CURSED SWORD

CH-2 The Last Word of the Queen

Thirteen years have passed, and it seems like your tale unfolds in a world where millennia hold more weight than a mere thirteen years. In our story, thirteen years ago, the Harmony Dominion Empire thrived in joyful harmony, but now, a dance of death looms over the empire.

King Aurelius Embercrest's mother, Queen Andromeda Embercrest, currently 102, ails gravely, with everyone aware that her final moments may be near. Outside the empire's grand gate, a portal where people enter, two demons linger with ominous intent, wielding a substantial wooden staff.

While the main gate remains sealed, these demons have been temporarily confined to the mountains. People, adorned in black outside their homes, follow a tradition signifying the impending death of a royal family member.

A man, Mystic Elderblaze, a magical being with the power of enchantment, appears outside the palace. Towering and draped in a long white robe, he carries a large staff. The palace guards open the door at his sight, and as he enters the royal court, a mysterious door closes behind him.

Ignoring the ministers present, Mystic Elderblaze stands before a marble wall, facing south, and gestures. A hidden door in the marble opens, revealing a room with a man seated in a chair and a woman on a grand bed – Andromeda, the ailing queen.

A little ahead, they stood on either side where a man was seated, concealing his face with his hands. The room was draped in crimson, exuding the air of a noble lineage.

"KING," Mystic Elderblaze spoke, revealing the face of the man in the chair to be Aurelius Embercrest, the king of the Harmony Dominion Empire. His countenance was stern, with brown eyes and finely aged wrinkles on his firm, dark beard.

"Hmm, sorry, I was lost in my thoughts when you arrived," Aurelius Embercrest apologized.

"You're a king ; such words don't befit you," Mystic Elderblaze retorted, his beard swaying as he spoke with force.

"I understand, but when it's a matter of great sorrow—" The king's words faltered as Andromeda, lying in the bed, uttered, "My son, my grandson."

"I think it's time, call everyone," Mystic Elderblaze instructed.

A servant, who had been eavesdropping outside, left the room. After two minutes of silence, no one came. Andromeda continued lamenting, and Mystic Elderblaze said firmly, "Summon them!"

A servant stationed nearby went out, and after a brief moment of quiet, five people entered the room.

Three of them were women. One was queen Seraphora, veiled in transparent garments, and the other two followed suit. They stood silently behind the king, and a servant, who had accompanied them, revealed a new figure standing in the corner. A 17-year-old youth named Reynold Embercrest, with blue eyes, blonde hair, and an innocent expression.

"Reynold Embercrest," the elderly woman addressed.

All eyes turned to the young man, and he stepped forward.

Andromeda spoke softly, "Rey... Reynold Embercrest."

Everyone's attention shifted to Reynold. The elderly woman gestured for the others to step back, saying, "Give them some space."

Mystic Elderblaze spoke, "Show respect. Let's all move to the far end of the room and let them have their conversation."

"But she's my mother," the king protested.

"Step back; I believe we should heed Mystic Elderblaze. He has chosen Reynold," the queen intervened.

The king tried to speak but closed his mouth, as if holding back words. All present moved to the far end, leaving Reynold in the center. Andromeda whispered, "Rey... Reynold."

"Yes, Grandma," Reynold Embercrest replied.

Andromeda, appearing more frail, gestured towards a blue locket around her neck. "Take it. It will be needed," she said in a peculiar voice.

Reynold hesitated, "But this is yours."

"You will understand its importance. Do not give it to anyone; it is crucial. Do not give it to anyone," Andromeda stressed, her hand unusually warm.

"Rey... Rey," Andromeda was saying something. Reynold held her hand. The king and queen approached from the other side of the bed, looking at Andromeda's aged face.

Everyone knew that whatever was about to be said would be the last words.

"Will you stay with us? Will you always stay with me?" Reynold Embercrest asked, tears streaming from his eyes.

The queen and king looked at each other and then immediately turned their gaze towards Andromeda.

"Always!" Andromeda uttered, and a few seconds later, the hand in Prince Reynold's grip went limp. The queen and king both looked towards Andromeda.

She had passed away. The king looked in one direction and immediately rested his head on his wife's shoulders. The queen stood there, and she covered her face with her transparent garment.

"Grandma!" The prince exclaimed loudly, placing his head on the bed and crying. Everyone around him began to weep, and the sound of sorrow echoed through the room.

"Mystic Elderblaze and King, I believe an announcement should be made in the kingdom," both women standing side by side, their faces still covered, spoke simultaneously.

"Ye yes," tears welled up in the queen's eyes as she comforted them. Mystic Elderblaze had left the room to inform the entire kingdom that their queen, Andromeda, was no longer in this world.

For a moment, Queen and King had left the room, urging Prince to join them. However, he insisted on lingering a bit longer. Prince stood up and sat on a chair, still holding the blue locket in his hand. His wet eyes gazed at the locket, contemplating its significance, a gift from his grandmother.

Suddenly, a sweet melody reached his ears, originating from the locket. Intrigued, he held it closer and began listening to the lyrics: "Always we are always help you, always our pure soul always says." Unfortunately, he couldn't catch the last words as the King entered at that precise moment.

"Reynold Embercrest, it's time for you to leave; you must respect our customs and traditions."

"Alright, I'm coming," Reynold Embercrest replied, leaving the room. As he stepped out, he noticed the King had preceded him. When Prince followed, the room had transformed into white marble.

Moving forward, he reached the grand tower named Andromeda. Observing the kingdom on the way, he saw people engaged in conversations. Upon entering the tower, he discovered a room at its peak with an open sky. Inside, there was a spherical chamber adorned with a large portrait of Queen Andromeda.

Standing by the window, he observed the outside for a while before proceeding further into the grand tower. Inside, there were two towers – one with closed rooms and the other open. The open tower held a vast pedestal displaying symbols of love. Four photos were placed on it, but one noteworthy change was the absence of Queen Andromeda's image.

To provide context, in this tradition, when someone passes away, a royal woman covers her head with a transparent cloth, while a non-royal woman conceals her face with a black cloth. In the stand, one photo was missing, as Queen Andromeda had passed away, leaving only three photos of the royal lineage.

He continued standing there, observing the scenery outside.

Standing there, he felt a lingering thirst in his eyes, but he forcefully reminded himself, "I'm 17 now. My kingdom relies on me after My Father. I can't afford to indulge in too much sorrow." The responsibility weighed on him. Thoughts crossed his mind about the mysterious song playing, but he chose not to dwell on it.

He spent a considerable time observing the outside view. Below the tower, there was a palace nestled in the mountains, and further down, a commoner's house. A massive mountain stood in front, with the sun slowly setting behind it.

To Be Continue....