The first blow
The king and queen were dead, passed away peacefully in their sleep.
Despite every effort made to stop the rumour from spreading, Keito knew he would not be able to keep this information under wraps for long. So, he had decided to make the announcement himself.
The resulting uproar was to be expected and as he had imagined, the nobility was not happy with him taking the throne so young.
"We can't make you bear this burden right now, your highness. Please allow me to advise you and stay by your side" Keito could not tell you how many times he had heard those exact words from people close to his parents.
It was a little overbearing, to say the least.
The funeral procession had not even started and people had already begun to capitalize on the death of his parents.
"I'll think about it but adviser Hua should do his job in the meantime" the other, older man took it as his cue to leave and in a matter of seconds, someone else took his place.
It was a never-ending procedure.
"Your majesty, the doctors are ready with their reports. Please make your way there when you are not busy" the child was back, the ever-present mask still blocking access to his face.
Keito hummed in reply, long given up on seeing behind that mask. If the other didn't want him to look, then he would not look any longer.
"I see. Everyone, please excuse me for a few moments" Keito did not stop to hear the protest, he had important things to do. However, he could already see fractions began to form between the various groups of nobles present.
"Yuu, stand in charge till I come back" the guard captain jolted at his words, his jaw hanging which gave Keito enough time to make his exit.
He knew he had just put the poor captain on the spot with that order but it was given in company so it would help the other by a lot. While Yuu had not been a nobility at birth or been someone recommended by them, he was generally well-liked.
That meant that someone neutral in that atmosphere would be the best choice for the peace of that room.
"Please make your way here" from the child's voice, Keito could tell that the other was not that happy with his decision and that was fine with Keito. He did not care for the other's opinion anyway.
Even if it did make his wolf whine in displeasure.
They entered the royal wing, the bodies had not been moved at all since they had been discovered by Keito a few hours ago and it had been a struggle to keep everything in place. The royal doctor had arrived within a few minutes of being called but the one from the temple had taken her time.
Currently, both were in deep discussion over something but got down into a bow as soon as the king had arrived.
Keito just gave them a once over, the temple woman did not look up at all. Keito did not pay her any attention but stopped in front of the old doctor his parents trusted.
"What is the progress?" Keito asked. In the corner of the room, Jess was standing with her arms crossed. She had stood in as the supervisor while he had work to do and her efficiency combined with the child made a good team.
It reminded him of her work with Noah before his exile.
"It was poisonous, your highness. They died of poison but we are not sure where it entered them from '' that had been the excuse last time too, for the very same reason.
Keito looked at the temple female who still had her head down.
"Do you have to add anything else?" The female finally looked up, her black eyes shining with knowledge far beyond her years.
"The venom inside them was most likely not plant-based but we can't be sure which one it is based on actually is without further business but what I can tell you is that they passed with peace and their death was instant" that brought a sense of calmness over Keito.
The thought of his parents' death being painful had always been on his mind but now knowing that that had not been the case at all made it so much better overall.
"I see. Any other information?" Keito asked but the female shook her head. That was alright, they did their best given the situation.
"Jess, can I leave the preparation for the funeral in your hands?" The female looked a little shocked on being asked but that did not last for even a second before her mask was back on her face.
"I'll see to it then" the female agreed but did not make a love to leave which suited Keito fine for now.
That was one thing taken care of and Keito was not sure he could have made this preparation once again between all that was going on.
"If that is all then you all can make your way out. I need a little peace and quiet for some time" the others bowed and left.
The child was the last one to leave, his back turned toward him before something seemed to stop him and made him turn back toward the young kin.
"I might have some knowledge that could help your majesty. If you want to know then call for me tomorrow" and before Keito could register what the other had said, the child was gone. The door closed behind the leaving party which left Keito inside alone.
No, not quite alone.
Jess had not left, her stance not changing from the one she had adored from the start.
"That child is interesting. He's from the temple? A commoner? Doesn't give me quite the feel of being a commoner. Did the temple master put you on babysitting duty?" the last line was almost said in a jest but Keito could tell that the female was interested in that child.
Interested and a little suspicious.
Just as she had been of Noah. Those were a lot of similarities now and perhaps he was onto something here.
"Someone your family suggested to the temple actually. I was just as surprised to know that the current oracle was a child" Keito replied, not minding his words in front of her.
She had been his queen and she would likely be once again. He did not mind her knowing a little more than normal since it would only help build trust between them.
Even if it did feel like betraying Noah somewhat since the child was a helper send by him. He did not know why he felt that way though.
'Because you are an observant idiot. I give you space for a few minutes and you go out babbling all our secrets' the wolf was back and his words sounded tired.
'I trust her' was the only rebuttal as he took in the female's thoughtful expression. He waited for his heart to skip a beat but the female turned her face away and the moment was gone.
"My family's suggestion? I was not made aware we were sending a replacement for the oracle. Weird how the other one dies just a few days before the king and queen" it was a weird coincidence, one he had not even thought about till now.
"Yeah. If someone else in influence died with noble blood then it might start to feel like a conspiracy" Keito jokes, his heart still heavy with the things he had to face.
'Someone might really hate nobility. Don't you think there is a reason behind all this?' the wolf added but Keito just took it as a jest to improve the moment. The wolf really knew how to bring out the mood and really fast at that.
And then the door opened with a bang, startling both people and a guard entered in an almost panic.
Keito felt himself go cold and then hot with anger. How dare these people just barge in when he had been alone with Jess? And inside the royal wing no less?
Did they not value their lives at all? Keito ought to teach everyone a lesson now, to not cross him and make an example out of this guard.
And his hand was almost on his sword before another hand fell right on top of his and his eyes met with blood-red ones.
"Your majesty, the finance minister was on his way to the royal palace before he was assassinated. The north has declared a war on us your highness" and once again, Keito felt himself go cold.
His legs almost gave out as he tried to hold himself together at the news. It was not a good time for such a thing to happen at all. The royal family, the throne was still not stable and it might never be.
They were being attacked at their lowest point.