CHAPTER 2: EMPEROR'S DEATH
802 Words
12 years later
On one fine day of the spring, the terminally ill emperor called his son to talk to him personally.
The now grown-up prince entered his father's room and found him lying on his bed, coughing terribly.
He went and sat beside him.
His father’s face, which once looked prideful and confident, is now dull and blue. There were black circles under his eyes and his blue eyes that shined whenever he looked at his only child, looked sad.
“Father, you should rest” the young prince said, worried of his father’s health.
“Edward, my child” the king said with hoarse tone.
The King lifted his weak trembling hands and held his son’s face with affection.
“Forgive this father for not being able to protect you” he said.
“It’s not your fault father” the prince replied, hiding his tears inside his eyes.
“Edward, I’m a cruel father.”
“I confined you in a dark room at young age.”
“I did not allow you to attend any ball and meet people.”
“I did not allow you to make friends.”
“I did not let you play out in the garden. I did not…”
The old king started to cough hard. Tears started to flow out of his eyes.
“Father, you don’t have to speak” said the worried prince, “Just think. You know I can hear them.”
“I…. ruined the… best time… of…. your life” the king spoke out.
“Father, I know you did it to protect me” the prince said with tears rolling down his eyes.
King wiped his son’s tears with the hand he was holding his face.
Prince Edward held his father’s hand with his both hands and said:
“Father, thank you for protecting me all these years.”
“You tried your best, father.”
“Please don’t blame yourself. I beg you.”
He started to cry loudly as she grabbed his father’s hand tighter.
The king looked at his crying son with dull eyes. He turned his gaze towards the ceiling.
“Edward, I don’t know what the future might be but it will be tough,” the king said as looked up, “I don’t know who gave you this curse, but they want to bring you down.”
“Edward, whatever choice you make, I will support you.”
“Whatever happens, you will always be my proud son.”
“Do not fear. Be brave. Be strong.”
“And remember, you will be a king. Always think as a king. Always think of this kingdom.”
The prince looked at his father’s face.
His father looked at him with a smile.
“I hope you will live a good life” the king said.
His son smiled and nodded with tears filled in his eyes.
The king closed his eyes, satisfied.
Suddenly the hand held by the prince felt cold.
Fear appeared on his face.
He put his head in his father’s chest, whispering prayers, hoping he would find the heart in there working fine.
But it was silent.
He immediately called the guards. For the next few hours, he sat beside his father, holding his hand.
The doctors came and inspected his body only to declare him dead.
The high priest came to examine his body.
He was a man with golden eyes who always appeared in white and golden robe with a white mitre, a long, pointed headdress.
As soon as he saw the late king lying lifeless on his huge bed, the high priest closed his eyes and muttered some prayers.
The news of the death of the emperor spread like fire and people felt devastated by this news.
Many went to church to pray for his highness’ peaceful departure, while others gossiped about it.
That day, the entire kingdom became gloomy.
Three months passed by and the coronation of the new emperor came.
Even though the people briefly met him during the late king’s funeral, but they barely know him.
The late king had always hidden him in his palace, not allowing anyone to contact him.
As the prince looked himself into the mirror, blue suit that matched his eye color and several golden badges on his chest that decorated his coat, his black hair combed neatly to make his perfect face look give the aura of royalty, he smiled.
All the maids that looked at him were blushing, thinking:
‘So handsome.’
‘He looks so hot in that suit’
‘He is much better than Count Stifell.’
‘I wish I can make him mine.’
‘If you weren’t the king, I promise I’ll chew you alive.”
As he stood behind the door that will lead him to the hall, he took a deep breath ans smiled confidently. Behind this hall, he will find every knight and noble of Silburg sitting, waiting for his arrival. Outside the hall, he will find a big crowd, holding the flag with the symbol of lion, the royal symbol of Silburg, waiting for their new king to address them.
‘I can’t hide in darkness anymore’ he thought, ‘I have to bravely face them.’
That day, it was not only the new king coming into the light, but another person, who will see light after many years.
She is his fiancée, Romana, daughter of duke Rosmanda.
- Writer
