Chapter Text
The wind was easy and cool, perfect to balance the slightly hotter than normal weather beating down on the vast kingdom that, for hundreds of years, had reigned in a large green valley, hugged in most directions by enormous mountains. It was somewhere quite craggly with gnarled trees that gave most people security in breaking most harsher temperatures that would happen to come through to their home. The lands were old with which most forests and caves were untouched by man, and instead were inhabited by creatures that were long feared by the villages, especially by those that lived farthest from the Castle.
Birds chirped their songs in the treelines without much other reason than to live as they do, free with purpose - unlike that of the young blond boy who sat underneath a large pale tree covered by its yellow-green crown to protect from the sun. In his hands gripped a charcoal pencil and a book with a hardened, soft green coloured cover. There, the words written on the pages were things he felt were too personal for any to read; his feelings and creative stories he would make up on occasion, or even simple remembrances and the likes. He never let anyone read it and often hid it in his room - it would act as his journal and those close to him understood that space.
The sound of somewhat hefty thonks would make their way behind the journal, giving more shade to the boy’s page, further than what he wanted. Then a leaf had fallen on his book and the blond boy gave a sigh as he glanced up to see his trusty companion.
“Kwa!”
The black and white flightless bird would bleat and wiggle his arms as his beak clicked together. The young boy cracked a soft frown and grabbed at the leaf. “What is it, my dear Gustave? Why do you throw this leaf onto my book?” The bird, though meant to most definitely appear to be a penguin, was no regular penguin and in due time would grow to be even larger in the future. He was easily four foot and one inch tall and for Emperor penguins this was normal, still he was what this country called a Gobby-penguin.
Gustave would bleat again. The young boy normally intended to have a smile for the silly gestures, however, he was quite stressed given the situation he was pulled into just a few days ago which is why he was hiding out here in this place of peace to begin with.
“Faddei, my young brother, are you there?”
The young blond boy to whom she called would not look behind to see who had spoken. His eyes were shifted to the side, just to the left of Gustave, as he gazed in the valley below.
“Faddei, my young brother,” She would repeat herself, her voice much closer than before. “Return my call. Why do you always sit so close to the ledge?”
“I find no trouble with it.”
“No trouble, you say? What if you were to fall?”
“Then I fall.” Faddei closed his journal firmly.
“Oh, what harsh words. It bothers you to this end?”
“Yes… No. I am unsure, Yulia, my sister. Why must I take the position rather than you? You are much older and therefore more capable.” Faddei slumped against the tree. Yulia, who was much taller than Faddei, would attempt to sit as close to the tree as she could.
The young woman gave a sigh as she shared scenery with Faddei. “Father has been acting strangely the past few days, hasn’t he?” A few days ago, an uncalled event had caused their father to claim Faddei as next King of Throne with no room for negotiation. The coronation was meant to be today. Faddei, being only twelve years old, found this position to be overwhelming so when the servants came to prepare him in his room, he was nowhere to be seen with just an open window as a clue.
“I know you are here to bring me back. I will, but I wish to see this valley as my own before I become King, just one last time...”
“Oh, Faddei, my dear, you are mistaken.” She scooted a little closer to him, gripping onto the tree for some measure of security. “I have been sent to get you, yes, but… This coronation changes nothing, do you hear? You will always be the same Faddei I know. I want to hear your feelings. Talk with me.”
Faddei furrowed his brows in distress. “Well… Why can’t you become King?”
“I… I cannot because…” Faddei thought he imagined a type of forlorn look on her face but she was smiling. “... I was not born with luck, that is all. Faddei, my young brother, I understand it is early age, but I will be here next to you whilst you reign the Kingdom. I believe you will be a good King. The others in the castle do, too.”
Faddei, though reassured by this, had a look of sadness. “... I have a bad feeling about this. Father is supposed to be King. If I become King while I’m this age, then that means Father is…”
A hand pressed on Faddei’s head, pushing him closer to Yulia’s embrace. “Oh, Faddei… There is nothing wrong with Father. I am sure he has his reasons that he will explain in due time. Perhaps he trusts you to such an extent already?”
This earned a light shove in her gut. “It’s true!” She chuckled through grit teeth, possibly due to Faddei’s actions. “I would not doubt he knows your potential! Trust me, young brother.” They looked down at the valley of the Kingdom together. The brunette sister pet at Faddei’s hair and kept a smile. “You fear the trial?”
