In Agcar, Kanunia was running around to arrange Elzilaura's hospitalization when she bumped into someone. Surprisingly, he recognized her.
"Princess Kanunia!" He bows his head. "Do you remember me? It's Bonico!"
"Oh!" She then tugs his arm. "Of course, I remember you Bonico! It's been ages."
The servant chuckles.
"What brings you here?" The princess was curious.
"My old master, Raeon, is confined here." The servant replies.
The word Raeon made her memories of him flash through her mind.
Kanunia was sent to live on a farm to learn about peasant life. On her way back home, she stayed in an inn owned by a former palace servant. During her stay, she met Raeon who mistook her for a servant girl.
Raeon commanded her to bring more pillows to his room. She did so but threw the pillows at him. When he and Kanunia argued, the innkeeper interrupted explaining that Kanunia is not a servant but a guest as well. Raeon apologized but Kanunia refused to accept.
The next day, Kanunia headed back to the royal palace. She had to ride a ship and saw Raeon. Thinking that he was a servant, he commanded him to carry her bags. He did as she commanded but threw the luggage overboard.
Before she could complain, a person came to greet Raeon and addressed him as captain. She apologized for her actions and the captain said he will only accept if she accepts his earlier contrition. Kanunia claims they were even now. When she agrees, he sent his servant Bonico to retrieve the floating baggage.
During the voyage, someone recognized who she was and Raeon soon found out her true identity as Princess of Fliska. He then bows and treated her more respectfully. Kanunia tells him there was no need for him to be formal with her.
When she learned of rumors that her rebel father is still alive, she leaves the palace and seeks Raeon's help. The voyager used his influences to gather information and learned the exact location of where the freedom fighters of Planet Kxi.
They journeyed to the place and along the way, they realized this undeniable chemistry between them. Soon, a romance blossomed. Both of them planned to run away after their quest is over and settle on some distant planet.
They finally reach their destination only to find the rebel leader nearly dying. To top it all, he no longer recognizes anyone. Dementia has taken the best of him.
Not for long, the Fliskan troops located them. Both were sent back to Fliska. Raeon was pressed with charges which subsided due to Kanunia's statements and were soon released from prison.
Both of them managed to meet up for a short while after his release. He told her of his plan to come away with him, get married, and live far away.
As she tried to escape from the palace to run off with him, the queen caught her. They sat for a while and had a discussion. She chose to stay with her family. A few days later, she learned that he left Fliska for good.
"Why is he here?" Kanunia asks. "What happened to him?"
Bonico pulls Kanunia to a corner as they were blocking the way. He then continues.
"Raeon sold his ship and found a job here in Agcar. We invested with developers harvesting Chendri Oil. Such oil can only be found in the depths of Agcar Oceans and is considered biofuel with many uses. Aside from being an energy source, it has many healing properties for advanced progressive diseases. It must be safely processed by licensed establishments otherwise it could also be fatal.
This venture made us wealthy but we could hardly enjoy the fruits of our labor since he got into a lot of vices. Because of this, his health failed, and is always being rushed to hospitals.
But this time around, the situation is different. He disappeared a few months ago almost the time since the Nybian Invasion. He was finally found a week later in an old factory just a few minutes from the main city.
He hardly remembers what happened to him. Doctors confirmed he has been poisoned by unprocessed Chendri oil and other harmful poisons. It is a miracle he survived but it won't be for long. Every day, he seems to fade."
"I am so sorry," Kanunia said after he concluded his story.
"It would be nice if you came to see him. Any day any time now he could go you know?" He worriedly said.
"I would love to but my sister also needs me. She is all that I have left. I must tend to her soon."
Bonico frowns but tries to hide his disappointment. "I understand. In case you change your mind, we are in room ACDR-0109. You may ask the concierge just in case you forget."
"Alright." She taps his arm again in approval. "So nice to see you again. Take care, old friend."
"Likewise." She hardly heard and saw his reply as Kanunia ran off to go to where her sister is.
Upon reaching Elzilaura's room, she sees Dazifae was not there. The two men were sitting in the corner of the room in a deep sleep. She sat at her sister's side.
"Elle, I know you can hear me and I often am not the type to ask." Kanunia slows down. "But I need your opinion on the matter." She holds the sleeping princess' hand. "Raeon, my old flame, is here. He is dying and as much as I want to see him, I promised mother that for as long as I lived, I will keep my distance from him. I will behave as a princess of Fliska should be." She tried her best not to crumble. "But he is dying and I -
A voice spoke of advice but it wasn't Elzilaura.
"You should go see him. After all, this might be your last chance."
To her surprise, Alednos was awake and continued to give her advice.
"You know what to do but you're scared of doing it. Don't worry it's normal. Sometimes, we second guess ourselves that even if we know what to do, the right thing to do, yet we seek validation from someone else."
"Kanunia was speechless.
"If you do the right thing, the approval shall come, in time," Alednos adds.
She was relieved somehow hearing his insights but a bit ashamed of divulging personal matters with him even if they had been friends for a long time.
"Thank you Alednos. And I am so sorry you had to hear this nonsense from me." She bashfully cringes.
The adviser senses the wariness. "No worries. We all have our moments. Besides, this might be your last chance to have past issues resolved. So, you better go before it's too late."
He grinned and she smiled back in approval. She spontaneously hugged him and then left.
She went to the room Raeon was staying in. Bonico and his family were there watching over him.
Bonico was elated to see her. "I am so thrilled to see you, royal highness." The old servant bows.
Bonico then leads Kanunia to the foot of the bed. "I will go see the nurses to clarify certain things." The servant taps her arm and then hurriedly leaves.
The dying man was awake. His eyes seemed to sparkle after seeing the princess.
Kanunia started to talk. "Do you remember me?"
He nods. " Of course."
