Forgive me! I'm so sorry for taking almost, what has it been, three, four months, to update this story. After NaNoWriMo (which I did manage to complete, yay?) I just got busy, and it was very difficult to just get this chapter down on paper for some reason. So very special thanks to my Beta reader Kay Hau for this chapter, probably still wouldn't of had it done if it wasn't for her.

Chapter 14 – The Anniversary

Myrrha growled as Ilham carried him effortlessly over his shoulder through the hallways. The silver haired boy knew by now that he was simply doing it to be degrading, but that didn't make it any less annoying. It'd been so long now, you'd think the tiger +anima would get tired of carting him around and just let him actually walk from place to place instead. The others did, although Fatin still tied him up.

Taj had stopped a while ago, just taking to leading the small boy by his wrist instead. And sometimes his hair, whenever Myrrha was being particularly annoying or going too far in his attempts to escape the reptilian +anima's grasp.

"Do I actually get to know what's going on this time?" Myrrha asked, growing tired of his fruitless attempts to escape the man's grip. Ilham chuckled at the question, shifting the child on his shoulder afterwards.

"Raza will explain everything, princess," he reassured the boy.

A glare instantly set itself onto the boy's face, and he started squirming again, this time less as an attempt at escape and more to just irritate Ilham as he had to try to hold him in place. That stupid name didn't even make sense anymore, since he wasn't technically a prince, but the 'king'.

He didn't bother to say any of this though, instead opting to stay silent, which was so unlike how he used to be whenever he heard something he perceived as an insult. He knew for a fact that Ilham wasn't going to stop, and there was no way he was going to insist on being called 'king'. That would just be twisted into queen or something anyway, so there wasn't any point.

"Why couldn't the lazy shark come and get me himself, then?" Myrrha asked, even though truthfully he would take the least amount of time with Raza as he could possibly get. He just needed to complain about something. Ilham shifted the boy roughly once again, nearly causing him to fall to the ground.

"Well then, I'll make sure to tell him you'd like to see him around more," the tiger +anima told him mockingly.

Myrrha growled again, deciding to just keep his mouth shut this time so that he wouldn't dig himself any deeper than he already was. If there was one thing he learned in all this time, it was when to shut up.

They reached the door not long after that, Ilham swiftly opening it and stepping inside. Just as he had said, Raza was waiting for them, sitting behind a large desk and seeming more preoccupied with the papers in front of him than the two who'd just came in. Seeing him focused on whatever work there was, mouth shut into a straight line as he concentrated, he actually looked slightly normal for once. Not like the insane sadist Myrrha knew him as.

Then, in less than a second, that illusion of normalcy was shattered. Raza turned to look over at them, a large smirk showcasing those razor sharp teeth that had caused Myrrha pain more times than he could even count anymore, and that calculating, manipulative gleam back in his eyes.

"Ah, how nice of you to come, my king," Raza said, standing up from his seat behind the desk and starting over to the two.

Myrrha rolled his eyes, still hoisted up on Ilham's shoulder, glaring off at the wall and refusing to look the intimidating man in the eyes.

"As if I had a choice," he growled, as rebellious as ever. The shark +anima seemed to ignore him for now, instead turning to Ilham.

"I'll take him back," was all that he said.

Myrrha could feel Ilham nod before setting him ungracefully to the floor before leaving the room without another word. The silver boy instantly got to his feet, instinctively taking a few steps away from where Raza stood as he did so. He'd been conditioned over the past year to leave as much space between him and the older man as he possibly could.

"So, what is this all about?" Myrrha asked, attempting to get this little meeting over as fast as he could. Raza quickly walked over to him, effortlessly closing the small gap Myrrha had created, knowing full well that the boy was much too proud to back away again. It would seem like he was running.

After all, not once had the boy admitted to being afraid of his captors. Disgusted, enraged, even in pain because of, but never afraid.

The shark +anima placed a hand on Myrrha's shoulder, leading him over to the desk almost as a teacher would. When Myrrha attempted to twist out of his grip, he clamped his hand sharply, finger nails digging into his skin and causing a sting of pain to run through the boy, forcing him to continue.

Better to just go along with it for now, avoid any extra pain. That was starting to become his plan of action more and more as time went on, although he denied it venomously in his head. He was just waiting for the right moment was all. If it came, and he was too torn up to take it from fighting losing battles the whole time, he would regret it.

