Fate II

CCXLIV

Following the death of the Queen of Sindria, peace was restored on the continents but, a heavy continued to remain even as they all carried on as they had. Wu Kong, who had been working as Lucy's assistant, assumed the position of the Head of the Heartfilia Household after her death with Yuushun and Kouyuu obediently serving under him. Under his guidance, the economy continued to prosper and flourish. But, he cared little and only carried out his duties and responsibilities for he didn't wish for her death to be in vain. She treasured humans and above all, her children. She didn't want them to live in a world of endless wars but rather, in a peaceful, happy world where they could be free.

"But," Wu Kong gazed into the distance as he sat on the roof, leaning against his pole-like staff, "even with your death, some things are inevitable."

In the Kou Empire, Kouen continued to rule as the Flame Emperor. Under his rule, the Empire returned back to its original, prosperous state with his subjects' trust in him restored as if all that had happened in the past was now water under the bridge. As if Lucy's death, the young girl who, as the Imperial Noble Consort, had given everything to her people, was insignificant. It was no wonder that change was inevitable in the Imperial Palace as one by one, they all left.

The Empress Dowager, Ren Kouka, never showed herself again, choosing to stay in her White Peacock Palace as she mourned the death of the young girl who had once been her daughter, ridden with guilt towards Layla who had entrusted Lucy to her. Hakuei and Hakuryuu, unable to bear living in the same space as Kouen, fulfilled their duties and finished repaying all that they owed to the Imperial Ren family before finally leaving the Imperial Palace for good. As for Koumei, perhaps unable to bear the guilt of bringing about Lucy's unfortunate death, gave in to his despair and hung himself a year after her death.

Kouen, who saw the body of his younger brother hanging from the ceiling of his own Palace, remained indifferent as he continued to sit on his throne as he always had. But, as he gazed out into the distance from his Yellow Dragon Palace, he saw nothing but a darkened world. He thought of the past every now and then when they had all been laughing happily in the Imperial Garden. But now, he was alone. He was truly alone.

And he only had himself to blame.

Meanwhile in the Kingdom of Sindria, many continued to mourn after Lucy's death, and among those was Sinbad himself. Despairing over the loss of the one and only woman he loved and the only person he ever held precious, he no longer hid his true colors. He ruled wisely and flawlessly but, he always wore a cold-hearted smile. Every decision and action was a calculated move as he manipulated anyone and anything. Even his own children were now mere chess pieces to him. If anyone dared to object to his ruthless and heartless methods, he would mercilessly execute them. It wasn't long before he soon became known as a tyrant and three years later, a civil war broke out with Masrur leading the rebelling force.

Masrur, who had seen Sinbad kill the woman he loved with his own eyes, despised Sinbad and hated him. But, he didn't wish for Lucy's death to be in vain. He didn't wish to see her children suffer after she gave her life for them and so, he lived a quiet life with Masud in the small manor where the three of them had once lived together. However, Sinbad's tyranny didn't go unnoticed. Unable to watch as Sinbad slowly destroyed his own Kingdom — the very Kingdom that Lucy cherished — Masrur and Masud took to the frontlines once again. The Generals were divided along with the Seven Seas Alliance but, in the face of absolute authority that the Retainers held, all was meaningless.

"Why?" Sikandar, the leading force of the Royal Army gritted his teeth. "Why must you keep on interfering?"

Masud clashed blades with him as he wore an indifferent expression, his crimson eyes focused solely on the battle in front of him. The two wielded the blades that Lucy had made, the protective tassel hanging from the hilt as it continued to protect them. But, Masud was far stronger in comparison, his strength being now comparable to Sinbad's, and no matter how powerful an artifact was, there was only so much it could take from the overwhelming power of a child blessed by the rukh.