The king's death hung heavy in the air, a silent, unspoken truth that Obed thought it explained Jane's absence. She was likely inside with the others, dealing with the immediate aftermath.
Obed felt a knot of fear tighten in his stomach. The king's passing would undoubtedly cause chaos and unrest. The kingdom had faced threats before, but the king's presence had acted as a shield, deterring attacks. Now, with him gone, the city walls felt less secure, a flimsy barrier against the encroaching darkness.
His fear wasn't just for the kingdom, though. He was already scared, having lost his grandmother. He had come to see his sister, seeking solace in her presence.  
As his brain was disturbing so much, he wanted to keep calm, listen to the news from Princess Mara, and then find Jane. Maybe they could find a safe haven together, or perhaps they would need to leave the city altogether because it can no longer be safe without King Genesis.
Obed it's not the only one who's feeling bad because all the people in that gathering are already shedding tears, they know what the king whats for them.
Princess Mara's voice, strong and steady, cut through the somber silence. Her words, though filled with grief, were also a beacon of hope. "I understand you'all sorrow. He was a good man, a great king, and we will never forget him. He saved us from oppression, showed us mercy, and built a stronger world for us. But I do not want you to be afraid."
Her speech, a tapestry of grief and resilience, was met with a mix of sobs and quiet sniffles. Some managed to hold back their tears, their faces etched with a stoic grief.
"With him, the Genesis Kingdom is strong, and without him, we are even stronger. I want us to understand this. However, before we proceed, we must choose a new king. This is a matter for later; for now, we should honor our king. After his burial ceremony which will come soon, we will discuss selecting the next king," the princess addressed the gathering. As she spoke, the crowd absorbed her words, though many were confused about her mention of choosing a king.
In truth, there shouldn’t have been any need for a selection process. The late king had made it clear that Dara was the crowned prince and the rightful heir to the throne. Everyone believed he would be the next king. However, they did not realize that Mara had other plans.
Mara was aware of the people's anger and knew she could not announce that Dara would not be king. Instead, she intended to support her other brother, Peter, as the new king. She understood that the people were still upset, and she needed to wait until after the ceremony to reveal her true intentions.
Another point of confusion for the people was the nature of Genesis himself. He was a demigod, as were his children, especially Dara. While Dara was a demigod, the others were not, which was why Genesis had chosen him.
If Genesis was indeed a demigod, how could he be dead, died just like that? doesn't make sense at all, He had lived for 1,000 years, appearing to the world as a mere 70-year-old man. In reality, he was around 8,000 years old. A being of such age should have known the time of his own death and made a public statement before passing. The sudden news of his death left everyone shocked and bewildered, as it seemed so out of character for someone of his stature.
His death felt wrong, a cruel twist of fate. He was old, yes, but his passing should have been more like a god ascending to heaven, not a sudden, jarring end.
After the princess's address, the city was in a state of shock. People scattered, heading home or to their usual routines, but the news had broken their spirits. Work seemed impossible, the weight of grief too heavy to bear. The city, once bustling with life, now felt empty and desolate.
Obed wandered aimlessly, unsure where to go. He knew his sister served the princess, so he decided to follow up the princess trace, hoping to find Jane near her.
"Can you imagine? How can the king die just like that? People! I mean, we all thought he was a god," a voice interrupted Obed's thoughts as he approached the golden castle and was about stepping inside the house. He turned to see a young man staring at him, his words laced with disbelief. Obed was surprised to see the boy addressing him as if they were familiar.
"Umm... I definitely can't imagine that," Obed replied, feeling awkward. The boy was clearly expecting a response, and Obed didn't want to seem rude.
"You see? For the king to die like that, there has to be something fishy going on. The way Princess Mara addressed the crowd doesn't make sense. She was hiding something," the boy continued, his voice filled with suspicion. Obed was taken aback by the boy's boldness and his theory about the princess.
Obed stared at the boy, his confidence and the intensity of his words making him pause. The boy's certainty was unsettling.
"Are you saying the princess..." Obed began, but the boy cut him off.
"Yes, exactly. My gut tells me she's hiding something," the boy declared. Obed couldn't help but interrupt him.
"Well, I think you should tell your gut to be careful what it tells you. Or else you're going to get yourself into deep trouble," Obed said, his voice laced with annoyance. He turned and walked away, leaving the boy behind.
The boy stared after him for a moment before continuing on his own path. Obed, meanwhile, entered the castle, his mind racing. What kind of person was that? Approaching a stranger and spouting such dangerous accusations. Obed was a creature of habit, preferring to stay out of trouble. Now, with his grandmother gone, he had only himself and his sister to rely on. He had to be careful.
Inside the house, guards stood at every corner, making it impossible to walk around and ask about his sister. Obed looked around, confused, when suddenly someone ran past him, heading up the stairs. He wanted to ask for directions, but the person was too fast. Obed followed, his heart pounding.
Reaching the second floor, he heard whispers coming from a room. It had to be the princess's room, and Jane should be there also.
"Father is dead now, you could have introduced me as the new king immediately without wasting time!"
The whisper was sharp, laced with frustration. Obed wanted to push the door open, to confront them, but curiosity held him back. He pressed his ear against the door, desperate to hear more.
"Peter, you don't have to be faster than your shadow. We have to take things step by step! Father already made it clear that Dara is the heir to the throne," Princess Mara's voice cut through the tension. Her words confirmed the boy's suspicions.
"But Dad is dead now," Peter retorted.
"Yes, he's dead, but introducing you as the new king so soon will make the people think we had a hand in his death," Mara argued.
"So what? The power is in our hands! They don't get to choose!" Peter's voice was a
dangerous growl. Obed's blood ran cold. This was a secret that could get him killed. If they were willing to kill the king, they wouldn't hesitate to silence him.
He turned to leave, but a maid emerged from the next room, carrying a basket of vegetables. They collided, the basket spilling its contents across the floor. A cascade of apples and vegetables tumbled, the sound echoing through the hallway.
"Oh! Oops, I'm sorry! I..." Obed stammered, his heart hammering in his chest. He quickly bent down, gathering the apples and stuffing them back into the basket.