"Are you aware of what the date is, my king?" Raza asked, taking a seat back down at the desk again. Myrrha managed to escape his grip now, although in the back of his mind he knew it was just because Raza had allowed him to.

"I don't even know what day of the week it is," Myrrha grumbled, frowning in confusion at the random question and rubbing the shoulder Raza had been gripping absently. Raza chuckled, amused by the boy's admittance of confusion.

"The anniversary of your coronation will be in one week from today," he explained.

Myrrha simply nodded, trying to figure out why that would be of any importance. It didn't take him long to think of a few reasons, especially with knowing how these four liked to paint a picture of what a happy and free country this was now.

A sickening feeling was already forming in his stomach before Raza even began to continue.

"There will be a celebration, of course. A fair in the town for our citizens, as well as something in the palace for our more… powerful figures. Think of it as a national holiday, if you will," Raza informed.

Myrrha took in all of this, not surprised in the least. The shark +anima wasn't getting to the main point yet though.

"And what will 'the king' do during all this?" he asked, watching as Raza's smirk widened even more. While Fatin always hated it when he asked questions and never answered him, Raza seemed to love it. Sure, he wouldn't always give him a straight answer, but he still loved being the one in control. The one with the answers.

Believe it or not, he'd once gotten out of a beating by asking about the ethics involved in torture. It actually ended up being quite the interesting conversation… not that he'd ever admit that to said sadist.

"There is a simple speech we've prepared for you. Memorize that, and that's all you'll be needed for during the night," Raza explained. Myrrha simply nodded, already knowing the uselessness in fighting back. Just go along with what they said, say the stupid speech, and continue looking for chances to escape. Maybe there would be one during their little celebration, if things got busy enough. He might find a chance to slip away.

The silver haired boy quickly filed the thought away in his mind. It might be hard with so many people around, but if they all thought he was really the king (not like Kazana, knowing half-truths and such), then he might not have a problem convincing anyone to let him go wherever he wanted. Sure, the chances of those four lowering their guard on him so much during something like this was slim to none, but that didn't mean he couldn't plan.

"So nice of you not to put up a fight for once, my king. It seems you're finally starting to come around," Raza said, immediately dragging the boy out of his thoughts. Myrrha scowled at him, a fierce glare set on his face.

"You people are sick," he snarled, bitterness dripping from his every word.

It only caused Raza to chuckle, knowing that words were all the prince had now. He would never attempt to actually attack the older man, not after how much stronger he'd proven himself time and time again. Not even after the first day, really. All of this only serving to make Myrrha even more enraged.

"How rude, and after all we've done for you," Raza said.

Myrrha allowed his teeth to transform. He'd gotten much better at controlling it over the past year, just barely managing to keep himself from lunging at the shark +anima.

"You've done nothing for me! You're monsters! Beasts! I hate all of you!" he yelled.

Raza didn't seem fazed at all, and the menacing, manipulative gleam in his eyes actually vanished. It was replaced with a strange look of seriousness as he folded his hands together, leaning slightly forward.

"And why is that?" he asked.

"Huh?" was all Myrrha said though, temporarily knocked out of his rage by his confusion over the question.

"Why do you hate us?" Raza asked simply, seeming completely serious.

Myrrha just stood there for a moment, completely baffled as to how he could even ask that question. Wasn't it obvious? It had to be obvious!

"B-because! Because this is all your fault! You monsters ruined everything! You killed my family, and – and hurt me! You're evil and cruel and I hate you!" he yelled.

"Would you want to kill us?"

"Yes," Myrrha answered, not having to think it over at all. He wanted to kill them so bad. He wanted to make them pay for all the pain they caused him. For ripping away his life, his family, everything.

A strange smile formed on Raza's face. It wasn't like the normal, condescending and sadistic smirk he usually was almost… resigned? Sad, even?Myrrha couldn't figure out what it meant.

"In that case, you should understand the reasons for our revolution perfectly," the black haired man said, confusing Myrrha even further. Before the boy was able to say anything however, Raza turned back to his desk, picking up one of the papers and handing it back to Myrrha.

"Here's the speech for you to memorize. I doubt it will be very hard," Raza said, as if everything that they had just said never happened.

