War And Throne

Chapter 13 : Final Decision

Darren had always helped his mother sell cakes, breads, biscuits, and light snacks at the shop, but he would come in the afternoon hours, while Helena always came early in the morning to make the various breads first, struggling on the grill.

However, this time Darren didn't come during the day, since early in the morning he was already at the shop, preparing the merchandise he would sell. Darren had also told Yupo to stay at home and not follow him to the market. And as usual, the jumbo cat only responded with his loud voice as he nodded his big head, his round eyes blinking, while his tail wagged. Darren had already prepared food for his pet. 

Darren had just set down the tray, smiling down at the still-hot cake that had just come off the grill a few seconds ago. Darren needed to cool them down first before he put them in the plastic. 

As the morning approached nine o'clock, Darren and his mother were startled by a loud noise that filled the market. The sound of the royal horn was heard again, followed by an important announcement that echoed in every corner of the place. 

Darren and his mother looked at each other. The commotion in the market had suddenly stopped, everyone was motionless and ready to plug their ears. The silence prevailed, and Helena came out of the shop. 

Feeling curious about the situation outside, Darren followed his mother's movement. 

The crowd solidified, that's what Darren saw at this moment.

"Good morning, citizens of the Crimson Country; today we are greeted with sunny and warm weather, a very pleasant summer." 

Darren looked around him as the voice rang out loudly. The young man tried to find the source, but he found nothing. This time there was only the voice, there was no image of King Edward's face on the large televisions located at the corners of the market. 

Everyone waited and listened to King Edward's next words. 

"As I said yesterday, I will make an important announcement today. Therefore, come to the palace of the full moon of darkness right now. Here, I will be waiting for your presence, come in droves, leave your activities first, I will not take up much time, so there is nothing to worry about, thank you." 

As soon as King Edward's voice disappeared into the wind, the market was noisy again, everyone was looking at each other and talking, before one person called out to the others that he would immediately leave right now for the full palace of darkness. That person walked first, followed by the next few, and soon everyone was walking together, flocking to a single point. 

"Darren, you have to go with them," Helana said, facing her son and nodding once. 

Darren saw the serious look on his mother's face, of course she wouldn't refuse. He also knew that all adults in the Crimson Country had to see the King immediately. 

While gently rubbing his mother's shoulder, Darren said, "Yes, I understand, I'll just go now, mom."

Helena hugged Darren before her body was completely out of the shop, until finally Darren did not see his mother's face anymore. Helena had disappeared, joining the crowd. Instantly, in a short time, the market was quiet, but not completely empty, as there were still teenagers and young adults wandering around, not to mention a few children. 

Darren sat down on a chair, actually doubting that anyone would come to the shop in the situation where the adults were all away at the palace. However, even so, Darren couldn't just walk out of here to wander around. Not only had he made a promise to his mother, but he was too lazy to go anywhere. 

Meanwhile, at the palace of the Full Darkness, the entire clan merged into one, mingling, the colors of their clothes blending together to form a colorful display. They were crowded in front of the palace, waiting for the king, waiting for an important announcement. 

While King Edward was inside the palace, trying to be calm, he was straightening his clothes, standing tall in front of a large mirror. 

The king published a faint smile, looking at his reflection in the mirror. His white clothes seemed to shine brightly, his long gray hair was tied back this time, and his beard was neatly combed. King Edward clenched his fists, he was ready to go out to meet his people, he was ready to make an important announcement. 

King Edward let out a long sigh, turning his face toward the large round window not far from where he stood, the rays of light streaming in through it and bursting forth brightly. King Edward reassured himself once again, for the umpteenth time, that the decision he had made was unanimous and that he would not change his mind, even though Gio, his personal advisor, was always pestering and very fussy. 

Of course, King Edward had told Gio all about his plans, and until this moment, Gio did not agree with the decision made by King Edward. Although he had gotten a lot of advice from Gio, King Edward's decision was final, and no one could interfere with it. 

"Your Majesty." 

