The Coup (1)

[10 years ago, Royal Palace]

"I… still want to believe. After all, he is my younger brother, Elias."

"Your Majesty…" Elias let out a long breath. "Forgive my inappropriate words just now."

King Rexton IV smiled weakly. He then looked towards his study window. Summer in Rexton is the best when the night sky is clear and the stars are clearly visible.

"It's almost late now. You can go back," said the King. "Today you have worked hard, thank you."

"Very well, Your Majesty. I hope… Your Majesty considers my opinion earlier."

Those little peeking ears and eyes immediately ran away. Axelle didn't want his father and Elias to know that he was still wandering around this late at night.

What were they talking about, huh? Axelle thought to himself while kicking a pebble in the garden connecting the King's Palace with the Prince's Palace. Lately Axelle knows that his father–everyone–is worried about something. Including his older brother, Hiero. Everyone knew about this thing except little Axelle.

One star in the sky. Shooting star.

"I want to grow up fast," hoped Axelle while looking up at the sky.

"If you don't rest properly like this, you won't grow up fast."

There was an amused sound, accompanied by the sound of footsteps. Hiero drew closer to Axelle.

"Akh! Prince Hiero," Axelle stammered.

"This kid," Hiero scolded exasperatedly while pinching the tip of Axelle's nose. "Even though I told you not to wander around at night. And stop calling me Prince, Axelle. It's just the two of us here."

"Eh, yes, Brother."

Hiro smiled. "Come in. If you want to grow up fast, you have to rest properly. Not just wandering around or staying up late reading a book at this time of night."

"I'm resting well and properly," Axelle grumbled. He followed his brother into the Prince's Palace. "Anyway… it's just a quick night stroll around the park. I didn't leave the Palace area."

"Axelle," Hiero called softly. As soon as Axelle approached, he took his hand. They continued their journey. "You are the main member of the Palace family. It can be dangerous for you to go out alone."

"I can take care of myself."

"You're still a kid."

"I'm not a kid. I'm 12 years old!"

Hiero chuckled. "Yeah, but compared to everyone else in the Palace, you're the kid here," he teased, causing Axelle to pout in annoyance.

"But I'm strong and good at running away from danger. I'm not afraid of the dark anymore. I can use knives and swords even though I'm not as good as you," Axelle said defensively.

"Yes, that's right." Hiero stopped his steps, then suddenly, he kneeled in front of Axelle. His hands brushed aside Axelle's sleeves, which revealed several bruises and scratches from practicing swordsmanship and martial arts. "Your hands are like this. You must have trained really hard," he said while rubbing the wounds.

Axelle was ashamed of himself because his brother saw his injuries. Hiero's hands were clean of wounds, and the only evidence of his rigorous training was the calluses on his hands. Hiero could master swords and knives without injuring himself; that's how great the first prince was.

"But Axelle, know that this is for your own good," said Hiero, suddenly becoming serious. "I know your martial arts abilities have greatly improved, but I'd prefer it if you… you don't need it."

"Because I'm weak and talentless?"

"No, Axelle. But because… Brother wants you to stay safe." Hiero tightly cupped Axelle's hands. Whether it was just his feelings or not, Axelle could feel the tremble in his brother's touch. "So, will you promise to stay in your room at night?"

Why? Axelle asked himself.

In the end, Axelle nodded, confirming his promise. If his brother is begging and kneeling like this, it means that his brother is being serious.

***

That night the two of them slept together in Hiero's room. The maids, surprised not to find Axelle in his own room, nagged him a little. Hiero just laughed when he heard he was being scolded.

"I heard last night you left your room again," Queen Rexton said at breakfast with her children in the Prince's backyard.

"Mother…" Axelle groaned.

Queen Rexton and Hiero both laughed. "Looks like you've had enough scolding from the maids and nannies," the Queen said, amused.

"D-does His Majesty the King know?" asked Axelle timidly.

"You don't want Mom to tell Dad?" teased the Queen. Axelle shook his head vigorously in response. "Well, then don't do it again. You understand, Axelle?"

"Yes, Axelle understands, Mother," said Axelle obediently.

Queen Rexton smiled at her son's answer. Her hand reached out to stroke Axelle's head until she realized something. "Honey, do you have a fever?"

"What?" Hiero immediately alerted. He also touched Axelle's forehead. "But this morning before I left, Axelle was still fine."

"I'm okay, really," Axelle evaded. Actually, he had been feeling a little dizzy since breakfast started.

"Call the maid who helped Axelle this morning. How come no one noticed?" asked the Queen frantically herself.

"Was it because you went out last night?" asked Hiero anxiously.

"For God's sake, Axelle. Mother wouldn't take you out for breakfast if I knew you were sick like this. I'm sorry, okay?" said the Queen in a guilty tone.

"I'm fine, really. I'm just a little–"

Dizzy. Lightly.

It all happened suddenly. Axelle felt his soul being snatched away from his body. He felt like he was floating and met and saw many human-like figures in his hazy vision.

Messenger of God? Devil? thought Axelle before she actually fell. Even when he closed his eyes, Axelle could still feel the presence of the figures.

Then what Axelle heard were deep, foreign voices. This sounded like a word and a curse, instead of the real commotion around him.

***

"This is the fifth time this year, not including the previous one when we thought it was just a fever or ordinary fatigue. Is Axelle really okay?" demanded King Rexton IV of the doctor examining Axelle.

The Queen and Hiero waited anxiously for the doctor's answer.

"My apologies, Your Majesty. But from my examination results, all of Prince Axelle's vital organs are working well," the doctor replied calmly.

"Then why is my son like this?" asked the Queen. "Axelle… Axelle doesn't have a serious illness, right? The doctor isn't hiding anything from me, is he?"

"Dear." King Rexton IV took his wife's hand to calm her down.

"Actually… I have a suspicion," said the doctor slowly. "Maybe it has something to do with spirituality."

"What do you mean, Doctor?" asked the King.

"I've heard that there are certain people who have great divine abilities, to the point where it's hard to control them. They often suddenly get sick, but soon they return to health, "explained the doctor. "With all due respect, this is… a realm beyond my capabilities. My advice, Your Majesty can have Prince Axelle checked into the Beulah Sacred Temple."

"Beulah Sacred Temple," repeated the King. "That means, the Holy City of Zion can?"

"Yes, there can be, even better. But I don't recommend it because the journey and the terrain are too difficult for children, especially those who are sick."

The doctor explained and suggested a few more things before finally leaving. Hiero who escorted him out of the room immediately returned to Axelle's room.

The Queen sat by Axelle's side. Her hands were constantly rubbing the child's head. While the King was only able to look at the youngest child anxiously. And Hiero…

Hiero didn't know what his family should do now.