“We have a great candidate, right here.” Rook grinned. “A cunning man. A potent fighter. He knows how corrupt the nobles are, so they can’t take him by surprise... Besides, he’s completely charmed by the prince. You know the poor black dog I’m talking about?”
Rook was talking about Shadow Fang, the intruder Herscherik had called Kuro. When guarding Herscherik from the shadows, Rook had seen the man countless times. While he seemed to always remain emotionless, Rook had sensed a shift in his attitude when he spoke with Herscherik. When doing so, Kuro almost seemed like a loyal dog speaking to his master. Rook had imagined that if Kuro had a tail, it would be vigorously wagging back and forth each time he spoke with the prince.
Solye’s frown reappeared. “That’s my son you’re talking about like he’s some kind of siren.”
“No, the prince is much worse,” Rook said, grinning. Herscherik had pulled Kuro in by just being himself. “That lone-wolf-looking Shadow Fang fell for him in no time. Oh, the hearts your son will break...”
Rook was aware of how perilous the kidnapping had been. While he had held himself back from his sense of responsibility as Solye’s butler of service, he had felt his world turn black for a moment when he’d learned that Herscherik was kidnapped. An overwhelming sense of urgency followed the initial shock, but Rook had held himself back from going berserk like Kuro had, drawing on his years of experience among royalty. Every member of the royal family possessed an appearance that was simply on a different level from that of ordinary citizens. In fact, the best artists in the nation had always struggled to paint them. It certainly wasn’t impossible for them to charm someone solely based on their appearance. However, Herscherik had something more than mere surface beauty—a certain charisma that drew people to him. His full-fledged charm was always active, unbeknownst to Herscherik himself.
“The prince should be safe for the time being with him around. I’ll take care of it. Just leave it to me.”
“All right,” Solye conceded.
With a bow, Rook turned to exit the room. Before he opened the door, he turned back to Solye with concern in his eyes. “Are you doing okay?”
“I’m fine,” Solye feebly answered.
Nevertheless, Rook acknowledged the king’s reassurance and left the room. As he walked through the dim hallway, he recalled the words of a particular friend.
“Please, Rook. Don’t let him lose his mind.” The king’s favorite queen and Rook’s friend, nicknamed the Sunshine of the Royal Quarters, had left Rook those words on her deathbed. At the time, Rook didn’t understand half of what she meant. “Solye is so kind...” she continued, as Rook listened in confusion. “To everyone. He puts everyone else before himself... Always sacrificing... He’s always destroying himself for others.” The light in her eyes was nearly fading after giving life to Solye’s child. Still, she spoke with powerful conviction. “Solye’s kind... because he’s afraid. He has endured so much pain. That’s what’s so dangerous...”
A chill had run down Rook’s spine. Solye, the gentle king. To protect his family, he endured the disrespect and terrible reputation the nobles ascribed to him without a word of complaint. Solye was enslaved by fear that grew from having his entire family taken away when he was ten and then solidified by losing his firstborn.
Solye never intended to be king. He had brothers above him—a wise ruler and a fearless conqueror. While Solye was a competent ruler and fighter, he knew that his brothers surpassed him in both departments and had no intention of contesting that fact.
“When I grow up, I want to be a researcher so I can help my father and brother,” young Solye had confessed to Rook when he first entered the academy.
That Solye was gone. Having been thrust upon the throne through the loss of his father and brothers, Solye had, at first, fought the nobles that ruled the politics of the country with impunity. With Rook as his butler of service, along with a knight and a spellcaster, Solye had fought against the nobles both in the light of day and in the shadows, on any field necessary. Meanwhile, his First Queen, whom he had been arranged to marry for an alliance, gave birth to his First Princess. Although they hadn’t married out of any romantic feelings, Solye treated his First Queen and princess with love. When his First Queen became pregnant with his next child, tragedy struck. The mysterious diseases that had exclusively plagued royalty had taken the life of the First Princess.
