“COUGH COUGH COUGH!!” the king’s coughing very badly. After coughing, he lay on his bed, wheezing badly. “Do I look very bad?” ask the king toward Jade.
“Worse.”
“Ha ha ha ha ha(keep wheezing)….I’m getting worse…(keep coughing)…” And then he look at the cup that filled with herb water with a silver rod is put inside it. “Well, what does it show?”
Jade take out the silver rod. The color slightly change. “A very little amount of poison, not enough to kill a man.”
“But good enough to kill a dying old man…” And he starts coughing again. “Damn it, which boys putting the poison this time…?”
“But those boys are not here anymore since Sera manage to take over the government and work with the consul. I’m guessing the ministers are also involved in this.” And Jade take out the medicine he had and mixes it and put it into new drinking cup.
“More and more people want to overthrow her…” And the king drinks the water given by Jade.
“The Froude is becoming more corrupted.”
“Damn it…” grunts the king as he lay down. “Why can’t we accept the people as who they are? Why do we have to focused too much on the differences and make it into whole problem?”
“But you also realize it after you destroyed Figaro.”
“Yes… I am a fool Jade.” And he covers his face, hiding his tears from his old friend.
“But still it’s been almost 20 years, right?” say Jade as he reminisced of the past.
“You have raised Sera to be more independent….” Say the king as he reminisced the past too.
“And you raised her to be strong. I still can’t even believe such frail young child can grow into a woman who can join over the consul government despite the mocking those nobles have made to her. It needs a lot of mental power to overcome that.”
“It is better to govern the Froude with the consul government rather than using monarchy. Sera has more chance to govern the country this way rather than rejecting her because of her birth right.”
“But weirdly enough, the nobles also has the chance to govern the Froude as consul as there are 4 other consuls that govern the Froude aside from Sera. I can understand if they want to harm her, but they have no other reason to harm the old king who can die anytime, so why they try to poison you?”
Knock knock knock, somebody knocked the door.
“Who is it?” ask Jade.
“Your majesty, her highness, consul Sera has sent another package for you.” And Jade and king look at each other.
“Bring it in.” And the servant come and gives the package to Jade. “You can go now.” And the servant walks away from the bedchamber.
“Open it,” said the king as he is in suspicion. Jade tear up the wrapping and open up the box that contain the package.
“Another similar herb that has poisoned…” says Jade as he comparing the herbs with the one that the king once drinks before.
“…” The king grunts, holding his face from making any reaction.
Realizing his reaction, Jade ask him “your highness?”
“So it has come to this…” And his tears come out. “ (sobbing)… I am deserved for such a thing… (sobbing)… after all I have done… (sobbing)… there’s no way that she doesn’t bear any grudge for me…”
“Calm down, your majesty.” And Jade patting his back to calm him down. “It’s not even sure if she’s the one who sent the package.”
“What..?”
“Because, if you die, the first person who will be suspected will be her. She will be caught and interrogated by those who want to frame her and collecting the evidence that all points out to her attempt to murder you and she will end up executed with terrible punishment.”
“Such a thing…”
“This is a very perfect way to kill 2 birds with one stone.”
“No… Sera…”
“Calm down your majesty.” And with such serious face, Jade says “You’re not the only one who thinks of princess Sera as her own daughter.”
…………
My time is running out.
I’m getting worse and worse. As if my life force is sapped away. I felt very tired. My chest is hurt. And what’s more, more threat comes with the name of Sera.
There’s still no trace of whomever done it yet, and Jade is not by my side. Sera and I am in vulnerable situation now.
Knock knock knock.
“Who is it?”
“It’s me your highness, princess Sera.”
Sera? I though she is in mainland now. Does she come because of the news of my sickness?
“Come in.”
And she opens the door and come into the bedchamber.
“Father…” say Sera worriedly as she sees me in very weak and pale face. I even have dishevelled bed hair, thinking back, all my hair is white right now, and my hands are full of wrinkles.
“I’m sorry for visiting you right now. I just heard about your illness getting worse not long ago, and you send me a letter saying you need to meet me urgently.”
Letter? When did I ever send a letter to her? Or is it the work of those who try to harm Sera?
“Father?” ask Sera as she’s seeing me pensive for a while.
“Oh, no, I was thinking of something else.” But Sera does not convinced with it.
“Sera, you have grown.”
“Yes, it has been a long time.”
“No, I mean you have changed so much. You were once a cry-baby.” And I look at all her from head to toe. She is wearing a clothes with a mantle that has armor shoulder, a noble rapier lies beside her hip and a golden badge that holds the mantle in the middle of her heart, where all these clothes are the sign of being the consul. Her black hair shines as it reflected with the light, and her eyes look strong and confident. “And now you become a woman who befits to rule the Froude.” This makes my eyes very teary “I am so proud of you.”
“Yes, it’s because of father and Jade’s help that I manage to come this far.”
