The following day, the owner of the inn gave directions for the duo to head off to the fields where they receive her ingredients in return for free housing. Eden was quick to pick up the skills required to work the soil but Aciel on the other hand struggled as usual.

“Aciel, I’ll take over, you can take a break.”

“No, you have your plots to work on.” He looked up to see Eden’s complete plots and managed to convince her to help instead of take over.

“You don’t have to do this,” Eden said, taking the occasional break to fix her hair. Like Aciel, the well-known general needed a new hairstyle to stay hidden. Her previously slick styled haired suited for battle was replaced for a choppier and freer style, similar to those who labour in the fields.

“I can’t let you do everything. You gave up everything to help a useless person like me live a bit longer.”

“We’re friends. Come on, we’re almost done, we can eat after this.”

“Thank you,” he said quietly.

Aciel was thankful for a lot of things from Eden but right now, he was most thankful for the stability she provided. Even if it was just a faint feeling, it felt like the past two days didn’t happen and they were back at the castle.

On the way back into town, crowds were huddled as a royal messenger stood in the square. He cried that an announcement would be made at the hour and for everyone to grab those they knew. With dirt all over their face and hands along with a basket of tools on their back, the duo waited as the news would dictate their next steps.

“It is with great sorrow that I announce the death of King Sen who passed away late last night. The crown prince, who was present during his final moments, is currently in deep mourning and is incapable of performing his duties. As such, as agreed by the faction leaders, the coronation of Prince Aciel will be postponed and in its place will be the funeral of King Sen.”

Once he completed his announcement, a written version of it was posted on the various announcement boards in the city for those who could read. No plans regarding the successor were mentioned, most likely to give the citizens time to mourn.

“Why did they announce it like that?” Aciel shouted when they returned to their room. It was loud enough to show his frustration but quiet enough so no one could hear. “Passed away late last night. Incapable of performing his duties. They’re making it seem like father died in his sleep. He was murdered, Eden. Murdered!”

“And how would you rather it be announced?” She questioned. She too needed to let out her frustration. “It’s obvious that Zula has supporters and their current goal is to make her queen and with the three stories that are being told, this is your best case scenario.”

Three? He didn’t want to interrupt but his confusion dissolved his annoyance.

“The first story being the truth that, as of now, only a handful of people know. The second would be a story for important figures, the generals and leaders, that probably being that you are currently missing and there are plans to find, maybe kill you. The final one would be for the public, a reason why you won’t be seen.”

“Meaning?”

“Right now, a majority of people think you’re missing and we can use this to our advantage. Find supporters and flush out the rats.”

Like how confusion dissolved his annoyance, sadness dissolved his confusion. Aciel slumped down and he seemed impossibly small at the moment. Would he even have a chance to say goodbye?

“Will we be able to stay here until father’s funeral at least?”

“Sure.”

*

Aciel was very close to his father growing up. Since his mother was the ruling monarch, he only saw her at night for at most an hour. It was a trip with his father to the marketplace where they met the merchant who introduced them to the game of chess. It was with his father where he learned how to play the game.

“Father, mother won’t let me win.” An eight year old Aciel cried to his father one night. The young boy embraced his father’s warmth as he stroked his head.

“Were you close?”

“I thought I was. She lost her queen and I thought I would win. But then three steps after I took her queen, she won.”

“Well, you’ll know for next time.” Consort Sen ruffled his son’s hair. “Do you want to practice with me?”

Aciel pouted and hugged his father a bit longer before agreeing to the game. The two were deep into the second game before Queen Atian found them.

“Do you not think you are going too easy on him?” She asked her husband.

“Do you not think you were going too hard on him?”

“It seems like he learned something from me at least.” She said with a smile as Aciel used the same strategy his mother did in sacrificing his queen for an advantage.

“Check.”

“No fair, this was teamwork.” Consort Sen joked.

“Mother, I won.” Aciel ran to his mother for a victory hug which she happily accepted.

“Congratulations. Are you ready to face me again?” She teased while hugging her son.

Even after his mother’s passing and his father becoming king, the two did find time for their chess matches. As their matches progressed over time, the consort now king, could no longer play with only thinking two steps ahead, his son challenged him to do his best.

The day before his death, King Sen had won the match. Aciel was planning for a rematch after coronation, but that was a match that never came.