Chapter Thirty-Five
_ Fragment of the Past: 1
Cayin laughed so hard that his laughter turned into a painful and tortured moan:
" Why do you always make me feel regret?! I am the one who betrayed you, but I... why?! "
Raphael was shocked and speechless. Was he joking with him, or had his friend been struck in the head? If he truly betrayed him, should he comfort his friend or kill the traitor? The man before him seemed more tormented than he was. Had he not betrayed him as he said? Why did he look as if he was the one who had been betrayed? Why did he look so broken and in agony? This man was his friend... they had been together for many years. If he betrayed him, since when?! Had he betrayed him from the beginning, or was he tempted? Was his friend weak for money, or was he greedy for something else?! .... If he had told him what he wanted, he would have given him what he desired, but his friend stabbed him... He tried hard to force the words out while hearing his friend's tortured moaning, so he said in the longest sentence he could muster:
" Since when?! "
" Since about a year ago "
He expected that he wouldn't hear an answer, but the broken voice came from Cayin, who had not changed his position, so he was able to ask again with a voice and a fist shaking with sadness, anger, and a wretched feeling:
" Why?! "
" You betrayed me first, Raphael "
Raphael did not understand the matter, so he decided to sit on the ground in front of Cayin, for he felt that his legs were broken; a feeling he had never felt before. What made his friend say these words? What crime had he committed?
" In what way did I betray you? "
" You took everything from me; you framed my father and killed my sister and my mother, you carried out the execution of my family without a trial "
" What are you raving about?! What family?! "
Raphael felt a shock, speaking in a muffled voice defending himself. Had Cayin lost his mind? He knew that Cayin was an orphan who had been sent to the Imperial Knights ten years ago when his unique skills appeared, so he wondered what family he was talking about?
" Marquis Boris, Mark Boris "
" He had no one but Laura, how? "
Raphael felt a shock stronger than the one before; for Mark Boris had only one son who died when he was an infant, how could he be alive? As for Cayin, he felt something strange; why did Raphael utter his sister's name in a way that seemed friendly? But he sat up and looked with reddened eyes:
" We were twins, we were all sick but my illness was more severe and I was sent to a distant region for treatment and when I returned I was eight, my twin brother had died, my father told me not to tell anyone my identity and placed me in an orphanage. I was confused and didn't understand but I was visiting my family constantly, I knew my sister and my mother until I joined the knights at the age of sixteen. My father sent my sister to the countryside under the pretext of learning, and asked me to tighten the grip on my secret more and more.... I was seeing my father in front of me but I was unable to call him, I didn't understand the reason even after his death. I was told that he was protecting me, my father was accused of treason but he was innocent, my father did not poison the Emperor, you went after my mother and sister and went to execute them, you. ..."
" Was it the Temple who told you that?! "
"..."
Cayin was speaking in a burning voice like a small child complaining of pain, but Raphael interrupted him, making him unable to speak. Raphael stood up, brushed the dust off himself, and snapped his fingers as usual, and a palm-sized paper appeared, and calmly he extended it to Cayin, who took it in confusion.
[ Terranov Empire, the capital Kanta, Roxa Street, House No. 27 ]
" Go there and you will understand everything "
"...?! "
" And do not let me see your face, my friend "
Raphael turned and moved toward the palace with heavy and tired steps that made Cayin crack more than him. He looked at the paper again then stood up with a lost and unstable feeling...
* * *
" Did you know?! "
Ariana felt shocked as she hadn't even heard the sound of the door, so she approached Raphael and placed her hand on his injured shoulder, but he shook his head in refusal.
" I am not severely damaged "
He placed his hand on his shoulder and it healed quickly so as not to worry her, then he looked at her with pained eyes. Ariana felt a sense of guilt.
" I couldn't tell you, I'm sorry "
" It's not your fault... but..."
He placed his forehead on her shoulder and said in a broken voice, and his voice cut off from choking. Ariana patted his shoulder, her heart shattered into a thousand pieces. How could this strong man be broken like this...
