Chapter 18 Last Testament

A week has passed, I am sitting with my arms on my knees and looking straight ahead.

“Is this deep enough?” I heard Prince Edmondo ask so I looked down.

“That will be fine. Thank you Edmondo,” replied Prince Eaux. I peeked down to see how they were burying his coffin. King Gabi's funeral is today and I attended but I am now sitting in a cloud floating in the sky just above it.

I knew I am ashamed to be there and there might be trouble if I took the chance to go with them. It was good that I thought of this so that I could at least see how they would bury King Gabi.

Like the traditional ones that happen when someone is buried, all eight of them are dressed in black. The whole nation already knew about the king's death but the only ones in the tomb today are the eight princes.

The surroundings are very sad, of course because someone died but I can feel it even when I am up above. Fortunately, it is not like what happens in other stories that it rains every time this happens but the clouds are dark that maybe it will not be long before it will rain but even after the funeral, it didn’t rain.

King Gabi, wherever you are now I promise I will endure all the pain as they blame me. I know everything will be okay too. Even if they think of me that way, I will take care of them and I will help them here in this nation.

Thank you for everything King Gabi. May you rest in peace.

After the burial, I also left. When I entered the Main Cabin, I thought about going to King Gabi's office. I just want to get a glimpse of the place where I first and last saw him. When I opened the door, I was surprised and stopped to open the door.

Jethro is here, facing King Gabi's table. He turned to me when he heard the noise of the door.

“Sorry, sorry ah—” I also stopped talking. Shacks. What the heck. Does ‘sorry’ include in the things I should not say to him?

He didn't say a word and just looked back. I thought about leaving since he was here but I would have closed the door when,

“Come in.” I was shocked and stopped because of how he said that. He seems to be commanding me.

“N-No need. I'll just leave—”

“I told you to come in,” he said seriously again.

He seems to be ordering. I just went in but I only stayed here in front of the door.

There was a faint silence in the room. I didn’t try to speak.

“What do you need here?” he asked. I don’t intend to speak again. I don’t want to start a conversation.

“Answer me,” he commanded.

Is that so? “Nothing,” I answered immediately. “Why do you care?”

There was another silence inside the office but he also immediately faced me and the next thing I knew, I was pinned on the wall.

“When did you even learn to talk back? Have you forgotten that I am a prince?” he asked me seriously.

I was speechless because of the closeness of his face to mine. My reaction is normal that my heart is pounding now because of what he did but I don’t know what the reason is.

I just looked away from him. He touched my chin and turned my face gently towards him. I didn’t expect that so my face went with his hand.

“Tell me why you suddenly pushed me away yesterday?” he asked.

I was dumbfounded not only because of his question but also because he was really asking it full of concern. What does this mean? I thought he knew I should avoid him because of his illness. Did they say nothing to him?

Soon, we heard something outside.

“Jethro? Where are you?”

We were both surprised. I don't even know whose voice it is but I know it is one of the princes.

Knock, knock. “Jethro, are you in there?” he knocked on the door where I was leaning.

Oh shacks. Because of panic, I immediately made a way to get him away from me. Whoosh!

The door opened and Prince Eaux was surprised to see an ice wall blocked in front of Jethro and a line of fire on the floor coming from me.

“Yani! What's the meaning of this?!” he said in shock as he walked towards me.

Prince Eaux immediately controlled the water and extinguished the fire in front of me while looking at me.

“What's that fire all about?” he asked, still full of astonishment.

I looked at him. “I-I… I was—”

“It's my fault,” Jethro interrupted so we looked at him. “She was surprised by what I did,” he added.

“What? What did you— “

Prince Eaux didn't finish what he was going to say because he felt like I was pulling the sleeve of his shirt. He looked back at me with my head bowed. Fortunately, he understood what I meant.

“Uhm okay. Uhh anyways Yani and I will have a talk first. Please excuse us.”

Prince Eaux took my hand and pulled me out. I first glimpsed at Jethro who was just watching us leave. We walked to my room and when we entered, he closed the door and spoke.

