Chapter 3: CHAPTER 3
50 thousand years later (based on earth's time)
Prince Aerus stood at the point where Lia's body evaporated and perished. He always recognized the place as his wife's grave. In his hand was a flower, which he placed very beautifully on the spot. Even a monument was built, as a form of his love for her.
The sky looked clear, with the sun shining very brightly. Slight clouds curled in the farthest corner, as if reluctant to disturb the sadness of a prince who faithfully loves his wife.
"Honey," he mumbled softly, rubbing the monument in front of him. It has the shape of a wedding sign on their chest. "It's been five thousand years (based on Hexa's time). You left us too unawares and you have pain in your body," he said breathlessly, almost choking on tears. "Are you happy now? Have you joined your ancestors now? Have you got the queue for you to be reborn?"
His head was lowered, his eyes closed. A second later the memory of his wife's death hit him again, like a meteor shower stabbing him in the back. He gasped for breath at that, coughed, and then felt weak.
Jullian, his assistant, immediately ran to support him from behind. His face looked worried. "Prince, you'd better head inside to rest. Shouldn't you visit Prince Beldric today at the Holy Shrine?"
Time did go by too fast. Since disaster after disaster due to Lia's death passed, the planets started rebuilding. Hexa also did the same, and shortly after that King Artesun and Queen Lunanis retired from the government, although they could still carry on with their normal activities. Now Hexa's reign was fully held by Prince Aerus, although his status was still not a king, at least if his father was still alive.
"Is he okay?" Prince Aerus asked Jullian, still not turning from looking at his wife's obelisk.
"I heard he's fine, Prince. However, you should visit him immediately so that the natural core in his body doesn't really fade. He still needs you."
"I will visit him later. Now I still want to talk to my wife."
Jullian sighed, released Prince Aerus' weak body, then walked away and put some distance between them.
Since Lia's death, Prince Aerus' mental condition has weakened. He had a kind of mental stress, which often led to a drastic decline in his health. It affected the energy emanating from his body, which was inadvertently absorbed by Prince Beldric, their son. That's why Prince Beldric experienced a growth restriction, which made the nobles decide to leave him in the Holy Shrine for a while until his body was strong enough to ward off the energy surging around him.
Even so, he was still a child, who often asked where his parents were. He knew about his mother's death. Now his power could only be obtained from his father. That was why Prince Aerus had to visit him regularly, to provide support and affection.
Meanwhile, Prince Aerus leaned his head on the obelisk, wailing incessantly, something he always did on the anniversary of Lia's death. "Don't run too fast," he whispered, involuntarily crying. "Even though you miss us, and even though you want to come back to life soon, I forbid you to run too fast. Walk slowly, and meet us whenever you're ready. We are always waiting for you, even if we have to find you in another life."
Prince Phoko, King Artesun, and Queen Lunanis watched him from a distance, feeling pity but could do nothing about it.
"Phoko, don't you have a solution so Aerus can have the spirit of life? I can't bear to see him grieve for too long," said the king, feeling as if his heart were torn apart.
Prince Phoko shrugged nonchalantly. "What can we do? Lia is his first love, as well as his mate. It would be difficult for him to forget her, especially after they had a child."
"Beldric has a pretty similar face to Lia." Queen Lunanis added. "Every time Aerus visited him, he would always come home in an increasingly fragile condition. But on the other hand, Beldric still needs his father."
"Is it possible that we should throw a party? Maybe Aerus needs to get acquainted with more people," suggested the king, which was immediately opposed by his wife.
"He'll think you're setting him up. Don't do that. Better just give him more work. That's the only way to make him forget Lia for a moment," commented the queen.
Prince Phoko interrupted. "Speaking of work, the queen of Centaxus invited Nephew Aerus to attend the interplanetary chief's banquet. The invitation is still in my room, and I haven't delivered it to him. I'm not sure he'll come, so maybe you guys can help me get him to come."
"You mean the new queen of Centraxus right?" asked the queen, who got a nod from Prince Phoko.
"Yes, half of her face is covered by a veil," nodded Prince Phoko. "I bet her face is super gorgeous. Maybe the rumors of her having a scar on her face are just fake."
"On what factor do you say that?" asked King Artesun. "Hasn't the news been confirmed by her? Oh, her name is Queen Eth, right?"
"Ethelia." Prince Phoko corrected.
"Yes, that's what I mean," said the king. "She's very mysterious. She suddenly appeared in Centraxus' government and replaced the former king and queen."
"Without attacking," added the queen.
"That is because the former king and queen bequeathed their thrones directly to her, Cousin-in-law." Prince Phoko folded his arms in front of his chest. "That's why there was no need for an attack."
"Even so, she's still great. Only the one who can support the land of Centraxus can become the leader. She can even support the ground alone."
"That's because she can ignite the Latherid stone." Queen Lunanis responded to her husband's words. "I saw the press conference about it. She carries a flaming Latherid stone in her hand, as well as proof that she deserves to be the next queen."
"The Latherid Stone is the most powerful holy stone in Centraxus right? Wow, Queen Eth's power is never a joke."
"This is a good indication," said Prince Phoko, looking at the king and queen who turned to him. "If Aerus can get to know her then he will have strong backing in the realm of government. It could be very valuable to Hexa in the future. So you guys better force him to accept the banquet invitation."
"If Queen Eth wasn't a woman perhaps Aerus would gladly accept the invitation. But the problem is…"
"I thought Aerus would find solace if he met Queen Eth." Prince Phoko's brows rose innocently, a sign that he had seen the future and was trying to make it happen.
"What do you mean?" asked the king and queen at the same time.
Prince Phoko's face turned stupid again. "Because if he met her, they would definitely discuss many projects together. It will keep that baby boy busy, and make him forget about Lia for a while."
"Oh, right!" Queen Lunanis smiled in relief at a good idea. "We will persuade Aerus now."
"And just answer Queens Eth that Aerus is coming," the king added.
"Sure, Cousin." Prince Phoko winked coquettishly, watching the couple walk away and leave him. His previously stupid face slowly lowered and became gloomy. "Be patient, brat," he muttered as he looked at Prince Aerus from a distance. "You will soon meet your wife," he continued.
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