Wonderfully Wicked

Four years ago.

Fifteen year old Everest sits on top of the grassy restful hill, watching his father's village and the green nature around him. He picks at the grass beneath, twirling the few pieces in between his rich chocolate fingers. He inhales the sweet aroma of the jasmine filled air, he's always adored the scent that filled that part of the kingdom. He closes his eyes and lets the spring breeze flow around him.

"BOO!" Adelaide Northwood, Everest's best friend from the kingdom across from his fathers. They've been inseparable since childhood.

Everest screams in true fright, while being thrown off guard, he tumbles down the hill. Adelaide buckles over howling with laughter, gasping for air from laughing so hard.

"ADELAIDE!" Everest screams, picking himself off the ground. He stomps over to her and wiggles his finger sternly in her face.

She clutches her stomach and looks up at him, smacking his finger away, "Don't you point your finger at me." She giggles. "I didn't do anything wrong."

He rakes the twigs and leaves that are tangled in his long onyx hair out, "I could have gotten injured Adelaide."

"But you didn't Everest, you are perfectly fine. You do things like such all the time." She explains, waving her olive colored hands about.

He brushes off his clove tinted fur cloak , "I don't do things that could harm a soul."

A grin slowly slithers across her plum colored lips, "Don't be such a child Everest, it was a harmless little jest. Even a wee lad could handle that."

Everest continues to dust the rest of himself off, he sticks his pink tongue out at Adelaide, not even Everest, the king of comebacks could think of anything else to riposte.

Adelaide snickers quietly to herself. She extends her arm out and jabs him in his chest, "No retort? Everest Blackburn, the son of Ivan The Highest couldn't think of anything else to say?" She sighs, ticking her tongue against her teeth, "Oh Everest, what am I ever going to do with a chap like you?"

Everest grins, staring into her honey colored eyes, infused with a mossy green, oh how he admired those eyes. He thumps the tip of her nose, the skin on her face fades pink.

Adelaides mouth drops at what Everest has just done. "How dare you touch a lady with such dirty fingers."

He cups his hands over his mouth, trying his darnedest to hold his laughter in. "These dirty fingers?" He asks, waving those dirt filled hands in her face.

The hint of a smile spreads across Adelaides mouth, "Yes those nasty little dwarf fingers. I command you to clean them in the stream over there."

He glances over his shoulder, staring at the glistening clear water. "Only if you come with."

She huffs and picks the poof of her dress up, "If I must."

They both march over to the little pond, Everest crouches down, rubbing his hands together in the cool water. As he stands back up he flicks the remaining water at Adelaide.

She squeals with laughter, bending down and splashing much more water onto him than he did to her. A sly smirk manages to quickly make its way onto his face. He grabs her shoulders and pushes her into the shallow pond. Adelaide dives back up, reaching for his arm and pulling him in.

"Adelaide!" Her royal highness shouts from the bottom of the hill. Adelaides mother has never been too fond of silly little games. Her mother carry's the many layers beneath her dress and hikes up the hill towards the sound of laughter. Once she spots the two roughhousing, she stomps her way over to the pair, yanking her daughter from the pond. She bends down and squeezes the water out of her daughters dress. "Princesses don't act like buffoons Adelaide. Now march your rump to the carriage, we are leaving."

"But mother-"

"No buts!"

Adelaide turns towards her best friend, waving goodbye. "Farewell Everest."

"Cheerio Adelaide, see you at the dinner party."

And from then on, those two trouble makers, will be left with havoc obliteration.

-

Four years later.

"Your Highness," The Royal families servant kneels before the young prince.

Everest places his deep colored hand upon her shoulder, "Missus Carol, you do not need to bow down to me." He tells her for the thousandth time.

Carol nods her head according to his request, "Your Royal Highness, its your father, I'm afraid he's fallen ill, you must come quick."

Everests hands tremble and his forehead sweats in fear that the sickness may take over. After all, many people in the kingdom catch a nasty bug and still don't make it out on the other side, things seem to be getting much worse nowadays.

He nods his head harshly and follows servant Carol up the many steps that lead to the kings room. Everest busts through the large wooden door, rushing to his sick fathers side. He kneels down beside him, clutching his fathers pale hand in between his own.

"What is it father? What has made you so ill?" Everest inquires, his eyes swelling with tears.

"Your highness, I'm in distress having to inform you that he has Typhoid fever." The Physician explains, "I'm afraid there's nothing we can do, maybe if we had caught it in time. I'm terribly sorry."

Everest glances at his weeping mother and siblings. "How much time does he have left?"

"We can't tell for certain, but not very long." He gently pulls Everest aside, "I am deeply sorry. I urge you and your family to get your goodbyes in order." He whispers, his dark eyes full of sorrow as he looks towards the sobbing family.

Everest inhales the air around him, he wipes his tears and nods, he knows he must be strong for his father and for his family. "Thank you for your time." He shakes the Physicians hand before walking over to his family. He tells his family what the doctor had told him.

