure of that!

I come with you whether you like it or not! I don’t want us to be apart anymore! You said it yourself, Dad, we stay together now, we need each other!"

Joan : "She’s right, Dad. We are no longer children. Our life will not be easy and full of obstacles. I want to learn with you."

"...I have just found you... To put you in danger?" I said, hesitant.

Satine: "I trust you, and we have all these soldiers, all the royal guard, the citizens love the royal family and will be ready to help us if necessary, I know it. We will be more in danger here, far from the city, and with the minimum guard.

We always want to protect others by putting them away, it’s a mistake!! Unity is strength, you know it now, we’re coming with you."

"...I’m probably completely crazy... But... Okay...

We will leave tomorrow morning." I said, surrender.

My mother says nothing, tears assail her...

I don’t know if she’s scared, or if she’s moved to see us reunited and together in the face of the offensive... I think everything is jostling in her head.

I hope she will be safe here.

And I hope I didn’t just make the most insane decision of my life.