Allen yawned as he walked down the hallways to the dinning hall for breakfast. Everyone was waiting patiently for him to arrive when he entered the room. Mana sat at his usual place at the head of the table, talking to a man with long red hair. When Allen entered,Mana stopped his conversation with the man and smiled.
"Allen, do come and sit, I have someone I'd like you to meet. This is General Cross. Now the three of us have important matters to discuss after breakfast." Mana smiled gesturing the red hair man, who took a long drag from his cigarette. Allen nodded and sat across from Kanda, who'd already started his food.
"Good morning, Kanda." Allen smiled picking up his fork and beginning on the array of food before him. Kanda grumbled in reply and started on his own food. Cross and Mana continued their conversation from before, Cross often taking a sip from the wine glass that he held. Mana ignored the meal that was placed before him and devoted his attention to the conversation. Allen frowned when he finished his own feast and noticed Mana hadn't even moved his fork. Allen set down his fork and downed the last of his drink.
"Mana, I'm finished. What do we have to discuss?" Allen asked
"Come, come! Kanda, I'll return Allen in a moment." Mana smiled and Kanda nodded as he watched the three stand and leave the room.
Mana led Cross and Allen down the hall and into one of the many sitting rooms. Allen plopped down on the couch and the two adults sat in the arm chairs.
"This is about the heir, Allen. As you know by now, my health is failing, and it is unknown how much longer I'll last."
"What do you mean!" Allen asked jumping from his seat.
"It's as I said, Allen. No the problem at hand is this, you cannot become king until you turn 18. I will not live that long, that is for sure, so I've asked my best general to watch over the kingdom until you turn 18, if I happen to die." Mana stated.
"But Mana!" Allen protested and Mana frowned at the childish behavior
"No buts. The decision has already be made, I just wanted to inform you about it."
"Fine!" Allen stated before running from the room. Mana sat in shock of Allen's outburst but quickly shook it off to talk to the man next to him.
It was around lunch time and Allen took as long as he could to climb down from the room and slowly drag his feet to the dining hall. Kanda walked before him and Allen called out to him with a small smile. Kanda turned when his name was called, and turned back, quickening his pace.
"Oh, fine ignore me." Allen said to himself as he walked down the last stretch of hallway that led to the room. Everyone was silent while they ate, and it was only broken by Mana who began coughing. Allen placed down his fork and looked at his foster father in concern. Mana covered his mouth with his hand and used the other to grip the table as his body was shook with his coughing.
Mana stopped coughing and looked at his hand in worry. He quickly grabbed the napkin from beside he plate and wiped the blood from his palm.
"Are you alright,Mana?" Allen asked as Mana placed back the napkin and downed a glass of water. Mana nodded picked up his fork to continue eating. Allen sighed and picked up his own fork, and began consuming his feast.
A fork clattered against a plate and Mana toppled over. The tree stood up in shock and rushed to the side of the king. Allen's eyes were tear filled as Cross sat Mana up and tried to wake him up. Cross checked for a pulse.
"Hey, Wake up! Wake up!" Cross yelled and slapped Mana across the face. No reaction. Cross closed Mana's eyes and stood. Allen's vision became blurry with tears and he reached out and place a hand on Mana's.
"What are you doing, Mana? Stop fooling, wake up. Stop with the act." Allen said hugging him.
"Allen." Kanda stated as he watched his friend shake Mana's shoulder trying to wake him up. Allen cried and stood shaking Mana in an attempt to wake him up. Kanda couldn't take it anymore, he grabbed the back of Allen's shirt and pulled him back. Kanda wrapped Allen in a hug and let the white-haired boy cry into his shirt. Cross frowned and left the room, stopping to refill his wine glass.
Kanda led Allen from the room and walked him down the long hallways to the rooftop. He remembered Allen had said it was one of his favorite places in the palace. Kanda sat Allen down on the slanted roof and sat beside the still crying boy.
"Allen?" Kanda said looking up at the blue sky and the to his friend.
"Hmm?" Allen noised and wiped his eyes.
"Are you...okay? No, that's a stupid question. Of course you're not. It's...you'll get through this and if you can't I'll help you out alright. I'm here for you, just...remember that."
"Really? You're a really good friend." Allen sniffled
"Yeah...friend."
