Chapter 125: Chapter 125 - Betrayal (Part 3)
The bells of the Royal Palace tolled before sunrise.
Once.
Twice.
Again.
The slow, solemn ringing conveyed a grieving message that none desired to hear.
People stopped on the streets.
Merchants closed their shops, even before opening them.
Soldiers put off their helmets and lowered their heads.
Farmers quit working in their fields.
Even the kids playing in the squares were stunned seeing the adults crying.
The news quickly spread from house to house.
From village to village.
From fortress to fortress.
It was impossible to ride a horse faster than the news travelled across the country.
King Aldric KingHeart had died during the betrayal at Tricus.
Nobody wanted to admit it.
"He defended this country for more than twenty years..."
An elderly merchant wiped his tears.
"He treated the common folk with dignity."
A baker silently placed fresh bread outside her shop.
"Nobody in my family starved to death under his rule."
In the nearby fortress, an old soldier put up the royal flag at half-mast.
"He was a king worth of loyalty."
All across the country, the churches opened their doors.
Candles were lit.
Prayers ascended into the air.
The people did not shed tears for losing their ruler.
They grieved for their father.
In the Royal Palace...
Silence reigned over every corridor.
The bright marbles halls seemed colder than ever before.
Black ribbons hung near the banners of Seraiya.
Servants moved quietly, whispering among themselves.
Queen Celestine was secluded in her chambers.
The royal physicians seldom left her bedside.
Although awake, she was silent.
The grief over the loss of her husband had weakened her greatly.
Lilia stood alone in the royal chapel.
There she saw the ceremonial crown of King Aldric.
There she saw his sword.
Recovered by the survivors of the royal delegation.
She quietly touched the sword.
The hilt was still damaged from the battle.
A thousand images rushed through her mind.
Her father teaching her how to ride a horse.
His laugh at the family dinners.
His patience while guiding during the council meetings.
His kind smile when she was doubting herself.
She closed her eyes.
"...Father."
Her voice was barely audible.
"I wasn’t ready."
Tears flowed down her cheeks.
She did not wipe them.
For several minutes...
The chapel was completely still.
Then soft steps approached.
Arthur silently entered.
He carried neither weapons nor armor.
Only a folded black cloak.
He stopped near Lilia.
"The kingdom grieves with you."
She nodded.
"They loved him."
Arthur smiled sadly.
"He loved them too."
Silence reigned again.
Finally...
Lilia asked the question she dreaded most.
"...Has there been any news?"
Arthur instantly understood.
"About Prince Adrian?"
She nodded.
Arthur silently shook his head.
"None."
The answer wounded her heart.
However...
It also meant something.
Not confirmed.
Not certain.
As long as Adrian had not been found...
There was still hope.
Lilia tightly held the hilt of her father’s sword.
"...He’s alive."
Arthur looked at her.
"I believe he is."
"I have to."
Later that morning...
The Royal Council met again.
This time...
There was nobody sitting upon the Lion Throne.
Lilia stood before it.
The ministers were in mourning.
The generals were silent.
Commander Lucas stepped forward.
"The west border of the kingdom has been sealed."
"Our scouts report that Tricus has mobilized its army."
One noble slapped the table with his palm.
"This is an act of war!"
"They killed our King!"
"We have to react immediately!"
Another minister stood up.
"The army is ready."
"Give the order."
"We attack before sunset."
The voices quickly filled the chamber.
"War!"
"Justice!"
"Retaliation!"
Lilia listened in silence.
She heard everything.
She shared the grief.
She shared the anger.
But...
She remembered Adrian.
Her little brother.
Only fourteen years old.
Somewhere beyond the west border.
He was waiting.
Maybe he was scared.
Maybe he hoped that his family would save him.
She silently lifted one hand.
The chamber fell silent.
Her emerald eyes were wet with tears.
However, her voice sounded strong.
"My father was sure that the duty of a ruler was to protect life."
She looked at everyone in the room.
"If we declare the war today..."
"What will happen with Adrian?"
Nobody answered.
She continued.
"If he is alive..."
"Then he will become the first victim."
The ministers looked at the floor.
Lilia drew a deep breath.
"I refuse to desert him."
"I refuse to let the grief dictate our decisions."
She looked at Lucas.
"Do we still have the opportunity to negotiate with Tricus?"
Lucas hesitated.
"...It is possible."
Arthur crossed his arms.
"They might refuse us."
"They might."
Lilia nodded.
"But if there is the slightest possibility of bringing Adrian back safely..."
"I have to take it."
She looked at every noble in the room.
"I am going to send a diplomatic mission."
"We will insist on the safe return of Adrian."
"And we will seek an explanation for the murder of my father."
Her voice strengthened.
"But remember this..."
"While seeking peace..."
"Seraiya won’t put down its guard."
She looked at Lucas.
"Mobilize all Royal Knights."
"Strengthen all fortresses."
"Protect all villages."
Lucas instantly bowed.
"As you commanded, Your Highness."
Arthur smiled quietly.
King Aldric used to govern with wisdom rather than power.
Looking at Lilia who stood before the throne...
He saw the same firmness in her eyes.
The kingdom needed revenge.
And its young regent chose hope instead.
Not knowing that, beyond the west border, Victor had already started preparing his answer that will change Lilia’s heart forever.