There was no response from Faddei but that was all she needed. Father hadn’t explained well enough what to do at this trial - supposedly being on purpose, if Faddei was truly meant to take the Throne, then he was not meant to have any issues. That was what Father said, anyway.
“I am certain that you will be able to pass the trial with flying colours. You are Father’s son, after all!”
It still seemed Faddei wasn’t convinced. “I don’t know. As far as our history goes, every coronation happened much later in life. I’ve heard the servants’ murmurs. They say that I will be the youngest King in Oohr if I am to get crowned today. How does Father know I will pass? I fear he expects my knowledge to be that of an adult.”
“Hmm…” Yulia shook her head at Gustave who pressed his face against Faddei’s hand. “What if I told you… I may know what you must do?”
Faddei’s eyes glinted. Anything to make Father proud of him! He removed himself from her embrace in a heap of eagerness that had Yulia smile. “I may have read through some books our predecessors wrote that father hid~” She poked her tongue out with a tease. “Now, Faddei, my young brother, pay good attention, for I mustn’t repeat in case anyone else hears.”
“O-Of course!”
‿‿‿‿
To describe this room as expansive was definitely one word for it; its main colour theme was set on a deep red velvet fabric with exquisitely detailed golden patterns embedded on practically every inch of the walls. The dark wooden architecture keeping up the room was intricately carved to make the most majestic of details imaginable, and tagging along it were beautiful paintings created by artists over the years who have painted each of their ancestors. The decor was normal like that throughout the Castle, but the one and only thing that made this room special was a strikingly big throne at the very end of the large hall, which looked in pristine condition despite being used every single day for perhaps generations, or so Faddei had been told. Combined with this was a very unique symbol of a golden wolf looking creature bearing a crown and in a rearing position, a golden ribbon very loosely wrapping around its entire body from head to toe, all encased by the golden form of a shield, placed atop the throne against the wall.
Faddei was crouching feet from the throne along with his gobby-penguin Gustave, his father sitting on said throne. His father cleared his throat, though to Faddei it sounded uncomfortable. He would not lift his head up as he felt ashamed to disappoint Father and he would rather not see his dispirited face. Instead he listened to Father’s footsteps coming closer and closer until, to his surprise and sudden feeling of guilt, his father pressed his large hands against Faddei’s shoulders. Faddei looked up and gasped to see his only parental figure look so concerned.
“My son, I am pleased to see you have come to your senses. Welcome back.” Father pulled him into a slow hug and Faddei hugged him back. Father never expressed physical contact, so this was jarring for him, yet he indulged in it not knowing when it would happen next…
“Father? Is there anything wrong?” His father released his hug to look into Faddei’s sky blue eyes - the same eyes that his father had, only to sigh into a smile.
“I was scared you had run away for good. Only you can do this, Faddei, my son…” He pressed his large thumb against Faddei’s soft cheek. “I understand this is a large task for me to ask… You will make me proud no matter what you choose to do being King. Whatever action you take, I know you will do the right one. I know I can count on you, my son.”
“Of course! I will do the right thing, Father. You can count on me.” Faddei held his father’s hand with both of his little ones; they were still no match in mass as it barely grasped three of the King’s fingers.
His father firmly nodded and patted Faddei’s shoulder. “Good. Alright, my son, I shall commence the trial soon. I had the servants prepare breakfast so the table already has food. After you eat you will prepare yourself with Kseniya.”
“But… Father, why cannot you tell me what to do?” The King stood up and pressed a hand on Faddei’s head. The other hand covered the King’s mouth as he seemed to miserably fail hiding the cough into it.
“It is tradition, my son, do not worry! It will come naturally to you - you’ve been schooled for this, after all. I know you will come to the answer as soon as you begin. Come now, let us begin preparations.” And with a final cough by the King, Faddei and Gustave were being taken to the family dining hall. It was quite large for just three people but Faddei always found a charm to it - he found many ways to hide particular things he wanted to keep hidden from everyone, or food he didn’t want either him or Gustave to have. Only for the servants to find it months after the fact all rotten and dry. He couldn’t get in trouble if it was weeks late!
The table was vertically so long that Faddei always waited until someone else took seat so he could sit nearest to them; he never liked sitting so far away from his family, so even now, as Yulia sat near an edge, he would take the closest seat next to her and dig right into his food.
“You must have racked up a large appetite worrying like that this morning.” Yulia said with stuffed cheeks, pulling her fork out of her mouth. It was something that the two did whenever Father wasn’t here to eat with them since they were taught to eat proper.