The Blackburn household tells their father how much they love him as he takes his last breath. Queen Mother, Roesia Blackburn bawls into her late husbands chest. It deeply pains Everest to see his family in such sorrow.

He dash's through the large round door and rushes down the concreted stairway. He looks at all the servants near him, "Your king is dead." He tells the servants and royal council.

The people freeze in utter shock.

"Signal the bell and inform all of the kingdom what has happened." Everest demands, dashing off as his cloak sways with every step.

The men do as told; the bell strikes, signaling for the villagers to meet in time square. The voyagers travel throughout the entire valley, apprising the townspeople, notifying each and every person that passes by, about the death of Ivan The Highest, one of the greatest kings this realm has ever had.

-

Everest dips his hands in the washing bucket, splashing his face with the cold water. A knock reverberates through the cold dingy bathroom.

Roesia pushes the door open, poking her head in, "Everest my love."

He turns to his loving mother, "Yes?"

"It's time for the coronation."

"I cannot go mother."

She places her hand on his shoulder, "Why not?"

He grabs his mothers small hand, "I'd rather do it alone, if I can?"

His mother hesitates before answering, "A coronation has always been a prince's obligation."

"But what if it didn't have to be? What if you could place the crown?"

"Darling, it doesn't work like that."

"Please mother?" He begs, squeezing her hand in between his.

"Oh.. If you insist." Roesia slips away from the washroom to inform the staff about Everest's request. Roesia walks over to the pedestal, which lies an emerald green velvet pillow, with the late Kings crown upon it.

She makes her way into the court room, where Everest sits in the marble throne, waiting for his mothers arrival. His three siblings stand in front, watching as their mother places the golden crown atop of his head. "You will make a great king." She tells.

"Not as great of a king as father was."

"Chin up my boy! A king does not slouch. You must stand tall."

He nods and straightens himself, "Thank you mother."

She smiles and grabs his hand, pulling him out of the throne. "Do you have a speech prepared?" She queries, a single brow raised.

"I... didn't have time."

"Well then," She brushes off the end of her dress and stands high, looping her arm around her sons. "We improvise." She nods at the guards, indicating for them to open the very large doors. As the doors swing open, Everest and Roesia make their appearance on the balcony for all to see.

"King Everest Blackburn The Extraordinary!" The chamberlain announces to the crowd below.

The crowd whistles and applauds for their new king. All the soldiers salute Everest as he exits the balcony. The pair makes their way into the Throne room, where the people horde into the marvelous area. Flecks of gold line the floors and climb up the walls and onto the ceiling, what a beautiful sight to see. Villagers hold baskets full of eggs, chickens, wheat, and corn to give to their new king. The servants take each offering into the kitchen and bring out food for the guests.

"Let the feast begin!" Everest shouts among all his people.

The villagers line up to get their meal and sit down at the long tables in the dining hall, everyone enjoying their once in a lifetime offer.

"Your royal highness!" A frail lady bows before Everest.

Everest smiles at the girl and looks to her plate to see she's only taken a single bread roll, "Please, take more, there's plenty, if you have family take extra, I'm here to take care of my people, not starve them." The folks fill their breadbaskets with food to take back to their children.

Her eyes light up, "Wow, you are so kind your highness."

Everest grabs a large pan covered in burlap to keep the contents fresh, he hands it to the lady in front of him, "Take this."

She kneels down in front of him and kisses his rings, "Thank you!"

He grabs her hand and helps her off the floor, "Please, there's no need for that."

She tilts her head down and gives him an appreciative smile before exiting the building.

Everest watches his people laugh and dance around the room. He bounces his head and smiles to himself, pleased with what he has done. He wants his people to be happy, he hopes he can be half the king his father was. His father did so much good for his Kingdom, and for all the kingdoms around his. King Ivan will always be remembered for his love and humility towards his people. Everest will be remembered for total devastation that will rule over the entire kingdom.

Everest climbs out of his chair and walks down the corridor, as he rounds the corner the sound of a child weeping echos. He steps into the sitting room and the sound of sobbing sounds much closer than before. He glances out onto the darkness of the balcony, seeing a small shadow crying into their hands.

"Maverick." Everest calls out.

His wee brother spins around to face him, "Everest? What are you doing? Shouldn't you be in the dining room?"

He bends down and clasps his brother, bringing him into a comforting hold. "It's too cheerful in there."

Maverick wipes his red swollen eyes, "Oh."

He grabs his younger brothers hand, "Let me show you something." He leads him to the other end of the large castle, they walk out onto a much smaller balcony with a clear view of the forest and lake. He hoists his brother onto his robust shoulders, "If you watch close enough you'll see herds of deer surround the waterhole, and thousands of fireflies flicker. Sometimes you'll catch a glance of other animals. It's a beautiful vision to witness."