The Princess and The Advisors

A loud knock wake Arcadia up. She adjusted her eyes, trying to piece her mind in the storm of frantic knocks. "Princess! Princess! Please wake up," A voice of panic and despair. Arcadia quickly got up to the door, she know something is wrong. "What is it, Enu?" She recognized the voice. It's her private servant. But the moment she open the door, she can see Enu is full of tears."Enu, what's wrong?" "Princess..... the King.... the Queen.....they are dead....," Enu spoke within all her sobs. Arcadia stood there for a moment trying to swallow the new information she just got. "How?" Arcadia ask with pertinence trying to hold the tears back. Enu just shake her head, unable to describe the horrible thing. "Bring me to them," Arcadia give order with hurtful face. Enu walk down the hall showing the way to the King's room. In front of the door standing two guard, Sordus and Garon, two close aid of the King. They bow to Arcadia but from their face, Arcadia knew they are mourning. "Open the door," Arcadia order the two guards. "Princess, I'm afraid the scene is not something that is appropriate for you to see," Garon explained. "That will be something I decide myself, open the door," Arcadia did not look at Garon, she try her best to prepare of what she will see inside. Sordus and Garon open the door without any questions. Arcadia halted as she saw blood on the wall and the floor. She can see the trail of blood lead her to the main chamber where the king and queen sleeps. She walked down seeing everything not missing anything and gasped as she saw inside the chamber. She saw the body of Rask on the floor facing down in the pool of blood, holding a knife. She averted her eyes on the bed, seeing her father holding Rask sword in his hand, lifeless. When Arcadia look at the queen she broke down in tears, she can see multiple stab on her mother's body. But with that amount of blood she can't really sure how many stabs is launched. She came across her mother's body sobbing, closing her mother lifeless eyes. "Call Doctor Doran, tell him to examine the room," Arcadia give order with shaking voice. Garon and Sordus were accompanying her from behind. Garon immediately leave to do the deed. Arcadia turn around and look at Sordus,"Gather the Council." ***** The Council is uneasy, an assembly in the middle of the dawn is never a good thing. The 5 advisors didn't wear their nice clothes either, they were told it was emergency and no protocol were needed, some of them are apparently still sleepy from their red eyes. Their chatter were halted as Princess Arcadia appear in the room. She is not who they expected and definitely not still in her sleeping gown. But her face make them ask nothing as they can see clearly the princess has just cried. "Gentlemen, I'm deeply sorry for the disturbance in the middle of the night. But I need to announce this...," Arcadia takes a deep breath," The King and Queen is dead." Silent in the room. All of them cannot believe the words that got out from that rosy lips. "What? How?" Oudinet break out the silence. "They were murdered, Doctor Doran is examining the room now," Arcadia answer with a flat tone. The council is silent once again, and suddenly they were talking to each other in confusion. "Please, gentlemen!" A stern voice from Arcadia stopped the confusion."I'm assembling you here to announce that I will appoint Duke Orm as the substitute king." "Why Duke Orm?" Gervais ask with curiousity. Advisor Gervais is the oldest one of the council. "As we may know the Crown Prince is just 7 years old. Duke Orm is the cousin of my father, hence he's the closest kin to sit on the throne." "Did he asked you of this?" Advisor Tristan suddenly spoke. "No, it was my own decision," Arcadia knew Tristan would be the hardest to handle. As in the past, Tristan is always antagonistic toward the King, they never see eye to eye. But The King seem to like Tristan because of that, thus, a place in the council is given to Tristan. "You are clearly not in your right mind now, so this Council never hear you say that," Tristan said nonchalantly. "What?" Arcadia cannot believe of what she just heard. "This meeting is adjourned," Tristan continues and the rest of the council didn't seem to object, leaving Arcadia speechless. One by one the council is leaving the room leaving Arcadia alone with Tristan. "Go to your room and rest, we'll talk tomorrow," Tristan is leaving the room last. "How dare you," Arcadia tone is soft but deep. She's ashamed that her authority apparently means nothing to the council. "A princess that just point someone to sit in the throne recklessly in a chaotic situation will not be heard by the Council," Tristan tone is stern and frank. Arcadia left alone in the room. She just stared blankly on the floor trying to digest what just happened. *** Morning light peek from the window of Sverre room. Sverre is crying until he fall asleep on Arcadia embrace when he received the news. Arcadia on the other hand didn't sleep a wink, she just stared at the ceiling on her room. She feels empty, she didn't know what to do. Arcadia has sent Enu to accompany Sverre. After the failed meeting with the council she goes to her brother's room to tell the news of their parents death. When she get there, there are guards under Blaive order to stand guard in front of Sverre room. Arcadia realized now that what Tristan said is true, she should have sent guards instead of Enu to her brother's room. A soft knock on Sverre room