“Mhm! I’m going to eat extra big for today!”
“Kwa kwa!”
“You too, Gustave!” Faddei grabbed Gustave’s plate and placed it near the table’s edge so the gobby-penguin could gobble down its food.
“Will you walk me to the ceremony?”
Yulia shook her head, her long brown hair flowing over her shoulder. “I would love to, my young brother, but I cannot.”
“Why so? Will you be standing next to Father?”
“I’d love for that to be the case, too.” She sighed and placed her palm against her cheek. “Do not fret, because I was… assigned another task. I am supposed to keep guard in a nearby watchtower. You know how I always have my sword, right? Just in case any special people try to hurt my little brother. I will be watching you very carefully though.” She pinched at his ear which earned a slap from the boy.
“Father finally trusts you as a swordswoman then!” Though he was met with the sound of Yulia continuing to eat.
In the perfect moment, Faddei and Yulia were helping each others’ anxieties about today while also denying any possible suspicions. There was just no way that anything was going on, or so Faddei would love to believe. If he started to think too much then he knew he would regret it, so he would try very hard not to.
He looked over at the belt holster for Yulia’s sword that leaned against the table. She always trained despite Father’s complete rejection of the idea, which was something that Faddei respected. He didn’t understand why Father didn’t like the idea so much because Yulia was already so strong, he just couldn’t see her getting hurt in any way at all!
He stuck his tongue out at her. “You are the coolest swordswoman in all of North Gije Lissouru- no, all of Friisaint! I shall have you as my appointed knight and we will be the most powerful people of the land!” He put his fork up in the air.
“… What if it were to happen in a dark place?” Yulia suddenly asked, causing Faddei’s eyes to widen.
“D-Dark?” He shuddered. “Do you really think-”
“My prince, can you please make sure to wipe your face properly while you eat? I swear, sometimes I feel as if I’m feeding a… a penguin!” Kseniya came running back into the room in a rush, probably because they were already so behind schedule. All because of Faddei. Hehe.
“Kwa?”
“Oh- my apologies, Sir Gustave.”
“Kwa!”
“Come now, my prince. You’ve eaten plenty already. I'm afraid you’ll be too bloated to start any sort of trial.”
“Aid me, my sister! I am being dragged!” As dramatic as he wailed, he was still following along without a fight. Yulia only smiled and waved as if pretending she didn’t hear the anguish screams of her silly little brother.
Before long, he was led to the dressing room by the servant Kseniya where he would be in clothes even fancier than he’d ever been before. He had been here before on multiple occasions but the most recent was just a few days ago on the day Father declared he would have a coronation. The servants measured him for what he had rightfully guessed to be his coronation clothes. As today, those coronation clothes would be a thick, beautiful coral blue cloak with white fur that coated his collar, underneath was a white silk shirt, and atop his head wore a hat with the same striking blue and white fur around the ends. Faddei found it to be too warm an outfit for such a day and would occasionally itch around the furry areas where it would stick to his skin the most, causing some of the servants to tap at his hands and cease, for apparently, it would ‘ruin’ the clothing.
“Could I take this off? I do not like the feeling.”
“Faddei, my prince, we cannot allow you to do that. Your clothes were created with the finest fabrics around the Kingdom. You wouldn’t want to make your father angry, would you? Oh Gustave, you too! Stop nipping!”
“Hehe, Father wouldn’t get mad.”
Kseniya would normally chortle along as she pinched his nose, knowing that they were both joking about it, but she did not do the usual. She seemed to be a little less energetic than that today. “Yes, he wouldn’t. Come now, let’s not keep them waiting any further.”
He was perhaps a little late to his own ceremonial crowning, but Faddei wasn’t concerned about it when he had been trying to prolong this since morning. By now though, Father was smart enough to keep at least one servant at bay wherever Faddei went, so no more being able to escape without someone’s knowledge. No matter, he thought. This time he would be ready. Yulia and Father trusted him so he would do what he needed to do, and he would do it without running away.
Once done dressing, he was led to an area outside that he had run past many times in his childhood, but he would have never guessed that the giant old gate with overgrown vines would be something so special.
From within the now opened gate - something that he had never seen happen in his life before, there were hundreds of guests from all neighbouring villages in the Kingdom who’ve sat in rows leading to a dais made of stone marble, and on the end of it led a heavily barricaded wooden door with multiple locks, guarded by some pretty bulky security. This was all very surprising to see, but Faddei noticed a beautiful red carpet on the top of the stone and wondered how on earth they had put such a large and heavy fabric there in such a short amount of time!
