The Next Right Thing

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Orchid cleared her throat nervously and took a step back to create a bit of space between them

"I don't see anything" she stated nervously "Let's head back"

"Why go back to that boring room?"

"What do you mean? You're the Crown Prince's brother, you ought to be there alongside the King"

"People giving their condolences even though it isn't from the heart. The Crown Prince is no saint to receive such goodness from the people. They're just facade. Putting it up to gain favor of the King"

Orchid passed him a questioning look, trying so hard to stop her legs from quivering under his gaze

"Alright. Let's head back inside" Ciaran gave in with a light chuckle and they both walked back into the hall

The hall emptied in a while and the King went back to his sobbing state. Keeping locked in his room despite the persuasion of the Elders

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Later in the day, Orchid sat in the balcony of her room being accompanied by Ava. She took in the view of the setting sun

"Oh, princess...I have something for you" Ava said bringing out a white envelope from behind her back

"What is this?" Orchid asked, taking the letter from Ava "Who sent this?" she accessed the note

"Princess, I saw...Sir Alan today" As if not sure what she had heard, she looked up at her handmaiden and Ava nodded with a smile

"A-Alan? He was here?"

"Yes, Princess. He was hiding behind the pillar in the garden when I saw him. At that time, you were having a talk with the Prince"

"He was there?"

"I guess he thought it was inappropriate to disrupt the conversation you were having with the Prince. He said to let you know he'll come visit soon"

"Oh..." Orchid said and stared deeply at the letter. Ava bowed and excused herself, wanting to give Orchid room to read what was in the letter

Slowly, her fingers reached over to the envelope and she brought out the note

'Princess, I don't even know where and how to start...well, I'm back and I wanted to let you know. I received news that you're together with the Prince of Regalon. Princess Neera told me you were not wilful in this marriage. I'm sorry I was gone for so long, I tried to meet up but I get assigned to a duty each day, as I am now the General. I know this is short but I'm saving the talks so when we do meet, we'll have a lot to talk about. Till we meet again. Alan'

Orchid's eyes read the last line and she placed the letter on her lap. How long was it...hah, 6 years

He had been her knight, her only friend till Ava had arrived. He had been the one to stand for her despite the tantrums thrown by Neera and her mother

And now he was back

And she was glad he was able to fulfill his father's last wish

.

Two days later, Ciaran was summoned to the King's Chamber as insisted by the King. Ciaran sat still facing the King who sat on his bed

"Ciaran, you're my next son. After the...tragic death of your brother, I think it's time. He was a better option but I expect you to do the next right thing"

"Which is?" Ciaran questioned, already knowing where the conversation was leading to

"I am getting old, I don't think I can handle this anymore" the King said with a sad sigh "I had your brother to back me up back then but now that he is no more-"

"You want me to take over the throne and lead Regalon" he continued and the King nodded "So, you mean to say...you're nothing without Rudolf? You choose to live in your cowardice instead to leading the people?"

"Ciaran-"

"Your Majesty" Ciaran stood up "I am the youngest, weak and unstable. I cannot handle such a big responsibility handed over to me"

"What if something happened to me then? You wouldn't lead Regalon?"

"You have your trustee men, the Elders. As you said before, Your Majesty. Rudolf was a better option, not me"

"Rudolf's dead!" the King yelled "Rudolf's dead and I want you to do what he would have done if he was alive"

"You mean corrupt the system and deal with illegal transactions?"

The King's eyes widened at Ciaran's statement and the slumped back on the bed

"It is my choice, you are the next King of Regalon. The Elders are aware of my decision, you may leave"

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"He sounds desperate" Grae commented hearing what Ciaran had to say

"He is desperate" Ciaran stated, hands tucked in his pocket as they walked in the field. The wind ruffling his hair to the side and his shimmering eyes glistening under the moonlight

"What are you going to do? What's your decision?"

"I had never been good in his eyes, not that it mattered. But what changed all because of Rudolf's death? It only shows that Rudolf had been his backbone from the start. I do not intend to sit on that chair and rule Regalon. If the King can't fulfill his duty, then Regalon will be doomed if it has to be"

.

"Your Majesty" Orchid deeply bowed, not able to contain the surprise in her eyes, she had been summoned by the King...she didn't know why

"Take a sit, dear" King Mathias said, Orchid was glad he was no longer sulking in his room

"Are you feeling better, Your Majesty?" she asked and the King's eyes twinkled

"I am. So sad, if only I had a daughter...maybe she'll get to care for me as you do" The King shook his head "Can I ask a question, dear?"

"Of course, Your Majesty"

"How would you like to be Queen?" Orchid blinked at his words. Queen? Where was that coming from?

"Your Majesty?"

"How would you like to be Queen and rule alongside your husband, dear?"

"His Highness is going to be..."

"The next King, I am going to step down as the King and I wish for Ciaran to take over my position"

"This has to do with the Crown Prince's death, Your Majesty?"

"Ah," he sighed deeply "When I lost my wife, I promised to take care of those she left behind. I thought by giving him the life he wanted and letting him take his own decisions, I was protecting him. Death always has a way to find its next victim, it is inevitable. I cannot do this anymore, I've lost my family...I've lost everything I have" the King's eyes held sadness as he spoke "Ciaran is not my son, you should know. He is the child of the Late Queen with another man. I don't know how it happened, news spread wild, you know. I didn't want it to reach the Public's ears so I accepted that child, Ciaran. But days later, she suddenly went missing...I don't know how but...she left me. I could not protect my wife, neither my son. How can I lead and protect a whole nation when I couldn't save my family"

"Your Majesty..."

"But Ciaran doesn't want to be King, despite everything I've done for him, he's not willing to help his father. I know Ciaran, despite it being my decision, if he's not willing to abide...then it would not be done. I need you to try and convince him... please " Orchid gasped in shock when the King suddenly held her hand and pleaded

"Your Majesty, don't...this-"

"Please, dear. You're his wife. C-convince him"

Being a Queen never did cross her mind, such a responsibility...she didn't want it. And if Ciaran doesn't too, there was nothing she could do