The thorns between us // Michael Kaiser x Reader

the space between

Each step weighed more burdensome than the last as you charged down the castle chambers, and you slightly hoisted your dress while you sprinted as hastily as your heels allowed.

"Please wait, princess!" Cried the guard who was now long gone behind the sharp turn of the hall.

However the timbre of his voice plunged into the haze of your mind, rushing with adrenaline, the barrage of voices reducing to a simple hum as more terrifying thoughts overwhelmed you. How could it be?

The man you've grown to loathe your entire life is now almost eradicated...gone. On his last breaths as you weren't there for him. How could your opinion on him change so fast, in less than a blink of an eye. You heavily huffed as you arrived at the grand entrance to your father's room, not bothering to knock and promptly burst in.

"Father!"

You screamed as you saw his wounded figure lying peacefully on his bed. Your dad usually sunk in it all day, saying he could sleep there forever among the plush cushions and velvet mattress, and now he was having his final sleep there.

Tears struck your eyes. As much as you didn't want to show it, the sight in front of you caused a pain reaction. You sat on the cold floor and in front of your dad's bed, gripping his blooded hand like it was anchoring you, you shook it, hoping for a response from your father, a sign he was alive, the blood of his hand tangling with your skin.

"Father please..." you say in a soft, broken sob.

Trying so hard not to break, yet failing. That's when it happened, the lift of an eyelash unsheathing your dad's sclera and exposing it to the light of the room.

"Father?" You asked as if you couldn't believe it, he was awakening.

"My daughter..." he managed to speak, although it sounded like he consumed all his strength letting out that choke of words.

His eyes shut yet again, but you were too concentrated on the small tug at the corner of his mouth, barely resembling a weak smile. If it was even considered a smile, given the juxtaposing feeling of sorrow it brought to you. Your grip relaxed at the revelation of your dad's beating heart and his lips parted slowly.

"I'm sorry my child, for not being the father you wanted." And with that, your entire world shattered before you, leaving you in a crumbling mess.

It was as if time itself had paused, capturing you in the space between the real world and the outside. The space between was where you'd believed humans rested after passing, as ghosts, a peaceful afterlife where they were able to spectate the world around them, without taking part in the activities. Was your father going there soon? Would he be watching over you instead of being by your side? Would that fact even change anything? Your dad never cared too much for you anyways, it was like he was on the outside already, so would you really care that much if he passed?

Nevermind that, he was here now, about to pass in front of you, his hand imprisoned in yours, and you wished to never let go.

"Father..." a broken, shattered sob ripped itself from your throat, ghoulish and ugly, as his breathing desisted, never to return.

"Father, no!" you cried for help, shaking your dad's hand, your grasp tight, tight enough to cut his circulation, but it was no use.

He didn't respond. His last words proceeded to procure all rational thought, and left behind nothing.

"Father don't... please." You cried on to the false sense of hope like it was your last, as if it would change anything. It didn't. He was gone, died while holding your hand.

The guard from earlier rushed into the room. "Princess!" but he froze at the sight of your weeping against your fathers hand, pity running deep within him at your cries.

He stood still, his presence underwhelming as he let you have this moment. Several other guards emerged into the scene, each freezing after the last, discerning the dreadful situation. It was bound to happen really, your dad's passing. In fact, you almost craved it. So why did it feel so wrong now that it was tangible?

Guilt seared through your body, embracing every little part of you. Your dad was an old man, setting him out to battle was a rookie mistake, especially adversarial such a youthful opponent with wits that your father didn't have anymore, the emperor of the Blue Rose Empire. Michael Kaiser.