Prince's Identity Vol. 2

5. Tragedy of the three kingdoms

"But how did this happen?" Navah's dark eyes eagerly sized up Erci's silence.

"The great tragedy of the three kingdoms. During the sneak attack of the rebels his Majesty has passed away, you were missing, Lord Merlin's factions are eying on the throne and the flames of war with Fang hasn't reached a conclusion yet. The entire Nives was in chaos. I had to step in. After we succeeded in leading the forces against the rebels, the only thing the royal house had against me is my relationship with Vera. Vera knew the royal house would never accept a prostitute's daughter as the queen of Nives. Rumours were in the air that some factions were even planning on assassinating me for that. But I decided to marry her against all odds. Vera knew that I'd never lose her. So...in order to protect me... 

"Vera, what happened?" Erci saw a frail figure twisting in pain on the ground.

"Your highness, you came, I was afraid that I will not get a last chance to see you" her eyes red with pain and misery.

"Vera, what are you talking?" he took her in his arms immediately.

Erci took the pulse of Vera and diagnosed her, he could feel the poison flowing through her body reaching her very bones. It is a very rare poison.

"Fe...Felix gaze we need to go there immediately, anyone come here help" he looked around in panic.

"Erci" she stopped him from agitating further as her finger rips traced his thick eyebrows and cupped his cheek.

"Vera, what are you doing? Who did this to you, I'll kill them" Erci felt as if a volcano is erupting inside him.

"Erci, it's my decision. Don't move, let me look at you clearly, I just want to ingrain you in my last memory. Though I'm not fortunate enough to share this life with you, I'll always be waiting for you in..."

"Vera, why are you talking like that?" tears rolled down Erci's face for the first time in his life after his parents passed away.

"Erci, I never said this to you but thank you for loving me despite my background. I love you more than my life Erci, take care" she twisted holding her stomach as her breathing got rapid till she left her last breath.

"My Vera she took her own life so that I can..." Erci's eyes reddened as if they were burning stars.

His brother, the beloved king of Nives in the end, had nothing, he lost his parents so young and lost the only love of his life. When Navah closed off himself after Lian's death, Erci had to move forward with his broken heart. 

"No one expected things would turn out like this" Navah offered some kind words to him.

***

In the faraway estate a nervous voice rained questions "Sikai did you see where my brother is, I haven't seen him since the morning, did he do any mistake? did you guys bet on something again?"

"Merxi, do you think I don't have anything better to do than messing around with your brother, I gave you my word I wouldn't put him in danger again, why do you..? Sikai couldn't finish the rest of the sentence looking at Merxi's anxious face. "Aye, let's go, we'll look for him he must be around here somewhere"

Sikai and Merxi made two rounds around the faraway estate but couldn't find a trace of Jinxi.

"We have searched all the guest quarters, and meeting halls, where are they after all?" Merxi contemplated.

"Wait don't tell me that!" Sikai's face expressed ridicule at the thought of it.

"What is it?" Merxi's expression darkened.

But on the other side of the faraway estate, two figures are excited about their little adventure.

"Wow it is really true that rich people are rich even after they are dead" Ore looked around the grand hall.