After having a one-on-one conversation with the minister who came to give his condolences, Solye’s attitude completely changed. He no longer fought back against the nobles. Despite the repeated pleas of his knight and spellcaster of service, Solye remained subservient. Having lost faith in their king, both the knight and spellcaster left Solye. They had come seeking a gentle yet strong king, not a weak and feeble puppet. As Rook contemplated leaving his friend, Solye suggested to Rook that he do exactly that. This was the moment when Rook understood that Solye had chosen to try and protect the people he cared for by isolating himself and sitting on the throne all alone.
Rook resolved to never leave Solye’s side after that. Ever since that day, Rook had stood by and watched Solye rule. Just as his favorite queen had requested, he had watched Solye suffer through it all. Rook’s expression tightened at the realization.
“If Solye loses someone dear to him again...” the queen continued, “he’ll lose his mind from fear. That will break him... He’ll lose faith in everything and try to destroy this country with him... That’s how I feel.” Her words seemed like a prophecy—one that may actually be realized. “My child will keep him strong... Or torment him further. I don’t know.” The queen wore a faint smile, to ease Rook’s mind. “You’re the only one who can do it. Protect Solye for me... Stop him, if the time comes. Don’t let my beloved fall from his path...”
Entrusting her husband to his childhood friend, the queen departed this world.
Now, Rook turned back into the dark hallway, knowing that his friend was still fighting off his own fear beyond that door. The person most precious to Solye in the whole world could disappear in a single moment. That’s why Solye never let go and never crossed that final line, no matter how much torment and anguish befell him. All he could do was endure.
What if Solye crossed that line? Rook contemplated. If that were to happen, Rook would risk his life to stop his friend. That was the promise he made. For now, though, there were other things he could do. Prince Herscherik... I think you will become someone vital to the future of our country. Rook felt that Herscherik was the ray of hope his mother had left behind, at the cost of her life. That’s why he had to ensure that the prince survived. That’s why Rook had to do everything he could, before the minister caught on. Rook carried on through the darkened hallway without a sound, ready to make the first move.
After sending Rook off, Solye looked down at his hands. Irritated at the fact that they were slightly trembling, the king held his hands up to the fire. When Solye was told that Herscherik was kidnapped, he felt like he had been frozen solid. If Herscherik never returned, if the unthinkable had happened, Solye might have finally let go of his sanity.
“He’ll be with you, even when I’m gone.” Solye still vividly remembered the words his queen had said a few days after Herscherik’s birth. She had whispered them to him like a hypnotic verse. “He’ll be by your side whenever you miss me. He’ll help you.” She had smiled ever so slightly. A fleeting smile, completely in contrast from her usual vibrancy. “It’ll be all right, even after I’m gone... You’ll have him. I love you, Sol. More than anything in this world. My sweet, gentle king...” With those words, she had departed for the Garden Above. The child she had left behind grew more and more like her with age. Solye loved all of his children, but he especially adored Herscherik... perhaps from the sorrow of losing his mother.
“All children must grow up...” Solye muttered to himself.
The youngest prince, at least in mind, had already grown beyond his older siblings. Solye couldn’t help but feel a sense of bittersweet pride. In trying to protect him, maybe I didn’t realize how he was protecting me. He recalled his youngest son from earlier in the day. Herscherik had refused to give up any names, staring back at him with eyes gleaming with resolve. He was no longer a babe who could barely stand but a prince who had begun walking down the path he chose with his own steps. The only thing a parent could do now was watch and hope.
“He’s your son, after all. What am I worried about?” Solye kept telling himself. His favorite queen was a powerful woman who never succumbed to fear nor bent her will. She had always kept him on his feet when he could barely stand on his own from the fear and pressure. Her one and only child was departing on his own journey. “But...” Solye whispered, seeing that his hands had stopped trembling, “if I lose Herscherik, too...”
Solye was proud of Herscherik’s growth and wanted to support him. On the other hand, he felt the urge to lock Herscherik away so no one could hurt him. His conflicting emotions battled each other within the king. As if he was reaching for a helping hand, Solye whispered the name of the queen he loved more than anyone.