"How can I face Father with our youngest brother who is no longer alive?" The voice of the first Prince trembled.
We are now surrounded by Prince Ravi who is sitting while holding Prince Nesh who has passed away. Of the four, Prince Ravi was the most affected. He blames himself for the death of the youngest Prince. He said he could not save it and let it perish. Earlier the Prince had been crying incessantly and trying to talk to his brother's cold corpse. He could not accept that it had passed away.
After what happened to Prince Nesh, we suddenly disappeared from the palace and found ourselves in the basement where the Kingdom of Norland stood. We will all be doomed if we stay in the palace because we have no opponent. It’s as if we’ve even helped the opponent succeed if we insist on fighting back. So it is better to just leave and come back when we are ready to overthrow them.
It’s just sad because we didn’t bring the other soldiers. They are constantly fighting and are not afraid to tax their lives. This time, their loyalty was proven.
No one wants to walk first and let their youngest brother know what happened. Instead of sharing happy news with their parents, we will now deliver a nightmare.
“No one likes what happened, Ravi, so it’s okay for you to blame yourself,” Prince Arsh said. He continued to reassure the brother and let them know that none of them wanted what had happened.
"How can I not blame myself? I am your older brother and I should just protect you all. But what? I did nothing to save Nesh! Even the protection of our Kingdom I did not do." The first Prince wept even more. "I was the one Dad expected to follow in his footsteps but in what happened today, I let him down. I let Dad down!"
I felt the pain every time he uttered the words. There was nothing I could do to dispel the pain felt by the four Princes left behind.
I understand where Prince Ravi is drawing but Prince Arsh is also right, he should not blame himself because even he is unaware of what is just going to happen at that time. No one likes what happened. Everyone wished that the Kingdom of Norland would succeed but this time, we failed.
After all, all of them, all of the Princes fought valiantly to save their Kingdom. All of them did not fail to protect the palace even though they were alive to be the replacement they were still willing to tax. They have loved what has been their home since childhood.
"If there's anything to blame here." We all looked at Prince Cozen when he suddenly spoke. "It's me. I'm the one to blame, Ravi, not you."
Prince Ravi looked at him in surprise. "What do you mean, Cozen?" His forehead furrowed.
They did not yet know what their second brother had done.
Prince Dern's serious gaze did not leave Prince Cozen alone. Like Prince Ravi, Prince Dern was also one of the ignorant of the betrayal committed by their brother.
Only I, Prince Arsh and their Queen Mother were the only ones who knew of the betrayal of the second Prince. Even though we know, we are not in a position to let others know. It would be better for Prince Cozen himself to hear what he had done.
I glanced at the one next to me. Prince Arsh no longer paid attention to Prince Cozen. Looking in the other direction, he seemed to know what Prince Cozen wanted to say. He was just waiting for his brother to confess to their other brothers.
I looked again at Prince Cozen who had just sighed to take courage. There was no doubt in Prince Cozen's eyes.
"I have betrayed our family. I have joined the Kingdom of Lacandia. Forgive me for poisoning our Fa--"
Prince Cozen could not continue what he was saying because Prince Dern immediately approached, furious. The incident happened so fast because he had already punched Prince Cozen but it was not followed up yet because Prince Arsh had calmed down, he calmed Prince Dern down. It even wanted to punch Prince Cozen if only Prince Arsh hadn’t stopped him.
"You beast, Cozen! Some innocent people have suffered and died because of what you have done! Even our own Father, you have sinned!" The eyes of the fourth Prince glazed over.
I remember Ysabelle again. He and his family were the victims of Prince Cozen's wrongdoing. If he had not poisoned his Father and ordered Ysabelle to deliver it, our friend would not have been accused. I hope he is still alive today.
So Prince Dern is furious now because he lost the woman he loved most because of Prince Cozen's infidelity. Just because of one mistake, many are affected. Many innocent people lost their lives.
Prince Cozen bowed and continued what he was saying. "I am also the reason why Queen Emily captured Princess Amity and Prince Arsh. Even our Queen Mother betrayed. F-Forgive me," she pleaded. He even knelt down in front of us to show that he was truly repentant. He has no face to present to us.
"What do you mean? I don't understand you, I'm confused. Who is Princess Amity? You also mentioned our Mother. Didn't Mother die long ago?" successive questions of Prince Ravi.