There was a beautiful choir of singers standing to the sides of which Faddei thought they were perhaps seeking attention from the King by how obnoxiously harmonic they were being.
“Kwa!”
“I agree, Gustave. This music is not to our taste, is it?”
Once he was King he had the great idea to have them play music more to his taste! At least then they would sing obnoxiously enough to try and sound good for Faddei with the music he liked. Perhaps the thought of being King wouldn’t be so bad afterall.
On the dais stood a large man with the same recognizable red mantle that held the very same wolfish symbol on its back; his father, standing with a strong figure, a sword pressed against the floor in one of his hands. When Faddei entered the area, his father would smile at him and everyone began to applaud and cheer for the little boy.
“Go on, then, you rascal.” Kseniya led Faddei and Gustave with tender shoves. “Your father awaits you.”
With that, the two boys skidaddled their way to the stairs onto the marbled dais with a little glint to Faddei’s smile; the people all looked extremely cheerful which had eased his nerves quite a bit. When standing in front of his father, his back was against the crowd, and everyone went quiet once Father placed a hand up. Faddei crouched by one knee, knowing to do this since schooling had prepared him for this.
To one side of his father stood an Archbishop, who was holding a curved silver sword next to Faddei’s side. His father was the one to speak first. “Sirs, I here present unto you Faddei Adam Vojtovych, your undoubted King. Wherefore all you who are come this day to do your homage and service, are you willing to do the same?”
The Archbishop then spoke directly at Faddei, giving the boy a bit of a shiver. He had a very deep and dry voice that caught him so off guard. “Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the Peoples of the North Gije Lissouru of Friisaint, Neai, and of your Possessions and other Territories to any of them belonging or pertaining, according to their respective laws and customs?
“I solemnly promise so to do.” Faddei tried speaking as loud as he could without yelling and pleased himself with how loud he was. Perhaps it was because there wasn’t an ounce of sound coming from the crowd.
The Archbishop continued. “Will you to your power cause Law and Justice, in Mercy, to be executed in all your judgments?”
“I will.”
“Will you to the utmost of your power maintain the Laws of Oohr and the true profession of the Gospel? Will you to the utmost of your power maintain in the North Gije Lissouru the Reformed Religion established by law? Will you maintain and preserve inviolable the settlement of the Church of Friisaint, and the doctrine, worship, discipline, and government thereof, as by law established in Friisaint? And will you preserve unto the Bishops and Clergy of Friisaint, and to the Sanctuaries there committed to their charge, all such rights and privileges, as by law do or shall appertain to them or any of them?”
“All this I promise to do. The things which I have here before promised, I will perform, and keep. So help me Oohr.”
“Rise, child.” The choir had cut back in and Faddei wiped his knees of the dust hearing everyone else start their applauds again. The Archbishop opened an arm to the direction of the heavily barricaded door which was currently being pulled apart. “Just as your father and his as princes, and all previous princes before, you shall enter this room and begin the trial. Once you are finished, you will come back to the dais and be crowned the King of Friisaint.”
Faddei looked at his father with a complacent smile. Being so young and so indulged, the boy gave him a hug along with Gustave. This earned a few ‘ooh’s and ‘aww’s from the crowd. Father stuttered in his wording, first looking shocked, then baffled, and with a reddish smile, he tugged Faddei off. “Concentrate now, son! This isn’t the time to be distracted!”
“I was simply giving myself a good luck spell!” Faddei placed his hands behind his back and stood on his toes. His father rolled his eyes and gave a grandiose laugh. Faddei felt much more at ease with his father’s warmhearted emotions and started making path to the destination. Behind him he would hear the squeaks of his trusty friend.
“Sorry Gustave, it looks like I must go alone.” He walked back to calm Gustave. “I will give you many treats once the ceremony ends, okay? I won’t be gone long. I think.”
Once again though, as he was just about to enter, he looked back with a wave to Father and Gustave before the door closed behind him.
