Chapter Text
The once pleasurable and delightful season of summer, had become no more. The heat was unbearable; searing hot. Rays of sunlight almost burnt the people's skin, causing even the farmers to stay sheltered rather than to work, in the already almost dry camps.
Summer used to give a sense of joy to all; to the children who could stay out longer, not worried that it might rain during their entertainment.
Though this changed and I can assure you that it was not for the better...
Allow me to narrate right from the beginning and to further delve into this matter.
...
Initially, the Wang kingdom had always been known to be boundlessly rich and ruled by a very wise king. Over the years, its territory expanded ceaselessly; winning one battle after another to conquer as they wished.
In their wake, nature was disturbed...soil was tainted of blood, flowers were stomped on, trees were cut down and the vast sea became caliginous red. Yet...not even a single soul paid heed to their wrongdoings.
Shortly after, the great king was found dead in the palace's orchard. The doctors were incapable of doing a diagnosis and so claimed, that His Majesty passed on due to his elderly age, without any true confirmation, as for them it was the most plausibile hypothesis.
...Were they right in the end?
The late king had no queen nor any concubines and so, no sons to pass on the crown to continue his legacy. Nonetheless, he did have a younger brother who was always thirsty for power but was shunned for not being a grand scholar such as himself.
By following the rules, the person who had to become king was indeed the younger as he was next in the Royal bloodline. The members of court were timorous as the man became incornated as king. They were aware of how vile and disrespectful he was; clear as day that he was not fit for the role of king.
He tried to follow in the footsteps of his elder brother. He continued to expand their territory but once a land was conquered - in the past, the inhabitants which survived or did not partake in the battle were spared, they would pledge their loyalty to the Wang kingdom and begin cohabiting with others, they remained alive unless they committed treason - now, everyone (be it women, children or even elders) was slaughtered or taken into slavery.
The new king spared no one. He caused havoc and spread terror in all kingdoms, close or far.
You might think that his reign had come to an end rather quickly with a conspiracy by the Royal Court but I am sad to say, that no... His reign continued for years, he trusted no one besides one. His right hand man and only friend since childhood, one that would never betray for many reasons.
Likewise, the new king never had a wife but very so often, he would fall in the hands of pleasure alongside with the beauties of the Wang kingdom.
One night, blinded by bliss, he lost utter control...leading to the woman carrying the future Prince of the Wang kingdom. Although it was a mistake, the king was rather happy about this matter. He knew that the way of teaching your child when they were very young was highly futile; His Majesty would mold him into the 'perfect' ruler.
Months of pain and discomfort, from the woman's part, finally led to the birth of the prince. But at a cost. As the first cries of the child were heard, the mother took her last breath and for eternity closed her eyes.
The king wasn't present at the time, he did not love her nor would he love his child. He just wanted what he desired; an empty vessel...a piece of clay, which he could mold in any way he deemed fit.
For her death, only a pyre was done and her ashes were thrown in the sea, not leaving any trace of her existence. She was erased.
The lady had served her king loyally, to the point of carrying his own child. Yet, she wasn't repaid. Not even a small ceremony, nothing. She was burnt away like a meaningless object. She was burnt away like the inhabitants of other kingdoms during a battle.
A newborn boy, set foot into a world in which no one desired to be in. He would never receive motherly affection and surely, neither wise guidance from his father.
Yes, he's royal blood. Yes, he was a prince and yes, in the future he would be a king...but would there be anything to rule over?