Myrrha quickly tried to forget it as well. It was all just more of the shark's mind games. He was always doing thing like that, messing with his mind, trying to make it easier for them to control him. To get him to sympathize with that bloody so-called wasn't going to let it work. Everything Raza said was a lie. He couldn't listen to any of it.

He hated them. There would never be any way for him to understand them. Of that, he was certain.

…

The next week passed rather quickly, as far as time spent locked away with nothing to do went.

Myrrha allowed himself to be led down the hallway by Taj. At least it had been the reptilian +anima's responsibility to get him ready for the festival today. He didn't want to have to deal with Raza or Ilham or Fatin any more than he needed to, and Taj was always a bit gentler when dealing with him than the others.

He was already dressed in the outfit they'd picked out for him for the festival, silver silk with gems encrusted around the collar. Sleeves long enough to hide any of the scars he'd gained over the year, although even if anyone saw it wouldn't matter. He'd learned from an experience with Kazana. The young hawk +anima had caught a peak of his arm and automatically placed it as evidence of his abuse at his family's hands.

And Myrrha never could bring himself to shatter Kazana's illusions. Not that the birdbrain would believe him. And he was a little… not afraid, but concerned, that the four would forbid Kazana from speaking to him as well. Even at the rare official functions where he was allowed to 'speak', not one person had ever directed anything more than a formal greeting his way… and there were never more than ten people anyway.

He wasn't bothering to attempt to escape at the moment. That would come later. During the actual festivities, when everyone was hopefully too busy to pay attention to him.

"You memorized your lines?" the reptilian +anima asked. Myrrha just nodded, his mind still away in his possible escape plans.

Those plans were what had been keeping him sane when he was locked away. Just the idea of being able to one day be able to escape that monotonous torture. Escape from Sailand, to somewhere no one would recognize him. Maybe find his missing brother, Keane.

Taj pulled him into a room, quickly shutting the door behind them. It was mostly empty, like a lot of the rooms on this floor. Myrrha wasn't entirely sure what the rest of the palace looked like now, especially since they had probably decked it up for the festival. No one besides those four and sometimes Kazana ever came into this part of the palace, so it wasn't like they had to keep up appearance any.

"Raza will come here to get you once everything's ready. Make sure you don't mess this up, alright?" Taj said, though he smiled a bit as he gave the usual reminder.

He wasn't really worried – the one thing Myrrha had not ever tried was ruining a speech. Perhaps the boy's royal pride just couldn't allow action that 'commoners' would interpret as crazy. Or perhaps, as Raza insisted, the small king actually cared on some level for those people he looked down on from the balcony and didn't want them involved in his fight.

Considering how little thought to dignity their little prince seemed to include in his often very vocal tirades, the latter actually seemed more likely.

Myrrha rolled his eyes and nodded, watching as the lizard +anima slipped out the room, leaving him alone. He didn't even need to try the handle to know the door was locked from the other side.

He wasn't sure how long it had been before the door opened again and Raza stepped inside. Probably about an hour or so. He'd been sitting on the floor, not concerned about possibly messing up his clothes, thinking of what he would do once he finally got out of here. Even if it didn't happen tonight, it was a nice thing to think about.

The young puppet king pondered in depth about ways to disguise himself. The varies channels and rivers that would eventually lead him out to the sea, how he would locate and catch food without being discovered himself. He reviewed everything he knew about Astaria, his most likely goal, within his mind, filing away what he knew of their economy, politics, culture, and relative dangers. And Keane. He'd have to find some way to locate Keane – probably have to ask around, once he was sure he was safe and wouldn't be recognized…

Raza cleared his shook himself out of his daydreaming and stood up, glaring at Raza. The black haired man simply smirked, placing a hand on the silver-haired boy's shoulder and leading him out of the room.

"Excited, my King?" Raza asked. The hallway they were walking down was empty, and Myrrha scoffed at the question.

"Let's just get this over with," he snarled, ignoring Raza's deep chuckle at his answer.

As they started down the stairs, Myrrha could start to hear hints of what was actually going on for the anniversary festival. They still had to go down another floor, passing several guards now before they reached it. The guards saluted them. Myrrha just gave a slight nod to acknowledge them on their way past.

