The Face in the Shadow

Three days later.

The sky was still dark. Grey clouds filled the sky, and it was raining constantly.

The world was black, bleak and lifeless.

The coffin was also black, and it was being carried by soldiers to the cemetery outside the city.

Behind the coffin, a long line of people followed. At the front were naturally the two princes, William and Richard, followed by the aristocrats of Blue Lion City and some overlords, who had rushed to Blue Lion Kingdom from various places.

The atmosphere was solemn and grave. The big group walked on the muddy road with difficulty, but no one spoke a word. They were surrounded by the splashing sounds of the cold rain hitting the ground. Seemingly mourning for King Donners, the rain had continued for three entire days, and the temperature had dropped more than 10 °C. Those among the retinue kept exhaling white vapor through their mouths and noses.

It was destined to be an excruciating funeral.

The funeral continued, and the team marched to the cemetery.

In a clearing in the birch forest, surrounded by large yellow leaves, the coffin was carefully lowered into a dug tomb.

The priest began to give the eulogy. Soil, followed by petals, was thrown into the tomb.

"You are being poured libation. Your time to leave the world has come.

Pour, pour, pour.

"You have put up a good fight. At the end of the road, you kept your faith.

Pour, pour, pour.

"From now on, you will bear the crown of righteousness, and the supreme glory will remain.

Pour, pour, pour.

"The world will remember your greatness, the earth will preserve your body, and the sky will accommodate your soul.

Pour, pour, pour.

"You will become eternity."

Pour, pour, pour.

During the eulogy, the tomb was filled up bit by bit. Some soldiers took a large piece of turf and laid it on top to ensure that plants grew on the tomb, so that it would not be a barren place.

After everything, the retinue stepped forward to place the flowers in their hands in front of the tombstone, expressing their condolences. Soon, the entire cemetery became splendorous.

At the end of the funeral, some people closed their eyes in front of the tombstone, whispered something, and reminisced about the life of King Donners. Others left quietly.

Prince William had been keeping vigil by the tombstone. After putting down a bouquet of flowers, someone walked slowly to his side, lowered his head and whispered, "Your Highness, everything is ready."

Without a word, William looked at Richard, who was standing in the distance. After a pause, he murmured, "Rinck, do you think I will make a good king? Will I fare better than my father?"

"Of course!" the other party agreed.

"Are you the only one that thinks this? Or does everyone think the same?" Prince William asked.

"Your Highness, it's everyone! Everyone thinks that you will be a better king than King Donners," the man replied.

"Phew," William let out a breath. His eyes flickered, and he turned his head to him and merely said one word, "Okay."

"Yes!" The man's eyes suddenly lit up.

The funeral was over, so Richard returned to the palace.

His Chief Bodyguard, Edward, led the entire team of bodyguards and escorted Richard back. Edward was taken aback as soon as he entered the palace. He stared at the empty hall and couldn't help saying, "Where- where are the p- people?"

The servants who usually sat in the hall to make the research materials for Richard were all gone.

Richard said softly, "I have given them a long holiday."

"What?" Edward was still stunned.

Richard walked into the laboratory, and Edward followed him closely.

Richard took out a black wooden box and began to put various drugs and some small apparatuses for experiments into it. As he did this, he said, "My honorable father, His Majesty King Donners, is dead. My dear brother, His Highness William, is about to become the new king. I should leave too."

"Is His Highness going to the duchy?" Edward asked. Actually, Richard's duchy had not been determined yet, and it was too early to start packing.

Richard said noncommittally, "I'm going on a trip, I have to dress lightly. Since I can't take them with me, I let them take a leave."

Richard continued to pack up his belongings. After tidying up the laboratory, he went to the bedroom on the second floor to clean up. Edward continued to follow him.

He placed The Writings of Monroe and some scrolls into the box. But suddenly, he heard the sound of uneven and countless footsteps outside. It wasn't just a few dozen, but hundreds.

Hundreds of soldiers had besieged the entire palace.

Unfazed, Richard glanced out the window and averted his gaze. He continued packing. However, Edward's pupils constricted, and he gasped, "Your Highness, these people- these people seem to be under Prince William. It seems that he's going to harm you!"

The next moment, without waiting for Richard's order, Edward had already shouted at all the bodyguards, "Guard all entrances and exits of the palace. Don't let them enter, protect His Highness!"

"Yes!" The bodyguards scuffled around in panic and nervousness. They guarded every entrance and exit tightly.

In his bedroom, Richard wore a stoic expression as he placed one item after another into the wooden box.

Seeing Richard keep his composure, Edward couldn't help saying, "Your Highness, I will shield you. Please rush out. Although I don't know why Prince William is doing this, there's still a chance to leave when it's not too many people."

"Don't worry. Wait a while more," Richard said. He turned round and, with his back facing Edward, he took down some books and scrolls from the shelf.

As he stared at Richard's back, Edward was dazed, but his expression then turned complicated. He exhaled a long breath. There was a flash in his eyes, and he bit his lips till blood oozed out. His hand fell on the hilt of the long sword at his waist.

More than a month ago.

A simple dinner was taking place in Prince William's palace.

While William talked, a man beside him listened intently. The light was dim, and his face could not be seen clearly.

William's voice suddenly became serious. "I called you here because I want to be a good brother, and I want to ensure his safety. No matter what he does, follow his wishes so long as he doesn't go overboard. At the same time, I also want to be a good king and protect this kingdom well."

The man was stunned. As his entire body leaned forward, he was exposed to the candlelight, revealing his face—golden hair, the face of a young man in his twenties, one full of kindness and seemingly capable of destroying all evil, wearing an expression of utmost seriousness and respect—Edward Angele.

"If I have to choose between being a good king and a good brother, I will choose the former. At first, there was no conflict between us. But my younger brother is too smart, and I'm very scared.

"He's not interested in power and does not want to be a king. Because of this, I now have the opportunity to be king, but what if… what if he suddenly becomes interested one day? My father asked me to give him a large territory and enough freedom. In that case, I would never know what he is doing in his territory.

"I'm really afraid that someday, when I wake up, he has already led a powerful army to the city, breached the palace, and thrusted a sword through my neck. I think he would kill me like a chicken, without even blinking his eyes.

"He is very cold-blooded, and he has been like this since he was a child. He called me his dear brother and called father His Majesty, the king. However, behind his politeness there is extreme alienation. He never saw himself as a brother or son, but a stranger.

"It is true that this 'stranger' did not do anything out of the ordinary. Everything he does is within the law, but I don't feel safe. His indifference to life really scares me. Three years ago, when blood was flowing all over his palace, his expression didn't even change a bit. He just stared calmly, and it was the same during his six months of imprisonment.

"Someone like him is too terrifying. And… I was the one who personally ordered that deadly attack three years ago. Who knows when he will confirm his suspicions and take revenge?

"Phew. So you have to do one thing for me: find the opportunity to kill him. I will create opportunities for you, but you have to do the hard work yourself. As long as this is done, I won't cause trouble between the two sides of your family. I will guarantee the safety and interests of your family. No matter what, do a good job! Also, Mia told me to say hello to you on her behalf."

Edward's expression changed a few times as he heard this. He then replied firmly, "Yes!"