Conquering The Novel



The kingdom was shaken to its core by the announcement of the deaths of King Artemur, Queen Arabella, Prince Aretrus, and the soon-to-be-crowned King Artin. The news spread like wildfire, engulfing the hearts of the populace in shock and disbelief.

The loss of the entire royal family in one fell swoop was unfathomable, and the mystery surrounding their deaths only deepened the sense of unease.

Amidst the sorrow and confusion, an unexpected announcement added to the bewilderment. The kingdom would proceed with the planned coronation ceremony, despite the tragic loss of the previous monarch and the royal heirs.

The news sparked a flurry of questions and rumors, as the citizens grappled with the reality that there was no direct heir to inherit the throne.

Whispers echoed through the streets, as people pondered who would ascend to power in the absence of any remaining royal blood. The kingdom had always known that King Artemur had emerged victorious in a bloody struggle for the throne, a tale passed down through the centuries.

The haunting images of his coronation, drenched in the blood of his own siblings, circulated among the people, a constant reminder of the ruthless path he had taken to claim his title.

Now, with the demise of King Artemur and his sons, Ares, Aretrus, and Artin, speculation ran rampant as to who would be the next ruler.

The citizens, unaware of Ares' survival, believed that King Artemur's second son, who had been taken in as a disciple by an unknown figure during his early years, would make a grand return to claim the throne and continue the royal bloodline.

And as the rumors and speculations spread throughout the Escratia kingdom, capturing the attention and imagination of its inhabitants, the world beyond also turned its gaze toward the forthcoming coronation.

News reporters from far and wide flocked to the Escratia kingdom, eager to capture exclusive coverage of the newly crowned king and the unfolding of this significant moment in history.

The once dominant news from the past few days of the tragic incident that had occurred during the interacademy competition and Ivica's resignation as the Dean of the well-known Soreh Academy faded into the background, overshadowed by the intrigue and anticipation surrounding the impending coronation.

Amidst the swirl of speculation and media frenzy, the destiny of the kingdom and its royal bloodline hung in the balance, awaiting the revelation of the true heir and the dawn of a new era.

***

Meanwhile, as Ares was being dressed by the maids for the funeral of King Artemur, he couldn't help but feel a sense of detachment. While he didn't view King Artemur as his father, he acknowledged the late king's dedication to his kingdom and the protection of its citizens.

Despite his reservations, Ares made the decision to attend the funeral, recognizing the importance of paying his respects before his own coronation as the new king.

Just as Ares was preparing, the old woman known as the Keeper of the Kingdom entered the room, her presence commanding attention. Leaning on her trusty walking stick, she directed her gaze at Ares and questioned his choices.

"...I heard you denied media coverage and prevented the citizens from attending the funeral. Don't you think the people deserve to bid farewell to their beloved king, whom they held dear?" she inquired, her voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and concern.

Ares turned to face her, his expression resolute. "The citizens should remember King Artemur as the mighty ruler he once was, not as a feeble shell consumed by poison," he replied in a firm voice. "Allowing them to witness his deteriorated state would only stoke their anger and reveal the incompetence of those responsible for his well-being, including yourself, Keeper."

He paused for a moment, his voice laced with a tinge of frustration. "Speaking of which, I fail to comprehend your role in this kingdom. What exactly do you do, and why are you known as the Keeper?" Ares inquired, his curiosity mixing with a hint of skepticism. "...Surely, your responsibilities extend beyond caring for generations of princes and princesses. If that were the case, where were you when my second brother was taken away by some shady individual?"

The old woman held her gaze for a brief moment, her expression betraying a hint of sadness and remorse. "Your second brother was not forcibly taken from the kingdom. It was a decision made by King Artemur and Queen Arabella themselves, to groom him as a weapon, to be utilized when the kingdom deemed it necessary," she revealed, her voice tinged with regret. "As for my role and why I am known as the Keeper of the Kingdom...you will come to understand it when the time comes," she added cryptically before turning away and leaving the room.

!?

Elaine couldn't contain her annoyance and spoke out, "...So even the soon-to-be king is denied the right to know the truth about her and her purpose? I suspect she is also one of the culprits responsible for poisoning King Artemur," Elaine expressed, her frustration evident in her voice.

However, the old woman remained unfazed by Elaine's remarks, ignoring her as she made her exit from the room, leaving Ares and Elaine to ponder the mysteries surrounding her true nature and intentions.

"...."

Ares stood in the room, his mind swirling with conflicting emotions. The revelations about his second brother and the old woman's cryptic responses only added to his growing frustration. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the story, secrets buried deep within the castle's walls.

Approaching Ares, Elaine's voice filled with curiosity as she sought his thoughts on the matter. "Ares, I can see that something is bothering you. What do you make of all this? The old woman's behavior is suspicious, and the secrets surrounding your second brother raise more questions. What if he seeks revenge and targets you for the throne?" Elaine asked. 

'Hmm, maybe I should deal with him before he even reach my husband,' she pondered inwardly.

Letting out a sigh, Ares ran his hand through his hair in exasperation. "...I don't know, Elaine. It feels like everyone has their own hidden agenda, and the pieces of this puzzle just don't fit together." He struggled to understand how and why King Artemur would want to turn his own son into a weapon.

"...Moreover, I don't even know if he is still alive. And even if he is, I can't imagine he would seek revenge for the very people who wanted to use him as a weapon," Ares mumbled, grappling with the complexities of the situation.

He released another sigh, his thoughts temporarily interrupted by the sound of the door being knocked upon.

Knock— Knock

"Your Highness, it is time!" They heard the voice of a knight from outside the door, indicating that the moment had arrived for them to attend the final rites of King Artemur.

Reluctantly, Ares straightened his posture. "...Alright, let's get this over with," he muttered.

And with that, Ares and Elaine exited the room and began their procession through the corridors of the castle. The once vibrant halls were now draped in black, casting a somber atmosphere.

As they walked, the palace staff bowed their heads in respectful acknowledgment, offering condolences and silent support to their soon-to-be king. Their expressions held a mixture of sadness and uncertainty, reflecting everyone's shared grief that hung in the air.

The path to the place where King Artemur's funeral would be held was adorned with black draperies, guiding Ares and Elaine toward the final farewell.

To be continued...