The old man's footsteps stopped in front of one of the most luxurious houses in the city. As one of the founders and the first merchant of Havengard, he has amassed enormous wealth. It is not untrue to say that he owns more or equal amount of gold than the kingdom itself.
Draven knows the plan hidden in the shadows; he knows that the merchants will be used to put the city in check. But despite the obvious disaster that is looming, he has made the decision to disappear with the city if necessary, dragging along with him some of his friends. It's his revenge on his friends for allowing themselves to be used by foreign countries.
The old merchant is not a patriotic man; in fact, he cares little and nothing about Havengard. What Draven wanted to protect was not the royalty's neck but the hope for a better future that his son died trying to defend that night when the nebul beasts attacked the settlement. In fact, it would be a lie to say that the merchant does not hold a grudge against the royal family.
Few know it, but it is thanks to the old man that the city still remains afloat. It is true that the respect held for King Lysander serves as a deterrent in part, but that alone is not enough to found and develop a kingdom. It was only thanks to the old man and his desire to protect his son's will that the city could see its best days and that even now, despite the problems surrounding Havengard, it can continue to feed its people.
Draven remains motionless as he gazes at his home. To others, it is just a luxury mansion worthy of envy, but to him, it's his burden, the shackle that prevents him from freeing himself from this city. On several occasions, he has thought about simply destroying the place and start from scratch in another city where he can retire peacefully, he's old and tired. However, destroying the structure in front of him would be like killing his son with his own hands, after all this place helped him to build Ceppian.
*haaaa*
His steps grew heavier as he advanced, with a hand wipe the tears from his cheeks and keep the melancholy in the depths of his heart. On the other side of that door lay the only reason he hadn't yet ended his life, and he didn't want that person to see this side of him right now.
"Oh, dear, you don't look good"
Draven gave a wistful smile at the sight of the woman who, despite her advanced age and all they have had to live through, always welcomed him with love and sweetness.
"Same old problems. Idiots think they can really do something, but they’re not even able to control their own emotions"
"That's enough. You've done so much for this city. Our son would be proud of you"
"....."
"Leave the future problems to the people of the future. It's time for you to retire"
"I want you to leave the city. You have family in Eldor, so that would be the best destination"
"If you stay, I'll stay"
That was the conclusion Draven had reached long ago, but he had postponed its execution hoping for a miracle, which never happened. He knew his wife wouldn't agree, but this time he wouldn't give in.
"Don't be stubborn, woman. Sina will depart in two days, so you will go with her. No one would dare attack a caravan bearing the Várnalok flag, so it will be a safe journey"
“.....”
Seeing the face of his wife, the woman who had been with him since they were children, the woman who had given him the joy of being a father, covered in tears caused his old heart to ache. But he didn't want to drag his wife down with him; his son would never forgive him.
"I'm sorry, Sera. It's already decided; it's what our son would have wanted and what I want too. You'll take all the funds. I don't think this city has more than a year left, I can get by with little during that time"
Sera remained motionless as tears rolled down her cheeks, her chest tightened, she wanted to speak but the words would not come out of her mouth. They've been married so long, so she knew what her husband's words meant, he was tired, he had given up and he was determined to take the city down with him.
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
The hatred within the woman grew, hatred for the city, for the people who inhabit it, and hatred towards the royal family for being filled with incompetents. Unlike her husband, she had no attachment to this place, she could even burn the city with all the people inside and she would feel no remorse. After all, this city took her son from her and now it was taking away her beloved.
Today had been a joyful day for Sera. One of her trusted friends, who was also the city's doctor, had given her news that she had never imagined, not even in her wildest dreams. Despite her advanced age, she was pregnant.
The joy did not change in her chest and she hurried home to share the good news with her husband, hoping it would also become a ray of hope for him. But now, seeing the resolve of the man she loved, she was in a dilemma. She didn't know what to do. She didn't want to lose her husband, but she knew him well enough to understand that telling him the news now would only add another heavy burden to his exhausted heart. Tears continued to flow, and her happiness turned into hatred toward this accursed land.
It took a long time and tender care from her spouse for the woman to finally calm down. In the end, with pain and regret, she kept the news to herself and accepted Draven's arrangement. She wished for her son to grow up with his father's love, but she understood that the news of her pregnancy had come too late.
She would have to raise her child alone.
It was late at night, and Sera couldn't sleep. While her husband slept soundly, the woman swore to herself that as long as she was alive, if the city rose from the ashes, she would destroy it again as many times as necessary. The exhausted face of her beloved solidified her decision, assuring the land of Havengard that it would never again know peace in the future.
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An elegant man was pushing a serving trolley down a wide hallway with a smile on his face. Despite his young age, the servants dared not be negligent and bowed to him as they stepped aside from his path. After all, the young man is the king's right hand man and his words may carry more weight than even the prince's.
Rumors circulate through the hallways and streets of the city that the boy is a bastard son of the king and that the king plans to pass him the crown. These rumors have reached his ears; after all, several people have approached him to try to find out if these rumors were true. But he doesn't care; he knows his parents and has no plans to usurp the throne. In his heart, he only feels gratitude toward the king who saved him, and to whom he promised to dedicate his life to Várnalok together with the prince.
*knock knock*
"Excuse me, I brought your breakf-"
“....”
“....”
"What are you doing, sir?"
"I am lying in this bed unable to move, and you ask what I'm doing. Are you mocking me?"
"No sir, I'm sorry, it's just that I thought I saw... In any case, I brought your breakfast just as the healer recommended"
“You treat me like I don’t have teeth, it's disgusting to eat what someone else chewed"
"No one chews your food, I explained it to you sir, we processed it in a - forget it. The delegates are still pushing for a meeting; we conveyed your message that they could meet with the young man, but they refused and insist it be you"
"Tch* Those bastards, I'll have to announce my retirement as soon as possible and pass on the crown"
"It would be the most appropriate, for now they are more interested in Havengard so they are strangely calm, but they can show us their teeth at any time"
"A land that provides wealth but is unable to feed its people and whose king is about to die, a fat, wounded and easy prey to hunt"
"The cost of sending food is too high, but if we take them as vassals we could relieve the pressure they are under right now"
"Doing that would only give us more headaches, it has no merit for us"
"But he's your friend sir, we could lend assistance if we succ-"
"Forget it, he's dealing with the consequences of his decision... In any case, has Sina returned?"
"No, sir, in the last report we received it said she would stay another week due to Princess Isolde's request, so based on the dates, she should leave Havengard tomorrow"
"Very well, you may go, and let no one disturb me. I need to rest if I am to appear in public"
"I will carry out your order, if you'll excuse me"
The door closed and inside the room, the old man, who should have been near death and unable to move like most people who participated in the war, got up from the bed without any shadow of death as everyone would expect and without showing any discomfort in his movements as he stretched his joints.
The old man, now not so old, walked to the wardrobe, changed his clothes, and a beautiful indigo tunic with golden embroidery now adorned his body. He turned his attention to the door, and as he approached it, his body changed with each step he took. By the time he reached the door, the old man who had been lying moribund in bed had been replaced by a gallant young man.
The young man put his hand on the doorknob and uttered soundless words. For a moment some rustling sounds were heard in the room. After these sounds ceased, the young man opened the door and walked out of the room with a stoic expression.
"Good morning, young sir"
"Has my father awakened?"
"Yes sir, but he ordered that no one disturb him"
"I see. Do I have any commitments for today?"