The Flower Of Eternity
Chapter 5: The Grief

Wisteria Palace, Oeste, Westeria

When Anna woke up the next day, the first thing that came to her mind was Alexis.

He couldn't sleep quietly all night because he kept thinking about Alexis— where his sister was and whether she was okay. And although Xavier did not come to see him last night because of the Montreux affair, Xavier continued to convince Anna through their channels that Anna would be the first to know about Alexis' condition from Leon. Anna should have calmed down because of Xavier's words, but Anna couldn't lie to herself. His premonition said that Leon would pass on the sad news to him.

Anna has died her father and mother. Anna had already felt the profound sorrow of the death of her parents. Other sad news, if it is coming, should be able to be handled with more spacious chest even though it remains equally painful. Anna knew that all who lived would die. But the deaths of those he cared about continued to occur around him. And he didn't want to imagine who else could lose his life.

Her premonition was justified when Queen Eugene came to her that morning after breakfast in the right-wing dining room of the Wisteria Palace that she occupied.

"Have you finished breakfast, Queen Anastasia?" Eugene asked, accompanied by her husband, Prince Jeffrey. Her voice was so calm that Anna almost believed that Eugene's arrival was meant for nothing but to greet him. But seeing Eugene come accompanied by her husband, Anna was sure that there was something serious she wanted to say.

Anna immediately stood up to greet them. "Thank you so much for this amazingly delicious breakfast, Queen Eugene."

Anna then observed the apparent uneasiness on the Westeria Queen's face. Queen Eugene clasped her husband's hand tightly and lowered her gaze to the floor.

"Tell him." Prince Jeffrey said very quietly to Queen Eugene using that Westernia. The Queen agreed.

"Queen Anastasia..." He began, "There's a guest who'd like to see you if you'd like."

Anna doesn't have to ask. He already knows. The guest in question is Leon. In accordance with Xavier's words, Leon will update him regarding the conditions in Schere and the condition of his brother. But as Leon enters the room, Anna sees the look on his face and the man's eye bags, and how pale his skin is as if Leon hasn't slept in the least since the wedding day, Anna knew she couldn't expect good news.

"Your Majesty..." Leon started. Her voice was much slower and softer than usual, as if not so, her words could stab Anna. "I'll take you to Schere."

"Alexis?" Ask Anna. His voice trembled and he could not stand up to hear Leon's reply. "You found him? Where's my sister?"

Leon seemed to hold back his tears. "His Royal Highness Prince Alexis has passed away."

...****************...

Prince Alexis' funeral was held at Schere. That morning all the nobles, both from Schiereiland and from Nordhalbinsel came to the funeral of the former King Schiereiland. Several guest representatives from Westeria and Orient also came to— including Queen Eugene, Prince Jeffrey and some Orient Minister who had met with Alexis when he was still King. Anna could not identify their faces one by one because her eyes were blurry due to her tears that did not stop flowing. But one thing he knew clearly, Xavier didn't come, didn't even say anything to him that morning.

Where are you? Ask Anna. Why didn't you come? I need you now more than anyone.

But there was no answer from Xavier.

Anna tried to keep receiving condolences from the various guests present at the funeral despite her inner scream and want to cry over her sister's death. He must remain strong, as Alexis tried to stay strong during their mother's death ceremony. Anna realized how difficult it was, but Alexis got through it well. He only realized how his sister had been trying to become a good King despite failing because of the bad influences of Luna and some nobles who wanted to take advantage of the young King.

That afternoon, after delivering her speech while exerting all her efforts to refrain from falling on the podium, Anna approached Leon who had just spoken to one of the members of the Wolf army.

From a distance Anna could still hear what Leon had said to one of the young wolves before actually leaving, "You can go. Gather all the wolves and get ready. I'll tell the Queen."

Leon was as sad as Anna, of course. Alexis is like her own sister. Although Leon refuses to show his sadness, Anna knows Leon is also grieving. Even though Alexis was not close to him, losing one of the family members he had been living with since the day of his birth, could not make anyone manage to hide his sadness. Even a Leon.

"Has Xavier been told?" Ask Anna to Leon.