Prince Arsh had already released Prince Dern when he was sure he had calmed it down. "Let me explain everything, Ravi."
Prince Arsh went opposite Prince Ravi.
Prince Arsh narrated everything. He begins by explaining what he and their Father King had talked about when they were young, that King Valor had given Prince Arsh permission to hide Queen Amelia and release that she had died to save their Mother from the death penalty. Even about the secret departure of Prince Arsh every night to visit their Queen Mother he also told. He said he hid their Mother in the mountain of Puhon and every night, he would visit her to deliver food and tell the Mother about what was happening in the palace and their siblings.
He next explained the root of Prince Cozen's infidelity, his blindness to the love he had for me. Because of the Prince's obsession with me, he was able to poison their Father and betray their Mother even though he was his own brother. But he recovered when he said that he was repentant and helped us escape the Kingdom of Lacandia. He believes that his brother has changed and is now repentant.
And the last thing he revealed was the secret I had kept since I set foot in their Kingdom. Prince Arsh informed me that I was Princess Amity, the only Son of Queen Emily and King Hellion, the mortal enemy of their family. Prince Arsh also said that Queen Emily had ordered me to spy but I did not obey. Instead of following my own Mother, goodness prevailed over me. The Kingdom of Lacandia was the reason I was betrayed because my Queen Mother rejected me. I have no one to approach now if it’s not just them. They are the only ones who can help me.
"I'm really sorry for what I did. I don't know, I don't really know how it started. I can't understand why one day, I'll love the young lady so much. The love I formed for her and because I have so much love for Amity, so I came to this point but believe me, I'm sorry for what I've done. Forgive me all. " Prince Cozen remained on his knees. "Also, I'm not in the right frame of mind while doing those things. I really don't know. The only thing I'm sure of is the magnitude of my guilt to our family. I'll accept it if you hate me but please forgive me more. I can also make up for you. I am deeply sorry and I am willing to risk my life, at least to pay for my mistakes somehow."
My forehead furrowed. He’s not in the right frame of mind while he’s doing those things? Couldn’t Queen Emily have done something to control the Prince’s mind? Because it’s impossible for you to develop love for someone so quickly.
I remember Queen Emily's order when I reported to her. She instructed me to give Kharim Celia the herbs that would be used as potions for the Princes to fall in love with me. Couldn’t Kharim Celia have followed the Queen’s order? Kharim Celia didn’t mean to not let me know because she knew I would contradict her.
"Prince Cozen," I said in his name, causing him to turn to me. "Do you remember that Kharim Celia gave you a drink?"
He did not respond immediately. He seems to care if there is. "Yeah, one day she called me in the middle of my rehearsal to give me some kind of drink. She said that would help me not get tired of rehearsing right away." My suspicion is correct. "Why, Amity?" he added.
"If so, you were under magic during the times you betrayed the whole palace. Kharim Celia was Queen Emily's loyal servant, she was one of Lacandia's eyes to find out what was going on in Norland's palace. She gave you a drink mixed with magic to make you fall in love with me and control your mind."
It’s unbelievable, even for me. Queen Emily really planned everything.
"Our opponent is very smart," said Prince Arsh. "In that case, we need to hurry. Let's let Father know about everything so we can plan as soon as possible how we can get our Kingdom back."
We support Prince Ravi to stand up and lift Prince Nesh.
According to Prince Ravi, he also hid King Valor underground. Here is also Queen Amelia, their Queen Mother. Both their parents are here!
We went to the room where we left Queen Amelia. I was surprised because there were a few soldiers outside. It was no longer dark all around because every corner had a kerosene lamp hanging.
"Is Father in the room?" Prince Arsh asked Prince Ravi.
"Yes, why?"
"Mother is inside too."
Prince Arsh's eyes reflected the resurrection of hope in him. There is a possibility that Queen Amelia and King Valor have already met.
Prince Arsh opened the door. Prince Cozen, Prince Dern and I followed. We cover Prince Ravi while the lifeless Prince Nesh is still being carried.
Prince Arsh stopped when it was finally inside. He seemed surprised at what he found inside. But it still kept coming inside so we could follow.
I was even surprised at our arrival. Queen Amelia is either King Valor. The King was lying on the bed while the Queen was sitting on the side of the bed. But she stood up as soon as she saw us enter.
