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Chapter 73 – Early Deaths (2)

Whenever Eugene woke up, she had taken it upon herself to listen for news on what had happened the night before. This made her the Royal family’s commander. Thus all important information was reported to her.

There she learned more about the people in the castle. She learned the many systems based on gender, ranks, age. She also learned about the inventory, how long they have with the stored food, as well as the daily necessities.

She even learned there was an air raid bunker placed deep within the palace’s basement.

This shelter was explicitly made for the heir, or successor of the King and Queen. It also had enough provisions that could last for a year for a small handful of people.

“Many died yesterday,” she sighed, frustration taking over her as she looked over the reports Marianne had given her.

On the first day, with the yellow flare, there were only some who ended up injured, but there were no casualties. But as the fight went on, eventually the first casualty happened, and then the next, and the next.

One by one, bodies dropped dead.

And the people began to get exhausted by the constant fighting.

“Marianne,” Eugene softly called out as she buried her face in her hands before she straightened up to look at the Baroness. “You said this was the first time this many casualties ever occurred since His Highness ascended?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Is it because of me?” she worried, muttering to herself.

It was highly possible. Her presence could have had a negative effect on Mahar, the world where she didn’t belong. It could also be the reason why there were so many inconsistencies in the story she knew she

created.

The setting for one, it was subtle, but it was different from what she remembered. Information and facts she didn’t create were even in the world. Her story was spiraling out of control.

All this was her fault, she distressed in her thoughts. She couldn’t help but feel responsible for the poor man who couldn’t go home because he was off to fight the war. She felt guilty for those who died.

Contrary to the turmoil happening outside, inside the palace walls, everyone went about their duties. But it was clear that despite the calmness they’re portraying, their eyes told her they were anything but calm.

Despite their faith that their king would make it, in the back of their minds, they were resigned to die at any given moment.

“You worry too much, Your Majesty,” Marianne reprimanded softly, “Come, let’s get you back to your room. You’re looking rather pale,” she pointed out, and Eugene sighed, rubbing her face and let out a deep breath.

She admitted she couldn’t find it in herself to sleep. Even if she was dead tired.

“It’s not like I can do much but sit here and worry.”

“You’re doing rather well, if I do say so myself.” Marianne says, “The fact that you are here, staying strong and waiting for a certain return is a great source of comfort for your people.”

As much as it was meant to comfort her, Eugene couldn’t help but regret she couldn’t even wish Kasser good luck when he went off jumping out the window a few days ago. She had been too complacent, she knows now.

She had thought everything would be over in just a few hours, and come evening, everything would return to normal. But it wasn’t so.

Suddenly a maid came into the throne room, and bowed her respects before speaking.

“Your Majesty, the general wishes to speak with you,” she said, and Eugene straightened up.

“Invite them in.”

Marianne then stood up from her seat and walked to the exit, “I shall give you your privacy,” she told Eugene, who in turn, nodded.

When Marianne left, Sarah soon came in and stood in front of Eugene. It’s been routine, since the past few days, that Sarah would come several times to give the Queen the report on the progress of the events.

Most of the time, these reports were just that, reports, and Eugene wouldn’t need to make a decision, because Sarah has got it handled. But that was not the case this time.

After making her report, Eugene frowned in concern.

“A patient?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” she said, “It’s not a serious disease, but it is contagious. There are two other women as well who have shown the same symptoms; fever, headache, and cough since yesterday morning. For now, they’ve been quarantined.”

As Eugene listened, she couldn’t help but feel like it was just a simple cold.

“They also complain that the headaches are too severe, and request painkillers.”

In emergency situations such as these, it was imperative they use the medicine sparingly, which was why they needed approval from the highest authority to be able to use them. Painkillers, if accessible to everyone, could be used in the wrong ways. Hence, before, the sick would just have to make due with home remedies and hope they’d get better soon, but now, they seek permission from the highest authority.”

After thinking about it a few more, Eugene gave her permission.

“Give them some,” she said to Sarah, “I’m sure this will be over quickly, and His Highness will sort everything when he returns.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” she stated, “We believe that as well.” and with that Sarah swiftly left to head towards the patients and gave them the painkillers.

When she was alone once more, Eugene slumped in her seat and rubbed her eyes.

This was harder than she thought. She knew being a leader was no picnic, but the sheer responsibilities resting on her was becoming unbearable, overwhelming her. Her word in the palace was law, and it scared her the more.

She also gave herself a dry smile as she thought about Jin.

“How wonderful of you to sit here, and just do nothing,” she remarked to Jin, quite aware the character was all but dead in spirit.

Jin had sacrificed the kingdom, even its people, just to summon the dark magic, Mara. And when the lark army attacked the kingdom of Hashi, powered by Mara, there were severe casualties.

Eugene doesn’t know exactly how many, but she was certain it couldn’t be compared to the losses over the past four days.

It was certainly more tragic when the Four Kings were forced to wander around the world, hunting down Jin, and leave the kingdom defenseless. The kingdoms they so desperately wanted to protect.

She stood up and went to look out the window. Her gaze trailed up the sky, and saw nothing but the clear blues, until a flare suddenly erupted.

BOOM!

Blue smoke spread throughout the skies, and Eugene’s eyes widened in relief.

“Ah…” she sighed out.

Suddenly the throne room’s doors burst open, “Your Majesty!”

Eugene turned around and saw Marianne come up towards her, her eyes full of tears, as she gave her a wide smile. Eugene felt her own eyes water, as her sobs choked, her throat tightening.

It was finally over.

♚

Everyone who has seen the smoke all held their breath as they watched the blue smoke spread out farther and farther.

After a brief moment of silence, a resounding cheer erupted echoing until everyone joined in, causing a deafening roar. Everyone, even those who couldn’t keep their feet standing, let out a mighty yell of victory, pouring every last energy towards that one shout.

Kasser heaved his breath, sweat rolling down his body as he basked in the sun’s glory, head held up high as he listened to his kingdom’s cheers. With one last strike, he stabbed his sword on the sand beside him as the last of the larks turned to dust.

For four days, he swung without rest, only stopping at sunset, and beginning once more at sunrise.

With the battle over, and the adrenaline gone, he could feel his body seize up in exhaustion. The fatigue was overwhelming, but he couldn’t stop yet.

He still had an aftermath to clean up.

“Your Highness!” Lester ran over, a wide smile on her face, proud and victorious, “Only the kingdom of Hashi could fight against a group as large as those and win!”

At the sight of her, Kasser frowned in concern. Lester was laughing in joy, but the bandage around her head was disconcerting, especially since he hadn’t seen it yesterday, which meant it was fairly new.

“What happened?” he asked, “Can you not handle a simple yellow-class lark?”

“Ah,” Lester appeared sheepish, “I have no excuses, Your Highness. My forehead was injured.”

“And has someone treated it properly?”

“It’s nothing but a flesh wound, Your Highness,” she reassured and escorted him back to the palace, “Please, rest up, you’ve barely slept these four days,” she said, the concern for his king’s well-being was apparent.

“No, not yet,” he refused, keeping his posture tall and limbs moving, “We need to know how many have died.”

Lester’s smile fell, before a serious look crossed over her face and nodded in assent to comply with her king’s wishes, following him all the way.

She could’ve pressed harder, but he knew how stubborn their king was. He wouldn’t rest until everything was resolved, and he won’t be the one to break that habit.

When Kasser finally reached the castle, the dawn had begun to break. He thought of stopping by for a moment, to ask about how things have been before heading out once more.

After all, there was still plenty more to clean up outside the palace, but inside was a different story. It would only open for the king’s return—everyone else should be stuck inside until then.

♚♚♚