So please wait for me
From the start, King Tristan was not a memorable father figure to his children.
Throughout his childhood memories, Blair only remembers Catalina accompanying him as a parent and caregiver when Catalina was "busy" with her father. His birth mother died when Blair couldn't remember anything, while Catalina's beauty too enchanted King Tristan. Automatically, Blair's affairs were handed over to other people.
There may have been a time when King Tristan acted like a father to Blair. When seeing Blair off to the academy for the first time, when giving him his first sword, when he came of age, when he was crowned as crown prince… But it all seemed just a formality. Even during their first meeting in front of many ministers and staff, King Tristan treated Blair like an ordinary staff.
No warmth. Nor is there indifference. Perhaps, Blair is just one of the most vital pieces in King Tristan's chess game.
So from that, when he got the news that his father had died, there were no tears in Blair's eyes.
Besides, it's not like I didn't predict this, Blair thought, glancing at Aeneas beside him. Just like him, Aeneas also shed no tears. Yes, of course. Aeneas would never shed his tears for his evil father.
"We do everything according to procedure. For the nobles outside of Mesina, send a letter to the nearest regional administrator, then the letter is relayed to the outskirts. The news may take a long time to arrive, but I don't want anything to happen during the mail delivery during a storm like this," Blair said later.
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Although there may be few people coming, please open the condolence hall."
"I will take care of it," said Aeneas.
"No, Aeneas," said Blair quickly. He drew closer and whispered, "Queen Consort Catalina will become aware of Father's presence again when the bell tower rings to announce his death. Her Majesty will definitely panic, and only you can calm her down."
Aeneas smiled faintly. "It doesn't matter. There were Sir Azel and Selah there. I can still calm her down for a bit, then go back to the condolence hall," he said. He patted Blair's shoulder gently. "At a time like this, how can I let you do everything alone?"
The words were spoken sympathetically, as though Blair looked saddened by her father's death. It wasn't, and Blair believes Aeneas would know if their father's death didn't sadden him. Why is Aeneas acting like that?
"Okay. But for now, accompany Her Majesty until the bell rings. At least you should be by his side when the bell rings. When you've calmed down, you can take care of the condolence hall while I'll…"
Taking care of King Tristan's corpse.
"Yes, I'll excuse myself then," said Aeneas. He glanced at Blair carefully, then added, "I… my condolences on the death of His Majesty King Tristan Seneca of Balthasar."
Blair only nodded in response, not knowing what to say to Aeneas' condolences.
After Aeneas left, Blair turned his attention to King Tristan, who was still lying on his bed. His father–the old man–as if asleep in death. His face looked flat, without the slightest trace of pain. The healer said King Tristan just died without any previous symptoms. In a way, King Tristan had a peaceful death in his sleep.
"Re-examine King Tristan's body again," Blair said.
"Pardon me, Your Highness?" asked the confused healer.
"Re-examine King Tristan's body again," Blair repeated calmly. "Find out if there's poison or anything else out of the ordinary in his body, and don't tell anyone else when I told you to. Don't post any news first until you finish it."
"Y-yes, Your Highness."
"Raul, you stay here while the healer checks."
"Yes, Your Highness."
There was no way Aeneas would let his father die peacefully like that. This death in sleep is too peaceful for a righteous man like King Tristan.
I already predicted that Father would die sooner or later from this illness. But until now, I'm still not sure how Father will die in Aeneas' hands, Blair thought as he left King Tristan's room.
Could this all be a hallucination? Aeneas killing King Tristan is just Blair's wild speculation because, after all, Aeneas is not the type who will be able to do cruel things.
"The atmosphere is getting tense, even though the official announcement hasn't come out yet."
"Even so, the entire Palace must already know about His Majesty's passing. We're just waiting for the bell to ring."
"To die in winter like this… It seems natural, doesn't it? It must be because the recent cold has affected his health."
"I don't know… But to be honest, I thought that His Majesty's lifespan would not be long."
"Why did senior say that? I heard His Majesty has been sick for a long time, but with the best healers and the Palace has money, I think he will last a long time."
"No, no. It is not like that. It's just… you don't know what grave sins His Majesty has committed in his lifetime."
"What? What the heck-"
It was then that Blair appeared before the chattering knights. They fell silent at the sight of Blair, then hurried to greet.
Blair watched them and noticed that several of them were senior knights. They must have served the Royal Palace a long time ago, ever since Aeneas became a living puppet for King Tristan.
The senior knights knew about the dark days of the Royal Palace—people who knew what kind of torment Aeneas had experienced.
"Get back to good work," Blair said after looking coldly at the senior knights one by one. "Don't let me hear unnecessary things."
"Yes, Your Highness. Please forgive me!" said the senior knight quickly.
Blair just nodded slightly and immediately continued walking.
Even though the creator of the underworld Aeneas was now dead, it didn't mean that people could carelessly talk about him. No, you can't. It would be better if that hell were buried forever with King Tristan. That way, Aeneas' world will be more beautiful, happier.
Yes, this is a chance where Aeneas can live in peace. His hell is dead. Probably killed himself. Blair is left to perfect this world for Aeneas so that they can live happily ever after.
"This time, I will forgive you for killing your father, Aeneas. So please wait for me. I'd give anything. I'd do anything. We can be happily ever after this…"