1 Chapter 1

Is this the end?

The empire I built.

My people.

My friends.

My family.

I sat on the high throne riddled with ornaments. I wore a valiant looking armor but instead of bravery he felt like a coward hiding in a tough carapace.

Beneath the throne, were my loyal soldiers, assassins and generals.

A muffled song of the battle can be heard outside as I was kept in the throne room for my own protection.

I was so naive.

The song became quite following the bang of the door.

There I saw, the betrayer - smiling. Blood dyed his armor. On the middle is my insignia, the moon, painted with a crimson blood.

"The crimson moon" I muttered.

He leisurely walked on the throne room. In his wake he gathered my loyal subordinates. They parted and made way.

I was enshrouded in fake security. I sighed.

I stood up and braced myself for what is to come.

He walked up to me and looked me in my eye. His smile did not fade one bit.

"Your reign shall end when the crimson moon comes." I should have known better. I should have listened.

I closed my eyes and did not speak and felt the kiss of a cold blade that penetrated my heart.

I heard the clanging sound made by a metal against the floor, before I lose consciousness, and felt the weight on my head became lighter.

A crown fell and so did the King.

I felt myself fall and before I even hit the floor, I already submitted into the darkness that calls me.

----------------

"Highness!"

"Your Highness!" I woke up on a warm and comfortable bed. A beautiful woman lay bare before me. Her hand clung to my waist and is in her deepest sleep.

I noticed that I barely have any clothes on, except for the open robe I am wearing.

"Your Highness!" Then again I heard the shout from the outside of my chamber.

My head hurts a lot and a painful pulse assaulted me every second. I adjusted myself to a comfortable position and tried to release myself from her arms in which I failed.

She woke up the moment I moved her hands.

"You're awake." She yawned gracefully and moved to the side. She leaned towards me and gave me a warm kiss and smiled. Then she went back to sleep on the other side of the bed.

I stood up from my bed, a little light headed.

"Is this what happens after death?" I said to myself.

Everything felt so real. My chamber looks just the same like I remembered except a few decorations that I ordered to be removed.

The chairs, the tables and even the plants on the balcony is the same.

"I guess, my brain is keeping it real." I laughed, and tried my best to be optimistic. Might as well go with the flow than go against it.

"Your Highness!"

My thoughts was momentarily disrupted by the shout outside.

I wore my undergarments and clean clothes and wore my robe, again, on top of it.

I looked myself at the mirror where I saw a clean and youthful face - a face devoid of worry and fear.

"Your High...."

He was still knocking when I opened the door of my chamber. There I met Carlos, the royal messenger, standing at the door.

I went outside my room and closed the door. I told the guards not to disturb for the lady inside and gestured for Carlos to follow me.

I brought him to a small room, the Room of Secrecy, which I also did when we first met and then invited him to sit down.

"I brought messages from Kalimhar and Rosejavik, Prince Agnis" he spoke as soon as he sat.

"Prince?" This was exactly what Carlos said the first time we met. The same word and the same form of address.

"Where is father?" I said. I am trying to test what Carlos response would be.

"Your father?" He said, a little confused. "King Agnis III is long dead."

"And today is?" I asked.

"Is three days before you officially inherit the crown, of course." he laughed, as if I am asking a silly question. Then, without letting me fire another question, he delivered his message.

"The King of Kalimhar sends you his blessings as well as promise of gifts, the list is handled by Anna, the Affairs Adviser. You can approach her for further details." he said as he rolled the parchment bearing the message

"The Queen of Rosejavik sends her wishes and she hopes you enjoyed the early gift she sent you. Again, handled by your Affairs Adviser, Anna." Carlos silently laughed, his voice carried a teasing tone to it.

"Lastly, the Curia Regis Descension and Ascension has started. The Ascendants will serve as your future pillars and Advisors in the future. May you treat them well." Then he rolled the parchment he is currently holding and looked straight at me.

"I watched you grew when you were just but a boy and now look at you!" He said, he looked at me, not as a Royal Messenger, but as a friend. "This could be my last to act so casual with you. Once your crowned, I have to address you King." he said, reminiscence flashed in his eyes.

"Nothing will change Uncle, its just a crown on my head." I smiled a big smile and tried to be naive as I could be.

"Its not just a crown, its a whole kingdom on your head." he replied. "Before I forget, your Uncle Bernards wants to see you in the throne room, it concerns your coronation." Carlos said. Then he stood up, went up to me and hugged me, which I knew he's gonna do.

He went out of the room and left me there watching him leaving. I mustered all my energy to show a loving and smiling face.

Once, he's out of the room, I stopped my act. If this life is true, I won't waste it by being foolish.

I remember my father lying on his bed - taking his last breaths, called for me the night he died and said.

"Everyone is not to be trusted, including yourself."

Now I fully understood what my father told me before he died.

I stood up and left the room. I enjoy the view of the garden just outside the room we are in and marveled at the beauty it holds.

For many years that I became King, I never notice nor have I been to these small parts of the castle.

"Mi lord." A youthful soldier saluted. He bowed low for a moment and proceed to speak.

"Lord Hesnia seeks your presence." the soldier said.

I smiled as I saw this soldier and as usual, I beamed a foolish smile and then replied.

"Lead the way, soldier."

"Let her rest for a while then." I chuckled as I remember the naked woman that still sleeps in my bed.