The sound of the people in the great hall of the palace was nearly a shock to Myrrha's system as he came down the stairs. After the near silence of every day for nearly a year, the flood of music and people speaking beating down on his ears wasalmost overwhelming.

The crowd immediately noticed them as they stepped into the room. The sound of the cheers and clapping wasn't as loud as during his coronation the year before, but this onewas so much… more. Too much, really. Too close, too loud, too many. His heat pounded, his head began swimming, and he would've lost his balance on his own two feet if not for Raza.

Raza's hand on his shoulder tightened, bringing him out of his shock enough to focus on his act, smiling at the crowd, nodding occasionally in acknowledgment of the cheering, finally setting out on a dignified walk towards the dais at the head of the room. There was a throne already in place, where he'd guessed he'd be sitting during the majority of his speech. He wouldn't be speaking most of it; that was Raza's job. He just had to give the beginning and then wait for the rest to be over before he could leave.

Myrrha stood in front of the chair, not saying anything as he scanned the room waiting for the crowd to quiet down enough for him to speak.

Mostly +anima, if not only +anima. It was very likely the few still in 'human' form were just like himself, with animal forms that didn't quite work with everyday walking was a little unnerving, not that he'd admit as much. Some of them had probably even been here during the raid on the palace, generals and leaders and such. He spotted Kazana standing by a window, smiling at his encouragingly. He was surprised he'd managed to catch sight of him at all with how chaotic everything was.

There was a strange resemblance to the old parties and gatherings that had been held by his family. Back before he became a +anima, when he'd been allowed to go. The hundreds of people in their best clothing. The elegant music, played on traditional Sailandian instruments. The great room itself, draped in rich fabrics, decorated with exotic flowers. The air thick with the scents of various incense, perfumes, and delicacies.

It was wrong though, off from what he remembered. There weren't any familiar faces of his half siblings torturing him or the queens passive aggressive bickering. There didn't seem to be any kind of organized seating, and there was no sign of the thick political tension even his very young self couldn't help but notice. Not to mention the +anima – he'd never seen a +anima during a party, not even as a servant. All the servants ministering to such events had always been completely human.

More than anything else, though, the thing missingwashis father. The real king wasn't up at the front, making whatever proclamations needed to be made. Myrrha had to fill that role now. He was to be the one up front with everyone staring at him… and he didn't like it.

For some reason he had to seriously focus on his breathing to actually keep it calm and steady. Just focus on breathing and remember his lines. Then he could get out of here. Away from all these strange people staring at him like he was some sort of god.

He wasn't. He wasn't even a king. He was just a kid! Why couldn't any of them understand or see that he didn't belong? Why couldn't they see what was really going on? Were they really that blind? He was being forced to do this. He didn't like any of this. He just needed to calm down and breath, just breath, and remember his lines, remember his lines, and oh, Raza was speaking, he should probably listen for his cue.

He'd focused just in time to realize that it was now his turn to speak. He took a quick, deep breath, stepping forward as everyone's attention turned from Raza to him.

"It has been a hard, long year of recovery for this country since the day of our great revolution, and there is still a long way to go before we can rest! But I could not be prouder with how far Sailand, and her people, have come in this time. Today is a day to celebrate the great efforts of those who strived for equality in this country, not just in the past year, but since the birth of our homeland. People of Sailand, your efforts up to this point are most precious, and surely will become even more so in the great struggle to come! The struggle for a day when every man, woman, and child can truly stand on his or her own feet and be proud of who and what they are! Can be recognized as a full, valuable, precious member of society, and a treasure, unique, to our motherland! We have come far, my people, and so, this day, we rejoice in our achievements and, for one day, put aside the worries of tomorrow! In honor of the anniversary of the New Kingdom of Sailand, we dedicate this festival to the People of Sailand – rejoice!"

Myrrha spoke confidently, every inch a grand king. The shaking panic inside of him actually hid away for a moment, as the poetic words of hope and equality echoed in his own ears and found a place in his own heart – even as he knew it was all ridiculous propaganda. How could a nation be equal, be proud, when the king they worshiped was a slave himself? Despite his 'memorizing', he'd actually adjusted some of the wording to make it easier to remember and deliver the short speech – which inadvertently made the message all the more personal.

