Some people cautiously speculated that the Duke of Laetian had already died because he had been betrayed by Krald. Since many people knew that the relationship between Krald and the Duke had only gotten worse since he became the Grand Duke, such a claim gained credibility right away. However, since there was no way to find the body or investigate Krald's associates, only wild speculation remained.
“Me, and you...”
The man, who had been looking around to avoid Krald's rage that could explode at any moment, opened his mouth cautiously.
“A man has come from the palace. Actually, I came up here to tell you this...”
Krald twisted his lips.
“What? Did His Highness the Crown Prince give you another stern reprimand?”
“That... That doesn’t seem to be it. He was wearing a mourning badge on his left arm. I know it’s presumptuous of me to ask, but....”
"Mourning badge?"
Krald's eyes seemed to sparkle as he turned around. The startled man nodded and said.
“I saw it clearly. His Majesty the King... appears to have passed away.”
Krald's face flushed and his expression grew intense. He shook his shoulders and panted like a ferocious animal. He could not hide his excitement at finally seeing the moment he had longed for.
“Listen.”
“Yes... yes, your Highness.”
“Assemble all the Grand Duke’s officers immediately, without exception. Tell the private soldiers to check their weapons, armor, and horses. We will advance on the capital.”
The blood drained from the man's face. He had already guessed this, but now that he had reached a point where he really could not escape, his eyes suddenly became dizzy.
“What are you doing standing here? Are you waiting for me to kick you?”
“Oh, no! No, Your Highness. I will go down immediately and convey Your Highness’s orders.”
The man ran down the stairs as if rolling. A boiling breath leaked out through the gaps between Krald's teeth as he braced himself against the cold stone railing.
The King's death could not be quiet or secret.
Once the death was confirmed by three doctors of great authority and skill, in the presence of the heir and witnesses, the bells of the castle's bell tower were rung nine times to announce the death of the King throughout the capital.
The inhabitants of the capital city would wrap a long piece of torn black cloth around the doorknob of their house three times to the left, and hang a white-dotted sign on it. The cloth represented the path the King's soul took to rest after death, and the white dots represented tears mourning that path.
After the palace doctors confirmed the death, the servants who had served the King before his death came in and cleaned the body of the deceased one last time. They changed the bedding, dressed the stiff body in new clothes, and placed clean water nearby.
Unless it was a very hot summer, the body was usually left in this state for about half a day, during which time the King's children or direct royal family members who had not been present at the death could visit and offer their condolences in private.
Judith, even though she was pregnant, cried for a long time at the King's side. There was an unspoken rule that a pregnant woman should not touch the body of a dead person, but Judith kissed the back of his cold, hardened hand, pressed her forehead against his, and cried for a long time.
When the mourning was over, the King's body was carried outside by the Combler knights, placed in a coffin, and placed on a carriage. The carriage with black flags on all sides circled the capital city with the King's coffin. The people of the capital city came out of the gates with black ribbons wrapped around their left arms to mourn the death of King Jedercayer. In the snow that was blowing thicker and thicker, the gray sky was filled with mournful sobs.
"Your Highness."
A voice as dry as the desert was heard from above the lowered head.
“Judith.”
Judith had already changed into a black dress. Her hair, which was usually left down, was neatly tied up and held in place with a silver pin. Her eyes were red and swollen as if she had been crying for a long time.
Franz slowly extended a hand. Judith carefully took his fingertips, looked down at Franz’s shoulder for a moment, and sat down next to him. The body temperature leaning against her was warm, but her body was trembling endlessly.
“Your Highness, the emissary carrying His Majesty will arrive soon. You must rise to greet him.”
The time was near for the carriage that had carried the King's coffin to return. Now his body would be carried to the Hall of Corne, where it would spend the night. After the funeral, surrounded by fragrant flowers and decorated with mourning hands, it would rest for a long time in the royal tomb, as had been the case with previous Kings.
Franz and the other members of the palace had been familiar with the royal funeral procession from beginning to end for quite some time. It was proof that everyone had been mentally prepared to some extent since the King was lying down and could not get up. However, when his father passed away, everything felt useless and empty. It was difficult to tell anyone about that feeling.
“...Franz.”
