Unfated Love - DainAether (Dainsleif x Aether) fanfiction

Part 16- The Prince

"Father! I came as soon as I heard," Aether quickly moved himself towards the King's bed right after he entered the bed chamber. The King looked gravely ill. His face as pale as the white bedsheet and body thinner than the last time Aether seen him. It has only been few days and the King had already bedridden.

"Ae-ther..." the King called out his name. It saddened the son to see his father's condition. His face was pale as the bedsheet, and he was thinner than the last time he saw him. The King slowly opened his eyes, adjusting the dim light in the room, and turned to look and his blond son.

"Father I'm here,"

The King let out a dry cough. It painful to hear. "Aether, it may sadden you to see me in this condition, but I must let you know that I won't be here for so long anymore,"

"Father, please don't say that," pain and sadness craved on the young prince's face.

"Forgive me, my son. I've endured this dreadful illness for years, and I regretted not telling you and your sister earlier, mainly to not make you both sad. But I didn't even think it will break your heart the worst as possible," he weakly smiled. "I'm afraid if I were inform you my illness so soon, you will think I'm weak and-"

"You're not a weak father nor a weak King. While everyone was mourning over mother, you raised me and Lumine with all your heart. We grew up with full of a parent's love, and you showed us the greatest strength. Our people respected you for you became the great King and a father to us. You are never weak in our eyes,"

The King's eyes widened with his son's words. He smiled. "But I am now," he drew a deep breath. "Soon enough, you'll be sitting on the throne. I believe that will be a great king to our kingdom. Do what you must. Protect your sister and protect our people. Don't let our enemy get through our weakness,"

Yes. The enemy.

_____________________________________________________

"It is time for us to send attacks to the north! What they had done to the prince is unforgivable!"

"But how are we going to do that? Declare the war? Easier said that done. Our King is dying-"

"Mind your word, Sir Cyrus. Are we forgetting that the royal highness is here with us?" Kaeya cut him off.

The tempered knight shut his mouth and bowed to the prince. "Forgive me, my prince. It is not my intention to speak ill about the King". He levelled his eyes with the young prince.

It was clear that Aether is not used to the urgent and heated meetings like this. If there is one, he would usually send Dainsleif on his behalf. But this time, he couldn't say no. He realized it is time for him to take fully responsibilities on his shoulders, for the sake of his people. "I understand your frustration, Sir Cyrus. But, I do agree with you. To declare war with the situation with have right now, it might going to bring more problems than we can imagine. And it will affect the wedding,"

Dainsleif clenched his hands hearing the word.

Diluc stood up. "With all of my respect to you, your highness, I must disagree with that. If we ought to do nothing, they might think we're weak and will soon attack our kingdom," Diluc said. "They are clearly after you, your highness. You are the future King. Your safety is our top priority,"

Aether clenched his jaws. "If we declare the war now, they'll think we're too coward with just a little ambush! They didn't even hurt me-"

"Must I remind you, your highness, that we lost one of our men at this little ambush. His name was Alaster, a husband of a florist at the nearest town and a father of three daughters who was still very young," said Edgnir, one of the audiences.

Aether shut his mouth. Guilt rushed over him. Is this how it felt to be a leader? Innocent people die for you? Is this what I need to become? He wanted to vomit.

"Your Highness, are you okay?" Dainsleif alerted with his reaction. Dainslef stood up and quickly went next to the prince. After a brief moment, he faced the other. "The prince is unwell. I suggest we continue this tomorrow,"

"Tomorrow? We must do this now. They'll come anytime soon-"

"I said, we will continue this tomorrow," Dainsielf raised his voice. "You agreed to His Highness' well-being is the most priority," he said while leading Aether a way out from the meeting room.

Edgnir clicked his tongue once the two of them out of the room. "He's so weak. A person like him to be a king of this kingdom? Good lord,"

"His sister is much better to be on the throne,"