"Where's Her Majesty?"
"Still by Prince Axelle's side since hearing the verdict from the doctor. Her Majesty the Queen doesn't want anyone to approach Prince Axelle until he is completely healed."
The King took a deep breath. "I can't say anything to Elias either," he said, then motioned for Hiero to sit down. "What do you think… advice from a doctor?"
Hiero was silent for a while before replying, "Bringing Prince Axelle to Beulah Sacred Temple is not the wisest thing at this time. But even taking him to Zion would be even more difficult. What's more, we know the public's opinion will be."
"It would sound like I threw away my own son, or you really wanted the throne alone to the point of throwing your own brother into a secluded place," said the King quietly. Hiero nodded. "My son, you know that our current situation is not good?"
"Yes. I know, Father."
"You just focus on Axelle's recovery. Protect him from suspicious people and don't let Axelle wander off alone. Let Father calm Mother."
"Then… how about Axelle's examination?"
"Somehow… I will think of a way."
"Yeah, alright," Hiero said quietly. "But… Father needs to know that I can do anything."
"I know it. Thank you."
Hiero returned to Axelle's temporary room in the wing of Hiero's residence. His mother must still be there, sitting by Axelle's side without taking her eyes off for a second. Hiero was sure his mother would stay where she was until Axelle opened his eyes.
That means Mom will skip lunch and dinner. Earlier, we only had a little breakfast, Hiero thought. He would ask the maid to prepare a sandwich that could be eaten by hand so that his mother would at least eat something.
For Axelle, who was only a second prince with no conspicuous leadership talent, having great divine power was actually an advantage. Axelle always said he wanted to go to the temple when he grew up, something the King and Hiero looked at with skepticism. If he wishes to enter the temple, Axelle will be under the High Priest's leadership, not the King.
But if he has great divine power–well, who knows, Axelle could become the next High Priest? That way, Hiero and Axelle could build the Rexton Kingdom together.
The problem was in a situation like this, where there was a rebellion involving multiple parties, including High Priest Meical, it wouldn't be good to expose Axelle's divine power. Somehow, the Beulah Sacred Temple would use it to its own advantage or even use it as a sword to attack the Palace.
"Neither is a good choice," Hiero muttered tiredly.
Axelle's divine power awakening is simply not at good timing. Was God trying to say something?
"Crown Prince Hiero, look at the road in front of you."
Hiero automatically stopped his steps. He nearly fell into a repair dig in the garden. "Duke Colton, thank you for the warning," said Hiero.
"Watch your step, Your Highness," said Duke Colton. He smiled faintly then. "You don't usually lose focus."
"Yeah… Something's bothering me right now," Hiero admitted.
"If your thoughts are on the current state of the Palace, I don't think you need to worry too much about it," said Duke Colton reassuringly. "Just focus on yourself and Prince Axelle."
Hiero smiled at Duke Colton. "Thank you for your concern, Duke Colton."
"No problem. Then, I'll excuse myself."
Hiero watched Duke Colton leave. The look on his face didn't look good. Duke Colton's job is indeed tough. Coupled with the rebellion plans circulating, he must be swamped right now.
But usually, Duke Colton isn't like that, Hiero thought.
"Oh yeah, his daughter isn't it..."
***
The atmosphere at the Palace that day was a little different. A little more gloomy and sad. Even though it was summer and the palace gardens were green. Duke Colton, who found this atmosphere so, asked himself: what is it? Is there something he missed?
The mouths of the palace maids since the reign of King Rexton IV were also highly trained. The atmosphere may be gloomy, but not a single waiter complains or gossips.
"Prince Axelle is sick," Elias said when Duke Colton decided to ask.
Actually, it was no longer a surprise to Duke Colton. "Isn't Prince Axelle sick too often? Even if it's just a fever…"
"That's also what His Majesty the King and Queen are worrying about," said Elias. "We already called the doctor, so it should be fine now."
Is that true? Seeing how Hiero behaved earlier, it seems that Prince Axelle's illness is severe, Duke Colton thought.
The King, who had been looking bad lately, seemed even worse when Duke Colton met him.
"Here is a report for my previous work, Your Majesty." Duke Colton handed over several pieces of paperwork. "If His Majesty is not well, we can discuss it tomorrow."
The King nodded slowly while massaging his temples. "Thank you for your concern, Duke Colton," he said. "I gave you a job when things were tough but didn't even check on it right away."
"My job is my responsibility," said Duke Colton. "Rather than that, is Your Highness all right?" he asked, glancing at the bloody tissues on the corner of the table.
"A normal nosebleed won't kill me," said the King. "It's just that I have a lot of things on my mind."
"I heard from Elias if Prince Axelle is sick."
"Again." The King took a deep breath. He was silent for a long time, then stared at Duke Colton in amazement as if he had just realized something. "Duke Colton… How is Marioline?"
Duke Colton didn't expect to be asked that question. "My daughter has been doing better since moving to Zion," he answered doubtfully.
"Is that true?"
"Yes. What is it, Your Majesty?"
"Axelle… The doctor said Axelle was sick because his body was awakening divine power–please don't tell anyone this. The doctor then suggested that Axelle be examined by the Beulah Temple, but the current political situation is improbable."
"So you mean, Your Majesty, you remember my daughter's condition and plan to send Prince Axelle to Zion?" guessed Duke Colton. "If Your Majesty asks for my opinion… I don't know, I don't think that would be the right thing to do."
"But at this time, it's better to send Axelle to Zion than to have him checked by High Priest Meical." The King closed his eyes for a moment. "My mind is too full. At a time like this, my son instead–ah, sorry. I shouldn't be disappointed in this God's gift."
"It is natural for you to be confused, Your Majesty," said Duke Colton reassuringly. "Let's just say, I will write down my daughter's considerations and needs while in Zion. Thus His Majesty has – say – his judgment. After all, sending a prince to a remote place at such a young age will raise much suspicion in society."
The King smiled weakly. "Thank you for the offer, Duke Colton."
"That is no big deal, Your Majesty. I would love it if my daughter had a friend there."