Leon just nodded briefly. But from her gaze, Anna instantly knew that there was something she did not want to say.

"Then why didn't Xavier come?" Anna asked again, trying to lure the words out of Leon's mouth who was still reluctant to say anything to her.

Leon did not answer. As if whatever answer he was going to give, he better keep it a secret.

"Leon, answer me." Ask Anna, "Why didn't she come?"

"Your Majesty..." Said Leon. He was about to open his mouth again to say something, but was soon undone. "No."

"What do you want to say?" Ask Anna.

Leon placed both his hands on Anna's shoulders. The thing she shouldn't have done in public because after all, Anna was a Queen. They should be formal in public. Anna knew Leon was about to hug her as he used to do since they were children, but considering their position, who they are today and the current atmosphere, Leon lowered his intentions. That's where Anna knew something was wrong.

"Why?" Anna asked again as Leon seemed to have trouble speaking.

"Xavier's... Sire King... She's..." Leon wanted to continue his words, but he kept quiet again.

Anna's feelings aren't good.

Xavier's? Anna called. But there's still no answer.

"Xavier why? Say it!" Anna started to panic.

Xavier's? My darling? Please answer me. Please answer me...

Silent. No voice answered him.

Anna glanced towards the ruby jewel ring on her finger. Their wedding ring that Xavier gave when they got married in Orient on the night of a thousand stars. It wasn't just the wedding ring that Xavier gave her, it wasn't just a royal treasure and her promise, it was her heart and her life that she gave up entirely on Anna. Anna was so late in her grief over her sister's death that she didn't realize that the heart of the fire dragon on the ring hadn't been beating. The ring felt cold and silent.

Not yet dried up Anna's tears due to the death of her sister, now the tears are back flowing in a different name.

"Leon! Tell me what happened to Xavier!"

...****************...

A few hours earlier...

Xavier knew he should have gone to Schere soon to attend his sister-in-law's funeral after one of the wolves Leon sent broke the news. But that morning, Commander Xing, as well as some nobles and ministers from the Orient who had come as representatives before the Emperor and Empress Orient had come for the signing of the peace pact, requested to meet with him. A large meeting that morning was held to discuss a change of plans regarding the arrival of the Emperor and Empress Orient after the bombings of Schere and Montreux.

The Orient delegation stated that Nordhalbinsel was insecure and unstable for the coming of their Emperor and Empress, xavier himself assured that this should not be a reason for Orient to retreat peace between them. Xavier had suspected that the bombing might have been the work of Orient people who did not want peace if it was not the actions of the Orient Emperor himself.

"My Queen and I can come to the Orient if the Emperor and Empress are not willing." Xavier said after Minister Jiang outlined the reasons why the peace agreement should be postponed.

"And put Orient in danger?" Grunts Commander Xing Yin Zhao who is the elder brother of one of the dragon trackers, Xing Yi Zhuo.

"Why can the Orient be in danger just because of our arrival which is in good faith?"

"Whoever hit the bombs in Montreux and Schere, they must be your enemy. Letting you enter the Orient is tantamount to letting your enemies destroy the Orient." Said Prince Yuza who was the younger brother of Emperor Haru.

"Whoever..." Xavier smiled cynically. "You sure you don't know, Prince?"

"I'm sure that whatever you're about to accuse is simply not true." Prince Yuza said calmly.

"What am I going to accuse, and what kind of accusation is it that makes you so sure I'm going to say?" Xavier cast a sharp glare at the Orient Prince. Irene who was sitting beside him as the Queen's representative could only hold back the anger by clenching her hand on the side, close to her sword. "What a strange coincidence, right? Montreux which is where your Empress stayed while in Nordhalbinsel. As well as Schere, who was the capital of Schiereiland, where my sister-in-law, Prince Alexis, who was previously King of Schiereiland, had made a trade deal with Empress Dowager Reina. Of the entire region, only the two major cities were bombed. I wonder what the Emperor thinks of this."

Commander Xing kicked the table, making everyone look at him in surprise, but Xavier smiled calmly at him.

"You're accusing us!" Commander Xing let his anger overflow. But Minister Jiang beside him held his hand, gesturing to remain seated quietly.