“Okay, what happ—”

“Why didn't you tell him?” I entered.

He wondered. “Pardon?”

“Why is it that he has no idea that I should avoid him?” I asked again.

He was surprised by my question. “What do you mean?”

“What do I mean? He's asking me why suddenly I'm cold to him. Isn't it he should have an idea why?”

He was silent for a moment before answering.

“That… I don't know because all of us left his room after we shot him with the sleeping medicine…” he replied. “…but I think Zoltar stayed there until he woke up so I think he should be the one who you should ask.”

“Oh…” that's all I said.

“Still whatever Zoltar said, what happened in Dad's office?” he asked.

“Oh that. Uhm well you heard him. I was surprised because he had no idea about me avoiding him.”

“Is that all?” he assured.

“Yes.”

He let out a sigh. “Good. I thought he did something bad to you.”

I was slightly surprised by what he said. I looked away. “Prince Eaux?”

“Yes?”

“Are you mad at me?”

He was surprised by my question. “I think…” he honestly answered. “…just a little bit.”

I was speechless. I thought so.

“I just can't stop myself thinking about that feeling of regret for not spending time with him when he was alive. It's just… it's like we just met him for how many days and then suddenly… he's gone.”

I just kept quiet and listened to him, even if it’s painful. “I could have just heard his voice one more time… just one more time in his last breath… that was all I'm looking for…” and then he looked at me. “…but what can we do. It's true that sometimes you'll just regret everything in the end when someone's gone and I know that Dad has an explanation that he left to you so please Yani, just tell us why you didn't call us when he was dying.”

I looked at him and let out a sigh. Maybe this is the right time.

“Okay. Let's have a meeting,” I said.

“Meeting?” he wondered.

“Yeah with all eight of you.”

“Where?”

“Uhm in the underground meeting room.”

He was shocked. “Oh, Yani I'm sorry but you are forbidden—”

“No uhm...” I interrupted. “King Gabi gave me permission.”

“What for?” he wondered.

“Well uhm,” I just took the paper hidden in my closet and just showed him the beautiful cursive ‘LAST TESTAMENT’. He was shocked.

“Ohhh that. He left it to you. Okay. I'll call them,” he turned around and was about to leave when he stopped and turned to me. “Oh, and please wait in front of the 8 special rooms,” and finally went out.

8 special rooms?? I thought about what he meant.

Ting! Ah. Their special rooms here in the Main Cabin. Wait, is that the entrance to the underground meeting room? Oh well. He said so, so I went to where it is.

When I got there, I waited by the door because I didn't know what to do.

“Oh hey Yani.”

I looked at the caller and was surprised. “Prince Zoltar.”

“What are you doing here?” he asked as he approached me.

“Uhm for the meeting,” I replied.

He was slightly surprised. “Oh so you're the one who is calling this meeting not Eaux. Uhm do you mind if you tell me what is the meeting about?” he asked.

“About this,” once again, I showed the paper. He was also surprised.

“Ah that. So Dad left that to you. Well then come with me. I'll show you how to get there,” we both entered at the same time.

The eight doors showed right in front of us. “So here is yours,” he said and approached a tube.

“Yours what?” I asked.

“Your entrance. Each of us has its own in each room. Since you don't have one, you can go by Dad's.”

“Oohh so when I go in there, it will take me to the underground meeting room?” I asked out of ignorance.

“Yes. Since Dad gave you permission, you can go.”

“Ooohh awesome.”

I entered the tube and closed the door. He pressed a button and it immediately went down. It took a while before it stopped. When it stopped, the door opened.

It’s just a normal room that is really set for a meeting. There is an extra long table with nine chairs and each chair has a symbol of each element. Wow. Even the chairs have to belong to each of them. But one chair has no symbol at the top.

“You can come out of the tube now,” said Prince Zoltar.

Oh I'm sorry. I was very amazed.

“You can occupy that seat,” said Prince Zoltar while pointing to the seat without a symbol. “Supposedly it's for Dad but you can sit on it since he's not around anymore.”

