Dominic had just turned four when he had learned that he was different from others.
A very young age for someone of even learn the concept of anything other than childish tantrums and playfulness.
He had been running around the palace, trying to flee from the governess who had came to teach him alphabets, numbers, history and other things.
He didn't liked sitting idly in one place for hours. His mind wouldn't even be focused on the lessons. He would think of anything but his lessons. He liked to play with Osiris and run with him.
Osiris was referred to a Cerberus by others but Dominic like to call him the hound, Osiris. It was his only friend and frankly speaking even thought it was hard for Dominic to pronounce the name he would try his best.
Today, as usual he had fled away from his study chamber.
There was just something about the governess. She would always be so pale whenever she was near him. If he moved even an inch, she would flinch. He always felt scared around her, as if he was ticking a time bomb waiting to explode. Dominic didn't liked what he saw in her eyes.
Later, he learns that it was fear. He will learn to yield it as his most powerful and strongest weapon.
Dominic stopped short when he arrived at one corner of the palace. There was a woman and two little kids just around his age, with her.
He hid behind the pillar and observed them quietly.
The woman giggled as she ruffled the hair of one of the kids, A boy looked up at her, eyes shining with joy, and called her, "Mother".
"Mother..." Dominic tested that foriegn word on his tongue. He felt warm looking at the trio and longing filled his bones.
He realised that he also wanted to have a mother. He also wanted someone to look at him with those bright eyes.
He quietly stepped out of the pillar and approached them. As soon as the woman saw him she went pale, turning white just like governess. Dominic felt as if he did something wrong. He didn't like it. He didn't like those fearful eyes.
The woman hid her kids behind her." Your highness", she bowed. Seeing her mother the two kids followed her and bowed to him.
"What are you doing in the hallways, Your Highness? Isn't it time for your lessons?" She inquired politely.
He felt ashamed to say that he had fled once again. Changing the topic, he said,"I want to play with them."
The woman stared at him looking alarmed. "Ronan and Xavier have classes, Your Highness. They need to attend it, you should also get back to your chamber."
"But mama, lessons dont start till-" one of the boys spoke but the woman interrupted sharply." Quite"
Before he could say another word, the woman hurried away with her kids as if it was suffocating her to stay near Dominic for few moments more. Dominic felt unhappy but stayed silent.
He stood there silently for a while. The governess found him. Before she could question him, he asked her," what is a mother, madam?"
"A mother is someone who gives birth to you." She answered.
"Do I also have a mother?" Dominic asked blinking his eyes, if he had a mother then why haven't he seen her yet.
"Your Highness..." the governess looked at him with pitiful eyes.
"I also want to have a mother." Dominic said adamantly. For someone like him; who had hundreds of maids and servants on his call .... it couldn't possibly be hard to find his mother, right?
"Your Highness, how about you go to your chamber and prepare for your art lesson? You love to paint, don't you? And also if you behave nicely, I will ask your father, His Majesty, to bring you your mother." She tried to change the topic but he could see that it ain't true.
"You are lying to me!" Dominic yelled. The governess took a step back. Dominic could easily discern feelings even when he was a small kid. It was his innate power, an ability he was born with.
Dominic felt hot tears threatening to fall anytime soon out of his eyes. "Where is my mother?Do not lie to me." He asked again.
"Your Highness...you don't-" the governess stammered fearfully. "You don't have a mother."
"Why don't I have a mother?" His bottom lips trembled.
So, no one would ever look at him with those affectionate eyes....Dominic felt so, so bitter. Bitterness and hurt engulfed his heart and suddenly, he heard his governess scream.
He noticed black shadows which were appearing making him feel confused. The shadows were laughing and mocking him. More and more started appearing as if they were trying to swallow him whole. He shrank back, feeling suffocated.
"H-Help.." he muttered. But his governess was no longer there.
Dominic fell to the ground with a thud, slipping into unconsciousness.
***
Dominic slowly blinked his eyes but his head hurt. He closed his eyes shut again. There were voices around him. Someone was patting his head slowly.
"Your Majesty, that was the first display of his powers..." a voice said. " I have never seen someone like this...We know, His Highness is an extraordinary child but he already has too much powers in his hands. Today he displayed his first power. He can control souls of the dead, even manipulate them to be on his call. He can mould them and turn them into his benefit in future. This great power can be difficult to handle for this age....The souls for the dead are resentful and hungry for vengeance....They can even engulf him if he is not careful enough."
"I am glad the governess came to the Great Hall immediately, otherwise, it would have been to late." Another voice added.
"What can we do to prevent such outbursts?" A sigh.
"He needs to start training from tomorrow, Your Majesty. To wield such high powers, need to start learning from now."
"Very well. Hire the best masters for him. He will learn to wield his powers"
"Father" Dominic croaked. His throat felt parched and sore.
"You woke up, Dominic?"
"Mhm" He didn't understand the other things and asked the question that had been bugging him. "Father, where is my mother?"
He saw his father stiffen.
"Dominic.." he paused but slowly replied "...You don't have a mother."
Dominic let out a whimper. "I-I also want to have a mother, please."
He had begged for something for the first time in his life at the age of four. He had also learned at the same age that someone as vile as him, couldn't beg for something. If he wanted something, he had to seize it. He could never beg. He would never beg.
"Dominic, you are going to be the King of Hell in future. Kings don't show weaknesses. Kings don't cry. Quite down." His father said sharply.
Dominic felt his heart wither.
He took a deep breath but even that hurt. He quickly wiped away his tears so that his father wouldn't scold him anymore.
"But m-mother..." he really wanted his mother. He had seen the maids in the palace hug their kids, carry them around and play with them. He also wanted someone who would hug him at nights when it would get too cold. He didn't want that large empty chamber which only reminded him of the cold and chilly winds. He wanted someone to be there for him.
Dominic had never received that affectionate love from anyone. He could never expect the same type of love and care from his father, whom everyone respected as the King of Hell. He would be lucky if he saw his father more than twice a month.
"Dominic, you are different. And this is the first that you need to learn about yourself. You are different. You weren't born by a mother like mere mortals or even gods and demons. You were born shattering the earth and sky. Do you understand?"
"What is a mortal?" Dominic asked. He knew about gods, his father had always warned him to be wary of them.
"Humans,who would die after living a couple of years."
"Are they nice?" He asked, blinking innocently. "Will they play with me if I ask?"
"They will meet you after they die."
"Oh" Dominic asked another question. "What is to die?" But he forced it down after a servant came knocking on the door and his father patted his head and said him goodbye. "Your training will start tomorrow, I'll leave now."
"Training for what?" Training meant more lessons. And more lessons meant more headaches.
"Have you seen the black throne in the great hall where I sit everyday, haven't you?" His father asked.
"Yes"
"You'll be trained to be capable enough for sitting there someday." His father left and he was left alone, Again.