We The Kings: Book Two

Chapter 58

The funeral ceremony took place the next day. We wore dark clothes to attend the event outside. A hole was dug into the cold ground, next to Timothy's parents.

Everyone gathered outside. The castle staff, the royal advisors, as well as commoners from the village. They all wore dark clothes.

I stood next to Orion as we watched Timothy approach the king's body. He rested in a long, decorated chest. He was dressed in his finest garments, his eyes shut. He still looked like he was peacefully sleeping.

I watched Timothy hold back tears with all his might. It was asked to bring something to bury the king with. A trinket, a flower, a memory. Something to send him into death with.

I watched Timothy go first, setting a small, red potato with him.

The staff and advisors went next. They filled his coffin with flowers, and gold coins.

Orion, Galen, and I went together, adding flowers to his already bright arrangement.

They then let the commoners in. They placed many things with the king; bread, sweets, cloth, Darlington flags.

Once the items were placed, he was covered up with a sheet and the gardeners began to dig a spot for him.

"Advisors. I'd like to meet with you." Timothy told a group of people.

"You as well, Zander." He said.

A few minutes later the staff showed me into the meeting room. The long wooden table had various floral and agricultural designs carved into the wood.

Timothy was already there. The advisors filled their way in.

"We are glad you called this meeting, Timothy. We wanted to meet and talk about the line of succession."

"As did I." He said.

"I was rather close to the king." An advisor said in a sharp tone.

"Since the king had no children, I will take it upon myself to step up and become the new king of Darlington." He continued.

"You?" Another advisor wrinkled up his nose.

"Why not me?"

"You are the advisor of agriculture. You hardly know anything about this kingdom. I, however, am the advisor of currency. I know all about the kingdom's finances."

"You know nothing about the people. All you seek is wealth. Darlington is a kind kingdom, I would like to keep it that way."

Timothy looked at me before speaking. I gave him a slight nod in reassurance.

"Both of you. Stop. Neither of you will be king... I will be."

The advisor's eyes widened like they had just witnessed a terrible accident. A couple of the let out a laugh.

"Timothy, you may have been his favorite, but that does not make you fit to rule. Let the adults handle this."

Timothy pulled out the letter, as well as the royal declaration announcing Timothy as king that was found under the king's bed. He scooted them to the end of the table.

"Actually, I am."

They scooped up the documents and analyzed them. Their credibility could not be denied. They read it over and over.

"Timothy. This is a large responsibility. It's not like owning a pet. I think it would be best if you let one of us take over."

"Look again at the documents. If I don't rule, King Zander Bray of Lafayette does. Not that I don't respect him, or what he does. But I would like Darlington to stay independent, wouldn't you? Wouldn't you want Darlington to be entrusted with someone who was raised here?"