In the King's Bedchamber, deep in the Oak Palace, thick curtains block the light from the outside, isolating light from darkness. The large room burned with several stout candles, the flames fluttering in the recesses of the candle heads, flickering with a warm orange glow.

The strong smell of medicine mixed with the faint smell of blood permeated this supposedly luxurious and bright room, as if to paint a sad background to the tragedy that was about to end. In this background, the faces of the living are full of unspeakable sorrow, while the expressions of the injured are relieved.

Aiden lay on the bed, the snow-white quilt covering his chest, and the pillow behind him propped up his upper height. He was in terrible condition, the severe injuries had hollowed out the life of the sturdy man, and his pale face was no longer as bright as before, but he was still smiling, smiling strongly.

"I look ugly now, don't I? Cyrian ......" Aiden turned his head slightly, looking at Cyrian standing in front of the bed, his former prime minister and the most sincere friend in his life for decades, "For the sake of the Lord God, I don't even have the courage to look in the mirror, haha......"

Cyrian's eyes were red, but he gritted his teeth and shook his head vigorously. When he received the royal order from the Imperial Guards in the garrison camp, he immediately rushed to the Oak Palace with his two sons and Tandra. "No, Aiden, absolutely not...... You look good, really. He said, looking away.

Aiden's weak appearance was like a scimitar, smashing Cyrian's heart to pieces, and he couldn't face the scene in front of him, or even Soveland, who was kneeling in front of the bed, his eyes red from crying.

"That's not what Aiden deserves. These words had been repeated countless times in Duke Junhe's heart, and the irrepressible sadness tore at his soul, he had never been so aware of what he was going to say goodbye to, and at the same time, what he had to protect.

Aiden smiled and shook his head. "Old man...... You're still the same as before, you really can't lie......" he said jokingly, his words full of memories, "Remember, in the days when we practiced at the academy, we once ran out to drink together in the middle of the night, and what did you say after being caught by the instructor? You were full of alcohol, and your face turned red and said, 'No, I didn't drink ......', haha......" Aiden laughed and gasped violently.

Sirian turned his head and stroked Aiden's chest, trying to ease his pain. "Yes, I remember. ”

Aiden waved his hand, signaling that he was out of the way, and then adjusted his breath and said with emotion: "It's been more than thirty years, hasn't it? It's been so long......" There was an indescribable loneliness in his tone.

"We're all old......" Sirian replied softly.

"Father looked at me from his mausoleum on Mount Ösk, Sirian. Aiden looked at Sirian and said, his still bright eyes overflowing with deep pain, "I'm not a good king, or even, not a good father......," he said, clenching Soveland's palm, "I don't know what I'll say to my father when I die......

"Father...... Don't say that......" Soveland's lips quivered, and he pressed his cheek to the broad palm.

Sirian couldn't hold back any longer, tears streaming down his eyes in silence. "Aiden, you are a good king, and you swear in the name of the Lord God...... "even the people of Sardinia will appreciate your efforts and kindness to them. Based on the evidence so far, I firmly believe that the Assassins did not come from the province of Sardinia. ”

Aiden patted the back of Cyrian's hand. "It doesn't matter, my friend," he said, "even if the Assassin is really from Sardinia. Don't pour out your anger on the people of Sardinia because of my death, their lives should not be like this......" He turned his head and looked solemnly at Sauvera, and continued: "Remember, child, the kingdom should never hold hatred against its people, for they are the cornerstone of all prosperity. ”

Sovereign nodded vigorously. "Yes, father. ”

Aiden smiled with relief. "Come, Cadog, let's get down to business," he said to the acting clerk standing beside his bedside, "I'm afraid I'm running out of time......

"Yes, Your Majesty. Cadoge quickly unfolded a piece of parchment that had been prepared in advance.

Aiden took a deep breath and said slowly, "I, Aiden Tivera Kanterbach. In the name of the King of the Territory of Orem, under the throne of Somu, the god of order, the following will is issued.

After my death, the former Prime Minister, the Duke of Junhe, Sirian Tirio Savarandi, was appointed Regent of Orem and oversaw all the affairs of the kingdom. When Crown Prince Sovereign Vellor Kunderbach came of age, he inherited the titles of Duke of White Oak, Duke of Sardinia, Commander of the Kingdom Guard, Supreme Commander of the Praetorian Guard, and the throne of Orem. ”

Cyrian was shocked to hear Aiden's appointment, and instinctively wanted to open his mouth to speak, but was stopped by Aiden's gaze. "Cyrian, old fellow, don't interrupt me, I know what I'm doing, I know ......" and continued as he looked at the clerk, "Finally, please bury me beside Queen Ephrès, she has been waiting for me for a long time......" His voice was soft, as if remembering the woman he loved the most, "May the light of Somu, the Lord of Order, always shelter the great kingdom of Orem." So be it, give it to me when you're done, and I'll sign it. ”

Cadoge was scribbling, the quiet room filled with the rustle of the tip of a pen across the paper. Soon, the king's last order was completed, and after being circulated by the former Prime Minister Sirian, the Crown Prince Soveland, the Minister of the Interior, and others, it was solemnly handed over to Aiden.

