Fake Love

"I love you"

There was a time when those words that held a beauty, a love so pure in itself, now however it was nothing more than two words that was spoken to hand me a pretty lie while holding the ugly truth behind his back. I wanted to scream, to punch him, to break the truth, to break those bindings that is still keeping me tied to him. Yet, there was nothing I can do, not until he stops wearing my brother's mask.

It all started two years ago after my brother had come from finishing the one year long war, there was something different about him then, something i had failed to notice. Happiness had blinded me from the truth, something I still regret. My brother who has never once neglected his family had hidden himself in the training halls, never coming out except for the purpose of eating and sleeping. He closed himself from the world, from the kingdom he vowed to protect, from the wife he promised to love and from the family that was his responsibility.

My sister in law had been patient, understanding, knowing that war can change a man in ways you can't fathom. She held on to that hope for a long time until one day when my brother the Emperor of the empire finally stepped out of his training hall and greeted the royal court, ordering the queen, his wife to be beheaded for betraying the empire.

That one order shattered all the hope she had held on to, yet, I was foolish enough to not notice that he has changed. I trusted my brother blindly and carried out the execution with my own hand despite the tears that threatened to fall and the nagging in my brain that ordered to me to stop.

That was only the beginning.

The emperor soon ordered the increase of taxes, started slave trading within the empire, sent war letters to the neighbouring kingdoms declaring war. It was an absolute bloodshed for the next six months, the once fertile lands of our empire was now reduced to nothing more than graveyards, blood ran in place of rivers.

It took me too long to notice that the brother I knew was no longer here anymore, in his place stood a tyrant, diabolik enough to rival the devil himself.

Amidst all this not once did he treat me differently, he put on sweet smile when he talked to me and made sure all of my needs were met. If anyone saw him when he was with me they would not for once think that this was the same man that killed countless people. He presented himself as an angel in front of me, however that did not last long, he forbid me from training, took my sword away, didn't leave a single weapon in my reach and took away all my freedom.

" It is for your safety," he said, "It is dangerous for you to wield weapons, you can hurt yourself" he said, his tone was gentle, sounding like he was genuinely concerned for me but I had learnt to see through his lies. Those beautiful lies that made me want to believe that he is not a monster, not a murderer and yet it was impossible. The cries of my people echoed through my ears, the blood of the innocent wouldn't wash away from my hands.

My hands and feet were completely tied, I could nothing but wai for someone to save me, to save us. That foolish thought is what has brought me here now, with a sword to my neck.

"Do you really love me? ," I asked him again, the cold metal of his sword rested upon my neck, he gave a smile so sweet it sent a bitter taste to my tongue. " Oh my dear sister, is that not what I just said few seconds ago ?" He sat down on the chair, directly in front of me, the sword never leaving my neck. "I love you so much, that's why you havee to stay in the castle like a good girl, Is that too hard ?" And then the switch flipped off, " Why would you dare try and escape?"

I scoffed, " Have you finally lost it? You have gaurds on me at all times, severed all of my ties to the outer world and cut off all possible communication. How could I escape?", he seemed conflicted for a second,he knew what I said was true, there was no escape route for me and I have long since abandoned any desire of escaping this hell. Yet, the tyrant before was anxious, I scoffed to myself again. He was so determined to get power and now that he has it fear has started overtaking his rationality. I was the only that can succeed him as there is no heir to the throne, he knows this very well but is afraid to give his power away, afraid that one day I'll rebel against him. I finally realise, he does not love, no, he is scared of me. The brother that loved me is dead, had been for a long time, now he only sees me as obstacle in his way. I was foolish to think he had some compassion for, to that he was stilll my brother, I laughed at my own stupidity. My death has already been decided, now it is just a matter of time.

I did not realise my brother was still there but as soon as my eyes met his, he left without a word, never came to see me again for a few days, however, an unexpected guest had managed to sneak past the tight security.

"So, you are asking me to help overthrow my own brother so that you could become king?"

The red haired man smirked, " That, your highness, is completely right" Never in my life have I once thought that I would be helping the most rugged and mannerless man who is still hailed as the assassin king to overthrow my own brother. But then again, I never expected my brother to become a power hungry beast that devoured everything. As if hadn't just ask me to betray the emperor, the assassin was eating an apple from my fruit basket, that was kept for me, without even asking for my permission. His attitude made me want to punch him and appreciate him at the same time.

" What if I refuse?", he looked at me with stupid smirk as he said with the utmost confidence and playfulness" Then my princess, I will just kill you and overthrow him myself" I did not doubt for a second he would not do it, "How can I trust that you won't be another tyrant," he laughed in a flamboyant manner "because, you have no other choice. I will ask you again do you wish to overthrow your brother along with me?" I smirked, it has ben a long time since I have felt like this, despite the fact that we are going to war against and whole empire instead of feeling fear, I feel excitement. I have a feeling this is going to turn out very interesting.

"I do"