Three days later.
The sky was dark, heavy with clouds, and the rain fell incessantly.
The earth was dark, dull and lifeless.
The coffin was black, carried by soldiers, heading towards the cemetery outside the city.
Behind the coffin followed a long procession. Leading it, of course, were the two princes—William and Richard—followed by nobles of varying ranks from Blue Lion City, and lords hurriedly arriving from across the Blue Lion Kingdom.
The atmosphere was solemn and solemn as the crowd trudged along the muddy road in silence. All around was the cold patter of rain upon the ground, mourning King Donnas for no less than three days, lowering the temperature by more than ten degrees. White breaths exhaled constantly from the crowd.
It was destined to be a torturous funeral.
The funeral continued as the procession reached the cemetery.
Surrounded by vast yellow leaves in Baihua Forest, the coffin was carefully lowered into a dug grave in a clearing within the forest.
The priest began to recite the eulogy, dirt sprinkled into the grave, followed by flower petals.
"You now have been prepared for burial, the time of departure has come..."
"Swish, swish, swish..."
"You have fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith..."
"Swish, swish, swish..."
"Henceforth, the crown of righteousness is bestowed upon you; unmatched glory remains..."
"Swish, swish, swish..."
"The world will remember your greatness, the earth will preserve your body, the sky will embrace your soul..."
"Swish, swish, swish..."
"You shall become eternal..."
"Swish, swish, swish..."
As the eulogy went on, the grave was slowly filled in, soldiers brought large pieces of sod to ensure that plants would grow over the grave and it wouldn't become a barren spot.
After this, the attendees stepped forward one by one to place the flowers they carried on the tombstone, soon transforming the whole cemetery into a colorful display.
The funeral drew to a close. Some closed their eyes before the tombstone, whispering memories of King Donnas during his life. Others quietly departed.
Prince William stood by the tombstone throughout. After placing a bunch of flowers, someone slowly approached him, leaned in, and whispered, "Prince, everything is ready."
William's gaze turned to Richard standing afar, he did not speak. After a long pause, he murmured, "Link, do you think I will be a good king? Do you believe I will do better than my father?"
"Of course!" the other replied assertively.
"Is it just you who thinks so, or does everyone?" Prince William asked.
"Prince, it's everyone! Everyone believes you will be more outstanding than King Donnas," the other replied.
"Phew..." William exhaled, his eyes flickered, then he turned his head towards the other person and simply uttered one word, "Good."
"Yes!" the other's eyes lit up brightly.
...
The funeral ended, and Richard returned to the palace.
Personal Guard Captain Edward, along with the entire Personal Guard, escorted Richard back. Upon entering the palace, Edward paused, looking at the empty hall, and couldn't help but speak: "Where...where is everyone?"
The maids who usually filled the hall, preparing various experimental materials for Richard, were all gone.
Richard spoke flatly, "I gave them all a long holiday."
"Hmm?" Edward was still puzzled.
Richard walked into the laboratory, Edward followed closely.
Richard took out a black wooden box, began placing various experimental reagents and some small experimental instruments inside, while busy, he spoke, "My honorable father—King Donnas is dead, my dear brother—Prince William is to become the new king, so I must leave as well."
"Prince, are you going to the fief?" Edward asked, probing. To be honest, Richard's fief had not yet been decided. Packing up now seemed premature.
Richard replied indifferently, "Since I am leaving, I should travel light. Those I can't take, let them go."
Richard continued packing. After tidying up the laboratory, he moved to the bedroom upstairs, Edward still following.
Putting the Monroe Chapter and several scrolls into the box, suddenly chaotic footsteps sounded outside the palace, not just a few or a dozen—hundreds.
Hundreds of soldiers surrounded the entire palace!
Richard glanced out the window, unsurprised, and continued packing. However, Edward's eyes contracted sharply, breathing somewhat rapidly, he said, "Prince, these people...these people...seem to be Prince William's, seems...Prince William intends harm on you!"
The next moment, without waiting for direction from Richard, Edward shouted aloud to all the guard soldiers: "Secure all the palace entrances, do not let them break in, protect the Prince's safety!"
"Yes!" Personal Guard soldiers, filled with tension and panic, commenced action, firmly securing each entrance of the palace.
In the bedroom, Richard's face remained unperturbed, placing item after item into the wooden box.
Edward watched Richard calmly, but couldn't help speaking out, "Prince, let me cover your escape. Though I don't know why Prince William does this, there's a chance to break through while there aren't many of them yet!"
"Don't rush, wait a moment," Richard said, turning around, his back to Edward, took several books and scrolls from the bookshelf.
Edward looked at Richard's back, stunned, then his facial expression grew complex. He took a long breath, eyes flickering, teeth biting through his lip, blood seeping, hand resting on the hilt of the longsword at his waist.
...
Over a month ago.
In Prince William's palace, a simple banquet was underway.
William spoke while next to him, a figure listened intently, features indistinct in the dim light.
Suddenly, William's tone turned grave: "I called you here, actually, for no other reason. I want to be a good brother, protect his safety, no matter what he does, as long as it isn't excessive, to comply with his wishes. Meanwhile, I also want to be a good king, and properly protect this country. Therefore!"
The figure trembled, leaning forward, revealing his face in the candlelight: a head of gold-like hair, the face of a twenty-something-year-old man, full of goodwill, a face seemingly able to dispel all malice, with a terribly serious and reverent expression—Edward Angell!
"If I must choose between being a good king and a good brother, I'd choose the former. Originally, there's no conflict between the two, but my brother is so intelligent, to an extent that frightens me.
He has no passion for power, doesn't want to become a king, so I have the opportunity to become king. But if…one day he suddenly becomes interested? Father wanted me to allocate him a large fief, granting him sufficient freedom. In such a case, I wouldn't know what he's doing in his domain.
I'm truly afraid that, one day soon, I'll awaken to find he's arrived at the city gates with a powerful army, even possibly breached the palace, with a longsword at my throat. I believe he would kill me as easily as one might kill a chicken, without blinking.
He's cold-blooded, always has been. Calling me dear brother, addressing the father as Your Majesty. Behind his polite facade is intense detachment. I feel he never regarded himself as a brother or son, but as a stranger.
Indeed, this 'stranger' has done nothing outrageous, everything according to protocol, but I still cannot be at ease. His indifference to life genuinely terrifies me. Three years ago, when blood flooded his palace, his expression never changed, he merely watched calmly. Those six months of imprisonment, too.
This person is truly terrifying. Furthermore, three years ago, I personally orchestrated the event. Who knows when he'll ascertain this and seek revenge?
Phew… So, you must perform a task for me, which is…seek the opportunity to kill him. I'll create opportunities for you, but you must also strive. Once you succeed, then your family's double-sided wager will be forgiven and forgotten, I will ensure your family's safety and interests. In any case, do a good job! Moreover, Mia asked me to convey her greetings to you."
Edward's expression shifted several times, then he resolutely replied, "Yes!"
...