The King is a Woman (Crepusculum)

Chapter 3: Ignited

Chapter 3: Ignited

1599: The Tenth Year of Dominato XIII's Reign

PAST

Duke Janro shut the door quietly from behind. He had arrived, seeing the depressing scene before him. Travelling from the North from his House Leonis, it had taken him days. He was patiently waiting for good news, especially when Kazuo sent him a letter of celebration.

He lied. He had received the news from Lord Mazuya, who was staying at the capital at that time. Mazuya had welcomed him with such tormenting news. He passed on the word from Kazuo: "Celebrate Kanaise's reign."

"Your Majesty?" He crumbled on the floor. Duke Janro found it hard to even utter a word. Janro had been more than a subject to Kazuo; he was a surrogate father. He had held the infant prince in his arms, watched him grow into a capable leader, and vowed to support him in fulfilling the Dominatos' legacy.

And now that Kazuo had achieved his first success, and his path was just about to go as well as planned...

"Your Majesty...I am too late." He bowed deeply in front of Kazuo's dead body until his lips touched the ground, doing it ten times, a practice only given to those worthy of ultimate respect. While he did so, the tears escaped away from him.

They both remained silent for what felt like hours, the only sound was the soft weeping of the candle.

"Do you understand what this means, Your Highness?" Duke Janro asked.

Kanaise was staring mindlessly at Kazuo's sleeping face.

"Your Highness?" He called for her attention once again.

"I am not going to take Kazuo's place. Find someone else to fill in."

"But Your Highness—"

"I wish to be left alone and mourn his death. Why are you still here, Duke Janro, and not informing everyone else? Why did you give orders for his body to be still exposed even though it has already been a whole day since he...he is..." She could not say it out aloud. Yet his cold corpse repeatedly forced her to admit what she had been denying for hours.

"This..." Duke Janro sighed, his eyes teary. "We cannot let them know for now. It would cause an upheaval. At the very least we have a month's time to gather our forces before we can share this to everyone."

"A month's time? Lord Janro, do you wish for my brother's body to decompose in his royal bed? To strip him of his dignity?"

Duke Janro responded calmly, "Your Highness, King Kazuo had specific wishes in this matter. His sudden demise demands discretion. We must reconnect with our allies and secure your position as the rightful heir."

Kanaise was incensed. "Plan? My brother has just died, and you speak of plans for the throne?"

Undeterred, Janro continued, "Much must be done, Your Highness. Securing your claim to the throne is extremely important. We must act swiftly. For now, King Kazuo's burial must remain discreet."

Reaching into his sleeve, he produced a small vial. His eyes held a cold intensity as he regarded Kanaise. "Furthermore, there are threats to our security."

Kanaise was horrified. "Duke Janro, do you propose the murder of my sister-in-law?"

"It is an unfortunate reality of our world," Janro replied coldly. "A queen consort without an heir is a vulnerable queen...and not much of use. Such actions are not uncommon in these circumstances."

Kanaise was aghast. "But she carries my brother's child!"

"And so? The child will be born dead then."