“Still, does anyone tries to threaten you when you becoming consul?”
“Well, not really…”
“Tell me everything. Don’t keep it.”
Hearing that, her confident eyes suddenly get weary. Her stiff shoulder loosened up and she look down.
“I … I tried my best as a consul and govern the main city, but the people of the city dislike me for being consul. There was a time when people throw stone at me and I tried to give punishment, a minister from another consul come and take an eye on me for hurting the citizen of the mainland. Then, I be wary with my action trying my best not to disappoint the citizen, but they even sent the letter asking me to be banished from being a consul…”
“I see…”
“I-I’m a Figaro princess, father! I should be able to overcome that and rule the Froude!”
“But it’s too hard for you, right?”
“N-no… but…” And she holds her face from making any expression. “I have to do it! I was born for that!”
Knock knock knock, Sera startled with the knocking door.
“Your majesty, I have arrived,” said Jade as he opens the door. “My, Princess, when did you arrive?”
“Not long ago, advisor Jade,” reply Sera with her strong face. “Then I’ll be going now.”
“Take care, princess.” And she goes out from the bedchamber.
“So?” ask the king toward Jade.
“I’m sorry, there’s still no lead,” says Jade while shaking his head.
“I see.” And the king pensive again. His mind wander afar thinking of Sera, how she is treated by the people from she was child until now.
“Your idea of letting her standing up by her own is not enough.”
“That’s surprising, hearing that from you,” say Jade as he’s surprised with his old friend’s word. “Why do you say so?”
“Sera, that child have been trying her best to face people’s mocking and dislike toward her because of the curse of her birth right. But right now, it’s neither the noble nor the people of palace that she is facing, but the whole country of Froude who are against her. Soon, she will be really alone, and facing the wrath of hatred of the people who’s the hatred is actually created by me…”
“…” Jade just keep on listening to the king.
“So you’re the one who send the letter to Sera…” reply the king as his tears come out.
“Yes, your majesty…” answer Jade without look at the king.
“Please help me, old friend…” say the king, sobbed with his words.
“That is what I intend to do…”
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
The sun shines brightly on this day. But there are not many people who work in this day, for this is the day the king has die. However, they did not mourn for their king. They all are arrived at the very big hall that have stairs of seats which looks like an ancient coliseum where 4 consuls sit on their chair, except the consul Sera as she now facing these consuls with both of her hands are chained.
“Today, as all of you have known, our last king, who changed the monarch system into consul government are now die.” Say the man who is the representative in speaking for this event “The king is died due to the stabbing wound on his heart, causing him to die immediately on his bed.”
And the audience shouts with anger. Sera don’t show any feeling although in her heart, she is very angry with the king’s death.
“And for this reason, the main culprit, consul Sera now will be questioned with all of you citizens to be the witness for what has happened today!!! Burn this event with your eyes and tell all the Froude for what has happened!!!!” And they shout loudly to answer the man’s word.
“Now, consul Sera,” said one of the consul “Tell us how you murdered the king.”
“I did not do it,” reply Sera while holding the anger in her heart.
“Lies!” shout the other consul. “You have thousands of reasons to kill his majesty! Do not spout that you never thought of killing him!”
Sera tries being calm and answer the consul, “He is my father.”
“Your real father is the prince of Figaro who has been murdered by our king! There is no way you could though the man who murder your father as your father!”
“I am not!” she almost looking down as she shouts. “I’m not even at the murder scene! How can I even kill him?!”
“We have conducting the search on your house to find the evidence that you send poison to the king regularly.”
“Poison?! I did not send him anything!!”
And the consul slams the table and shouts, “Lies! You must have heard about his illness and send poison as herbs!!”
“No! I even heard the news of his illness recently!!”
“And you still argue that you are innocent?! Once we find the evidence that you are the one who stab the king, we will execute you in this hall immediately!!!”
“The consul Sera is innocent,” said Jade as he walks into the stage. The people are surprised with his sudden appearance.
“Advisor Jade, do not protect the culprit. She is still-“
Jade throw the sword that smeared in blood on the stage. The people are surprised with his actions. “As you can see, the sword that is smeared with blood is my sword, not consul Sera’s rapier. And this is the evidence that I am the one that killed the king, not consul Sera.”
The hall now roared with the event that happened. They buzzing as they talking to each other for what is really happening.
“SILENCE!!!” shout the consul. He then looks back at Jade with anger “The sword is not enough! We need more evidence that-“
“There are many servants in the palace standing outside that are the witnesses of the murder.”
“WHAT??!!!!” shout the consuls and audiences for hearing that.
The consul disbelieve with what he heard “Bring them here!!” And all the servant who become the witness come.
“Is it true the Advisor Jade is the man who murders the king?!”
And all of them reply, “It is the truth, sire.”
The hall is now in confusion. Everyone even the consuls are talking to each other about this, except Sera who see Jade in her disbelief eyes.
