DOING SOMETHING STUPID

"Watch out for the empress!"

The crown prince shouted for the Empress to flee. The young man smiled at me. My body can't be moved like a statue. I can't avoid it. Is it true that I will be killed? I slowly closed my eyes in resignation. I'm getting used to life now—many good memories. I have a good lady. They are like friends. The concubines also respect me. Blood comes out on the clothes and face of the Empress. It seems that the young man has stabbed his sword into my body. For a while, I was silent. When nearing death, I felt I was in excruciating pain. But why didn't I feel something? Slowly I opened my eyes. Fred was in front of me. He hugged the empress' body. What had happened? Fred's body weakened and fell to the ground. Both my hands were covered in blood. Alphonse let go of his sword. Crown prince Lion then stood beside Alphonse.

"Quickly call a healer!" The Empress gave the order. Fred tried to grab the face of the woman in front of him.

"Don't move too much. You'll bleed out later."

"Our relationship is terrible, but why am I now doing something stupid by helping you.

"Please endure!"

Fred then closed his eyes. Then his hand fell slowly. Immediately the Lion crown prince embraced the Empress's body. The Empress's tears flowed profusely. Alphonse then took his brother's hand. Feels cold and stiff. Fear showed on his face. He then tried to give his brother a pulse and breath. After being checked, it turned out that his brother was dead.

"Not!"

The sound of Alphonse's cry was loud and even echoed throughout the place. Like a melody. Everyone hears it. Emmanuel, Karol, and Duke then ran away towards the direction of the sound. Alphonse rocked his brother's body quickly. There was no response from his brother. I cried in the crown prince's arms. Even though I don't have a good relationship with him, Fred has saved my life. He even sacrificed his body. It wasn't long before Emmanuel, Karol, and Duke Magnus arrived. Karol immediately caught Alphonse. The crown prince handed over the Empress to Emmanuel. He looked at Fred's face.

"Goodbye my friend."

Tears came out of the crown prince. Even if it's just two straight lines. Crown prince Lion wept. I've also heard that the crown prince calls Fred a friend. The crown prince then grabbed Fred's body and carried him.

To tomorrow. The concubines and I were at the burial site. We pray for Fred. In the afternoon, we went to the palace. Duke didn't come with me. He went to meet the coachman in the initial tent along with the royal guards. Alphonse was in the wagon with his hands and feet tied. After his brother's death. He was just silent and didn't even want to eat—guilt and remorse for killing his brother. A few days later, the group had arrived at the palace. Even though we have entered the court, to this day, the mood of grief is still palpable. Inside the wagon, I saw the Lion crown prince sitting alone. His hand is holding something like a book.

"Do you know the thing the crown prince is holding?" I asked Emmanuel in a low voice.

"Before the group departed. I saw the royal physician Swift give it to the crown prince."

The healer was not arrested because he did not participate in the rebellion activities. He was there just treating the sick. His devotion to the Swift empire was immense. My curiosity about the thing the crown prince is carrying is excellent. But I can't ask if I insist on asking. It will open his heart. The horse carriage stopped. Emmanuel held my hand to get off the wagon. The prime minister, as well as the empress uncle, ran over. He was hugging the Empress and crying.

"Thank God Your Majesty came home safely. I am very worried."

"I'm home uncle." The Empress said, then smiled broadly. The prime minister smiled too.

"Welcome to Your Majesty's palace."

In the afternoon, the Empress invited the prime minister for the evening funeral. When they met, the prime minister asked the Empress.

"How are things there Your Majesty?"

The Empress then recounted the beginning of the journey with the Duke to the Mist region, the fate of the people who lived to suffer, and when she was kidnapped.

"I knew Fred when he was the crown prince. He is a cheerful and kind young man. Fred often played together with his younger brother. He also has friends. Crown prince Lion and Fred have been friends since childhood." Uncle said that the crown prince Lion and Fred were friends since childhood. 

They have known each other for a long time. I finally decided to see the Lion crown prince tonight. 

***

Duke just arrived home and was greeted by his lover.

"Long time no see you. The bodyguard said if you go together with that woman."

"Don't call him carelessly. She is Her Majesty the Empress. Leader of the Northern kingdom."

Ladies, Camila bit her lip. He doesn't like it when his girlfriend mentions the woman's name.

"Are you now in love with that woman?"

Duke Magnus was surprised to hear the words from his lover. He did not love the Empress. However, their relationship is husband and wife.

"My body is very tired. I'll see you another time."

"Okay, I'll be waiting for your arrival."

A kiss landed on Duke's lips. Ladies Camila then left her lover, who was still standing. After Camila is nowhere to be seen. The Duke then summoned his subordinates.

"Don't let Ladies Camila in here without my consent!"

"Yes sir Duke."

Duke then entered the room. He then lay down. It had been two days that the Duke had not seen the Empress. How is the condition? Is he still traumatised by yesterday's events? Feeling drowsy. It wasn't long before Duke closed his eyes and fell asleep.

***

Inside the harem palace. The crown prince sat and read a book written by Fred. All the events and feelings of his best friend are reported inside. Fred's first meeting with the crown prince Lion. When he was eight years old. At Fred's birthday. Many guests who came were no exception to the guests from the Southern Kingdom. Each invitation they bring a representative to attend. A little boy got off the horse carriage. The boy had black and long hair. His face is wearing a mask. The hall door opened. The little boy went inside along with a man. All the guests look at him. Every guest pays attention. Many of them were talking about the little boy.

Fred looked at the little boy's face without taking his eyes off him.

"Congratulations on the happiness of the crown prince. May God always bless you."

"Who are you?"

"Sorry, introduce my name is Lion. I am the son of His Majesty King Erdogan. Ruler of the Southern Kingdom."

Crown prince Lion saluted Fred. His demeanour is calm, and the manners of politeness shown look perfect.