Capítulo 17: Chapter 16

Morning at the Castle

"Have you picked a woman yet?" the King asked as he stepped into Mateo's room.

"Father, it has only been three days," Mateo replied, turning away from the window.

"But it felt like a week to me."

"Father, I—" Mateo started, but was cut off.

"You are going to be the King of Inshilux. Be the best ruler you can be," the King insisted.

"But Martha and I want to find Lux," Mateo said worriedly.

The King looked down and placed a hand on Mateo's shoulder. "I'm sorry, son. But we found his body," he lied.

"What?!" Mateo turned to his father in shock. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't think you'd want to see his body in that condition," the King replied, walking a few steps away before turning back to look at Mateo. "If you want to see him, follow me."

Mateo followed his father, his mind reeling with disbelief, repeating to himself, 'He's not dead, he's not dead.'

They walked until they reached the throne room, where a table lay in the middle, covered by a white cloth.

"No, it can't be," Mateo murmured, stopping in his tracks.

"I'm sorry, my dear son. It is him," the King said, pulling down the cloth to reveal a man with long black hair.

"This is the truth, my son. There is nothing I can do," the King said, looking down at his feet.

"At least hold a funeral for him or bury him properly," Mateo said, clenching his fists. "At least let Martha know he's gone." He turned and walked back to his room.

The King grinned slyly, knowing his ruse had worked. Lux may still be out there, but now he was dead to the kingdom.

At the Cottage

Delia had been taking care of Lux while Ciaran gathered herbs.

"It should've healed by now, but it suddenly bled so badly again," Ciaran said, placing a hand on Delia's head.

"Do you think we need to take him there?" Delia asked, looking down.

"I don't think so, but if his condition worsens, we might have to," Ciaran replied.

"...hm..." came a faint sound from Lux.

Delia and Ciaran turned their heads. Was he awake?

"Where... am I?" Lux asked, moving slightly and opening his eyes under the blindfold. "Who are you?" he pointed.

"No, you can't forget us," Delia quickly grabbed his hands, panicking. Ciaran stood, unsure of what to do.

Lux suddenly laughed. "You really thought I'd forget you both?"

"Well, at least don't make us panic like that," Ciaran joined in, laughing.

Lux looked at him, "Well, at least I know you care about me."

"Of course we do, or else we wouldn't have taken you in," Ciaran replied.

"Fair enough. Anyways, where are we going? What is this mysterious 'place' you keep talking about?" Lux asked.

"You can't know yet," Delia interjected.

"Why?"

"Because it is our most sacred place in the world, no outsiders are allowed there," Delia explained.

"Well, he can't go back now," Ciaran looked at Delia.

"Go back where?" Lux asked.

"Your kingdom," Ciaran replied.

"Why can't I?" Lux asked.

"Well, you've been pronounced dead since morning. The funeral is in two days. Not many people cared," Ciaran said, looking out the window.

"How would they know I'm dead?" Lux asked, also looking out.

"It seems they found your body," Delia replied. "A fake one."

Lux looked down, furrowing his brows.

"Are you alright?" Delia grabbed his hand again.

"Yeah, I am."

"Do you want us to bring you back there?" Ciaran asked.

"Not really. I'm not important there anyway. But you guys are important to me now," Lux said, standing up.

"Do you want to stay for the funeral at least?" Delia asked.

"Sure, I wonder what it will be like," Lux smiled. "Anyways, can I go to that place? Because you both are from there, I think they would be alright if you invited me."

Delia looked at Ciaran, who looked back.

"Would that work?" Delia asked.

"It could, but we have to ask Mother and Father first," Ciaran said, crossing his arms.

"How?"

"Bring him in, tell Mother and Father, and if they don't allow it, then..."

"Then what?"

"I have no idea. But we have to tell everyone to pack up now." Ciaran started running outside with Delia following.

"WE'RE GOING HOME!" Ciaran and Delia shouted. The empty houses suddenly filled with people, who came out to hear the good news.

The scene was heartwarming, with everyone hugging and cheering.

They soon packed up and prepared to leave in one more day.

That night, everyone decided to cook and eat together. The younger ones danced while the older ones cooked with Lux and Delia. Later, they all sat in a circle to eat.

"Ready for your big day tomorrow?" Delia asked.

"Yes, I can finally leave this place and be with you both," Lux smiled.

"And then take off your blindfold??"

"Nope, that will stay on."

Everyone talked about going home and their families.

### The Morning of the Funeral

"Take this," Ciaran handed Lux a long dark coat.

"What's this?" Lux asked, confused.

"You need it for hiding. You can't be seen at your own funeral unless you want to expose the lie that you aren't dead."

Lux and Ciaran donned the coats and headed out, leaving Delia to sleep.

At the kingdom, everyone was there, not sad but staring at the ground.

"Guess he wasn't well liked," Ciaran whispered. Lux didn't reply.

They kept their heads low. The funeral was brief, as the King never truly wanted Lux to be a prince. The coffin was carried to a normal graveyard where 'Lux' was buried.

"Let's go," Lux said, "It's getting boring here."

Ciaran followed him. Delia was waiting outside when they returned home.

"Where were you both?" Delia asked.

"At Lux's funeral," Ciaran replied.

"The others have already started moving. Let's hurry," Delia urged.

They packed their belongings into the horse cart and joined the others. Lux wore a new blindfold that prevented him from seeing the route to their "HOME."