A man surprised King Edward at the doorway, and when the king turned his face, the man bowed slowly before finally approaching King Edward. 

"Gio, how are things outside the palace? Have all the citizens gathered?" King Edward asked the royal advisor. The king looked at Gio with narrowed eyes. 

Earlier, King Edward had given orders to Gio to monitor the situation outside. And since the royal advisor had returned, that meant Gio was carrying information.

Gio opened his mouth, then said politely in a low, yet firm tone of voice. "Everyone has gathered, Your Majesty, the people of the Crimson Country are crowded in front of the palace, soldiers are also on guard and monitoring at every point, minimizing the occurrence of riots." 

King Edward held his beard, his head nodding. "Good, then it looks like I have to go out now, and you can come with me, Gio, you stand beside me while I make the announcement." 

Gio moved his head up and down, still looking hesitant. But he knew that he couldn't refuse His Majesty's request, after all, Gio was only a royal advisor, his job, of course, was to give advice and some input when he felt that the King's command needed more thought. 

"Your Majesty, before I come with you out to meet the people, can I talk to you? Just for a moment, I promise not to take too much time." 

"What do you want to say, Gio?" 

"I-" 

King Edward raised his hand. "If you want me to rethink my plans, I won't listen to you. Understand now?" 

"But, that's exactly what I was going to say, Your Majesty." 

The king shook his head, very firmly this time. "And it's final, I won't listen to any of your words, everything is inviolable, Gio. My mind is made up, you understand that." 

"I do understand Your Majesty, it's just that I feel that Your Majesty is too hasty in making a decision." Gio swallowed, and he ventured to look at the king's face. "The decision is indeed in your hands, but this time try to think further." 

"In the long nights, I have thought about this plan, Gio, for months before I talked to you about it, so I did not rush to make a decision, I have considered everything, from the good and bad sides." 

Gio immediately said, "And I think, there are more bad sides than good sides." 

King Edward, my country Gio for a long time, his face flat, his eyes unblinking, finally making Gio clumsy and feeling guilty. 

Gio quickly lowered his gaze, and he bowed again. "Forgive me for being presumptuous, Your Majesty, I was just doing my duty to give you some advice." 

"I know. You don't need to apologize." King Edward straightened up, the crown above him swayed slightly, but did not fall. "My decision is irreversible, period. I don't want to hear you say anything more, Gio, I hope you understand."

Gio sighed harshly, he was very disappointed, but he could not do much, all he could do was accept all the king's orders. 

"Besides." King Edward continued his words, "The people are waiting for me there, I can't take my words back." 

"The people can be sent home, I can have the soldiers do that, they can spread the information."

"And that is ridiculous and very unwise. Never mind, Gio, you don't have to worry about things, just trust me." 

Gio remained silent. 

"I'm your king, right?" 

Gio was about to open his mouth, he wanted to answer, but finally his lips closed again, and he swallowed his words. He didn't want to say the wrong thing; it was better to keep quiet so that there would be no misunderstanding or something unexpected. Instead, Gio only gave an answer in the form of a head nod. 

"Then, follow me out right now, I've promised the people not to waste their precious time, they're busy, let's go!" 

With a heavy heart, the royal advisor began to follow the King's steps out of his large room, walking long enough through the corridors of the palace, until finally Gio saw the palace balcony, which was where King Edward was about to deliver his important information, information that Gio did not agree with at all. 

King Edward walked steadily, and when he had reached his destination, the people thundered below. The King smiled brightly as he waved, and his white clothes, the symbol of the Ice Clan, seemed to glitter brightly when invaded by sunlight. 

Gio stood not far from the king, but his position was a little back, Gio saw that the people were very enthusiastic in welcoming their king. 

"What's wrong with the people? They will no longer be able to laugh and smile like that when King Edward announces information." Gio said to himself that only he could hear all the words.

And it was time, King Edward began to speak, Gio straightened his back, his hands were shaking, he was so unprepared. With a wide-eyed stare, Gio watched the king's back. 

Why did King Edward have to do this? Why? Gio was very confused.