Eudora

Chapter 5

Dawn creaked against Zuria. The Kingdom worshipped by sunlight awoke with sadness. The hills bore mountains that grazed the clouds. Zuria was the one place that had enough sun, yet mist-covered trees scattered everywhere. Houses and estates spread across the land. The pathways twined around the mountain, each one leading to ancient forests no one dared to tread. At the grand point of the hill stood the Royal Palace, overlooking all beneath.

The King's burial was underway. The entire Kingdom was clothed in black garments. Priests shaved their heads, as was required by the burial rites of Zuria. Vynn himself dug the six-foot hole and laid his father to rest.

The dirt clung to the coffin as if it had been waiting for a visitor. Silence hugged the atmosphere as Vynn finished burying his father. Arms reached out to comfort him; some hugged him, others gave him a gentle pat.

The last shovel of earth struck the coffin; no one cried. There was nothing left to bury.

Standing in front of the crowd, Vynn could feel the pressure pulling him down. From now on, it was his duty to lead, command and direct this multitude with wisdom. How was he supposed to do that alone?

The Kingdom lay in unrest for seven days, as was the purification period for Zuria.

For another week, the throne would remain unoccupied; then, a new King would be chosen.

Seeing Vynn break down, Reiner felt a surge of joy. He smiled so hard that his fat belly began to rumble. All through the burial process, he had his eyes fixed on the throne.

---

Eudora was unable to sleep. Her thoughts danced around Fersus. His sudden disappearance that day, his study filled with odd things, the pleased look on his face when he saw her going through his stuff, as if he had wanted her to see them. She remembered his composed expression upon hearing the King's death.

Her mind still bearing the weight of Amarantha's disappearance. No sighting of her, even after two weeks.

She tried running her mind back to her playful days with Amarantha, but Fersus.

That name swore attachment to her mind, and she couldn't break it.

The hairpin she found in Fersus' cabin brought foggy memories, something familiar she just couldn't lay her hands on.

Back at his home, she could sense someone else watching her. The presence of another felt so real to her.

Everything felt rehearsed, from her arrival to the arrangement of things in his study.

Eudora just couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

'But he offered me tea,' she mutters to herself, 'He can't be that bad...can he?'

If only someone would answer her questions; for they plagued her all day long.

---

Vynn begins his investigation; the killer must be punished before he claims his throne, or at least he thought.

He completely combs through the Palace.

Guards, servants, musicians, cooks, even gardeners.

'I am confident that not one of you harbored ill against my father,' Vynn tells them reassuringly, 'Not one of you is a suspect; it is simply that I need to know, even the slightest detail, about anything strange you saw that day.'

His speech rather threatens most of them.

Servants lied that they were busy, so they didn't really take note of the King's surroundings. Some guards even swore on their lives that no one came close to the King.

An old guard, however, summoned up courage and told Vynn that the King had received a visitor before the party, but he ordered silence on the matter.

From this confession, Vynn could tell that his father wanted to keep the visit buried. But why?

Reiner, on the other hand, felt it was his duty to silence the people. He ordered, 'Anyone found speaking about the King, or spreading rumors, must be arrested.'

Because of this, he sent undercover guards into the marketplaces at his command; they imprisoned many innocent people who aired their views about the King's death.

Soon, the marketplaces were empty. Those who were not imprisoned began to whisper that the murderer wasn't the only monster.

The news of the arrest soon reached Vynn's ears, and he ordered their release immediately. Reiner saw this as a challenge to his power.

He stormed the Palace and met Vynn, seated on the King's throne, although coronation day had not yet taken place. Anger flashed through his eyes; his breathing became hotter and more intense. He stared at Vynn with murderous intent. Vynn simply stared back at him with carefree eyes, adding a smile only Reiner could see.

'The crown has not yet chosen its owner, has it? Now, young lad,' Asked Reiner.

'True, it has not', Vynn replied, crossing his legs to prove his arrogance, 'but I need not wait till coronation day to begin my duties as King, especially when an outsider wrongly assumes this position'.

The hall went quiet; they knew Reiner had been in the wrong from the start, but Vynn's reply made a bigger fool out of him.

'An outsider, you say,' scowled Reiner.

Vynn didn't utter a word in reply; he left the Palace and went to visit his mom.

Reiner smiled. It was the kind that promised someone would disappear before sunrise.

'The boy has become too troublesome,' Reiner muttered as he left the Palace.

Vynn was told his mother had refused to eat; she lay in bed muttering, 'My husband' occasionally.

He requested that everyone leave the room. He knelt by her bedside and broke into tears. 'Ma, I'm scared', he cried, squeezing his mother's hand, 'Dad left suddenly, and now Uncle Reiner wants to seize the throne. I don't know what to do, please help me'. Ophelia simply stared at Vynn; it took her a while to remember that he was her son. She opened her mouth to say something, but found it extremely difficult to even speak. Vynn cried for a very long time before regaining his strength. He stood up and said, 'You just get better; I will find my way'.

He turned to leave, but she grabbed his arm; staring deep into his eyes, she said, 'My son, your father is proud of you. Be strong now. Do not let Reiner break you down. Don't let your father's name be dragged into the mud. Stand up tall and do what you know is right for Zuria. You have Adolphus backing you; the people are there by your side, child. I am here, so take courage.