"Children! You are well and safe." She greeted us with a tight hug. She stopped when she hugged the four of us and seemed to be looking for someone. "But wait, where are your two brothers? Where are my eldest and youngest?"
King Valor looked at us while waiting for an answer. They were unaware that we had bad news in store for them.
Prince Ravi is still outside with the deceased Prince Nesh
Prince Arsh went and he himself opened the door for Prince Ravi to enter. All our attention is on him now.
"Mother, forgive us."
"Ravi, my Son! Is N-Nesh the one you're carrying? What happened to him?" Her voice was trembling.
As a parent, you can naturally feel strange when something bad happens to your Children.
Even King Valor is now standing. Fortunately, he had a soldier supporting him to approach us because he did not have enough strength.
"What happened to your youngest brother? Ravi, what happened?"
"Father, I'm sorry." Prince Ravi sat down in front of the King and Queen due to extreme weakness. He still does not release the corpse of Prince Nesh. "Father, I did not save Nesh. I did not even protect the palace. Father, Lacandia has taken our Kingdom. P-Forgive me, Father."
No word was heard from the King and Queen. Only their sobbing and wailing in tears prevailed throughout the room.
"Nesh, my youngest!"
I couldn’t stop my tears from welling up in my eyes.
The pain of what I see now!
We all mourn the loss of the youngest Prince.
"W-Why? You haven't waited for me to see you again, Son. We still have good news we want to tell you. Your Father King and I have talked and settled. Our family will be complete again but you left us, Nesh."
We could hardly keep Prince Nesh's copse away from the Dear Queen because of the tightness of its embrace. But we can't last long because the Kingdom of Norland is still waiting to save us.
King Valor ordered that a temporary tomb of Prince Nesh be made in the palace underground until the Kingdom of Norland had been recovered. They decided to move Prince Nesh's grave immediately at the same time we took the Kingdom because he wanted to be buried there.
One by one we said goodbye to Prince Nesh before burying him.
Our first meeting with Prince Nesh didn't go well because I immediately teased him. But in time, I felt that he considered me a friend and was willing to help me as much as he could, for which I am so grateful.
"We promise that your sacrifice will not be in vain, Nesh. We will take back our Kingdom," Prince Arsh said resolutely.
Although it was difficult to leave Prince Nesh's grave, we chose to leave because we would still be preparing for the meeting that would take place later.
I felt Prince Arsh urging me to walk. I couldn't look at him, my heartbeat quickened. I deliberately speeded up my walk so that he would not keep up with me.
I am now with Prince Dern. To this day, they still do not silence me. Maybe they still don’t accept my persona. I am also guilty and I understand if they have not forgiven me.
The three Princes, Prince Cozen, Prince Ravi and Prince Dern, were addressed separately. They said goodbye to ventilate first before entering the room.
King Valor and Queen Amelia agreed to rest first to gather strength before embarking on a more dangerous battle.
I also stayed outside first. I sat on the boulder that was there. I hugged my knee and was depressed.
Queen Amelia said, she had already told King Valor everything. That is why the King embraced me earlier as a welcome and thanked me because I was the one who saved him from poisoning.
I feel that my mission is about to end and I believe we will win the war. When that happens, I can go back to modern.
But why am I not happy to think that I am leaving this world?
"Zariya?" I couldn’t move when I recognized his voice.
I forced myself to turn around. I'm right, it's Prince Arsh.
I immediately stood up and uneasily said goodbye. "I need to go inside the room."
I can't face him. I had to distance myself from him as the end of my mission approached.
I was afraid that when the day of my departure came, I would prefer to just stay here in their world and be with him.
I turned my back on him. I hurried to take a step but I also stopped when he took my hand and turned me to face him.
I couldn’t help but look at his face.
"Are you avoiding me?" He looked me in the eyes.
"No, Prince Arsh. W-Why would I avoid you?" I withdrew my sight from him.
"You're avoiding me," he said again. "Why are you avoiding me? Did I do something? Are you mad at me, Zariya? Don't be like this. I'm having a hard time when you are avoiding me."
"But Prince Arsh, this is what I am supposed to do." I looked at him with his pleading eyes as well.
"Why? What do you mean?"
"I can't love you because the day will come when I will also leave, I will leave you because never, ever will we be together in this world."