I think he lost hope in the process of being manipulated. Then Abel came and his hope was renewed so in last ditch attempt to preserve that hope he helped his son to get away which is sad because thinking of the past kings who suffered and lost hope too because there was no one to save them and watched helplessly as their regas get killed and replaced by fake （/TДT)/
Yes!! It was so sad when the librarian found the hidden message about for many many generations kings & queens have been controlled and manipulated. They were being made into addict and fearful of everything. Then when they started to have hope, their regas were always been killed and replaced by "controlled regas". I do think the late king " Found" hope when he met Abel & the prince, as he tricked his regas and left him in the forest.
At least the late king wasn't that stupid. He realized he was poisoned and being manipulated. He finally used his last wits to send the prince away and only with his trusted Knight & maid. It just sad he seemed wanted to be free from the poison but he was poisoned since he was a kid and traumatized by losing his regas
Ok someone who read the novel please give me spoiler （Ω Д Ω）