Blood Prince

Chapter 2 Three Path

The debate continues, between the men's group and the women's group. Have different perceptions.

"Women know what. We are here to present the real facts. You women are ignorant, your gossiping nature.”

"How much did King Galerna pay you, so that you are willing to defend him?" another man said louder.

“Ehm… the women should stay at home. Serve your husband well, and behave well and gracefully. Your voices aren't that useful out there."

In just a few debates. The women lost badly. "Well! Our vote is lost to yours. Be complacent you guys, ignorant men,” said the little girl angrily, unable to argue anymore.

“Just let the men mock us. However, they must know themselves. They can do nothing without women. Looking here and there, but forgetting their mediocre faces." The more mature woman sneered at the attitude of the men on the other side of the table. It was seen that some of the men had sour faces, red faces with shame, and some even did not know themselves, not wanting to justify the satire of the older woman. Still, the men were not bothered by the chatter of the women and went back to continue the story until it dragged on.

Infinitely, the news of the rebels who wanted to overthrow King Galerna's power spread so quickly throughout the wizarding world. The bloody war was won by the rebels and some of the nobles of the Terrace Kingdom who sided with the rebels. Lillian's Palace was taken over by King Galerna's brother-in-law, the main supporter of the rebellion.

***

The figure of a man stared blankly behind the window. The gaze that was so empty and there was no life in it, implied a life that had been in his life for a long time. The light of hope in the dimmed eyes was replaced by hatred, a bitter and sad life. Galerna had to let all its glory fall in the blink of an eye, overnight, it was all gone. Everyone that Galerna loved had left her, and the brother that Galerna loved so much betrayed her.

Galerna has no one to support her, only a little girl who has admired and supported her for a long time until the fall of Galerna's heyday.

If there is a second chance or time can be turned back, Galerna wants the mistakes he made in the past, will not to be repeated in the future. No more bragging.

Galerna reminisces about her past. A cheerful young prince, surrounded by many friends, a gifted wizard. All the talents and brilliance of the Terrace Crown Prince are the greatest treasures of the Terrace Kingdom.

'If I had listened to his words, I wouldn't have fallen into the darkness like now. The world hates me, just like a mother hates the whole world. I love you so much, but I can't justify everyone continuing to hate.'

'I who was always better than mother tried to help them, but why… turned around, they hated me, calling me a failure that made the Terrace Kingdom fall. What's wrong with me?'

Galerna kept asking questions over and over again. What is wrong? Where is his fault?

What he saw, was always filled with a sense of heroism, wanting to protect everyone, wanting to protect the Witches of the Devil's Curse who became a curse, a plague that was hated by the whole world. But what was the result? The rebels hated him, wanting to overthrow Galerna's rule.

The eyes that stared blankly out the window were fixed on the figure of a toddler in the lap of a young man in the courtyard outside the fort. The curve of the toddler's face almost resembled Galerna, like seeing a toddler version of herself. The little hair that just grew, the charm of the face that looks sweet.

'In the past, when my father was still around, he took me for a walk in the flower garden. I always love to linger in the flower garden. Father always told a story of the Great Magus God who had saved the world. That's the first story dad told me.'

Galerna smiled bitterly, remembering those happy memories. He didn't feel anything warm running down his face. It would be a lie that Galerna is currently fine. Galerna misses the moments with her father, Galerna misses all the beautiful memories, memories with her friends, with the people she loves, and with two people who are so important to Galerna.

All those memories flowed like water in Galerna's mind. So warm and soothing. As if I could go back to the previous time.

"Finally found it."

Too bad, the memories that had begun to appear in his mind fell out of shape. What exists now is just a reality. A voice that Galerna knew, the voice of a loyal friend who was always there until Galeran was falling.

"What are you looking for me for?" asked Galerna flatly.

“There is good news, Your Majesty. Prince Arsene sent half an army to help us, with the reinforcements from Prince Arsene, we can go back forward, take back the Fragrant Palace, and this.” Erza opened the parchment sheet.

Galerna glanced at the parchment. “The Lillian Capital is experiencing a strange disease outbreak that befell the rebels and the people of Terrace who are on the side of the rebels, this strange plague weakens their fighting strength. With a weak defense, we can counterattack them, if necessary, we can kill those in the capital and Wiona City," Erza said excitedly.

"I don't agree with your opinion, Erza."

"What's the matter, Your Majesty? Why did you change your mind like this? Erza asked, feeling irritated and angry.

Galerna did not immediately respond. The answer was already there from the look in his eyes and his words. Whatever the brother-in-law and the rebellious people do, they are all still part of the people. The hostility between the two sides, there is always a difference between his people and corrupt royal officials, and take advantage of the situation.

Add oil to the fire. The people who used to love Galerna, now turn to hate Galerna and want Galerna to step down from the throne. Galerna sighed and said, “Is there no other way? The way to take back the hearts of the people of the Terrace Kingdom? End the war without any bloodshed.”

"If it weren't for your middle-ranking officials who incited them, this rebellion wouldn't have happened and His Majesty could have won the hearts of the people," Erza said, furiously.

Galerna is different, Galerna wants peace in his kingdom. There is no more discrimination, corrupt officials, and differences in worshiping gods that have been the biggest conflict of kingdoms and conflicts, the Witches of the Devil's Curse who had been under Galerna's protection.

"Then what do you want, Your Majesty? If this one isn't and that one isn't. Everything will be the same. Every war inevitably takes many lives, Your Majesty cannot avoid this and there are still sympathizers of your people who support you.”

Happy or sad, Galerna didn't know what to do. Very difficult decision. “I chose the third path.”

“There is no third path, Your Majesty!” shouted Erza, whose face was red and holding back emotions that were almost overflowing.

Erza is patient, facing Galerna who sometimes finds it difficult to decide between two choices, in Galerna's mind there is only a third choice which sometimes makes those closest to him want to scream right in Galerna's ears.

Responsibilities as a King and now, being an outcast King.

"You should at least see how they expect you, Your Majesty."