“Oh uhm... thank you,” I said as I went to the chair. I just looked at him and there was still a trace of sadness on his face. Geez Yani. Who can ever get over at the sudden death of their beloved father? They did not even talk to him in his last breath.

There it is again. My conscience is attacking me. Heh! I will explain to them anyways. Think Yani. Think of something that can be talked about.

I had a sudden thought because of what Prince Eaux and I talked about earlier. “Uhm Prince Zoltar?” I asked.

He was slightly surprised. “Ah yes?”

“Uhm can I ask you something?”

“Sure. What is it? “

“Uhm about what happened in the Ice Cabin, what happened after I left his room?”

He was silent for a moment, looked at me and smiled weakly. “Oh you mean when he woke up from a deep coma and went crazy? Well we shot him with the sleeping medicine so he went back to sleep…”

“Then…” I said in case there is a continuation.

“After that my brothers left the room until I was the only one left. I was tasked to wait until he woke up.”

“Then what happened?”

“Then when he woke up, I left the ice cabin to do my work,” he concluded.

I know he's done but it seems like something is still missing. “Is that all?” I asked in case he would add anything.

He wondered. “Why Yani? Is there anything wrong? Are you expecting something will happen?”

I was surprised by what he asked. “Oh uhm I mean well uuhh did you tell him everything that happened after he collapsed?”

He was silenced. “Well you know maybe he asked what happened after that and you—”

“Does he need to know?” he asked in question so I stopped.

“What do you mean?” I wondered back in question.

“What I mean is he already knows all about that because in the first place he's the one who called us so do I need to tell him?”

I was silenced because he has a point. Why did I even ask?

“I'm curious, why are you asking me this? Did something happen?” he asked.

“Oh uhh nothing,” I answered immediately. “Just wondering.”

He didn’t speak. I thought silence would come between us when, “So, are you doing your part?” he asked, breaking the silence.

I was a little surprised by his question so I looked at him first before answering. “Yes.”

“Good because I will not be—”

“But he's not doing his part,” I cut him off.

He stopped and wondered. “His part? What do you mean?”

“He's not even avoiding me,” I replied.

He was silenced. “Since you said that he knows, he should be avoiding me too, right?”

He looked at me then suddenly he smiled but I was surprised because his smile was… sarcastic?

“Is he? What are you talking about? Jethro is not like that.”

I just stopped and fell silent at what he said. “He's coldhearted and you know that,” he said seriously.

“But—”

“Whatever is the meaning of what you said, all you have to do is to avoid him Yani,” he added. “Or maybe you can make him hate you”

I was surprised by his suggestion. “You know, so that you won't have a hard time avoiding him.”

I was completely silenced. It was as if something stuck in my throat when he said all that. Honestly, it hurts me but it's the right thing to do, isn't it? He was right because he has a point. Why didn't I think of that?

I didn’t realize that Prince Eaux had arrived. “Sorry I was late. It was really hard to find them and I did something for a while,” Prince Eaux apologized.

“It's okay brother,” Prince Zoltar replied.

He immediately sat down on his chair and they came one by one. Jethro came last and he sat in the last vacant seat.

“Okay, looks like we are complete. You can now start Yani,” said Prince Eaux.

I paused at my place. I feel like I'm lost in my world just because of what Prince Zoltar and I talked about earlier.

“Uhm Yani?” said Prince Eaux so he got my attention.

“Uhm sorry you were saying?” I asked.

“I said you can start now,” Prince Eaux replied.

“Oh right,” and I immediately took the paper and opened it. I cleared my throat and looked at them... but I wish I hadn't done that because I suddenly felt nervous so I bowed.

“Uhm be-before anything else,” I stammered. “I-I called all of you here because uhm I was told by King Gabi to have this meeting after he will be buried. And most of all, the reason why King Gabi didn't let me call you guys during his last breath to save him is uhm because he doesn't want to. He doesn't want to see your sad faces while he is dying. I know that reason is not even reasonable but he insisted and I also got scared when he threatened me that he'll state in his last testament that I killed him if I do so.”

