Royal Flower

Chapter Twenty Five

Five days passed without much disturbances. The Azaleas had not left the palace grounds, and the Red Phoenixes were fairly quiet.

Chase exited a tavern in the Azalea citadels. When he got too bored of the forest, he usually got something to eat or drink at a tavern. As long as he didn't reveal his claws, no one knew that he was an assassin.

He was about to head back to the forest to take a nap, but he then picked up Aster's voice from the Azalea balcony.

"Crow!" Aster called. "My cousins, Rose and Lily, have recently told me that assassins have enhanced hearing, so I hope you can hear me from wherever you are."

Chase narrowed his eyes as he hurriedly walked around the corner to face Aster standing on the main balcony, his golden crown perched on his head.

There was a small crowd gathered near the balcony, not as big of a crowd as other times as it was around noon, but still an audience. Street vendors also looked up in attention. This was the first time Aster had addressed Crow directly from the balcony, and people were obviously curious.

Chase saw Aster straighten himself, perhaps trying not to appear too nervous. Aster then continued. "It has recently come to my attention that my mother and Aunt Flora have wronged you. I am ashamed of what they did, and I understand why you killed them. If you didn't kill Aunt Marguerite as well, I would have pardoned you from execution." Chase raised his eyebrows curiously. He wasn't expecting Aster to say what he just did. His thoughts were interrupted when Aster resumed speaking. "However, if you show me some consistent form of proof that your actions from now are for the good of this kingdom, I will consider pardoning you." Chase widened his eyes, not sure if he heard Aster correctly. He then heard a few surprised gasps from the citizens who were listening. "I have discussed this with my cousins. Despite some of their disapproval, this is my decision. I have noticed that you have been fairly quiet, and I hope that means that you don't intend to kill my cousins and me anymore. If that is truly the case, then I am willing to give you the chance to prove to me that you deserve to be pardoned." Aster nodded his head to himself. "That is all," he ended curtly before retreating back inside.

A fair amount of loud claps resounded from the people. Chase was frozen, speechless from hearing Aster's proclamation. He honestly wasn't expecting Aster to give him the benefit of the doubt after Amaryllis died. To know that Aster was willing to consider pardoning him from execution felt... good.

Then again, he somehow knows now that his own mother killed my family. Chase thought, staring into the distance longingly.

He then heard a few voices from the nearby crowd of people.

"Thank goodness King Aster has decided to give Crow a chance," one middle age woman exclaimed with relief.

Another elderly woman talking with her nodded in agreement. "My sister lives in the lower towns. After what Flora and Amaryllis did to this kingdom, I am grateful that King Aster is now on the throne. Bless Crow for giving us a better king."

Chase opened his mouth slightly, surprised that people saw him as some sort of savior. If anything, he didn't consider himself as a good person, much less a hero.

A group of teenagers then walked past him, talking excitedly.

"Hey! Are you going to King Aster and Princess Acacia's birthday party tomorrow?" one boy asked his friend, nudging her shoulder.

Birthday party? Another one? Chase's eyes lit up curiously as he found himself eavesdropping on their conversation.

"Of course!" another girl replied. "It's going to be awesome. Two birthdays in one party means two big cakes."