My Condolences

(At the Earth kingdom)

"We've arrived." Antonio looked at the man standing beside him.

"Where is he?" Sebastian asked.

"Upstairs."

When they went in the king's bedroom, Valentina introduced Sebastian.

The king looked at Sebastian and smiled. "Mateo, you're all so grown up now."

Sebastian greeted, "Hello, father."

"It's been twenty years. You haven't changed."

"I've been raised in the Water kingdom."

"I know, you were really intended to be there."

Sebastian then asked why he abandoned him. The king looked at him and told him that he just wanted him to have a peaceful life.

"By throwing me away?" Sebastian clenched his fist.

"Mateo, don't be rude," Valentina interrupted.

The king sighed, "It's because your mother wanted to kill you."

Valentina responded, "Father—"

"Valentina, he deserves to know," the king interrupted.

"So you've been lying to me?" the prince asked the couple.

Antonio said, "No, we did—"

"They lied to you because of me. I wasn't ready to let you know," the king interrupted.

"Then give me an explanation," Sebastian demanded.

The king then told him that around twenty three years ago, Sebastian's biological mother gave birth to him. When he was born, everyone in the castle adored the little boy except her. Until one day, the king saw his wife, holding a dagger.

Valentina replied, "She killed you..."

The king looked at the window beside him. "A few days after you were killed, Valentina and I secretly went to get your dead body and brought it to a sorcerer. We told him that we would do anything as long as he could revive you and he did."

"So all this time, mother thought I was dead?" the prince asked.

"Yes," Valentina answered.

"Could I at least know why she hated me?"

"She hated you because of your eyes."

"What's wrong with me eyes then?" the prince folded his arms.

"It reminded her of her dead father who killed her loving mother," Valentina answered.

"I see. Then I apologize for misunderstanding you."

Antonio apologized, "It's fine. We are sorry for lying to you too."

"Now that we've got this cleared up, would you care to explain who really is the king and queen of this kingdom?" Sebastian responded.

"I'm the king of the Earth kingdom, while Valentina is the queen."

"Then why are there two kings?"

"Father isn't king anymore. We just call him that for respect."

Sebastian asked, "So you mean you and Valentina are the rulers of the Earth and Wind kingdom?"

"Yes, we rule two kingdoms."

"Why not one?"

Before Antonio could even answer, Valentina suddenly shouted for help because the king wasn't breathing. When the royal doctor came in and tried to revive him, it wasn't successful. It was too late.

"Isn't there any other way?" Valentina cried.

The doctor replied, "I'm sorry, your majesty. There isn't."

"Valentina, at least he was able to meet Mateo," Antonio patted Valentina's shoulder.

Valentina fell to her knees. "I wasn't even ready yet!"

"You seem to love father very much," said Sebastian.

"Why wouldn't I? He's been taking care of me all my life!"

Antonio then pulled Valentina into a hug and told her to stay strong for Gabriel.

Valentina responded, "This is too sudden."

"It's not the end of the world."

"Mother treated me like a peasant my whole life, but father always treated me like a princess."

"I'm sorry for your loss. I think I should leave now. This isn't the right time for me to be here." Sebastian started walking away.

"No! You are not leaving this castle! You are going to attend his funeral with us!" Valentina shouted.

"Why should I?" the prince asked.

"He is your father," Antonio replied.

"He wasn't the one who raised me."

Valentina bowed. "Sebastian, please."

Antonio added, "It'll also help alleviate Valentina's pain."

"Why would that be?" Sebastian asked.

"She's been looking for you all her life and your just gonna leave like that?"

"Is that what she really wants then?"

"Yes," Valentina replied.

"Then I guess that's the least I can do," Sebastian responded.

A few weeks later...

"Wear black," Antonio began.

"Why should I?" Sebastian folded his arms.

"Who wears red at a funeral?"

"I don't have any black shirt."

"There's one in your closet."

The prince then told Antonio that he wanted to go back to the Water kingdom because he has been gone for two weeks.

"Why not? Isn't the Earth kingdom great?" Antonio smiled.

Sebastian rolled his eyes. "Just go back to the Wind kingdom so that I could also go back to mine."

"Mateo, you should understand your sister. You don't know how glad she was when we found you."

"Whatever. I'll think about it," Sebastian said as he wore the black shirt.

Half an hour later, they proceeded to the cremation area.

"Your late," Valentina began.

Sebastian apologized, "Sorry, I had a hard time picking what to wear."

"Has he been cremated?" Antonio looked at the woman sitting beside him.

Valentina cried, "Yes, It really hurts to see him..."

Antonio then told her not to worry because at least her father wasn't suffering anymore. Imagine if her was still alive. Then he'll have to suffer for a long time.

Valentina smiled. "You're right. I hope I'll be able to repay his kindness in the second life."