AS A part of the royal family, Rhys was taught to never show any sign of weakness. It was part of his general education and his weekly private lessons with the king's trusted advisors. Never show anyone how smart you are, never tell anyone what you think, never show your emotions. Everything you say or do will be used against you if you are not careful. Everyone has the ability to betray you. Those are the rules that Rhys was forced to instill in his young mind.
Now, looking at the king's lifeless body with all the royal advisors and doctors around him, Rhys cannot fully grieve. He was not allowed to show his emotions even though his heart was breaking. No one cared about how he feels. He could sense it in the air. The royal advisors were worried that the kingdom lost a king. No one cared that Rhys just lost a father, the last of his direct family member.
He wanted to be alone with his father's body but at the same time, he wanted to get away.
Just then he felt a huge hand on his shoulder. Rhys looked up. Lennox Holland, the chief royal advisor and the king's most trusted ally, was looking down at him. His expression was grim but his eyes have a hint of kindness and sympathy.
"You can go back to your room for now, Prince Rhys. Once King Maximus is prepared for the public viewing, I will make sure that everyone will give you a moment with him alone."
Rhys' lips quivered but he held his emotion in. He nodded and glanced at his dead father, feeling the pain slicing through his heart again, and then forces himself to look away.
A royal guard accompanied Rhys to his living quarters, located at the left wing near one of the castle tower. The royal guard didn't go with him inside. It didn't matter because when he entered the room he saw Kayden Hunt standing by the window, waiting for him.
Kayden is fifteen years old and has been Rhys' best friend as far as he remembers. Kayden has been in the castle grounds since he was young and is currently part of the castle guards and is training to become a royal guard someday.
"Have you seen him?" Kayden asked carefully.
Rhys nodded as he walks toward his friend. He stood by the window beside Kayden but he couldn't look at his friend's face. Instead, he looked at the maze garden outside the window and beyond the thick and high walls surrounding the castle grounds.
He could feel that Kayden was watching him. Then his friend said, "Do you want to go outside?"
Rhys glanced at his friend. "In the garden?"
"No. Outside the walls. Tonight, while everyone is busy and no one will notice. You used to pester me about wanting to sneak out and see what it looks like outside the castle."
Rhys frowned. "And you always turn me down. You said it is dangerous for me to go outside. The royal advisors also always warn me about it."
"I know. But this might be your last chance to go out and see Clearbury. Rhys, from now on, it will be hard for you. You are young but you are the last living direct member of the royal family, the last descendant of the Fairy who helped established the kingdom. The royal advisors will not leave you alone. You know that, right?"
Rhys knew it. All his young life he has been trained and prepared for the time that he will have to succeed his father's throne. He just never expected that his father will die soon. Kayden was right. He will never get the chance to go out of the castle grounds. Tonight is his only chance. Besides, he needed to get some fresh air.
"Okay. We will go out during the public viewing. Lennox will give me a time alone with my father before the viewing. After that, he will surely ask a royal guard to escort me back here. We can go while everyone is busy," Rhys said. Even at the young age of thirteen, there was already an authority in his voice and in his gaze.
Kayden saw it and he couldn't help but feel impressed. He nodded. "I will prepare our disguise and make sure the road we will use to sneak out is clear. Just go and have your final moment with King Maximus."
Pain sliced through Rhys again. He nodded, not showing the torment and grief in his young and handsome face. Then he looked out at the window again. They stayed there for hours until someone knocked in the door and announced that he can see the king now. Rhys and Kayden looked at each other for a few seconds before he turned his back and stepped out of the room.
King Maximus was already lying inside a coffin made of gold. He was wearing the traditional royal clothes of Mowsland, royal blue with gold lining and the royal crest on its chest. Rhys couldn't stop staring at his father's face. King Maximus looked peaceful. His father never looked peaceful as far as he remembered. It was as if living as a king was a huge weight that was lifted off his shoulders.
Suddenly, huge hands softly landed on Rhys' shoulders. Even without looking he knew Lennox was behind him. He suddenly felt the heaviness in the air.
"One week from now, we will organize a ceremony for you. We will invite all the important people in the country and in the neighboring countries. We will officially announce that you are the crown prince of Mowsland." Lennox softly tightened his hold on Rhys' shoulders.
Rhys realized at that moment that the weight that was lifted off his father's shoulders now rests on his. It was not only heavy but it was also suffocating. The urge to break away from Lennox's hold was strong but just like everything he feels, he controlled that urge.
They stayed there in silence for a few more minutes, just staring at the dead king. Eventually Lennox ushered Rhys away from the coffin.
"Before the ceremony next week, you shouldn't be seen by anyone outside the castle. You will not be allowed to appear during the public viewing. Stay in your quarters, Prince Rhys."
"I know. It is in the rules," Rhys answered. "I will stay in my quarters. Please don't let anyone disturb me. I need… to be alone."
"I understand Prince Rhys. Take a rest. It is going to be a busy time for you after the burial."
Rhys nodded. With a royal guard behind him, he walked back to his sleeping quarters. Kayden was waiting for him inside, no longer on his guard uniform. He was covered by a long black hooded cloak. "Are you ready? Your change of clothes is already in your bed."
"Yes," Rhys replied. "I am ready."