“So, for the main hall, I want lots of flowers. The theme of the event should be gold and purple,” Cleopatra said.

She had been busy planning her wedding for the past few weeks. She believed you could only have your wedding once, and she wanted hers to be filled with pleasant memories that she could hold on to for a lifetime.

The wedding planner was very serious and paid attention to every single detail. She was determined to make the wedding the biggest and best wedding ever held, not only in their kingdom but also in the twelve kingdoms surrounding them.

Meanwhile, Lucian was walking along the balcony while speaking with one of his cabinet members when he spotted Cleopatra. He immediately ended the brief meeting and headed through the hallway that led directly to the garden, where Cleopatra and the event planner, Rachel, were discussing the wedding plans.

He couldn't help but admire Cleopatra every time he got the chance to see her. Her grey eyes, long lashes, smooth skin, and silky, dark hair made her one of the most beautiful women in the kingdom. Whenever she walked through the markets or streets, people would often pause whatever they were doing just to take a glance at her.

Lucian smiled to himself as he watched her. He noticed that she hadn't seen him yet, so he jumped off the balcony and made his way toward her.

Immediately Cleopatra spotted him, her expression changed. A beautiful smile spread across her face as she opened her arms wide, indicating that she wanted a hug.

After hugging him, she pulled him toward the chair she had been sitting on and sat on his lap, staring into his eyes while playing with his hair.

The event planner thought the couple looked adorable. After about five minutes, she decided she would return the next day to continue the meeting since Cleopatra was already distracted by Lucian's presence.

“So, you're done with the meeting?” Lucian asked, teasing her.

All Cleopatra could do was nod and smile. She continued playing with his hair while giggling.

Lucian gently held her face and leaned forward to kiss her. Cleopatra loved kissing him, and the two of them could spend a long time lost in each other's company. However, this time, the kiss was brief.

When they pulled apart, Cleopatra looked at him sadly.

“What's wrong?” Lucian asked in a concerned tone.

“Let's go see your father,” she said, her voice filled with worry.

Lucian's father, King Cole, was a kind man and one of the best kings their kingdom had ever had. He had lost his wife two years after Lucian's birth and had refused to remarry.

He was kind to everyone, especially Cleopatra. When Lucian first became engaged to her, she was still the chief of the army of the Arystia Kingdom. Eventually, she left her position because she felt Lucian was more important to her.

Cleopatra had been afraid that King Cole would disapprove of their marriage. Kings often wanted their sons to marry princesses from other kingdoms because such marriages could strengthen political alliances and expand their influence.

But King Cole was different.

Despite Lucian being his only child, he was happy and proud that his son had chosen such a wonderful woman.

During his free time, King Cole would often tell Cleopatra stories about his late wife, his brothers, the kings of neighbouring kingdoms, and how overwhelming being a king could sometimes be.

But now, King Cole was very sick.

They had tried every method they knew to cure him. They had even invited specialists from neighbouring kingdoms, but nothing had worked.

Cleopatra was heartbroken. She had even sought help from people she knew in the Underworld, but none of them had been able to heal him.

Perhaps it was simply his time.

Lucian gently opened the door to his father's room. Two specialists were inside, speaking with King Cole, but their conversation ended almost immediately after Lucian entered.

The specialists quietly left the room, leaving King Cole, Lucian, and Cleopatra alone.

Cleopatra stared at the old king, her heart heavy with worry.

Something about the room felt different that evening.

And somehow, she couldn't shake the feeling that this illness was only the beginning.