“It’s strange. It’s been a long time since I gave up the vain hope that Father would recover... But it doesn’t feel real that s
Judith blinked her eyes a few times. Tears quickly formed in the corners of her eyes and fell down. She too had the same thoughts as Franz. She did not expect the King to regain his former strength, but that did not mean she could accept death calmly.
“His Majesty... was like a father to me.”
Franz's golden eyes, soaked in moisture, looked at her. Judith lowered her head without letting go of Franz’s hand. Her shoulders, which had become thinner since her belly grew, slumped and trembled. It seemed as if she was crying with her whole body.
“So I know how great the sorrow of Your Highness will be, how you will feel.”
She couldn't help but feel like she was looking down from a cliff. She felt like a child who had lost the protection of his parents, lost and at a loss.
The sadness that was not as overwhelming as she had thought was endlessly seeping into her flesh and she couldn't bear it. Even though the King was already deeply ill, there were days when she prepared herself several times a day that this day would come, but it was nothing compared to the shock she experienced when it actually happened.
King Jedercayer tried to protect Franz and Judith until the end. As long as he had his breath left, he made sure that Franz could strengthen himself under his shadow.
The reason he was able to endure his life as the winter deepened, despite the endless battle with the pain that seemed to scrape at his chest and gnaw at his bones, was because he had a complete sense of responsibility and affection. Neither Judith nor Franz knew that.
“His Majesty has fought against the disease for Your Highness until today. He has been your shield until Your Highness is ready. So, Your Highness.”
Judith, who was holding his hand, was crying nonstop. Her sobs were so intense that it seemed as if they would melt away if left alone.
“Take courage. Look back and see what is upon your shoulders. You are now the King of Rotair. The whole kingdom is in your hands.”
Franz's trembling eyes closed tightly. He leaned forward and his forehead touched Judith's shoulder. The tears that fell from Franz flowed down Judith's neck, collarbone, and chest, wetting her skin.
The sound of soldiers opening the door was heard. Franz, looking down at the dim light on the floor, gave Judith a short kiss on the cheek and slowly rose from his seat. Neos Bibiyu, who had driven the carriage carrying the patriarch, bent down, putting his left arm, wrapped in a black cloth, behind his back.
“Your Highness, the royal envoy has arrived.”
“Invite the Corne alone to the diocese. Treat them with the utmost respect and courtesy.”
Neos, who had given a brief bow, soon disappeared outside. Franz took Judith's hand and carefully helped her up.
“I have something to tell you now.”
Judith's eyes blinked again.
“Are you saying that it has to be done right now?”
“Yes. You must do it now. And you must... do as I say.”
She felt an ominous atmosphere. Judith unconsciously grabbed Franz's fingertips tightly.
“What is it, Your Highness?”
Franz's lips trembled and he closed his eyes tightly. The wind shook the window frame noisily. Outside, the snow was still falling.
“Tomorrow... I would like you not to come to the Corne Hall where the funeral will be held.”
“Your Highness, what do you mean?”
Judith narrowed her eyes with a look of complete incomprehension. The funeral ceremony did not last long. It was only a day, and it was not even a full day. Only the royal family and some nobles were allowed to attend the funeral during that short time. It was also a very important time.
“I cannot help but attend the funeral, Your Highness. What on earth is the reason for this? If you are worried about my health if that is why you are doing this...”
“That’s not it. No... No, that’s right. I’m worried about you and the baby. That’s why I don’t want you to come. Stay at the Nation Palace. You can mourn there too.”
“Your Highness, it is not right. If not tomorrow, then the opportunity to pay homage to His Majesty will be lost forever. How can Your Highness say such a thing? Without knowing what the late Majesty's felt and what determination he had...!”
“Krald is coming!”
Franz's scream rang through the air in the room. Judith's expression, which had been scowling and reprimanding him, hardened. Krald will come. It was already clear from Franz's words that he was not visiting to attend the funeral as a son.
“Krald will come with his army. There will be a battle. When that happens, you will be the one in the most danger. So don’t come there. I don’t think Father would want you to get hurt.”
Judith dropped her gaze, dumbfounded. If that were true, Corne Hall would become a battlefield tomorrow. Even though he was already dead, it would be a terrible thing for King Jedercayer.
