We’re not going to be together forever

The news of Selah's pregnancy was not accompanied by King Tristan's improvement condition.

It's been about a week that King Tristan has been sleeping and showing no signs of waking up. Aeneas says now King Tristan's condition is beyond his control. Now they were waiting for the poison he had been drinking for years to work naturally.

"If in three days King Tristan does not wake up, the Palace will announce the news of his illness," said one of the workers in the ministry to Selah.

"Naturally, yes. Just in case and to prepare us," Selah muttered. Her head could immediately imagine the scene of Machinea later.

"Yes. Currently, the central ministry has also started preparing for Crown Prince Blair. In the past, no one doubted his position as the successor to King Tristan. But ever since Prince Aeneas married…" The man cleared his throat in embarrassment. "I do not mean-"

"No problem, just carry on," Selah said with a smile.

"Well… There have started rumors regarding His Majesty's successor. As no matter what it looked like, Prince Aeneas was one step ahead. Especially now that Crown Prince Blair… is showing no signs of choosing a new partner."

"Finally, rumors like that came around, huh?" said Selah amused.

The person let out a long breath. "That's not all. Even now, Prince Aeneas's faction has begun to emerge because the Tullia Mines are practically in his grasp."

Selah laughed at that. "How about yourself, My Lord? Who will you support?"

"Your Highness, please don't tease me."

King Tristan, who will die maybe in a matter of weeks, and Aeneas's faction starts to emerge. Selah is curious to know how Blair is currently. Is he scared? Would he overthrow Aeneas before he could mess around?

Has Blair started to notice it yet?

"I know His Majesty has been very ill for a long time. But I hope that at least his condition improves so that His Majesty can hand over the throne himself," hoped that person.

"I hope so, too," Selah said with a faint smile.

No.

Please don't get well and die there. Someone like King Tristan, who has made his wife and children miserable, doesn't deserve to live. That perverted old man doesn't deserve to be king.

"Disgusting," Selah muttered as she rubbed her wrists.

It seems that now Selah can understand Aeneas' feelings. The wound that even though it has passed many years ago, is still the same pain. And maybe even never healed.

So please die soon.

***

"So please die soon."

The loud sound of falling objects caught the attention of many people. The maids and knights on guard rushed over to the source of the sound. There, they saw Aeneas fall to his knees with blood on his temples and hands.

"Your Highness!"

"Someone! Quickly summon the healers and butler!"

Aeneas shook his head slightly, trying to regain his sight. After a while, his eyes were finally free of the dust from the family portrait painting that had accidentally fallen.

"You can still walk, Your Highness?" Azel asked worriedly.

"I am alright. Don't exaggerate it," Aeneas answered while leaning on Azel. "Too bad the painting fell."

"Do you really have to worry about that now?" Azel sighed, unable to stop thinking.

"Ha ha."

Aeneas is then taken to a nearby room in the Royal Palace. Perhaps because of its loud voice, news of Aeneas' injury reached Blair quickly. Blair arrives with the summoned healer.

His expression showed concern as if Aeneas had been seriously injured. The blood flowing from the temple was terrible, but it was actually just a scratch. His hands were also the same, only exposed to a few frame fragments and sprained.

"Unfortunate because the right hand hit," commented Aeneas, holding up his injured hand.

"Take it easy, Your Highness. The wound is not that bad, but it will take time before you can use it again," explained the healer. "If you complain of dizziness or sudden bruising, please tell me immediately."

"Okay, thank you. Sir Azel, please escort the healer out." Aeneas turns to Blair. "I'm fine, Your Highness. There's no need to look like that."

Blair let out a long breath. He then came closer and sat on the edge of the bed. "How did this happen? The butler must not be doing a good job."

"Not really," said Aeneas, amused. "Maybe because the painting had been hanging there for too long, that's why it could fall. Maybe it's time to replace it."

Yes, it's time to replace that cursed painting. Family portrait painting with King Tristan, Catalina, Blair, and Aeneas there. A family portrait that makes Aeneas sick every time he looks at it.

A family portrait painting that will soon be destroyed.

"Then," Blair touched Aeneas' injured hand and held it gently, "once things are better, let's make a new one. We're both grown-ups, but there's no single painting of us growing up together."

Aeneas smiled. "You are right. People should see us grow up properly," he said. "Ah, later, I might as well make it for display at my residence–my portrait with Selah. We don't have it."

Aeneas caught Blair's expression for a split second, but then he immediately smiled. "Of course. Your residence should be decorated with your family portraits."

"Brother, too, later make a new one with your new family." Aeneas slowly let go of Blair's hand and used it to rub one side of his face. Blair looked taken aback by the gesture. "We're not going to be together forever, are we?"