From the inside it looked like a dimly lit watchtower that was untouched many years before Faddei was even born. Inside most crevices of the worn down bricks grew vines, roots and foliage that appeared to be the only thing that was keeping this current building up and sturdy. Faddei was already fighting back fleeing; the dark was always something that he was afraid of. When he was younger than he was, he would see scary figures in corners of the room that left him crying and running into Father’s room. Sometimes that scary figure would even be Gustave! They would eventually build multiple lamps in his room so he would feel safe enough to sleep. With his curious nature kicking in it wasn’t hard to know that he would give his all into pushing the nearest brick to see it fall in the slightest chance it would bring more light. Except it wouldn’t - no matter which ones he tried it on, the bricks felt stuck. The vegetation was really doing its work here. If he was quiet enough he could hear the faintest of wind blowing through along with the murmurs of people, most likely from the coronation, all waiting eagerly for little Faddei to come back after this trial he was meant to accomplish.
All he must do is remember what Yulia told him to do and he should be okay.
After his interest in the bricks settled, his attention drew to the middle of the room, where slight cracks of sunlight showed from the ceiling, most likely from some bigger gaps in between the bricks and vines, hit against a type of podium. He could see lush leaves grow around it as well as specs of dust and pollen shimmering in the light - but what caught his immediate attention was the thing the podium held; it was shiny and hit his eye with strong rays of direct sunlight, so he placed a hand over his face and walked to it.
“... A pearl?” His voice echoed more than he thought it would in this eerily beautiful area. As he ogled at the pretty purple object, of which seemed untarnished and still so perfect, Faddei didn’t have a chance to even register the cut of unconsciousness settled on him.
When he opened his eyes, the familiar watchtower was nowhere to be seen nor felt. There was… nothing. It was a weightless void surrounding everything his eyes couldn’t see. Normally he would panic in such a terrifyingly dark area, but he was surprised by his own lack of that. A soft light slowly grew into existence just inches in front of his face. This light was… warm. He went to reach for the pearl, but he saw horrifically large black arms come from the already so black darkness. He feared if he made one wrong move they would be ready to engulf him. He thought that he would be brought into the abyss and never see the light of day again if he didn’t do what he must. So he opened his mouth and asked, “W-What is it you want?”
The dark hands were just inches from grasping at any and every cover of Faddei’s body, leaving him with a large lump in his throat and chattering teeth, almost biting his own tongue. Nothing happened for what he thought was minutes. Then, it was like words just flew to his brain. Nothing spoke, but he understood that the pearl was speaking directly to him.
“Do you yield for us?”
A shiver ran down his spine as his own bone and blood screamed to obey. It felt so calming and welcoming that it terrified Faddei he would actually listen to its words.
That’s when he remembered to do what Yulia said.
‿‿‿‿
“... What does that mean?” Faddei cocked his head to the side. Yulia shook her head with a small giggle.
“It should be the key to the trial. There is a hidden library that Father has,” She placed a finger over her lips here. “Do not tell Father~ I was only wondering if I could do anything for my young brother in this very confusing trial. So, this book I found has said exactly that when you are faced with… some kind of item.”
“I see… seems simple enough.”
“In another paragraph it does say to not trust it. To not obey it. Perhaps this trial is a test of resistance? It gets quite vague after that, so I cannot be of any further help.”
Faddei shook his head with a smile. “You have done so much for me already, thank you. I have memorized the words. I will not disappoint you or Father!”
Yulia pressed her hand on his cheek. “I know you won’t.”
‿‿‿‿
“Vincula frango, quae nos sanguine ligant. Utere corpore meo porta.”
The world around him felt like it shook despite his floating body. The once welcoming pearl created a harsh-sounding screech that grated against his ears, causing tears to form as he tried covering them with his palms. No matter what he did to block, it wouldn’t be enough and the next thing he knew, the black arms were clutching at his every body piece and forced him into a vulnerable position with his chest wide open. The pearl seemed to violently shake and crumble but it was very hard to see when it was shining so bright it hurt to look at. Horrified, Faddei felt a burning and itching sensation crack into his torso and rib cage. He wasn’t sure what all was happening but all he knew was he could only wait for this to finish on its own; he had no control. He cried out for his father, for his sister, for his servants, but he couldn’t even hear his own voice. He wasn’t sure if the pearl took it away or if he was in so much pain his throat couldn’t muster sound.
He woke up with a gasp. The young boy clutched at the clothing over his torso while an overwhelming sensation of nausea consumed him. He heaved and shook as he tried pulling apart his shirt so he could look at his chest, of which to his confusion, looked completely normal. What was that feeling from before? Why did it hurt so much? Faddei’s chin quivered as he started sniffling. He didn’t want to be in here anymore! Was this what you were supposed to feel like when you passed the trial? Why didn’t Father tell him about this sooner? His legs were feeble and every time he tried using them, his muscles would shake until he fell, so he took means by crawling his way to the door and knocked profusely. The door opened without any urgency. On all fours, Faddei continued to move until he was clutching at his father’s robes and broke into a silent sob, causing everyone who gathered to cause a ruckus.
