Morning Comes For The Faraway Sun

The moon casts it's radiant light to the flowers of the royal castle's flower garden.

…I say flower garden, but it's really more like our lawn.

The flowers seemed to glow as it bathes in the moon's brilliant light.

An unexpected wind blows, reminding me of my being here.

The king, my father, walks through the stone paving with poise and confidence. His gaze was forward, straight ahead without any unnecessary glances or unusual behavior—at least one that I know of.

Our slow walk was silent, without any unnecessary sound or conversation.

He turned around, his rugged face illuminated by the moonlight.

"About what you asked me…" my heart practically beat out of my chest at those words.

The king had never shared anything about himself to me, or anybody for that matter regarding himself. It had always been 'do this' or 'remember that'.

While I was thankful for the advice, I still wanted more. I wanted to connect with him, to be a son and not just another heir to raise should something happen to the first one. To hear him say anything regarding himself was, in a word, exhilarating.

"The rebellion in the south has been eliminated."

"What…?!" I cover my mouth immediately. "M-my apologies."

"Do not worry, I would have reacted the same should I hear that one of the biggest, most supported, and powerful faction opposing the royal family be eliminated. In fact, I did, just a couple of minutes before I bumped into you."

I was flabbergasted.

The southern rebellion faction, Misbilligen, has been a thorn in the royal family's side since the last war.

They took advantage of the royal family's weakened military to launch a coup d'état and detach itself from the government. This caused the loss of the southern towns and cities, including the mining capital of Flügelheim, Edelstein.

Ever since that happened, the royal treasury has been in the decline, resulting in higher taxes and loss of the people's support.

Every now and then I would hear my father's advisers telling him to launch an assault to the southern rebellion faction. He would always refuse, of course. We simply did not have the resources to go through such a dangerous plan.

However, now that the southern rebellion faction has been taken care of, I can only expect that the royal faction will do it's very best to make the most of such an event.

I had so many questions.

"H-how?! When?! Who?! Was it the  famous Silver Eyes party?! Sapphire Blue?! Silent Dagger?! Ending Song?! Seven Kills?! Furious Tiger?! Drowning Straw?! Finishing Blo—"

"Silence." That single word made me shut my mouth mid-sentence.

I bit my tongue…

"It was none of the groups you know, or anybody for that matter." The king's cold response made me ponder his words.

Nobody… really? Impossible! From the top of my head, I can name around 50 parties or mercenary groups that would be likely candidates. Heck, I'd even believe it if by some odd miracle all those groups managed to get along and work together to beat Misbilligen, that just shows how powerful that rebellion faction really is. Still, to think that it wasn't even one of those, or anybody I could think of. That's just… impossible…

"It is the truth." It was as if he could read my mind.

That just made it all the more complicated.

"I just heard the news recently myself, so I could not tell you who it is myself. The description was vague, almost nondescript. Apparently, the reports have been all over the place as to what the identity of the mysterious group is. From what my spies have told me, the entire event happened at the dead of midnight, starting and ending before the sun had even risen. They were gone long before my spies arrived."

"That's…" My thoughts stopped for a moment, the sudden dump of information made me a bit confused.

"So, what… some band of vigilantes just decided to raid a powerful group… for what? Some intense feeling of heroism or something? And they actually succeeded? Nonsense! Even if you're the king, that's a little…"

"I know."

"… Ridiculous."

"I know."

Silence filled the garden for seemed like an eternity. The low hum of the detection runes occupying the vacuum like space.

Awkward…

"Either way, an investigation is currently underway. We should hear from my informants soon." The king spoke clearly, a tad, almost imperceptible inkling of discomfort present in his voice.

A smile crept up my lips. I crossed my arms.

"Hmph! They better be! If I don't hear from them soon… ohhhhh, they're gonna hear from me, alright."

A mischievous grin crept up the king's lips. He placed his fist to his chest with his elbow forward and bowed.

"It shall be done, your majesty!"

""HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!""

We both laughed like two drunk men in a cheap tavern, stupid and merry.

It was at that very moment that, for the very first time, I had felt happy to be with my father.

We both sat on a nearby bench, admiring the sky. I rubbed my aching sides until I felt a pair of eyes being directed at me.

"Why did you lie to me?" His voice was low and calm, devoid of any emotion.

It was like he had detached himself from the world, except for the shadow of a mile on the corner of his lips.

I take a deep breath, preparing myself. Our slow and mentally-painful walk here had given me enough time to mull over any possible questions the king might have for me.

I face him, relaxing my facial muscles while straightening my posture.

"I want to go to the Academy."

"…"

The king stayed silent and began stroking his thick beard. As he did so, he cast his gaze downward, giving me the impression that approval might be not too far out of my reach.

"Why?" He asked quizzically.

No use lying now

"To escape." I said honestly.

He looked back down.

"… I see."

For the first time in my life, I saw what looked like sadness fill his sapphire-blue eyes.

"Yeah."

The silence came back, but not for long, it seems.

"I have conditions."

I nodded, turning my body to the well-dressed man.

"One, I want you to make friends with the attending nobles from Edelstein. Now that the country is free from Misbilligen, nobles will most likely start enrolling their heirs to the best school available in the country. The royal faction will most likely push for this, so it is practically a guarantee. I'll give Mary a list of people you should take not of."

I nodded again, doing my very best to remember each word.

"Two, you cannot, under any circumstances, cause trouble. The opposing noble factions will be watching, especially in the Academy. Just stay low and send me a letter should anything happen."

I nodded once more.

By the time the king finished speaking, the sun was already rising in the east.

"Oh, and Morgen..."

"…?!"

I quickly turn around to see an old man with a warm smile on his face.

"Have fun, son."

I smile back.

"Yes, father."