" Aya, can I stay here tonight? "
" You can "
He led Ariana to the wide sofa and made her sit on it and placed his head in her lap, and without speaking she began to stroke his hair with a complex feeling. His brokenness was painful to her heart; she felt helpless, if she could, she would take all his pain...
Raphael raised his head to look at her, then closed his eyes again and said in a quiet voice:
" If I had known that things would reach this point, I would have told him everything seven years ago "
* * *
... Seven years ago...
" I lost again... Raphael, you have to admit I am better than you "
The young man with blonde hair ruffled his hair with the ecstasy of his victory as he bragged before his friends about his win as usual. The eighteen-year-old Raphael stood with a more vibrant face and features that still carried some innocence and purity, threw the sword aside and said with annoyance:
" You are a swordsman, I am a wizard "
" And I am a priest "
The mischievous voice came from behind, mocking them and smiling with a conceited face as usual, ignoring the young man with the fiery orange hair who was watching with enjoyment. Cayin grabbed the fifteen-year-old Evan by his neck and rubbed his fist on his head to annoy him. The boy became irritated and looked with hatred at Cayin and screamed calling for help:
" Your Highness the Crown Prince, save me from this demon "
With a smooth movement, Raphael set the edge of Cayin's robe on fire, making Cayin retreat to try to extinguish it. Leopard poured water with magic profusely on him until he was completely drenched. Raphael pulled Evan to hide behind him, looking at Cayin and sticking his tongue out. Cayin became frustrated:
" Look at that child, he's intentionally provoking me, and you, Leo, are you standing on the side of this rascal? You are all enchanted by this cursed child "
" I always enjoy watching "
Leopard spoke indifferently, and Raphael said reproachingly to Cayin:
" And I like to watch it, but Evan is still a child, have mercy on him "
" He's scary, an evil child "
Evan was still provoking Cayin from behind Raphael, who was enjoying their foolishness with Leopard. Their bickering had always been a non-stop habit. Then the sound of training was interrupted by the arrival of Marshal and with him Marquis Boris.
" Your Highness the Crown Prince, His Majesty requests your presence. Young Master Rathan, Duke Rathan is leaving now and requests your presence "
Raphael and Leopard nodded in agreement. Leopard spoke with disappointment:
" I'll go ahead of you, we have to return today. See you soon Raphael, Evan stop playing pranks, Cayin be kind to the little one... "
" See you soon Leo, and come let's train next time "
" I will completely defeat you, Leo "
When Raphael spoke with a smile to Leopard, Cayin spoke arrogantly. Leopard laughed at Evan's playful response as usual:
" Arrogant... return to the capital quickly, Young Master "
Evan looked with annoyance at Cayin then greeted Leopard enthusiastically. Leopard left and Raphael looked at them firmly:
" Behave well in my absence "
After Raphael turned to leave, both of them looked at each other with challenging looks until Raphael left the training grounds. Marquis Boris said:
" Priest Jerome, what brought you to the palace today?! "
" I came with Patriarch Rokshan, he has important business with His Majesty and I am waiting here until they finish "
" Alright, don't cause trouble... Sir Cayin, don't you have work?! "
" Fine... see you later, you naughty child "
The Marquis moved and Cayin followed behind him. As soon as they were away from the grounds, the Marquis spoke:
" Cayin, you must act rationally, do not lose yourself in front of anyone "
" Yes, Father, but how long will I continue to hide my identity?! "
" It is still early "
" Alright, when can I see my mother and Laura? "
" Within two days your mother and sister will return to the countryside, you can go to see them before they leave "
" Fine "
Cayin felt excited, for just seeing his mother and sister made him happy. He was puzzled as to why he had to not reveal his identity, why his father hid the fact that his second son hadn't died, but he had always trusted his father and would not question his decision. He went to his commander in the unit and told him that he had to go to a certain place, and the commander allowed him to go as he knew he was the Crown Prince's friend and the Prince trusted him very much...
* * *
" Father, did you request my presence?! "
The Emperor was sitting on his throne after his subordinates had left. He was a powerful man with silver hair and sparkling silver eyes and a momentum he had gained over the years. His stern face smiled at his son with warmth; he had always loved his only son just as he loved his late wife. He had always felt that this son was a mixture of both of them, which made him more fond of his son despite showing firmness and sternness before him...