Franz continued. His voice was firm as if he was making a pledge.
“You can’t gamble with your life. So just do as I say. Please.”
“Me, and you...”
The man, who had been looking around to avoid Krald's rage that could explode at any moment, opened his mouth cautiously.
“A man has come from the palace. Actually, I came up here to tell you this...”
Krald twisted his lips.
“What? Did His Highness the Crown Prince give you another stern reprimand?”
“That... That doesn’t seem to be it. He was wearing a mourning badge on his left arm. I know it’s presumptuous of me to ask, but....”
"Mourning badge?"
Krald's eyes seemed to sparkle as he turned around. The startled man nodded and said.
“I saw it clearly. His Majesty the King... appears to have passed away.”
Krald's face flushed and his expression grew intense. He shook his shoulders and panted like a ferocious animal. He could not hide his excitement at finally seeing the moment he had longed for.
“Listen.”
“Yes... yes, your Highness.”
“Assemble all the Grand Duke’s officers immediately, without exception. Tell the private soldiers to check their weapons, armor, and horses. We will advance on the capital.”
The blood drained from the man's face. He had already guessed this, but now that he had reached a point where he really could not escape, his eyes suddenly became dizzy.
“What are you doing standing here? Are you waiting for me to kick you?”
“Oh, no! No, Your Highness. I will go down immediately and convey Your Highness’s orders.”
The man ran down the stairs as if rolling. A boiling breath leaked out through the gaps between Krald's teeth as he braced himself against the cold stone railing.
* **
The King's death could not be quiet or secret.
Once the death was confirmed by three doctors of great authority and skill, in the presence of the heir and witnesses, the bells of the castle's bell tower were rung nine times to announce the death of the King throughout the capital.
The inhabitants of the capital city would wrap a long piece of torn black cloth around the doorknob of their house three times to the left, and hang a white-dotted sign on it. The cloth represented the path the King's soul took to rest after death, and the white dots represented tears mourning that path.
After the palace doctors confirmed the death, the servants who had served the King before his death came in and cleaned the body of the deceased one last time. They changed the bedding, dressed the stiff body in new clothes, and placed clean water nearby.
Unless it was a very hot summer, the body was usually left in this state for about half a day, during which time the King's children or direct royal family members who had not been present at the death could visit and offer their condolences in private.
Judith, even though she was pregnant, cried for a long time at the King's side. There was an unspoken rule that a pregnant woman should not touch the body of a dead person, but Judith kissed the back of his cold, hardened hand, pressed her forehead against his, and cried for a long time.
When the mourning was over, the King's body was carried outside by the Combler knights, placed in a coffin, and placed on a carriage. The carriage with black flags on all sides circled the capital city with the King's coffin. The people of the capital city came out of the gates with black ribbons wrapped around their left arms to mourn the death of King Jedercayer. In the snow that was blowing thicker and thicker, the gray sky was filled with mournful sobs.
"Your Highness."
A voice as dry as the desert was heard from above the lowered head.
“Judith.”
Judith had already changed into a black dress. Her hair, which was usually left down, was neatly tied up and held in place with a silver pin. Her eyes were red and swollen as if she had been crying for a long time.
Franz slowly extended a hand. Judith carefully took his fingertips, looked down at Franz’s shoulder for a moment, and sat down next to him. The body temperature leaning against her was warm, but her body was trembling endlessly.
“Your Highness, the emissary carrying His Majesty will arrive soon. You must rise to greet him.”
The time was near for the carriage that had carried the King's coffin to return. Now his body would be carried to the Hall of Corne, where it would spend the night. After the funeral, surrounded by fragrant flowers and decorated with mourning hands, it would rest for a long time in the royal tomb, as had been the case with previous Kings.
Franz and the other members of the palace had been familiar with the royal funeral procession from beginning to end for quite some time. It was proof that everyone had been mentally prepared to some extent since the King was lying down and could not get up. However, when his father passed away, everything felt useless and empty. It was difficult to tell anyone about that feeling.
“...Franz.”
“It’s strange. It’s been a long time since I gave up the vain hope that Father would recover... But it doesn’t feel real that s
he’s gone.”