The council chamber grew silent after Lilia revealed her decision.
Nobody moved for some time.
The breeze of spring wind that entered through the opened windows felt oddly chilling.
Suddenly –
– a noble hit the council table with his hand.
"Absolutely not!"
This loud bang reverberated throughout the chamber.
Then another noble jumped from his seat.
"Your Highness, Tricus has already betrayed us!"
"They deceived our King."
"They took Prince Adrian."
"And you want to negotiate?"
Several ministers nodded.
"They would misunderstand our kindness."
"This is no place for diplomatic tricks."
"We should move out before they build up their forces."
Fervent voices started filling the hall.
"Our army demands justice."
"People demand justice."
"Seraiya cannot humble itself!"
Lilia still stood before the Lion Throne.
She listened attentively to all accusations but said nothing.
An old duke got up slowly from his seat.
His silver beard touched his chest.
He served three generations of royal family.
With obvious disappointment, he stared at young princess.
"Your Highness..."
"I’m afraid that your heart is too tender."
"This is not what a throne requires."
"You’re acting like a sister."
"Rather than a ruler."
One of the nobles spoke quite plainly.
"A weak ruler attracts the stronger enemies."
"If we delay with our decision now..."
"...we’ll lose much more tomorrow."
These words started floating throughout the hall.
Weak.
Too tender.
Too young.
Too impulsive.
Each phrase sounded like another stone that was put on the shoulder of Lilia.
But she didn’t lower her gaze.
She recalled the lessons of her father.
A king doesn’t silence criticisms.
He listens.
When the chamber grew silent again, Arthur approached Lilia.
He kept silent until now.
All nobles turned towards the captain of the Royal Hands.
"If I may..."
The Chancellor nodded.
"You can say."
Arthur glanced around the hall before looking straight at all nobles.
"I served His Majesty for over twenty years."
"I was beside him in all wars."
"In all famines."
"In all treaties."
"I knew his mind."
His calm voice rang naturally throughout the chamber.
"If King Aldric were standing here today..."
"He would make the same decision."
Several nobles frowning.
Arthur continued.
"His Majesty didn’t think that the power of Seraiya is shown in the speed of drawing the sword."
"But in the ability of protecting the peace."
The room grew silent once again.
Arthur turned towards Lilia.
"I agree with the Regent."
"If there still exists any possibility of getting back Prince Adrian..."
"Then we should try."
Some ministers lowered their heads.
Some were still uncertain.
Then Lucas approached the table.
His silver armor gleamed under the light of the afternoon.
Contrary to Arthur, his voice had confidence of a commander in battle.
"I also agree with Her Highness."
Several generals looked surprised.
Lucas nodded confidently.
"But..."
He laid his armored fist on the map.
"Peace doesn’t mean lack of preparedness."
He showed a finger along the line of the western frontier.
"The First Knight Order will strengthen each of the border fortresses."
"The Second will accompany the diplomatic delegation."
"The Third will stay in reserve."
He looked directly at Lilia.
"And if the negotiations won’t succeed..."
His eyes became harder.
"I personally swear on my title as the Commander of the Royal Knights..."
"...I’ll get back Prince Adrian."
His pledge resonated throughout the chamber.
Lilia faintly smiled.
"Thanks, Lucas."
He bowed respectfully.
"It is my duty."
The Chancellor calmly adjusted his spectacles.
"Your Highness..."
"Could I ask you about one thing?"
Lilia nodded.
"If Tricus rejects all offers..."
"What then?"
The room waited.
Each noble.
Each knight.
Each servant.
Slowly, Lilia turned towards the vacant Lion Throne.
She could imagine her father sitting there.
Watching her.
Guiding her.
She took a deep breath.
"We’ll offer peace just once."
"We’ll offer justice just once."
"We’ll give them an opportunity to return my brother."
Her emerald eyes became resolute.
"But if they’ll choose the wrong way..."
Her voice remained calm.
"...then Seraiya will protect its citizens with all its strength."
There was no anger.
There was no hate.
Just the unwavering resolution.
Arthur quietly smiled.
She inherited the wisdom of Aldric.
Lucas smiled as well.
But there was something behind this wisdom...
...the bravery of a real ruler.
One by one, nobles who opposed Lilia lowered their heads.
Not all of them were convinced.
But nobody could deny the sincerity of their young Regent.
Outside the palace, people kept putting flowers near the statues of the late King.
People lit candles all throughout the capital.
Children prayed for the safe return of Prince Adrian.
Mothers hugged their sons a little closer than usually.
The kingdom mourned.
But the hope persisted.
That evening, Lilia found herself once again on the western balcony.
The sun slowly sank behind distant mountains that hid Tricus.
The sky shone orange and crimson.
Lilia folded her hands.
"Please..."
"Stay safe, Adrian."
"We’re coming to you."
The gentle breeze carried her whisper into the fading sunlight.
Far beyond the western horizon...
In the Kingdom of Tricus...
A sealed letter with the royal crest of Seraiya appeared at the castle gate.
It requested one thing only.
Return Prince Adrian.
Let peace reign.
The guards brought this letter to Prince Victor.
He looked at the royal seal for a long time.
Then...
A slow grin spread on his face.
A grin that meant nothing good.
The fate of two kingdoms depended on his answer now.
