Cost of the Crown (UNREVISED VERSION)

Saffron

"Want to take a seat?" Cedric asked. "So you don't have to walk through the whole thing, your memories could be so many."

"Heh... Sure." Feliz chuckled. Suddenly, two thrones appeared behind them. "How did you do that?"

"This is my door in the afterlife... Only royals can do this because when others die, they go to the land of the remembered then when they die the final death, they are turned back into ashes in the land of the forgotten." Cedric explained.

"How come only we can do this? We will always be remembered since our names are etched into history. So there is no way we'll go to the land of the forgotten. Anyway, take a seat and we will look into gold."

They both took their seats as the thrones took them to the golden memory. It was a bright morning and the princess was getting ready. When she left the room, the atmosphere was rather gloomy and depressing. Lady Clara was crying as she was on the floor, holding a letter on her right hand.

"I'm so sorry Lady Clara..." The messenger said before leaving.

Maria ran towards Lady Clara to comfort her. She hugged the woman then told her that everything will be alright. "Why are you crying Lady Clara?"

"Your mother..." Lady Clara was speechless as she bawled.

Maria got a glimpse of what was in the letter. It made her cry instantly. She slowly let go of Lady Clara then she ran towards her brother's room as she cried. Not far behind was Lady Clara who was wiping her tears away.

"Prince Cedric?" Lady Clara called.

"H-hng?" He replied, obviously still sleeping.

"Cedric!!!" Maria called out.

"Y-yeah! I'm up." He said, still having his face flat on his desk.

"Cedric!" Maria continued.

He fell off his chair, still feeling drowsy. He stood up and wobbled his way to the door.

"Coming..." He yawned. When he opened the door, his sleepiness was erased by the sight of a maid with his crying sister.

"Cedric!" His sister yelled as she cried on her brother's trousers.

"Maria... What happened?" He asked.

"Mom... She won..." She cried.

"Then why are you crying?" He replied.

"We won... Exchange for mom's life..." She cried more.

He felt his heart skip a beat as a heart string broke. He could feel the shock swallowing him as he sees red flashing before him.

"Prince Cedric... What did you see?" Lady Clara asked as she approached Cedric.

"I-I... I... I see... nothing b-but r-r-red..." He stuttered as he held his sister in his arms.

"Ugh... Knew it... Prince Cedric, you must take the throne before the dukes and duchesses knew of the loss." Lady Clara said as she held him by the shoulder.

"Lady Clara... I will take the throne after three months. On my birthday, the 27th of December, I will rule this kingdom." Cedric said with conviction.

"Yes, my king." Lady Clara curtseyed then left to prepare.

"Maria, get dressed, we will visit the town." He told his sister.

Maria wiped her tears then was escorted into her room. As for Cedric, he silently cried as he prepared himself to visit the town.

In Maria's room, she smiled to hide her sorrows. A group of shadows following her as she took every step.