“Order, order, ORDER!!” shout the consul “The case is on hold!! Consul Sera and Advisor Jade will be put in prison!!”
………………
In the prison, Sera sit on the bed, thinking of what has happened. She still can’t believe that the king has died and not even Jade who murders him. She even though that somebody must have framed him just likes her.
“Consul Sera,” said the prisoner guard. He then opens the lock and opens the bar to bring Sera out and lock both of her hands with chains.
“The Advisor Jade has last wish to meet you,” said the guard and he walk her to meet Jade.
They arrived at the large cell where Jade is inside. The guard then open the cell and let Sera enter the cell. After she enters the cell, he locks the door and sits outside the corner of the cell.
“Thank you, guard,” say Jade and the guard bow on him, showing respect. “Now sit down, princess,” say Jade as he points at the table with two chairs. Jade and Sera sit on the chair.
“Advisor Jade,” say Sera with worrying face. “Somebody has also framed you in the king’s murder, right?!”
“No,” reply Jade calmly “It is I who stab the king.” And he said it with his eyes straight to hers.
“But then… There’s no reason for you to kill his highness!”
“It was his highness order to end his life in the way he should die.”
“No! There’s no reason for him to die like that!”
“His highness wants to end the cause of your misfortune, princess.”
Hearing those words, Sera realize the king’s action. “But still… death is not the option…”
“I know what you mean. But that is not the only reason why I calling you. Guard,” The guard look at him. “Bring the letter here.” And the guard bring the letter and hand it to Jade through the bars.
Jade then sit back and hand the letter to Sera “This is the letter from his highness.”
Shocked by his words, she opens up the letters quickly, and read it carefully.
……………
Dear my daughter Sera,
If you have read this letter, then I am already died and my death must have caused you into misfortune. I am very sorry for choosing to end my life in this way, but this is the best way to exclude you from being executed.
I am also very sorry for taking away your parents and your country and letting you live hated by my people and bounded by the curse of your birth right.
I am not befit to be your father, just as you say during the time when you were crying searching for the ring that has been missing.
But believe me, for all the time I was with you is my happiest moment of my life. I still remember how you manage to win me in playing chess and how you are smarter than those boys that bullied you before. I even very proud seeing you manage to be chosen as the consul and lead the main city of Froude.
And if you bore hatred of me and try to kill me, I did not hate you, for I deserved to be hated by you.
But after my death, you will be continue to be hated by the people of Froude as they harbor the hatred that I have planted inside their heart, and you will be facing them, alone until you die. Therefore, I have made my decision.
Sera, the princess of Figaro, the consul of Froude, from now on, you are not my daughter anymore, and you shall never step on the land of Froude. You are banished from this land until my people has forgotten of you.
You shall do whatever you want. You are a free woman not bounded by the curse of your birth right or the hatred of the people of Froude. You have to live as a free human.
And finally, even though you have fallen, please stands up my princess. Remember that a princess should face everything with her head high. So no matter whatever happens, remember my words and stand up. Even if you choose not to be a princess, you will be forever my lovely princess.
Your father, fallen King of Froude
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
“…” She is shaken while holding the letter. “Father…” She can’t hold her tears anymore and cries while holding the letter.
“I never bore any ill toward you… you and Jade are my important….” And she put her head on the table, not showing Jade her teary face.
But Jade just looking at her, cries for what the king has chosen and his tears silently falls down.
“I love you too, my daughter…” whisper Jade as he looks at her.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
“The consul has made the decision,” said the man who holds the letter written by the consul. The consuls are sitting while looking at him. He then opens the letter and read it out loud in front of the audience of this very big hall.
“Consul Sera has been proven for not guilty, however she is now unfit to be a consul thus she is banished from Froude and never to step on this land again.” The audience is buzzling with the answer but they don’t show any sign of the disagreement of the result.
“The murderer of the king, Advisor Jade, will be executed in front of this stage. He will be hanged right here.” And he closes the letter. But the audience keep making sounds, but not as noisier as before.
The executioner prepares the stage for Jade’s execution. After it has been finished, Jade is standing on the stage while his neck is tied with the rope.
“Do you have any last word?” ask the consul.
Jade looks at Sera. She has a sad look at him. But Jade gives her a smile, showing her not to worry anything.
“Nothing, sir consul,” said Jade with a firm look.
“Very well, start the execution!” shout the consul.
And Jade is hanged immediately.
Now Sera is put in a carriage with a few goods that are her belongings. She just sat there without saying anything.
Long after that, the carriage is stopped. “Princess Sera,” said the man who drives the carriage “Please step out,” And she step out of the carriage.
The lands are vast and there are no people that can be seen. “We already at the border of Froude, now where do you want to go now, Princess?”
“Anywhere…” said Sera, as her heart is empty just like this vast land. She then look at the man “Please don’t call me princess nor consul. I am neither princess nor consul anymore, just a person who is not bounded by anything.”
__END__
