The Otherside: Alice: Tough Decisions (Book 6)

Once I got in the bubbles the maid left and I sat there alone with the candles lighting the room. The fragrance of lavender filled the air. I guess Ace told them I needed to relax. I took a deep breaths of the lavender in to hopefully clear my mind, but all I could think about was my situation. After a couple minutes of thinking about Trey, I realized how selfish I have been. My main motivation at this moment for not being on this throne is Trey. Which my demon has even pointed out several times that it is stupid. I dunked my head under the water to change my mindset. What is best for this country?

“This country need a ruler and it is you of course. Stop doubting yourself.” My demon started off this conversation. “Is that really what is best for this country? What if I eventually become the cause of the next revolution. My grandfather and mother did the same thing. Plus let’s not mention the many others in my bloodline that did the same thing as them.” “But you’re different remember. You yourself said that you would never let yourself become her.” “We might be saying that now, but merging with her demon was not something that happened over night, nor was it anything she wanted. Remember the paper on her desk?” “But you haven’t used my power as much, so you should be fine right? Don’t get rid of the throne.” “Get rid of the throne.” another voice said. It sounded like me, but not like the demon does, it felt opposite of her. “What?” “Don’t listen to your demon. You are stuck in a never ending cycle your bloodline created with the cursed eyes. If you take the throne you will end up like your mother. Power corrupts all men.” “Who are you?” “A dumbass for sure. Remember what Loveless said. Your future is not set in stone.” “I am the light within you. I have been here all along, but this is the first time you have chosen to listen to me.” “Huh?” “All men have dark and light within them, but most people prefer to listen to the darkness because it offers pleasure. Power creates pleasure in this case with the Golden Eyes.” “I see, so you are saying it would be better for me to abandon my position, but wouldn’t another king or queen take my place and create a new cycle.” “Not if you set them up with a new government. Listen to your heart; you know how. If you create a new government with no one man staying in power, that will break the cycle.” “Wow, what a load of crap. Are you really going to listen to that?” They began to argue facts, so I began to tune them out. If it is a way to break my curse, shouldn’t I take it? That would be the best for the people. A government where no one man is in charge and where everyone’s voice would be heard. I had found the solution to my problem.

Once I got out of my bath, it was late. I tried to lay down and sleep, but I was so restless and wanted to discuss it with Aunt Nikki. I got up and went to search for her, but of course was asleep. She was reunited with her family and they moved into the castle yesterday (It is only right for my advisor and her family to move in). I decided to let her sleep until she woke. I went to the library and began pulling books on governments. I was looking at governments on Earth, and the Mermaid government. I was hoping to find something that would work here.

As the sun was peering through the window of the library, the door opened up to Ace and Aunt Nikki.

“I told you she would be here.” Aunt Nikki said to Ace with a laugh.

“How long have you been here? Maybe you should lay down and get some rest.” Ace said as I looked up.

“No, we have something important to discuss.” I said as I pulled out a history book of our government and began flipping pages through war after war. “Look at my family’s past in government. I see over 50 instances of rebellion since the Hart Clan took over the government over 200 years ago. Always one member of the family against another. It is not just mere coincidences that it has happened so many times, it is not all for political reasons. It is the power of the Golden Eyes; it corrupts people. If you are born with them, one day you too will eventually go mad for power. I want to end the cycle.”

“You have to be kidding me.” Ace said like he thought I had gone crazy.

“I am dead serious. We are going to make up a new government. One where no one man and his family line is in charge. Power corrupts people and brings out the worst in them, so we must limit it.” I replied in unchanged serious tone.

Nikki kept her smile through all of this. “I personally think this is a great idea. I mean this is the next step that your mother couldn’t take. This will bring a new era where the people rule.”

“Precisely, and I need your help.”

“Are you sure you are not just doing this so you can go after Trey?” Ace asked skeptical.

“Whether or not I go after Trey after this, is up to you, not me. He is not in this dimension any longer.”

“What? How could you possibly know this?”

“Jay’s compass just spins. That can only mean he is not in this dimension.”

Ace sighed. “Give me the honest answer as to why you are giving up the throne.”

“While I was taking my bath I realized how selfish I have been. I did some serious thinking on what would be best for the people. This was the best thing I could come up with. I don’t want to be my mother.”

He nodded his head and from that moment forward we began planning the new government.