The next day, the General was accompanied by his love to the outer gate of the capital. For Ace and Aaron, each step was very tough. Their time for each other was getting shorter with each step. Ace was the most bitter one. He is going crazy in his head. Aaron would go away now, they would not meet for very long, would he also miss me? He should! If not me, who he would miss? Ahh! I want to scream right now. The entire way, Aaron was hugged by Ace.
Ace couldn't help but hug him twice, "You have to be careful. And take care of that new wound."
Aaron nodded, turbulent emotions plastered, "I will. Don't overdo yourself. Finish the work fast and rest. I will miss you. I will come back soon." He is talking about the mission. Ace just have to wait for him. It is hard, but he wished that he would wait for him with ease and not worry about him.
Ace was reluctant to part with him. Insisting on escorting further. Then he held the hands of General quietly and lovingly kissed him. The kissed was serene and long. The wind come and go, the flowers dancing at the side, the sun shining over them, people around them stood in silence as if seeing something holy and respectful like divine being, everything about nature makes them more majestic and handsome. For the first time, Aaron didn't feel shy but crushing pain. The scene was seen by citizens. Circulating the news like fire. The farewell kiss from the Prince to the General who is going to the war.
Every place in the capital was filled with gossip. But the General was not in good health, which is not a secret. Many shed tears of respect for the little General. He is still injured but still leaving his beloved whom he met only a few days. Now, again, he is returning to that bloody position. Uncertain of his return. Uncertain of fulfillment, of the promise he made, uncertain of his safety, uncertain of his beloved's daily life without him, uncertain of everything. He is leaving him to return again, but who knows if he can or cannot. The Crown Prince is living in pain every day.
The capital was very sad about his departure. Ace showered all his love on that person only. After Aaron disappeared, he didn't leave that spot for a long time but when he did, there was only a blank face left with nothing but a devoid heart. Everyone thought that he was depressed due to the General's departure. No one dared to see him and talk with him. He walked back in steady carriage. All his body is emitting is coldness beyond belief. No one know why he is like this.
Only he knew that he was going to get the throne today. He is going to kill the enemy today, he would clean the impurity today, he would make everything alright as it was before, everything. Ace crossed the palace gate and entered the main door without letting the eunuch announce his presence. His eyes devoid of anything but sudden sadness and despair compelled withing his eyes. Right after stepping into the royal court, the room fell into sudden silence.
The emperor who got to know that the assassination attempt was failed asked as if he is impatient with him, "What happened? What do you want now? Don't tell me you want to go back to south for Daniel."
Ace shook his head and replied, "I want to clear the doubt in my heart today." His expression is fierce and cold. The emperor and empress turn vigilant for his sudden behavior change. Their complexion was blank and not even a clue of emotion was there. The three people of the same family looked like stranger to each other.
His steps were firm and large as he steps towards the dragon throne. His striking look is beautifully illuminated under the influence of daylight penetrating through the curtain. The voice cold sounded, "Please let the Shaman come in and close the entrance."
The emperor had a grim look. He uttered with slight disappointment, "En, you found it."
Next to him is the empress, whom the whole of Shenoy admires for her wise mind, is now something else. Brimming with anger she said, her phrases are hostile, "As the only son of ours, we never treated you badly, then why do you have to do this to us."
Ace shook his head, displaying a greater shed of disappointment. Soon the Shaman came in. His complexion was not good. Seems like starved for almost half his life. Wearing tattered clothes in black, supporting himself with a stick. He slowly slid down his hood.
His deep hazel eyes appeared very vague, but more than his appearance, his words shocked the hall. He bowed, "Your Excellency, it's time. I did what you told me. Now it's your turn for retribution."
Grip closed his eyes and sounded deep, "So, I didn't escape the tragedy. What a pity to have come to this due to my son." The empress gritted her teeth and the golden brocade dress made of pure silk hefty which was her radiance slowly faded.
The Shaman didn't go along and directly open the whole case, "In the past, I did tell you everything, but you still choose to take this route for greater interest. Your negligence of the karmic cycle is the core reason for this situation. Remember what I said? Everything will turn around again."
The ministers including the high official Right Minister has their head down. They don't have any idea of what is happening here. Still, no one dare to ask anything. The hall is quiet. The King has a frowning look, as if considering something important. Ace said, looking at the ministers and his in-name parents on this plane, "No need to even think about anything. You even sent an assassin to kill me. Your actions have caused me to feel a sense of sadness."
His lips pursed tightly, he again said, "I was happy that you two were my parents. Very happy." he smiled, but his current sound broke the hearts of the standing courtier, the minister.
His straight figure has bent a little. Like his pride has fallen. The reason his spirit has fallen is his parent. "Say it, didn't you switch the life of grandfather for the throne? Didn't you kill grandmother too? What you did till now was also for future goals, wasn't it? You wanted to trade my soul for another ten years, wasn't it?"
His dreadful deride sound. As if he is telling the disappointed person, is him. He may appear a neophyte, but his actions and words have always been firm without waviness. His intrepid character is somewhat demur. Abandoned by the pillar he was proud of. He muttered under his breath, "Deception."
"I didn't want anything except Daniel. But you sent someone to kill him too." His voice was invective." Your promise to let him marry me was all empty words." Ace looked at his father with all sorts of emotions hatred, desperation, sorrow, bitterness…
Grip didn't utter a single word. His mind was disorganized. Long ago, he remembered, He was always unhealthy, and no doctor could cure him. He was dying in his teenage years. He still remembered, when his father said, he will find the best doctor to cure him. But he failed to fulfill his promise. His father was ready to adopt a child for the throne and his beautiful gentle mother appeased her husband with sweet and optimistic words.
All of a sudden, he was alone, abandoned by everyone. Amidst of desperate struggle to live and large hatred for his parents, he met the Shaman whose son was on the verge of death. He was in desperate need of a soul to survive. A monarch's soul would be able to bring back his dying child.
That moment changed his destiny.
He thought, if his father can let go of him, then he can let go of them too. The Shaman told him about the karmic cycle of liability. Since he is inclined to commit the crime, he will face his karma in no time. At that time, the only thing he wanted was to live and experience the world. He didn't consider the retribution seriously. It went as he thought, too.
Later, his secret was found out by Virno, his only wife. Whom he loved dearly and protected from all harm, was implicated in the end. Due to his sudden flaring illness after ten years, she ended up giving part of her soul to the Shaman to make up his life expectancy extend. From then on, she has no real heart left but only an empty shell. Puppet to be with him. She left her body concise without heart.
He did give Stephen the life he never had. He expected to have another monarch sacrifice for himself. Likewise, he doesn't want to let other people, even if that person is his son, sit on the throne he has.
He was voracious due to his healthy body and great prestige. He was loved by Virno as no one is above him, cherished by citizens, and admired by everyone. His heart was content and his willful wish to stay like that forever without dying grew, that he was willing to sacrifice his precious son. Now looking at his disappointed son and depress wife he is stuck in certain circles. He has to choose between these two. Virno has sacrifice too much for him and his son loved him too. He dearly wished for them to be same as before. Yet he knows it wouldn't be so. Yesterday he sent those assassins half-heartedly. He was reluctant to do that. But he can't let his wife down and leave her behind to face everything alone. To him his wife is far greater than anyone even it is his own son.