Judith blinked her eyes a few times. Tears quickly formed in the corners of her eyes and fell down. She too had the same thoughts as Franz. She did not expect the King to regain his former strength, but that did not mean she could accept death calmly.
“His Majesty... was like a father to me.”
Franz's golden eyes, soaked in moisture, looked at her. Judith lowered her head without letting go of Franz’s hand. Her shoulders, which had become thinner since her belly grew, slumped and trembled. It seemed as if she was crying with her whole body.
“So I know how great the sorrow of Your Highness will be, how you will feel.”
She couldn't help but feel like she was looking down from a cliff. She felt like a child who had lost the protection of his parents, lost and at a loss.
The sadness that was not as overwhelming as she had thought was endlessly seeping into her flesh and she couldn't bear it. Even though the King was already deeply ill, there were days when she prepared herself several times a day that this day would come, but it was nothing compared to the shock she experienced when it actually happened.
King Jedercayer tried to protect Franz and Judith until the end. As long as he had his breath left, he made sure that Franz could strengthen himself under his shadow.
The reason he was able to endure his life as the winter deepened, despite the endless battle with the pain that seemed to scrape at his chest and gnaw at his bones, was because he had a complete sense of responsibility and affection. Neither Judith nor Franz knew that.
“His Majesty has fought against the disease for Your Highness until today. He has been your shield until Your Highness is ready. So, Your Highness.”
Judith, who was holding his hand, was crying nonstop. Her sobs were so intense that it seemed as if they would melt away if left alone.
“Take courage. Look back and see what is upon your shoulders. You are now the King of Rotair. The whole kingdom is in your hands.”
Franz's trembling eyes closed tightly. He leaned forward and his forehead touched Judith's shoulder. The tears that fell from Franz flowed down Judith's neck, collarbone, and chest, wetting her skin.
The sound of soldiers opening the door was heard. Franz, looking down at the dim light on the floor, gave Judith a short kiss on the cheek and slowly rose from his seat. Neos Bibiyu, who had driven the carriage carrying the patriarch, bent down, putting his left arm, wrapped in a black cloth, behind his back.
“Your Highness, the royal envoy has arrived.”
“Invite the Corne alone to the diocese. Treat them with the utmost respect and courtesy.”
Neos, who had given a brief bow, soon disappeared outside. Franz took Judith's hand and carefully helped her up.
“I have something to tell you now.”
Judith's eyes blinked again.
“Are you saying that it has to be done right now?”
“Yes. You must do it now. And you must... do as I say.”
She felt an ominous atmosphere. Judith unconsciously grabbed Franz's fingertips tightly.
“What is it, Your Highness?”
Franz's lips trembled and he closed his eyes tightly. The wind shook the window frame noisily. Outside, the snow was still falling.
“Tomorrow... I would like you not to come to the Corne Hall where the funeral will be held.”
“Your Highness, what do you mean?”
Judith narrowed her eyes with a look of complete incomprehension. The funeral ceremony did not last long. It was only a day, and it was not even a full day. Only the royal family and some nobles were allowed to attend the funeral during that short time. It was also a very important time.
“I cannot help but attend the funeral, Your Highness. What on earth is the reason for this? If you are worried about my health if that is why you are doing this...”
“That’s not it. No... No, that’s right. I’m worried about you and the baby. That’s why I don’t want you to come. Stay at the Nation Palace. You can mourn there too.”
“Your Highness, it is not right. If not tomorrow, then the opportunity to pay homage to His Majesty will be lost forever. How can Your Highness say such a thing? Without knowing what the late Majesty's felt and what determination he had...!”
“Krald is coming!”
Franz's scream rang through the air in the room. Judith's expression, which had been scowling and reprimanding him, hardened. Krald will come. It was already clear from Franz's words that he was not visiting to attend the funeral as a son.
“Krald will come with his army. There will be a battle. When that happens, you will be the one in the most danger. So don’t come there. I don’t think Father would want you to get hurt.”
Judith dropped her gaze, dumbfounded. If that were true, Corne Hall would become a battlefield tomorrow. Even though he was already dead, it would be a terrible thing for King Jedercayer.
Franz continued. His voice was firm as if he was making a pledge.
“You can’t gamble with your life. So just do as I say. Please.”
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