break her laments. "Who is it?" Arcadia ask indifferently. "Princess, Doctor Doran said he finished examining. They will now prepare for the funeral," Enu voice can be heard outside. "I understand, thank you Enu," Arcadia hold back the tears that were trying to fall again. "Would you like something else, Princess?" Enu asked with symphatetic tone. "No, thank you Enu," Arcadia didn't feel like wanting anything. "I'll prepare a light breakfast for you, both of you need to eat," Enu can be heard leaving the front door. *** When Sverre wake up, they eat the breakfast in silence. The maids has prepared the funeral attire for the princess and the prince. Arcadia didn't know who arrange it all, but apparently, after the king and queen gone, the castle works just fine. "Sverre, wait here, I will check the final preparation," Arcadia tell Sverre with loving expression and Sverre nod in understanding. When Arcadia is at the door, she notice the guards from last night is still there. She nodded and walked away and one of the guards automatically follow her. Arcadia walked to Doctor Doran office, when she's arrived, Doran is not there. She examined the room and her eyes fall to notes on the desk. "Princess, you should have told me if you want to pay a visit," Doran voice startled Arcadia. "I'm sorry, I want to know the result of your examination," Arcadia turn around facing Doran. "Ah, yes, I haven't manage to make it presentable," Doran walked to his desk and tidying the notes,"I will present this to you after I finish, for now, Princess you should focus on the mourning. We are preparing the queen and the king body for funeral." "Yes, I should do that," Arcadia smile weakly. "I notice the guard in front of the office door," Doran try to make small talks, his eyes fixed on the notes. "Yes, Blaive sent the guards for me and the crown prince," Arcadia might understand now the value of this advisors to her father. "What about Garon or Sordus?" Doran asked. "Well, considering the situation now, I don't think the king's aide is fit to be our guards. For now it's better like this. I think I need to be going, thank you for your time, Doctor." "My deep condolences once more, Princess," Doran stand up and give a kiss on Arcadia's hand. Arcadia sighed in front of the door. She walk away and the guard follow. Arcadia walked to the throne room, but nobody is there. She looked around confused, if they are preparing for the funeral, the king and queen body should have been here. "There's a little bit of delay on the preparation," Tristan answer as if knowing what's Arcadia thinking. Arcadia turn around, surprised to see Tristan is there. "What delay?" Arcadia's tone is not friendly. "Well, we want it to be perfect without any trace of the horrible scene," Tristan look straight to Arcadia's eyes, didn't seem to bother with her tone. "I want my brother to look at them like they were still alive," it's a commanding tone. Arcadia can't help it, though she know Tristan is right, her pride just won't let him mock her. "Why did you see the scene?" Tristan suddenly ask an unexpected question. "What kind of question is that?" Arcadia furrow her eyebrow. "A question that is asked because of an unusual behaviour," Tristan expression is flat, Arcadia can't read this man at all. "I want to see what happens to my parents, is that wrong?" Arcadia look at Tristan with a confused face. "What do you think about the scene?" Tristan next question confused Arcadia more. "What do you mean?" Arcadia feels a little bit worried now. "I want to know your opinion," Tristan is still using that poker face. Arcadia just stare at Tristan, didn't know what to say. To be honest, she didn't trust Tristan enough to share her opinion. "Arcadia, there you are," a familiar voice break the tension. "Uncle Orm," Arcadia run to Duke Orm, naturally hugging each other, her tears break out at his uncle embrace. "Now, now, there, there, it's all gonna be okay, I'm here for you," Duke Orm is patting on Arcadia's back, soothing her. Tristan give a nod to Duke Orm and then left, giving privacy to both of them. Arcadia finally calm after awhile and wipe the remaining tears,"I'm sorry, I messed up your attire." "Please don't mind it, you need to prepare, you are not in the proper attire," Duke Orm looked sad. Arcadia nod, and give Orm a goodbye hug and back to Sverre room to prepare. *** The throne room is full of sobbing. The lifeless body of the king and the queen lies beautifully. Sverre is crying beside his mother coffin and Arcadia feels grateful that the people has done a wonderful job, no trace of the gruesome scene last night. All the people in the room wear black attire and tragically, the black attire enhance the beauty of the princess more. Black has always been Arcadia favourite colour but black is not appropriate for a princess to be wear at all times. It's a special colour for the dead. The funeral finish at dinner time. Arcadia decide to spend this few nights with Sverre until things are getting better. "Sister, they said Rask kill father and mother, is that true?" Arcadia surprised to hear Sverre question. "Who told you that?" Arcadia look straight at Sverre. Sverre shake his head,"I heard some maids talking about it." Arcadia look at Sverre painfully,"It seems so, but I don't think so." Sverre furrow his eyebrow,"What do you mean?" "Sverre, do you remember on what we promised about secrets?" Sverre nod his head. "What I'm gonna tell you is a secret between us, only us, nobody can know about it."