April 3rd, 2020.

• Third POV •

A normal, sunny day in Gorge Castle. 

Citizens casually living their life in the beautiful morning in Land of Dawn. Some of them worked at the market, some restaurants with fresh pastries and soup simmer in the pot, fountain in the middle of the square with beautiful Violet flowers. Some flower shops have their fresh Violet flower trimmed.

Not so long after the bright, cheerful morning, the Royal gate of Baroque Kingdom cracked opened. Who would be out of the castle in this early? As the royal gate opens widely, it reveals 6 soldiers with their mighty horses stepping out to the square. Alongside the soldiers, one Royal Announcer tails behind with some black flags.

The soldiers directed all of the citizens in the Gorge Kingdom to the town square of the castle.

The Royal Announcer stopped his track, climb down from the horse, and step into a podium. That way, all the citizens could see him clearly while reading his announcement.

"Attention Citizen!" The Royal Announcer stands in the middle of the square. The Royal Announcer pulled his sheet of paper through his pocket, and start to inhale deep.

"It is unfortunate as of April 2nd, 2020 at 10:42 pm, the mighty leader King Arthur has passed away"

The town citizen starts to whisper and murmur about the news. They did not expect King Arthur to die this soon. Despite his age, he was healthy and sufficient.

"Our King Arthur Baroque has passed away due to poisoning. We are actively looking for the criminal behind as this behavior is not acceptable in any Gorge Kingdom."

"Who will rule our city?" One of the citizens shouts on top of the lungs.

"As of tomorrow, the own Lancelot Baroque will return back to the future in hand partner, Odette Regina. Aside from that, the noble mage family of Paxley has forfeited their proposal for Lady Violet. Both Baroque siblings will temporarily be on the throne of the kingdom until the ceremony of Mr. Lancelot Baroque on April 29th, 2020 for his throne. We truly express our condolence to the Baroque royalty and its family. May the King Arthur be with us."

"May the King Arthur be with us," the rest of the Gorge Castle grieve.

"We shall hold a memorial for King Arthur on April 6th, 2020 in the Main Entrance of Baroque Kingdom. Princess Guinevere Baroque would invite every citizen to attend this service as the gratitude of your loyalty," Castle Announcer rolled back the paper and put it in the pocket. He started to climb back to his horse and start head to the Baroque Kingdom with the other soldiers.

It becomes the main topic of the village. Every citizen was desperate from the commotion. Especially when it comes to the city. One fine traveler sits in one of the restaurants' bar to enjoy his lunch and beer, up until he overheard the conversation from the seats behind him.

"I could not imagine how the Baroque family feeling at this moment especially with them losing both of their parents at such young ages," Some citizens whispers to others.

"I could not imagine how Princess Guinevere felt as she is the only one who is always in the kingdom! She was only 21 at this moment with that kind of pressure."

"We should send the princess our prayers and at least come to King Arthur service in the next three days."

"I still think that Princess Guinevere herself should be a Queen instead of Prince Lancelot!"

"And why is that?"

"Prince Lancelot is very indecisive and full of himself! Did you remember the tragedy he ran away from home and got injured because he was drunk?"

"Such a careless! Princess Guinevere should just adjust her engagement with that Paxley noble," One citizen complains while cutting the bread.

One of the citizens elbowed the other, "did you not hear? The Paxley noble bail off the wedding proposal because of King Arthur's death!"

This one specific traveler stop his trance and quietly listen to their conversation.

"The princess should be fine! Did you not remember the rumor from very months ago? She ran away from home to bring Lancelot back and ended up being with that Paxley's exile."

"I still cannot believe she has to proceed with the proposal even though she came home with Lancelot. Poor Princess Guinevere with no freedom."

"She has it now with both parents' death! I wonder what will she do next"

"I'd say she ran away from the castle and be with the Paxley Exile again," The whole table laughs.

"Tsk," one of the travelers that overheard the conversation walk passed the table. Some citizens realize who he was, none other than its own Paxley's exile.

Paxley's exile walked out of the restaurant as he got annoyed with those gossipers. He sighs and looks at the castle, "I hope you are holding on."

Above from the City Square, Guinevere Baroque watch the announcement from her balcony. She sits there and holds her Violet. 

——

• Lancelot POV •

"Oh! I think I need some break"

"Defeated already by the handsome Lancelot?"

"Watch your language Baroque, I will make sure my sister changed her mind."

"Please forgive me!" I looked at the time, "I should head back to the Regina Castle. I am sure my lovely bride waiting for me"

"Say hi to my sister!" He smiled.