Vynn hugged his mother tightly and said to her lady-in-waiting, 'Please take care of my mother, and ensure she lacks nothing'.

The elderly lady, Jaima, looked at Ophelia; she nodded approvingly at her. Jaima then fell to her knees and confessed, 'My Lord, please spare me for hiding this. The King received a guest just before the party. I wasn't able to see the man, but the King called him 'my old friend'.

Vynn clenched his fists; the murderer lay right under his nose.

---

Eudora decides to visit Fersus's

Estate under the pretense of wanting to know more about Amarantha.

Fear grips her as she approaches his estate. The sun shields itself from his home. The cold air surrounding his estate made her terrified. Her fingers tremble against the iron gates. Sweat beads form on her forehead. Her knees threaten to buckle. Upon getting to the gate, it swings open. She tells herself it's the wind.

'Welcome, Princess,' shouts Fersus from behind.

Eudora dropped to her knees with fear. He helped her back on her feet and led her inside.

In the corridor, she noticed his muddy boots, though it hadn't rained for days in Zuria.

She quietly went to his studies and began exploring anything to ease her worries. She found a piece of paper, read it, and dropped it back. An old rusty ring; she studied it and dropped it back. She spun the globe several times, trying to trace Zuria, but the writings were way too small for her eyes to capture. She ran her fingers around the walls of his study as if inspecting something. Eudora stumbled upon a large frame of a garden. She turned to the door to see Fersus watching her like a predator stalking its prey.

'What a beautiful painting you've got here, Fersus,' she said inquisitively.

'Ahhh, nothing but old memories,' he replied, setting down a tray of chocolate tea and caramel biscuits.

The chocolate tea grabbed her attention more than his reply.

'How did this man know I was a lover of chocolate tea and caramel biscuits?' Eudora screamed to herself.

She couldn't help it. She looked up at Fersus, who gave her a cute smile that said, 'Dig in'.

She had tried so hard to resist, but the caramel biscuits shone even brighter when the candlelight hit them. It was over for her.

She gulped down the chocolate tea and began munching the biscuits.

Fersus watched as her eyes lit with excitement; it made him want to keep her by his side forever.

Having had her belly full, she burped and squealed a little, 'Thank you. '

Fersus simply nodded and took the tray away.

She stared at her swollen belly. Maybe she shouldn't have judged him harshly. He was just an elegant, charming Count. Ohhh, how foolish of her to have harbored such thoughts. She made up her mind not to even ask him about Amarantha. He had likely remembered something else that night which changed his mood. It troubled her still that her friend had not been seen for the past two weeks. Had she been eating? How was her hair maintenance going? She recalled how annoyed Amarantha would be if her hair was ever messy. She silently prayed that the heavens protect her silly girlfriend.

Fersus gently tapped her shoulders. 'You seem to be at a loss, Princess. Come now, let us take a walk in my garden.'

Eudora followed him obediently like a possessed little child.

She was stunned to see the beautiful array of flowers he had behind his house. All sorts of lilies, roses, dandelions, and even chrysanthemums flourished in his garden.

Butterflies danced around the place, adding to the decorations.

An old bonsai tree stood firm next to the flower garden alongside the sandalwood tree.

The colorful garden was a far cry from the dark and gloomy entrance of his estate.

Eudora's mind was finally at peace. She lay down on the flowers, inhaling each one. Fersus plucked out a yellow lily and placed it behind her ears. It was a beautiful match with her burgundy hair.

'It's beautiful,' Fersus said, tucking her hair. He stared at her soft lips and bewitching hazel eyes and wondered if she was from this lifetime.

Fersus sat beside her and began telling her stories of his childhood. How he once had a pet rabbit, but his partially blind grandma thought it was a rat and killed it. How he fell into a lake whilst fishing and drifted to the nearby town unharmed. The stories made Eudora laugh from within. She enjoyed every single moment of her stay in his garden.

A few minutes later, he gifted her a carefully curated set of flowers from his garden along with a pack of caramel biscuits.

She squealed and jumped for a hug. He accepted it, but his body wanted more.

Right there, Fersus called out a carriage to take her home.

The smile left his eyes the moment she was out of sight.

He went into his study, pulled down the large frame and unlocked the door behind it.

Taking a lantern, he went down the stairs leading to an eerie-looking room. Bloodied hairpins and ribbons lay carelessly on the bare floor. Left-over food particles scattered here and there.

Not long ago, Eudora's laughter faintly hit the underground room. It brought tears to the prisoner's eyes as she recognized that voice.

A chain rattled.

Breathing not his own hitched up.

Muffled sounds of both fear and hatred were heard.

Fersus looked up at the pretty damsel in chains. He walked up to her, admiring her long black hair and blue eyes. Holding her chin, he said charmingly, 'My Princess, your hair is even more beautiful than ever'.

He ran his fingers through her hair and inhaled it.

He smiled and planted a kiss on her forehead.

Licking the corner of his lips, he turned around and said, 'Just a little more time, Amarantha, everything would be back to normal'.