"Pardon our Commander, Your Majesty. I'm sure it doesn't mean that. And I'm also pretty sure that the intelligent and insightful of you are well aware that the allegations are based on nothing but sheer suspicion." Minister Jiang took over the talks. His attitude was much calmer than the other two.

Xavier nodded briefly. "I have not made any accusations against Orient." he said. He then stopped for a moment. His breathing seemed breathless, but he finally continued his words, "unless there is evidence."

Xavier hinted something at one of his guards who understood immediately and went out of the room. As everyone seemed to be wondering and noticing the departure of one of the King's bodyguards, Xavier lowered his head and clutched his chest, adjusting his breathing and closing his eyes. He bit his own lips to hold back from screaming in pain. Irene, beside him, noticed the gurgle.

Since before he entered the meeting room that morning, Xavier had indeed felt the poison attack again. But because he thought he could handle it, he did not delay the meeting. Especially because the meeting with the Orient delegation that morning was very important for the continuation of their peace.

Apparently the assumption is wrong. The pain is getting worse and worse. It was even worse than the last time he had seen Eleanor. The pain is more and more frequent and more unbearable.

"What's wrong?" Whisper Irene.

Xavier. "It's nothing" she said with a soothing smile at her mother. But even Irene can tell her son is lying. From his paled skin, his blackish veins that began to stand out in the arms, as well as sweat spots on his temples.

"And is there any evidence, Sire?" Minister Jiang asked, seemingly noticing the change in Xavier. Minister Jiang and Commander Xing who were sitting beside him exchanged glances.

"Nothing is now." Xavier said, as much as possible to keep each word sound calm as if he was okay. In it, he was struggling against the excruciating pain as the poison was attacking him again. "But we found something interesting during my sister's visit to the Orient." Further.

"Your sister?" Minister Jiang asked to make sure, just to buy time because he knew there was something strange about the Northern King. If Minister Jiang managed to buy more and more time, he was confident that he would see evidence of the rumors he had heard about the Northern King's illness.

"Prince Ludwig who had previously succeeded my duties."

"As long as you're sick and shut yourself in your room for months?" Prince Yuza added. He grinned as he watched Xavier frown and hold onto his heart, enduring the pain as it exploded inside his body.

"The king is not sick." Irene's repugnance that couldn't stand her son being cornered, "She was just exhausted from her duties. I think that's the usual thing experienced by the leaders of—“

"Why is there a woman who is speaking at a meeting that should only be attended by these men?" prince Yuza's gaze looked down on Irene.

"Don't talk to my mom like that!"

"But it seems like His Majesty looked pale today. Should we retreat today's meeting and postpone the coming of the Emperor and Empress?" Ask Commander Xing.

"Nobody will be pushed back. The meeting will be concluded today and the Emperor cannot cancel his plans to come this weekend!" Xavier.

But just at that moment, Xavier spewed an awful lot of thick black-colored blood onto the table, then fell out of his chair.

I don't want to die yet. O Goddess of Heaven, please not now. By then, the pain had already taken hold of him and everyone in the room started screaming in panic. But Xavier was unable to do anything as slowly his breath began to be taken away from him. All he could do was pray.

I haven't said good-bye to him. I haven't even seen him today. I still want to live with him. I want to see our son born and grow up. I want to keep my promises to him. Anna is deeply saddened by her sister's death today. I can't die right now. Anna needs me to be by her side at times like this. Please let me live...

As darkness begins to take over her world, as life begins to walk away from her, the last thing that comes to her mind is the woman she loved both in her past life and in her present life.

Please... Give me another chance. I don't want to leave him like this.

His skin was very pale and cold, his blood vessels were black and visible up to his face. His eyes closed tightly and he could not detect his breathing. Irene called the Palace doctor who quickly came and examined the King.

"I can't feel his pulse." The doctor said in a panic. His hands trembled when he realized that the King's skin was extremely cold. He then lowered his head, bringing his ears closer to the King's chest to listen for his heartbeat.

Irene waited impatiently. And as the Doctor turned away from the King, shaking his head in tears and tears, his cries exploded.

...****************...