And the people could sense that emotion in their small, yet strikingly beautiful, king, even if he could not himself. Even the four found themselves somewhat stricken, though in different ways. Raza was absolutely delighted. Taj was almost in tears. Ilham couldn't help but stare in something close to awe. And Fatin sulked in the back of the room, before angrily slipping out before anyone noticed her.

A large cheer broke out in the room, carrying on for several waited until it began to die down before speaking again. He continued on for a good, long time – at least a quarter of an hour. Myrrha had already toned him out, and just barely caught something about how their king is feeling a bit under the weather, and thus will not be able to partake in all of the festivities. He knew they would have some excuse ready to stow him away in his room again after his appearance and speech.

To his surprise, once Raza had concluded the speech, he helped him to the throne instead of back to his room. Taj and Ilham soon approached with several of the 'powerful' people Raza had earlier mentioned. Raza invited them up onto the dais and they all introduced themselves to King Myrrha, one at a time, bowing deep, eyes shining with adoration and loyalty.

Myrrha was sure he was supposed to recognize some of them, but honestly he'd never paid much attention in those rare, small meetings he'd been forced to attend. He did his best to act as the doll he knew the four wanted, that the people strangely seemed to idolize, even while inside he trembled and wanted to scream and just wished they would hurry up. He didn't like all this attention. He wanted to hurry up and go back to his room. He didn't like all the noise and clapping and staring. He just wanted to be alone. He didn't want to be seen.

Thus, unknown to himself, his face grew even paler and his trembling soon became evident – only giving credence to Raza's earlier declaration that the king was ill, but had still made the heroic effort to be here for his beloved people.

Finally, Raza placed his hand back on the boy's shoulder, helping the boy upright. Myrrha bowed to the crowd, who cheered loudly once again, before finally being led out of the room. Without even thinking about it, he let out a sigh of relief as they left the busy room behind them. The noise and music starting to fade ever so slightly with each step.

Beside him, he heard Raza start to chuckle slightly, knocking him out of the stupor that he'd slipped into during the rounds of introductions.

"I didn't realize you were so nervous, my king," he commented, starting to walk the young boy up the stairs. Myrrha instantly snarled at him, attempting to shrug the shark +anima's hand off his shoulder, but failing.

"I wasn't nervous. I just didn't like all the noise," he declared, insulted.

Raza just smirked slightly as he led the boy back to his room.

Myrrha supposed he should be upset that there hadn't been any chance for him to escape from the great hall. That was the only reason he'd actually thought this whole thing might end up being useful. In the end, they hadn't let their guard down on him for a second.

He supposed there was still a chance though… While they were all busy with the party, they wouldn't be able to watch him. If he could get out of his room, he still might be able to get away after all.

Really though, he was just glad he was going back to the quiet of his room. After a whole year of isolation and careful, calculated meetings, being thrown in front of all those people… it was a shock to his system. He didn't like it. He just wanted to be alone again.

Something told him that wasn't a good thing. He didn't particularly care at the moment.

…

Nana frantically made her way from room to room, trying to make sure that everything was in place. She wasn't the only one rushing around, and the young girl tried her best to keep from running into any of the other maids and workers as she attempted to run down the checklist of everything she needed to get done in her head for the umpteenth time.

During her first few months working at the palace, it had been slow but steady, which was helpful for allowing her to adjust to everything. It let her have the time to learn just where the rooms she needed to clean were, as well as the cleaning supplies, laundry room, kitchen, servant's quarters… simple things like that. It also allowed her to set into a nice routine. The work still kept her busy though, not with so little to do that she was just standing around feeling useless.

Now though, things were a frantic mess! The work kept her rushing around, constantly dodging people, as she tried to keep up with everything at the party going on. Her and several other maids kept running back and forth from the kitchen, making sure that there was a constant supply of food for all of the guests, as well as quietly cleaning up any spills, refreshing the incense, and making sure the musicians and head attendants had everything they needed so there would not be a break in the atmosphere.

The brunette girl kept her wings closed tightly to her back as she carefully avoided knocking into anyone. These people were personal guests of the king after all! The only reason she was even able to be in this room right now was because she was replacing an empty tray with another full one.