Kanunia moves closer. "Bonico told me you have amnesia."
"To protect him from my enemies. At least he knows nothing. No one can suspect. Everyone thinks I have no memories." He explains.
"But is it true you were poisoned?" Kanunia asks.
"Yes. It's radiation poisoning. Though researchers have been successful with treatments they've developed, I am not responding well. But I guess it's because I abused my body with my vices." Raeon says.
"Who did this?"
"There was a Fliskan lady who came here for treatment but I accidentally discovered her purchase of unprocessed Chendri oil in the black market. She was Lady Palmina. I discovered her plot to poison the Queen of Fliska."
Kanunia was enraged remembering the lady after hearing her name. "That ungrateful woman! Mother helped her and her sister when they lost everything. This is how she repaid us.
"I hope..." Kanunia stops and tries to calm down. "I won't wish her ill. After all, she paid for her betrayal with her life. Justice was served. That was enough.
Anyway, please continue." She tells Raeon.
"I was supposed to report her to the authorities when her Nybian accomplices caught me and I lost consciousness. The last thing I heard were blasts. When I opened my eyes, I found myself here.
Bonico tells me I've been gone for a long time. I also saw heard in the news that Fliska has been invaded. I'm sorry for your loss."
"Thank you. I'm sorry for what happened to you too." Kanunia was remorseful.
"Don't be. I may not have succeeded but at least I did try to do the right thing. And one more thing, I also learned that the Fliskan Marshal Edeon Niakel was also in league with the Nybians. However, he was killed in the siege.
He reports directly to Kyron's ally who is said to be of both Fliskan and Nybian descent. He is said to be just as vile and ruthless as Kyron so be careful, Kania."
Kanunia was shocked. "Thank you for this information and for your efforts to help us. In return, how can we help you?" Kanunia says.
"I am beyond help." He claims sadly.
"But gracing me with your presence is enough. You know I miss you. I hate to admit it but it's true. I haven't moved on since we parted ways." He struggles to breathe. Kanunia worries but he raises his hands motioning to her that everything is under control.
Is that why you indulged in vices?" The princess slowly moves closer.
"It's not just you. It was my whole life. I feel there is nothing more for me. I'm such a loser."
"No, you're not," Kanunia affirms.
"I lost you. That makes me the biggest loser." He claims.
"I'm the loser for not attempting to find you and say goodbye properly. You deserved closure." Kanunia's gaze drops down to the bed. Her hand crutches the bed sheet closest to her.
"This is closure and I am truly glad you are here. And you deserve to hear my confession." His tone became clearer. Kanunia gave him a questioning look.
"When I first learned of your identity that day you were aboard my ship, Nybian spies who were closely watching you noticed me conversing with you.
They hired me to follow you and make sure to gain your trust. I will then be given the instructions on when to surrender you to Kyron's mercenaries.
They contacted me when they succeeded in bringing you information about your father so when you came to me for help, I was supposed to deliver you to them.
Kanunia was shocked. She couldn't believe the love of her life would be a traitor.
"Why didn't you deliver me to the enemy?" She asks as she tries not to tremble.
"Because I fell deeply for you. Before you, I cared only for money but with you, I learned to dream. It was you and only you that made me want to settle down and build a future together.
When we got to the freedom fighters, I was supposed to hand you over to them so that the mercenaries will bring you to Kyron. They were prepared to execute the plan after your father expired but I asked them not to. I said would bring you to Nybos myself so that no one would suspect. They believed me.
But they didn't know that it was the Fliskan troops that I contacted and not the Nybians to keep you safe.
When I was imprisoned and interrogated, I missed you so much. I knew that there is no imminent danger as the rebels were handled by Fliskan security thus we had a chance to escape and be free."
Tears rolled down her cheeks as she wiped them, she looks at him.
"Why didn't you come to our meeting place? Did you contact my mother as well?"
"Yes. I told her the truth." Raeon claims.
"The truth about what?"
"Exactly what I had confessed to you right now. "
"What did she say?" Kanunia was curious to know. Deep within she was intrigued by this information concealed by the late queen.
"She mentioned you were very young and I am irrational. Though she believes in my good intentions for you, she advised me to give us time. She told me to leave Fliska to widen my horizons and improve my life. Years later, if I am still adamant about whisking you away, she'd approve of us."
"That's what she told me too. However, it sounded as if she was discouraging me."
"No, it was the truth." Raeon was having difficulty breathing.
"Why didn't you come back for me?" She asks.
"Because I thought you moved on. I heard the news about you dating a nobleman. So, I believed I had no place in your life again."
"Had you returned, I would have chosen you." Tears escaped her eyes.
"Had I returned, I would have held you back. You have a duty to your family and to your kiom. Your sister needs you now more than ever.
At least, I got to see you again and had a chance to bid you goodbye this time around." Raeon tries to smile.
Kanunia adjusts and moves closer. She grasped his free hand with both hands. "Just so you know, I might fall in love again one day but you are my first love and my greatest. No one will ever replace you and your significance in my life."
Before he could respond, Raeon suddenly had shortness of breath and motioned for help. Kanunia immediately sought the help of the medical staff. The doctor came in and tried all efforts to save him but he was gone. Kanunia and Bonico bore witness to his last moments.
She returned to her sister's room and both men are already awake. She thanks Alednos for his advice and then narrates to both men what happened. As she was doing so, Zyric offered her water while Alednos reached for a towel so she could dry her tears.
The two Fliskan men were surprised to learn about the poisoning of Queen Azestina. Zyric asks further but Kanunia shares the limited information she knows. The Fliskan gentleman vows to investigate further.
Zyric then bows out and leaves the room to start his investigations. As he walked in the hallways, he observes everyone he encounters attentively. He becomes suspicious of the people within the hospital.