“Son, what are you doing?”
“The darkness-”
Faddei felt a yank on his clothes, pulling him away from his father. “You must finish the trial!” The Archbishop dumped Faddei close to the door, but the child shook his head and cried. The Archbishop addressed the King soon after. “Your son is disrespecting you in front of your Kingdom’s people! Do something about it.”
“But, Archbishop Bohdan, he’s always been afraid of the dark, it’s…” The King reached for his son but the sword the Archbishop held had cut between them. The King coughed.
“You spoil him too much, Your Highness! If he truly respected us, he would not fear the tradition! The darkness is a childish thing to be afraid of. I have done this for over thirty years. I have even blessed your coronation, Your Highness, but never in my life have I ever seen a royal scorn so easily on his coronation day. This is nothing he should take so lightly and you know this.”
“Archbishop, I-” The King pressed his hand tighter against his sword as he continued to hack. People were starting to stand up and mutter amongst themselves, worry clear on their face.
“What could come of this? If he is afraid of just the dark…”
“Is this what we should expect from our new King? The beasts would easily…”
“I don’t want this incompetent child to be the next Ruler…”
All of these and more were heard by those standing on the dais. Faddei could not speak through all the chaos both in mind and in the company of everyone else, instead instilling to hug his father, but froze as he was pushed further into the watchtower once more.
“What…” The Archbishop shoved Faddei to the side and ran up to the podium in the center. The guards peeped through the door as everyone heard the ramblings of the old man, only able to see his back.
“Archbishop Bohdan?” A guard raised his voice. He stopped moving and muttering, slowly looking back at them.
“What did you do…” Everyone was quiet, as they were unable to hear clearly what he’d said. He looked crazed and panted as if he’d run the entire castle three times over, shuffling steps over to Faddei with his arms out. “What did you do!?”
Faddei couldn’t move even when he saw the older man right above him as if ready to grasp him by the collar. As he saw the Archbishop’s hands move closer, Faddei felt himself be lifted into a large pair of arms that he was familiar with. He was back on the dais, clutching deep into his father’s clothes, trying to hide from the world.
“Do not touch my son like that. He is just a child!”
“A child or not, he shouldn’t-” The Archbishop pointed at the podium. “Someone sabotaged us!” Then, when he was certain that his father saw what was on the podium, the grip on Faddei had been released as he started hearing strange noises from his father. Unable to keep his legs up, the young prince fell to the ground next to Gustave as he saw his father fall to his knees, unable to stop coughing.
“Father!” He ushered to his father’s side but the Archbishop had gone first in a way that Faddei couldn’t further approach. The crowd started causing an uproar about the current state of the Kingdom while his father was coughing blood into his hand and staining the stone, leaving the boy in a state of terror.
“Fetch a doctor quickly! The King is ill!” Soon the King seemed to have fallen to the floor, still grasping at air with blood coming out. “Our Kingdom… The future has failed…” Faddei’s heart sank hearing those words come out of the Archbishop’s mouth. “We are doomed…”
Faddei didn’t think he was able to say anything now, even if he wanted to. There was nothing he could say amid the confusion when all he wanted was comfort from his father, so he clutched at Gustave’s body in a tight embrace. Doctors rushed to the scene as they collected the King.
“What’s wrong with the King?!”
“Is he going to die?! Is that what this is all for?”
“Did the young Prince push his father to such an extent??”
The Archbishop raised his hands for all who attended to notice. “Q-Quiet everyone! I will ask you all to rest in your rooms for the time being until the King comes back. The ceremony will not be called off nor is there anything wrong. Answers… answers will come in due time, so please rest easy and let our servants serve you.” The Archbishop soon left after the doctors and the King, leaving everyone who stuck around to stare directly at Faddei.
Everyone had been set on failure in the future of the Kingdom. It was too late to gain their trust once more. Through his fear, Faddei managed to gather up enough courage to peek in the watchtower one last time, but then felt a slender hand on his shoulder, immediately flipping his head to check who it was. To his absolute solace, it was Kseniya! “My prince, please come along. Princess Yulia is waiting for you in her room.” He was led back into the castle where he would finally relax enough to start balling. Though he wondered why the guards looked so pale when they gawked in the dark watchtower…
What did they see in there?