She made sure to keep her head down as she worked, although inside she couldn't help but feel flustered as she took glances and tried to place who all these important people were. She didn't let the bit of star-struck she felt get in the way of her job though, quickly hurrying back into the kitchen with the empty tray.

That that didn't stop her from counting generals, various leaders, newly appointed lords and ladies and ministers of the new government and its many divisions…

"I hear the king is going to be coming to make a speech soon!" she heard one of the other servants say as she entered the back kitchen, placing the tray down with the others in order for it to be washed. There wasn't anything else she needed to take out right now, so she started to work on the dishes as she listened to the other girls talk.

"Oh! I would love to get to actually see him up close! I wonder if it would be alright for us to stand in the back while he makes his speech?" a turtle +anima asked giddily.

Nana couldn't get but get excited herself at the prospect of seeing their young king making his speech. Since she started working here, she hadn't had any chance to actually see him, but that was to be expected. What were the chances of a little maid actually running into the king after all, especially in a palace as big as this one?

"Do you think we would get in trouble?" Nana spoke up, although truthfully she wasn't too worried about getting in trouble, she just didn't want to end up losing her job. Surely their boss wouldn't do something like that if they just took a break to listen to the speech for a few minutes though, right?

"Nope! You haven't heard? Actually, Lord Taj himself invited all us servants to the speech! He said it was King Myrrha's request!" a third girl announced, and Nana couldn't help but giggle with excitement. Even better than she could've thought!

The king was still a bit of a mystery. There were just as many rumors about him now as when people had first started talking about him a year ago!

Several other servants had also been told of their invite by Lord Taj, so the whole staff quickly finished up any urgent work before rushing towards the great hall. The room was bustling with people! Nana had never seen so many +anima with their powers out! She didn't feel self-conscious about having her anima out anymore, especially after a whole year of +anima being free, but it was still incredible to see so many gathered in one place.

A loud cheer went up as the king made his way into the room. Next to her Nana heard one of the other maids say something about how handsome he was, and she nodded in agreement, even though in the back of her mind she couldn't help but think there was something rather girly about him up close. Not that he wasn't incredibly, amazingly beautiful – just it was more of a doll's beautiful than a king's handsome, to her eyes.

She quickly pushed that thought away as she listened to the tall man next to him start to speak. Was this the same guy as back during his coronation? She couldn't quite remember, but she didn't think so. If her memory served right, wasn't it Lord Ilham at the coronation? The man on the dais now was… Lord Raza, that was it! He wasn't as well known, being more of an organizational behind-the-scenes type figure. Plus he wasn't nearly as large and noticeable.

Soon the King himself started speaking. His voice has a strange accent to it, which was much easier to hear actually being in the same room as him instead of watching from a faraway balcony. It was an unusual, but quite pleasant, burr to the lower vowels of his words, making the overall tone almost husky sounding… very different from the usual Sailandian accent in their capital city of Stella. But with the queens of the old harem being from all over, it wasn't really that surprising, she supposed.

As soon as he finished speaking, a huge cheer went up! Nana smiled from ear to ear as she clapped along with everyone else. Once the noise started dying down slightly, the staff quickly made their way back towards the kitchen. They'd already spent enough time away from their valuable work.

Before the young bat +anima entered into the kitchen though, someone slinking across the room caught her attention out of the corner of her eye. A tall teen with huge wings was looking around, as if making sure that no one was watching him, before disappearing into a normally closed and locked door that led to the restricted floors of the palace.

Nana frowned, stopping as she stared at the door. There was something about that man that she didn't like. A couple other maids quickly noticed that she had stopped and turned back to look questioning at the bat +anima. She quickly forced a smile onto her face, trying to think of a reason to slip away from them. Just for a moment. Just to make sure that guy wasn't up to anything.

"I'll be back in just a second. I'm gonna go to the bathroom real quick," she said. The two nodded before making their way into the kitchen, already bustling with renewed activity. Nana hesitated just slightly before starting towards the door the tall teen had disappeared into. Quickly glancing around, she slipped inside, walking fast to try to catch up with him.

She would just make sure everything was in order and then get back to the kitchen. She was probably just overreacting, but you could never be too careful.

Once again, so very sorry for taking so long on this chapter, I hope it was even half worth the wait. The next one should come out much quicker, thankfully.
Well, as always thanks for reading, and if you're not too mad at me please review.