Not long after, Mura bade farewell to the study. When he had arrived, his face was full of excitement, but as he left, only dejection and disbelief remained. He walked on a corridor where the fading twilight made each step precarious. He nearly stumbled several times, but fortunately, the servants at his side steadied him, preventing the King from any undignified display.
The darkness slowly filled the corridor, like a river being pumped full of leaden waters under the thunderous noise of the steam engine.
Belvan watched him depart, and when the door closed, they did not exchange more parting words, only one sentence:
"Goodbye, Your Majesty."
This farewell signified an eternal parting,
Belvan had made his final preparations, even though King Mura reiterated several times that there would be no danger to his life. Yet, the scholar, like a chaste and defiant woman resolute against shame, had firmly chosen to drink the bitter cup.
He ceased to reflect upon certain matters.