Aiden picked up the Eagle Feather Pen with some difficulty, signed his name in the lower right corner of the will, and handed it to Cadog. In the presence of everyone, the king's last order was sealed with fire paint, and then carefully sandwiched into the palace secretary in Kadog's hands.

As if he had completed something that consumed a lot of energy, Aiden was visibly tired after the announcement of his will, a look of extreme weakness. He closed his eyes and breathed, as if gathering up his last strength. When his eyes reopened, an abnormal flush appeared on his pale cheeks.

"I know what I'm doing, Cyrian," Aiden said slowly, "this country needs you, and the people here need you...... Don't reject me, old man, don't reject me......"

Cyrian shook his head in pain. "Don't say that, Aiden, what the kingdom really needs is you......"

"I, I can't go any further......" Aiden clasped his hand, "promise me to take care of this kingdom and my children." ”

"I promise you, in the name of the gods, I promise you. Sirian said firmly.

Aiden smiled a satisfied smile. "Say to that fellow Tandra, drink less and pay more attention to your body!" he forced out a menacing expression, "Also, let him transfer his son Aemond back from Blade Fortress, and if he doesn't agree, say it's also my last life!"

"He'll say yes, I promise. Sirian said.

Aiden nodded weakly, and then said to the Minister of the Interior, Fasti, "Bring me the little things I prepared for Sauvera, it's time to give them to him." ”

Fasti bowed down and quickly handed a small rectangular wooden box into Aiden's hands before stepping aside.

The wooden box opened, and inside was a silver-white necklace with a round pendant carved with the emblem of an oak tree. "Inside the pendant is a letter that I was going to give to you when you are an adult, but I'm afraid there is no hope. Aiden handed the necklace to Sovereign, "I wrote this letter in my study on the day you were born, not as a future king, but as an ordinary father. ”

Sovereign clenched his necklace, his lips trembling and said, "Don't give it to me now, father, when I come of age, will you give it to me yourself?"

"Silly boy......" Aiden stroked Soveland's hair, his eyes flashed, overflowing with love and reluctance, "Father can't continue to accompany you, do you remember what grandfather said to you ten years ago?"

Sovereign nodded vigorously. "Be strong, my grandfather told me, be strong. ”

"That's right, kid, do you remember......," Aiden whispered, "today, I want to say the same thing to you, be strong. No matter what happens, your mom and I will be watching you from heaven and watching over you, my child. ”

"Yes...... Father...... It's ......" Sovereign choked and clenched Aiden's hand, tears streaming down his cheeks, the pain that penetrated deep into his heart.

"Ask Uncle Cyrian and Uncle Tandra more about difficult things in the future," Aiden advised, "It's a pity that I can't attend your wedding to Evelyn, that's a good girl." He paused, took a laborious breath, "Promise me to be a good king." ”

"Yes, father, I promise you......" replied Sovereign, weeping.

Aiden smiled with relief, he had done everything he could. "It's so dark in here...... For the sake of the Lord God," he grumbled dissatisfied, looking around his bedchamber, "Fasti, pull the curtains open, I don't want to leave this world in the dark......"

Fasti cast an inquiring glance at Sirian, who nodded slightly. Soon, with the movement of the Minister of the Interior, the heavy curtain was opened, and for a moment, the sunlight outside the window was like a bright blade, cutting through the boundless darkness and sprinkling the warmest light.

Several pillars of light came in from the outside, horizontally in the air, and imprinted beautiful spots of light on the white sheets. Aiden raised his hand, caught the spots, and kneaded them gently, as if what he was holding was not the sunshine of nothingness, but the kingdom he loved, the fragrant earth here, the air and rain here.

He smiled, smiled contentedly, slowly closed his eyes, and his arm fell.

"Father......" Soveland's voice rang out in the dormitory, but there was no answer from the familiar one.

Some people say that life begins without fear, because in moving forward you can see the greatness of life. Some people say that life is finally reluctant, because you can see the magnificence of life in the streamer and shattered shadows. The gods took everything away, and a noble soul departed, leaving the land to which he had cherished and devoted his life.