After four days of rushing journey, Crown Prince Arin was finally back to the capital of Qalagon with Antony. The moment they were on the vast palace ground, the Crown Prince gets off his horse and rushed inside the main palace.
Soon enough, he entered his father's chamber where he saw the King lying on the bed. Queen Lorey was also sitting beside the bed with a worried sick expression. Arin knew that the Queen was also the most sincere whenever his father was concerned. So, he had no doubt in her.
Arin hurried to his father's side and when Queen Lorey saw him, her relief was more than evident. Then she turned to her husband with a smile and said, "Look, Your Majesty. The Crown Prince is here."
At the mention of his elder son, King Regan's illness stricken face brightened up a bit. There was a little smile on his face when he saw Arin who crouched down beside his bed and holds his hand.
"I'm here, Father. What happened to you?" Arin Helev asked with concern written all over his face. He knew about his father's chronic illness but it was never serious enough to keep him in bed. Everything started when his mother was forced to leave years ago. That took quite a toll on his father's health.
Now, he somehow understood his father. How hard would it be for him to lose the woman he loved that way! His father might be dying on the inside each day for failing to protect his mother!
"Just the same old illness," King Regan replied in a voice that was barely above a whisper. "Don't worry too much, son," he added, still trying his best to reassure his worried son.
As he didn't buy his father's words, the Crown Prince shifted his gaze to the Queen. "How long has my father been like this? What did the doctor say?" he asked.
"It's been a week. I found him collapsing on the floor in his meeting room," Queen Lorey informed Arin Helev with a sigh. "The royal doctor said that he shouldn't tire out himself, be it his body or mind. His illness drained his strength a lot but he should have complete rest until he is fit enough to work on regaining his strength."
While the Crown Prince wondered about the Queen's response with a troubled face, he heard his father calling him.
"Arin," the King murmured in a tired voice. "Do you cut short your journey because of me?"
"It's fine, Father," Arin Helev promptly said. "This is about your health and it's more urgent."
Though the King was lying sick, he didn't stop worrying about his firstborn son. After all, he knew his son's purpose for going to Jerivia while it was too risky.
Of course, he wished for his son's happiness. He was convinced that as long as his son managed to get his lover back, he would accept her even if she was the Masked Commander. He didn't want his son to suffer the same fate as him. He was willing to defend his son even if the officials didn't accept his decision.
Later, the Queen walked out of the room to give them some privacy and Arin sat beside his father's bed.
"Is there an improvement on your journey?" the King asked his son with a low voice that had become his usual tone.
"There is," Arin replied. "I only have to cut all the obstacles from its roots." He paused and recalled how much his father protested against his journey, all because he worried for his safety. He even wondered if that was what triggered his father's illness. No, right?
"I'm glad that you understand my wish to win her back, Father," he muttered after remaining silent for a while. "It won't be easy."
King Regan Helev gently shook his head with a little smile. "I will never stop you from chasing your happiness. I won't be able to face your mother in the afterlife if I did that." King Regan made a deliberate paused and when he closed his eyes, sadness sank inside him. "I'm already ashamed enough."
Arin was reminded of his brief conversation with his mother before she left the palace. Then he said, "Mother never blames you, Father. Instead, she even asked me not to hate you. She wants me to understand you."
"I know," King Regan mumbled. "That's why I feel more ashamed even now. If she hates me, it will be better."
"Don't torment yourself anymore," Arin Helev muttered in an assuring tone. "I now know how hard it must be for you. I'm sorry for being cold to you all those years."
King Regan quietly stared at his son before he slightly smiled. "No matter how disappointed you are, you never disrespect me. I never expect you to follow my orders but you always did. I know you try hard for that."
"You're my father and also the King," Arin explained. "It's only right of me to do that."
For a while, complete silence fell upon the King's chamber. The Crown Prince did nothing but stared at his father who seemed to be lost in his thoughts. It even made him wonder what his father was thinking! Then...
"I plan to abdicate and pass on the throne to you."
Arin Helev blinked, wondering if he even heard it right!
Abdication?! That's absurd!
"That makes no sense, Father," he argued. "You're still young and even if you are sick now, you will recover in no time."
"It's not just my sickness, Arin," King Regan muttered. His gaze shifted to the windows far away in the right. "I'm tired. I wish to rest in the South Palace and spend a quiet time there."
"You can take a rest," the Crown Prince promptly said. "I can act as the Regent for the time being," he proposed.
Why must he sit on the throne while his father was still alive? He never wanted that!
"That won't be good," the King said. "The throne need stability."
If only he wasn't the King! This was what King Regan used to think in the past years. He will never have to give up on the woman he loved. Whenever he thought about that incident, it still pained him and shredded his heart to pieces!
Now, he had a capable son who will be many times greater than him. He had no reason to prolong his tenure.
"I'm only 22, Father," Arin still protested. "I'm too young to rule."
"I'm already the King when I was your age, Arin," the father refuted his reason, much more of an excuse. A silly excuse.
Arin Helev finds himself at his wit ends. However, he didn't want to be the King while his father was still with him. Never.
"You should know that this is the best decision, son," the King said, trying to persuade his son with his low and tired voice. "I'm sure that you will be able to lead our Qalagon to a whole new level."
"But -"
"I already make up my mind," King Regan said. Despite being lying sick on the bed, he still had a royal and authoritative aura with him. "I will also convince the officials and once the preparations are done, you will take over the throne."
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