They were surprised after I said that. “So I'm really sorry if all of you were not there in his last time—”

“It's okay Yani,” Prince Eaux whispered. “We understood what you meant.”

“Well that's Dad,” said Prince Aes.

“Yeah. We're sorry too Yani for blaming you,” said Prince Turuki.

I stopped talking and gave them a smile.

“Ahem, you have something to say Fuego?” Prince Eaux said, clearing his throat so we looked at him.

“Okay fine. I'm sorry,” Prince Fuego said irritably. “I'm sorry for shouting at you and attacking you.”

I just looked at him and smiled too.

“So we're all good now. You may proceed,” Prince Eaux formally said.

I cleared my throat again before starting to read. “To my Dearest Sons and Yani, it’s been a long time since I’ve talked to all nine of you. I know that I won't be able to talk to either one of you during my last breath but everything I want to say to each one of you is here...”

I paused for a moment and stared at Prince Eaux. “To Eaux, I'm so proud of you for doing your job as the eldest son. You've become a great leader to your siblings leading them to the right path of being a prince, just like how a choreographer leading his dancers to form the most beautiful and perfect dance of all. You know how much I am proud of you for being an awesome dancer, so don't be ashamed of dancing in front of anybody because you are the best performer whatever others may say, always remember that...”

I stopped first and looked at Prince Eaux smiling.

“To Turuki, whenever I hear the click sound of the camera, I always know that you are around. Even though you have a lot of responsibilities as a prince, you never forget to walk around and look everywhere to find a perfect view to take. I was already wondering how many albums you have right now? Must be a house full... but I'm not stopping you to capture more because you're doing that for memories right? I wonder how many memories we have been together... but that doesn't count the fact that you are the best photographer I know. I will always love your pictures. If someone else insulted one of them, always remember that you have someone who will always be amazed by your pictures and You as the photographer...”

“Thanks Dad,” replied Prince Turuki with tears forming in his eyes.

“To Edmondo, looking at you, you are a type of guy that looks really manly but when I tried to see deeper about what you do, you were holding a needle and some pieces of clothes. Others may say that what you are doing may be a woman's job but for me, you are far better than a woman. You make the best clothes and I'm proud to wear every clothes you made. Also, I really am a fan in every cross stitch you put in a frame. Don't stop stitching, knitting, crocheting or cross stitching even though how many times the needle pricks you because every prick, always remember that a wonderful dress or picture is slowly forming...”

“I'll remember that,” Prince Edmondo replied.

“To Fuego, ah my hot headed son. Haha just kidding...”

“Wait, did he really write that?!” Prince Fuego suddenly said, even standing up from his seat. This prince reacts too much.

“Fuego, can you please let her finish first?” said Prince Eaux.

“Tsss,” as he sat down at the same time. He is the most exaggerated prince I have ever met.

“He said here, calm down okay?”

He didn’t speak and looked in the other direction. “You may be a hot tempered guy but you're the hottest. Not because girls always chase you but because you make the best food that I have ever tasted. You can even beat the most professional chef in town. You always make the perfect seasoning of the food without looking at a recipe and always get what the diner wants without asking him or her. If ever there is one food that you cannot get it right, don't get easily annoyed and do your best to find the perfect seasoning. You make the best food whatever that is from, that's all I can say...”

“Thanks for the advice,” he said without looking in my direction. Geez. He’s just pretending not to care.

“To Zoltar, what else can I say? You are the most intelligent of all I know and you can break everything down to different explanations and by the looks of it, even the greatest scientist I know cannot fathom your knowledge but scientists like you always have flaws. You always focus your life in science and experiment. You forgot to study what really life is. I suggest, try to get out of your comfort zone and learn biology. Biology is the study of life, right? I know it doesn't make sense to you but take my advice. You already missed a lot, okay Zoltar?”

“Okay,” Prince Zoltar replied.