I walked out of the practice rooms. I was finishing up sparring practicing my swordsmanship with Odette's little sister. I have been sparring for four hours, it is the best for me to check up on my bride. As I saw the mirror on the right side, I started to fix myself up.

I fixed my collar, praising myself, "It is time to witness the most handsome swordsman meet his lovely fiance!" I arrogantly smile and pull out fresh Blue Violet. Passing through multiple corridors, I finally ended up in one big door of the Dining Room. I was about to open the dining table door when someone opening the door.

"This is not good, we have to find Lance right now," Odette rushed while look at one of their maids.

"Odette, my dear!" I stepped back, bow, and present her the Violet flower.

"I need to talk to you!" Both of us said it at the same time.

We both look up at each other. "My Love, is everything okay?" I ask worriedly.

"Lance," Odette starts to tear up, "your father passed away."

I feel a jab in my heart. I stand there, lowering my flower to the side of my body. The smile fades away as I dejected my head.

"When... How..." I stare blankly to the ground.

"He passed out last evening before dinner. Hours by hours, his condition is worse and he passed away last night. The doctor found out he was poisoned but was not sure how he got it"

I keep my eyes in down low. I can see from the corner of my eyes that Odette walks closer to me. She starts to hug me while rested her face in my shoulder.

"But... I have not talked to him for months since the incident," my body shake.

"I should have stayed there! How terrible I am not to be present for my father or even for my sister" a single tear turns into a sob. 

Odette holds me tight while my shoulders start to feel wet.

"I want him to watch my wedding next month, or my coronation day for being a king. Why this have to happen now? "

I choked at my own tears. I felt so much grieve and regret in losing my own father in a very sadistic way.

I hope Guinevere is alright.

——

• Third POV •

Further away in the Dark Abyss, the Queen Demon walking around the garden. She enjoys a lovely afternoon walk.

"Ah, such lovely orbs today," Queen Alice hum. She started to released her magic and turn some flowers into dead flowers, creating purple orbs.

While Queen Alice is mesmerized with the beauty of the orbs, one of the trusted Demons walked to Queen Alice. A purple demon with mid-length purple hair. He has his spears with him and walking in such a confident way to the queen. He stops about two feet from the queen.

"Queen Alice," Moskov kneels down and gets up.

"Ahh, Moskov. What a pleasure you have to disturb my afternoon walk."

"I apologize for the disturb, but I believe I have some news," Moskov smirks.

"Is that so?" Alice turns around and puts her hands on the waist. "This better be great news."

"The potion of death works on the Baroque Noble. They just announced it this afternoon that King Arthur himself died from the poisons."

Alice smiles evilly, "At last."

"I also need to remind you about the meeting. The rest of the team is waiting for you and the King"

"It should be 5 more minutes, but it does not hurt to come early" Alice smiles.

"Shall I escort you, my lady? I believe it is on the second floor"

"Why yes, I would love that" Alice smirks. But instead of being escorted, she opens up her wings and flies to the second floor. She can hear Moskov whispering, "seriously, again?"

As Queen Alice lands perfectly in the balcony, "Sorry Moskov, but no woman should be walking around the stairs." she laughs and walks straight to her meeting room. She opens up the meeting room and sees the most prestigious demons in the Land of Dawn.

"Queen Alice, you come early."

"Karina" Queen Alice smiles at the Dark Elf, "thank you again for the task on the potion."

"I wish I could witness it myself, but I am just the delivery. Where is Moskov?"

Moskov slam up the door. "I swear, you always tricked me!"

"I have wings," Queen Alice smirks.

"What are we even doing right now? I want to back to sleep!" One young demon yawning while resting both of his legs on the table. He looks too comfortable.

"We are going to start our operation in messing up the Moniyan Empire, starting from their alliance with Baroque Nobles."

"Baroque nobles? But I thought they were hard to defeat!" This young demon gets up from his seat and slams his hand to the table, "How are we suppose to do that when they literally have the whole Moniyan Empire as the backup?"

"We make one of them to one of ours, Dyrroth" A deep voice from the door surprised everyone in the room.

"King Thamuz"

King Thamuz walks into the room, "Well I suppose everyone is too excited to smell the darkness and fear they will have again"

"Will we be ready?" Karina questioned.

"Of course we are. The noble be an excellent addition to our team," Thamuz smiles evilly.

"Will this mean-"

"Yes."

The whole room went silent. They know what they did to one of the youngest yet powerful demons in the Dark Abyss.

"Why are you all staring at me?" Dyrroth growl.

"Enough chit chat. Let's get this meeting started."