It had been more then 30 years since the fateful incident.
Today the streets were booming with cheers, it was the day for the new King to be crowned.
A lone weary man walked faithfully with two trays of food in his hands.
Although he looked weary, his back was still tall and strong, time had had little effect on his figure and features as anyone would still regard him as stunningly handsome.
Happily the man entered the grand burial mausoleum, a place meant only for the bodies of the great late Kings and Queens of Dandar. He couldn't wait today as he briskly walked in.
Within the mausoleum he entered a complex new secret passage, it had been constructed 30 years prior with the utmost secrecy to ensure only a select few could enter.
For the man trusted no one when it came to her, yes, even in her death he wished to be the only one to see her.
If the late Kings and Queens of Dandar were regarded as special, then she was regarded as an immeasurable treasure.
No one was to defial her resting place, only he was allowed to see her.
Yes, everyday Jun had visited her with a single tray of food.
After walking through a few secret pathways Jun found himself at the sacred tomb. It was in a large room at the center of the mausoleum.
In the large room, a wide stone coffin sat in the middle, it was large enough to easily hold two bodies.
Jun walked up to the large stone as he stood in his favorite spot beside the head of the coffin.
He gave a a truly rare full smile.
If anyone saw his smile they would be baffled beyond belief, for ever since that day he only wore a hardened stiff expression in front of others, he had long ago become known as the cold demon King of Dandar.
The only time he smiled now was when he was visiting the resting place of his beloved.
It was the only thing that gave him peace.
"Ah, the new King is being crowned today, he will make a fine King." Gently Jun placed the two trays of steaming food carefully on the ground.
"Now, it is time."
Using his strength, Jun pushed open the coffin lid revealing the remains of his beloved.
Seeing the body, Jun silently kneeled just like a knight. With delicate movements he pulled out the remains of her hand and caressed it gently in his hands as though it was the hand of his beloved princess.
With bitter eyes he held tighter. "I wasn't able to protect you that day, but at least I protected your nation..."
"Just like you wanted, I helped bring peace to our two nations, now I can be with you... right? Right? Now I can finally be at peace with you. Right?" His eyes looked conflicted, wondering if he had truly done enough.
"Ah, like I mentioned before, today is the crowning of the new King. Don't worry, from a young age I was tough on him and raised him to be strong and wise. He should be skillful in continuing the peace between our nations."
"I also made sure he became engaged with one of the royals from Canta, he is sure to respect both your nation and mine, yes, he should become a great ruler...." Jun's mind trailed off as he suddenly looked worried remembering something.
"AH! Don't worry, he is not my child! For how could I ever remarry after you? No! No, he is the son of Prince Valentine and his wife from Canta. He is smart and wise while caring about both Canta, his Mother's country, and Dandar, his father's country. He is the perfect heir, capable to take on the throne."
In truth the King of Dandar had never married after his wife's sudden death.
Even if someone mentioned the mere idea of the King marrying another they would immediately be beheaded.
So no one dared mention such things.
Everyone pitied the poor King, for who didn't know the sad tale of his late wife's passing? She had saved him, raised him, helped him become King, married him, and died for him. No one blamed the King for never being able to marry again after such a loyal first wife.
Even those who had at first hated or feared the late Princess Sylvia, after her death no one could deny her devotion and selflessness any longer.
The late Queen became truly memorable in Dandars history as a true royal, her former reputation as the demon princess was completely wiped clean as she was now regarded in history as pure and virtuous.
Jun continued. "Now that I am no longer King, there is no longer a need for me. I have fulfilled my duty to the best of my ability."
"You are my one and only love, so as your knight, don't deny me the right to stay by your side... Yes. You better be waiting for me on the other side or I will have to chase after you."
Jun slowly put the hand back that he had been gently holding the entire time. With that he began focusing on the tray of food before him. He grabbed a spoonful of food.
With Tender eyes he began to think back to their marriage ceremony long ago.
"I have been waiting thirty years for this." He ate a biteful of food.
It was the same type of ceremonial food prepared on that day.
Jun took another scoopful, but before he could swallow the second bite of food he violently coughed a handful of purple fluid and blood.
"Hah you... ate the food first, I-I was never able to take a bite and finish the ceremony. Now I am officially completing it so that we can once again be together."
Jun looked with gentle eyes towards the coffin.
"Ah- Also I didn't forget you. This is your tray, poison free." Gently he placed the second tray in front of the coffin.
Jun lightly smiled thinking about her eating his food before he inevitable coughed up another mouth full of blood, with waning strength he quickly stood up.
Waking towards the open lidded coffin he crawled in.
Looking at the bones and clothes, Jun gingerly laughed, he happily laid down.
Once again he reached out to grab the bones of her hand and tenderly held it in his. Then with continued gentleness he brought it up to his face and placed a light kiss. He reminisced on his oath. Even if he hadn't been able to protect her, that didn't mean his oath had ended, no, he would stay by her side forever, serving only her.
Jun again laughed, he must be going crazy...
No.
Truthfully he had already been crazy the moment he met her.
As he laid there, his vision began to blur, everything began to turn dark.
Although Jun hated the dark, as he laid close to his beloved his fear didn't come about.
Instead he felt strangely relaxed, happy that he could finally rest. With his remaining strength, he used his hands to again close the half open coffin lid.
Now that he had used the remainder of his strength, his breathing slowed. His body relaxed.
As he closed his eyes for the final time, he whispered. "Next time, I really will protect you."
*Desert Note: Just a (not really) fun fact- Going back to the other two arcs, he is living longer each time which is a contributing factor to his yandere tendencies.
(Also I am going to post a little warning/side note chapter tonight or tomorrow (not an actual chapter) but please read it)