" How was your training?! "
" As usual, three wins and fifty losses, my sword skills are terrible "
" You must integrate your magical power with your sword fighting, you must not rely only on magic "
" At your command, Your Majesty "
Raphael's tone was enthusiastic as he listened to his father's words, making the Emperor break his rigidity as usual and smile at this son whom he loved more than anything...
[" Your Majesty, they intend to do something soon, we must be careful "]
' I will die soon anyway '
" Raph, come to me "
The young man approached his father with a bright and vibrant smile as usual, and drew near until his father held his hands and said in a worried voice:
" My son, I do not know what fate hides for us, but you must beware of the Temple, these are my words that you must not forget "
" Father, I always listen to you "
The father patted his son's cheek with a sense of pride and warmth, and sighed after thinking and said:
" I trust Marquis Boris very much, if anything happens to me, speak with him "
Young Raphael felt worried but nodded to his father yes, then his father gave him permission to leave, but he felt that he shouldn't, yet he left to change his clothes and complete his duties as the Crown Prince, and on that ill-fated night...
* * *
" The Emperor has been assassinated "
After midnight, lights flared up all over the palace. An emergency had occurred; the Emperor had been assassinated. Raphael, who woke up to the sounds of the palace, rushed quickly toward his father's room and found his father surrounded by doctors and his party. His feet froze for a moment but he approached the Emperor's bed, who was taking his last breaths. When he saw his son's face, he smiled and said in a broken voice:
" At.. least I will die.... on the same bed Luciana died on.. won't your mother be angry if she hears these words?! "
Raphael shook his head yes, his tears falling without sound. The Emperor patted his son's cheek and said with a sad smile and broken words:
" Sorry for leaving you to face all this alone, but do not forget my words, protect this empire. ... "
The hand that patted Raphael's cheek fell, and blood flowed from the mouth of Emperor Kylian de Cassian, and the pulse stopped. ....
Young Raphael felt that time had stopped and that all his senses were paralyzed. He was absent while those around him were moving in a state of full alert. The Emperor had been killed; the empire would fall into ruin...
After Raphael returned to his senses, he shouted at them with a stern face that did not resemble the mischievous boy who was playing pranks with his friends this morning. The nobles and servants froze. Raphael stepped forward looking at his father's face, which looked as if he would wake up at any moment. He took a deep breath and said:
" Restrict movement in the palace, entry and exit from the palace is forbidden "
The subordinates bowed and began moving on the orders of the new Emperor. Raphael was left alone with his father's body, so he placed a final farewell kiss on his forehead then looked at Marshal standing in front of the door and said:
" Protect my father's body "
" I follow His Majesty's orders "
* * *
He had left his family's home previously and decided to wander a bit in the capital, and when he arrived at the palace, it was in a state of full alert, lights were on and soldiers were moving everywhere. He found his unit commander and asked him:
" What is happening?! "
" His Majesty the Emperor has been assassinated, go to the Crown Prince "
The commander looked at the boy who had just arrived and sighed with a sad voice, patting the shoulder of the shocked Cayin. He felt pain for his friend, so he rushed to him and found that he had moved to the assistants' room. When he found the people crowding in front of the door, he grabbed one of the maids who spoke with worry and stuttering:
" Marquis Boris is the one who assassinated the Emperor "
He wanted to tell her they were wrong. He pushed everyone until he reached the office where the Marquis was standing with the knights holding him, and Raphael was calm, placing the Emperor's sword in his belt. Before he could speak a single word, Raphael uttered:
" Think of your actions, Marquis "
" I have made a mistake and I will accept my fate "
The soldiers moved toward the cells, appearing as if they were supporting the Marquis. It was clear he was barely able to stand. Raphael looked at Cayin, whose face was covered with all the complex emotions. Cayin remembered that his father was careful not to reveal his identity, so he controlled his nerves and approached Raphael and patted his shoulder, making Raphael hold his shoulder as if he were sending him a message...
Its meaning: "I am sad, I need you, my friend"
Cayin looked with consolation at his friend despite his own complex feelings...
...... To be continued ......