11: The (Extra) Ordinary Day In Castle

Morning meeting as usual. King Samuel felt under wind today. He almost cursed his maid for making a piece of bread too hot, but later apologized and reward her a day off. Queen Anise paid a visit but he dismissed her without even got a chance to see even a strain of his hair.

He marched inside the common room with a red face and fuming heart. His eunuch calmly passed him some scroll. He took it in hasty and read it one by one. Then he sighed heavily, looking at the council members, those lords.

"Capital Patrol Chief," he commanded the man with Royal Blue uniform. The man came forward, brought a ledger along with him.

"What's with the report last night?" King Samuel took the ledger from his hand.

"It's a break-in at Jewellery Store, Your Highness," said the man. King Samuel looked at the man with a frown.

"I'll send a Royal Inspector for further investigation," said King Samuel. He dismissed the crowd.

"Cancel all official tasks. I have to go somewhere," said King Samuel to Eunuch Morton. The old eunuch bow. The king stood up from his throne and walked towards the main door.

***

Glass was scattered everywhere. Two Royal Inspectors look around, try to find any clue for the case. One of them is a tall, slender man. The other one is a woman with a voluptuous body.

"How much gold did you keep in the shop?" asked one of the inspectors.

"Quite a lot. Almost two hundred thousand" said the shop owner. The other inspector looked at his friend. He took a note and dragged his friend away from the owner. They were discussing something.

"Thanks for the information," said the woman inspector. They walk out from the shop and stop a few yards away from there.

"I'll go and meet Eros," said the tall man.

"I'll inform this to the unit."

They both split up to head to their respective destinations.

***

"What do you mean?"

"The robbery seems quite suspicious. Nothing much was taken away. The owner kept quite a large number of gold but they lost only 1/100 parts of it," Eros looked at Hadrian. The prince just nodded without any response.

"Who else got this information?" asked Eros.

"Only both of you, and Royal Inspector Unit," said the woman inspector.

"You may dismiss," the woman bows down and leave the prince's cabin. He looked at Eros.

"It's preposterous. How can a robber, rob a gold shop but took only a few things?"

"It's not a robbery. That's not their real purpose. More like..."

"Tarnish the image? Creating a bad reputation about our city?" seemed like Eros finally understands the whole picture.

"And a 'friendly threat' to the public and our government," Hadrian looked at the report one more time. He read it carefully before putting it back into the scroll case.

"This is a setup by someone who probably against the levy collection and property investigation that we made last month," Hadrian stood up, looking through the window.

"I think they make a move, now. Slowly, but surely. It's a matter of time for the plan. What they don't know is, we know about the plan as well. I hope we can still make some changes. Hope we can still get the time for that," said Hadrian.

"Don't you think we need to take action as well?" asked Eros. He seems impatient. They had been guarded and more defensive compared to the other party. No aggressive move. Nothing.

"We need to make them blindly attack us. As long as our plan is still in progress, we need to be defensive no matter what," Hadrian put the report away. He looked outside the window.

The younger still practicing with some trainers from Royal Guard. With that skinny body, he did try his best. Hadrian could help but feel pity at him too. He knew this is the only way he can protect himself against threats in the future.

"He looked like dead fish to me,"

Hadrian chuckled, looked at Eros as the man bluntly spits some comment. He knew the man was quite skeptical about Aden.

"He should suffer now, for the future," said Hadrian. He looked at his brother, deep into thoughts. He got no choice but to be a little bit strict with him. Time is restraining for them.

And he needs to be ready for that.

Suddenly, Hadrian feels a tight pull at his chest. He quickly went to his nightstand and took an amber bottle from the drawer.

"Sire!" Eros tries to help but Hadrian pushed his hand away. With a shaky hand, he dropped a few liquids into a glass of water and slowly drinks it. He took a deep breath to let the pain go away slowly.

Then he collapsed on the floor.

:::

Only a few gather inside the Royal Prince chamber. As per requested by Hadrian, no one should gather in front of his room. He wanted to avoid any hearsay that might jeopardize the throne.

"He's getting better, for now..." the physician packed up and ready to leave the chamber.

"What do you mean for now?"

"I'm afraid I can't give any good news. You knew your condition yourself, Your Excellency," Hadrian closed his eyes and sighed. He knew he did struggle to live every day. But he can only do that. He only can try to live.

"You may leave," the physician left after Hadrian nods his head.

"I need a rest," said Hadrian. Eros and his two men bow and left the chamber at the instant. Hadrian held his composure till they left.

When they disappear from his sight, he meltdown on his bed, crying his eyes out. He lost his hope. To know that he will die anyway, he feels like giving up on life.

What should I do now?

He slowly woke up and walked towards his window. He looked down and saw Aden was standing and chatting with Royal Guards members who he did a practice today. He was holding a flower in his hand, explained something to them.

How carefree are you, my brother! How I wish I can be like you! Only for a day. Just only for a day. I want to live, even just for a day.

Aden suddenly turns around. Their eyes locked. Hadrian flashed a smile with his pale lips. Aden bows at him. Royal Guards personnel stood up and bows, too. Something flicked his heart.

What is the use of me being alive as The Crown Prince when I'm about to die anyway? The fame, the respect, and this title won't help me at all! I'm dying anyway.

And for that, he made a new resolution.

He wanted to enjoy his last moment as much as he can!