“To Aes, yes you also know a lot about algebra and calculus and I'm proud of you about it but my son, you're always in your comfort zone. Your friends are always machines. Why won't you try to meddle with 'real' humans even if it is a metal guy or metal girl? Also, why won't you spend time with your brothers? Even if you made the tallest, widest, most beautiful building but if not one person is in there, it's useless right?”

“Yeah. He has a point,” Prince Aes replied.

“To Feesy, my friendly son, I hope I can still see the happiest smile from you right now. Always be happy. Make your brothers happy too. I know that you can do it. Don't stop painting and drawing things. Create more artistic designs and do more. I wonder which of your paintings or works are the best? No need to answer because everything is the best...”

I heard him sob.

“You're crying again?” Prince Aes asked Prince Feesy because they were sitting side by side.

“No…” he denied but he immediately surrendered. “…yes. That was just so touching, you know.”

Prince Aes just sighed and caressed Prince Feesy's back. These siblings are sweet. And the last son... I paused before I continued…

“To Jethro, my adorable son... so ironic to say but I'm not joking. Even though every day I always see the same 'poker face' you have, you are still handsome to me. I wish I could hear your lovely voice but I think it's enough for me to just hear you play melodious songs because believe me or not, it always relaxes me just to hear it. How much more if you sing? I may not be there when you start to sing in front of the crowd but I will always be proud to have a son like you...”

Shacks. What he wrote made me cry. It’s because he has not heard the recording while he is writing this. I looked at him. He just bowed down his head and looked at the table. See? You see, even though he is still numb, he knows how to feel what’s going on around him, but we understand why because this is his father's message, right?

“I will always remember the times we have been together as a family. Please forgive me for all those times of our misunderstandings and even though it's been a short time that we are together, I will always be proud to have you all as my sons so Thank You. And remember that I always love you all…”

“Now for Yani...”

Hey I didn’t expect him to write to me. “... although you're just a newcomer, I'm lucky to have you here. Every time you talk to me and share laughter with me, I always wanted you to be my daughter. Now that I'm not around, please take good care of my sons. They are quite annoying sometimes but have patience. I want you to be a good sister to them…”

Yes, King Gabi. I'll take good care of them.

“As I conclude, I want you all to remember not to stop developing Eullenuum Nation. It was the best nation of all and I'm proud that I was able to rule it. I'm sorry if I wasn't able to do something to look at its best and I'm sorry if sometimes I wasn't doing my responsibility as a King, my deepest apologies. I hope you can forgive me. But don't worry because right now, I was able to find the perfect leader for Eullenuum Nation. As for the next heir...”

I stopped talking because I could not understand what was next.

“Uhh what was that Yani?” Prince Eaux asked.

“Uhm wait,” I turned the paper over and rolled it around.

“Is there something wrong?” he asked again.

“I'm sorry. I just can't understand what he wrote,” I replied.

“Let me see,” said Prince Zoltar and gave him the paper. Prince Aes is also looking because they are sitting beside each other.

“Wow. It's full of symbols,” replied Prince Zoltar.

“Hey, let us see,” said Prince Edmondo as Prince Zoltar laid the paper on the table.

“Okay, what's the meaning of this?” Prince Fuego asked.

“Must be a code,” Prince Aes replied while thinking.

“Code for what?” Prince Feesy asked.

“For the next heir I think,” replied Prince Aes.

“Why would he leave a code? Why won't he just write it?” Prince Fuego asked.

“Look guys, there's a date after it,” Prince Turuki entered. They looked at it.

“April 1?” they asked each other.

“Uhm I actually wrote that,” I went in so they immediately look at me. “Uhm he just commanded me to write that date there.”

“Did he tell you what the meaning of that is?” Prince Eaux asked.

“Uhm no,” I replied. They looked at each other again when I said that and thought again.

“April 1...” said Prince Aes. “…well that's the date one week after the Tradition but what does it have to do with it?”

There was an awkward silence before they looked at each other.

“THE TRADITION!” they all said in shock.