Chapter 10:A Kingdom in mourning

The kingdom of tenebrous was shrouded in sorrow. A week had passed since the tragic loss of King Thrian and Crown Prince Erian, but the pain still felt like a fresh wound. The streets, once filled with laughter and chatter, were now empty and silent, as if the village itself was mourning.

In the town square, a group of villagers gathered, sharing their grief and outrage. "Who could have done such a thing?" asked one villager, her voice trembling with anger. "The king was a just and fair ruler, loved by all. Who would dare to take his life?"

"It's a dark day, indeed," said another villager, shaking his head. "If the king isn't safe, none of us are. We thought we lived in a peaceful kingdom, but now... now we're not so sure."

A young woman, her eyes red from crying, spoke up. "I can't believe it. I keep thinking it's all a terrible dream, that our king and prince will ride into the village any moment, smiling and laughing as they always did."

An elderly man, his face lined with sorrow, placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "We all thought we were safe, that our kingdom was protected from harm. But now we know the truth. We're not safe, not as long as those responsible for this heinous act roam free."

The villagers nodded in agreement, their faces set in determination. "We'll never forgive those who did this," one of them vowed. "We'll never forget our king and prince, and we'll make sure justice is served."

Back in the castle The bodies of King Thrian and Erian were carried to the ancient royal tomb, a grand structure built to honor the deceased rulers of Tenebrous. The family followed, their faces etched with grief and shock.

Inside the tomb, the atmosphere was heavy with sorrow. Lirien's wails had subsided, replaced by a numb silence. She sat beside Kael, her eyes vacant, her soul crushed by the loss of her husband and son.

Lady Calantha, Lyra, and Vesper wept uncontrollably, their tears falling like rain upon the cold stone floor. Their bodies shook with grief, refusing to believe what had happened.

Xyla and Lyrik sat on the ground, their eyes filled with sadness and red from crying. They had never felt such a deep loss before.

As Kaidrian approached, Xanthe's eyes snapped with anger. "Kael, don't go near that monster!" she shouted, her voice echoing off the stone walls.

Kaidrian's face was somber, his eyes filled with pain. "Mother, please..."

Xanthe stood up, her eyes blazing with accusation. "You're a murderer, Kaidrian! You killed your own father and brother just to become king!"

Kael's face was stern. "Mother, stop..."

But Xanthe wouldn't be silenced. "You're a monster, Kaidrian! You'll never be king! Never!"

Kael ordered the guards to take her to her room.

As Xanthe was led away, her words still echoed in the tomb. "Murderer... monster... never king..."

Kaidrian turned away from Xanthe's accusations, his heart heavy with grief. He couldn't bear to listen to her venomous words anymore. As he walked away, he saw Elunned, Erian's wife, sitting alone on a bench, her eyes red and puffy from crying.

He walked over to her, his footsteps echoing in the silent tomb. Elunned looked up, her eyes welling up with fresh tears as she saw Kaidrian approaching. He put a hand on her shoulder, and she flinched, her body shaking with sobs.

Kaidrian pulled her into a warm embrace, holding her tightly as she cried uncontrollably. Elunned's body was racked with grief, her tears soaking into Kaidrian's tunic. He held her, his own eyes filling with tears, as he tried to comfort her.

Lirien, noticing the scene, hurried over to them. "Oh, my child, please be patient. Everything will be okay," she said, her voice trembling with emotion.

But Elunned shook her head, her eyes wild with grief. "No, Mother, nothing is okay. Nothing will ever be okay again. He left me, he left Freya... Haah!" Her voice broke, and she collapsed into Kaidrian's arms, her body limp.

Kaidrian held her, his heart aching with pain. "Elunned, please... don't say that. Erian would want us to be strong."

But Elunned was beyond consolation. She cried and cried, her body shaking with sobs, until finally, she fainted in Kaidrian's arms.

"Elunned!" Lirien cried, her voice filled with alarm. "Someone, call the family doctor! She's fainted!"

The maids nearby rushed to help, carrying Elunned's unconscious body up to her chambers. Lirien followed, her heart heavy with grief, her eyes streaming with tears.

After everything was done, Kaidrian noticed his sisters and his mothers sitting, their faces etched with grief. He ordered the maids to take them back to their chambers and let them rest. The maids did as they were told, and Rylan wanted to follow, but Kaidrian's deep voice stopped him.

"Rylan, come back here."

Kaidrian's brothers walked back to him, their faces filled with concern. "What is it, Kaid?" Rylan asked.

"I need to talk to you all," Kaidrian said, his voice low and serious. "In my room. Now."

As the brothers entered Kaidrian's chamber, the air was heavy with tension. Kaidrian's eyes blazed with a fierce determination, his voice low and menacing. "It's been a week since the unforgivable incident. An incident that will not go unpunished."

Lysander's face contorted in sorrow, while Rylan's eyes drooped with exhaustion. "What's going on, Kaid?" Lysander asked, his voice laced with concern.

Kaidrian's gaze narrowed. "Someone killed our father and brother, and we will uncover the truth. But first, I require a vow from each of you."

Rylan's asked "What are you talking about, Kaid?"

Kaidrian's voice rose, his anger simmering just below the surface. "I want you all to swear on the Red Orb that you had no hand in their murder. Anyone who refuses will be considered a suspect, and I will not hesitate to mete out justice."

Kael's face twisted in annoyance. "This is madness, Kaidrian! You can't serious—"

But Kaidrian's anger boiled over, his eyes flashing with fury. He seized Kael's neck, his grip like a vice. "You dare question me?

Rylan and Lysander rushed to intervene, their faces pale with fear. "Kaidrian, stop! Please, don't hurt him!" Rylan begged.

Kaidrian's grip relaxed, and Kael gasped for air, his eyes bulging with terror. "You have one day to come forward and swear your innocence," Kaidrian snarled. "If you fail, I'll have you hanged for treason."

Lysander's eyes went wide with horror, while Kael's face contorted in outrage and said "Who are you to dictate such terms?" he spat.

Kaidrian's smile was cold and calculating. "I am the future king of Tenebrous, Kael and you will obey me.

With that he turned and strode out of the room leaving his brothers in shock and confusion.