Half a heart, half a crown

F I F T Y O N E

Powerful guests surrounded me in their prominent clothes, black clothes. I watched as all eyes set hard on the the coffin that belonged to the greatest king of Emercidin. I could not help but to feel a slight ache in my heart as I remember that same crystal blue eyes.

"I am sincerely sorry for your loss."

"He was such a great king."

Comforting words that was supposed to be for others filled my ears as I watched Father King Edwards greeted with endless guests. A pang filled my chest again. This is real. He was gone.

I did not know I was holding my breath until a hand placed on mine, seeking for my eyes.

"Are you okay?" Tantalizing silver eyes stared into mine, slowly lessen the curiosity within them as he had realized that his question was not answerable.

My eyes adverted back towards the scene. As more familiar guests arrived, the more nostalgic I felt. His death did not harm me physically, in another way, it benefited me. However, his sudden gone inevitably hurt me in a way that I could not explain. It was not mentally; it was emotionally. I felt a change in my emotions, making me react more coldly. Perhaps, maybe it was because of losing the the person whom made me feel a lot like-

"It had been such a long time since I had saw you." A familiar voice cut me off, extending out his wrinkly hand towards me.

"King Edwards." I nodded, taking his hand.

He held my hand for longer than should before letting it go. A hand snaked around my waist pulling me closer to King Devilon. I watched as his eyes followed this movement. His feeling for me did not change.

Before anymore interaction happen, princess Angelica's soft voice rang my ears, "Devilon."

She spoke out his name informally, in a way she knew I am listening. This had not caught King Edwards' attention but it surely does caught King Devilon's attention. I could see a slight change in his expression as if his eyes had filled with longing. It does not surprised me that he had missed her, alot.

Her rosy lips formed into a smile, showing her pearly white teeth. For a moment, I knew his heart had skipped a beat.

"Magnificent." my attention had turned back to King Edwards, "I need to talk to you."

Without hesitation, I nodded, leaving the two old lovers behind, hopefully fast enough before King Devilon could stop me.

We had walked towards the outside of the palace, far away from the crowds. Father King Edwards had definitely aged: the silver strands in his hair multiply; the wrinkles in his forehead and around his eyes enhanced, and the dimness in his eyes. Although he had aged, he still looked handsome, just like King Antonio.

"I see you examined me." he smiled, "do you think I aged?"

I took a moment to absorbed his words, "I don't have to think. You had aged between all these years."

He chuckled lightly and gave me another smile, "you had definitely did not change."

I nodded not knowing what else to say.

"I had brought you here to ask you a few questions." he stated.

Obviously, that few questions were not suitable for others to hear.

"I have a favor to ask you too."

He nodded but I gestured for him to go first.

"Tell me, did you ask Rosemary to kill my son?"