KNEEL BEFORE THE CROWN (BL)

What made the King suddenly pay more attention to him. After the incident in the greenhouse, did he make a decision that quickly. Impossible. Had the King actually planned this for a long time. No one knows.

Weithia tried her best to adjust himself. After the King had more or less declared his feelings - which were quite confusing. A smile crept onto his lips for the umpteenth time that day.

His thoughts turned to the Princess, still busy having lots of fun in the palace with her ladies. Going home probably didn't cross the girl's mind. Her relationship with Weithia hadn't changed either. Even though they rarely spent time together now, they both still often greeted each other. Carmellia understood that Weithia had more important responsibilities as a Royal Knight.

That night the Knight rested in his room after accompanying Adam to visit several places for state affairs. Several days had passed after the heated meeting. Who spread the news was still a mystery, he didn't expect this case to be more complicated than he had imagined. The King didn't punish Trevor, fortunately. Weithia began to feel that this case was sinking when she visited Haven headquarters to meet with Robin and his best friend Thomas. Not many people were talking about it anymore.

There was actually no one demanding proper justice for the two victims. There was only a group of frightened nobles who wanted to protect themselves. Weithia sighed. That was the state of the monarchy. The nobles pressed Adam only for his own safety.

Sir Tivius had also not been seen in the past few days. The last time was when they went to look for potions. It was said that he returned to the East. But no one knew – especially since he was a foreigner. And only related to His Majesty.

Weithia rubbed his neck in frustration, his brain like a wild thing that could not be controlled. Like a messy book page.

Then an orange light from a candle was seen walking from the gap under his door. Familiar with the King's habit of reading when he had trouble sleeping. Quietly going to his library alone.

All he could do was not make a sound and follow Adam's footsteps, making sure that the man was always safe. Among the towering bookshelves, Adam carefully chose which book he should read.

The moonlight entered through the window softly, enough to make the room dim. "Will you help me choose, Weithia?"

The man was shocked from his hiding place, "Did I get caught?"

"Why haven't you slept yet?"

"I can't, Your Majesty. When I saw your candlelight, I immediately came here."

Adam sat on the soft sofa with a thin book in his hand. "Then please chat with me for a while here."

"May I?"

"Of course. I am very happy to have you here with me."

"Do you often? Before I became a Knight, go to the library in the middle of the night?"

"Sometimes. Can you feel it?"

"What is it, Your Highness?"

"Silence and peace. I deliberately did not turn on the lights. It is almost full moon now – the moonlight is much more beautiful. There is no one here, just the two of us. So peaceful."

Weithia rubbed her neck, "Can I ask something else? About the witch rumor that you mentioned at the meeting last time." Weithia also sat on one of the sofas. Facing Adam.

"Oh yeah? What do you want to know?"

"About witches, Your Highness."

Adam lay down on the long sofa, "The massacre of people accused of being witches has been going on for a long time. It happened in many countries out there. It started because of religious authorities who opposed all forms of black magic. The era of human darkness that I am trying to eliminate is very difficult, because it has been embedded as a teaching that has been believed since humans were born."

Weithia listened attentively.

"Even scientists, healers, mothers, young girls have been executed barbarically since long ago. Without any clear reason, hung from a pole or shackled. All of that could lead to a trial, members of parliament even asked me to make a new law. Tragically, the courts seem to give as much space as possible to citizens who routinely arrest people suspected of working as shamans."

"But not in my government, they wouldn't dare."

Adam continued his explanation, "There is not much history or complete identity about the witch nation in books. Because of the limited information that can be obtained. Their lives are nomadic, today in Wilhelmia, maybe next week they might be somewhere else. They are always being chased by humans. Because witches are hated and hunted down to be executed. Even after being executed, it turns out that people are still afraid. If they rise from the grave with the power of the devil to take revenge."

"There will be no end to human hatred." Weithia said.

"Fear to be precise. Fear is the root of hatred. Humans can be wilder than animals."

"Then what will you do?"

"Now? Maybe read this book."

Weithia chuckled, "No, I mean about this matter. What about the future?"

Adam looked at Weithia, "You sound like those Ministers now – young man, don't pressure me. Please."

The young man smiled shyly, "Im sorry, Your Majesty."

"By the way, do you like my gift?"

"I think it's too much, I gave almost everything to the parents in the village. So that they don't have to work hard in the fields and can eat well. I'm already very well off here. There's nothing I want to do more than be with you, Your Majesty."

"Do your mother and father like the money, jewelry and clothes?"

"Of course, Your Majesty." Weithia laughed again. "My father and mother are very grateful to you. They've never had anything like that before. They'll use the money to buy a new house, land or maybe open a new business in the city."

Adam nodded in understanding, "But don't give the sword to anyone. It's yours. Because I can't stay with you forever, while the sword can. Let it continue to accompany your days, Weithia. To make it a reminder of me."

Weithia smiled, "Of course. I take care of it as best I can." The young man then took out a piece of paper from his trouser pocket and gave it to Adam nervously.

"I made this, Your Majesty. For you." His voice sounded hesitant.

He saw a messy writing with ink that made the paper a little dirty. Adam began to read it out loud.

"I will find you in the burning sky, where ashes rain down on your sorrowful mind. I am lost in the sky swimming among the stars, with a feeling of hesitation."

"You are like a dandelion dancing on the wind, which provides warmth in winter. Your voice is as beautiful as the crashing waves on the beach, your smile is as cool as the flow of water in the river."

"I found you in the vast green grassland, like rain falling in the dry season."

Adam glanced at the Knight, who looked away to hide his face which was as red as a ripe tomato. "Is that all? Or is there a continuation?"

"I can't think about it, Your Majesty."

"You mean giving this to me, so I can correct it or what? Yes... I think this is good. The right choice of words, it seems that you are also someone who really cares about natural conditions. But you put in too many elements, like stars, beaches, rivers, seasons. Too boring in my opinion."

Adam corrected his position and gave the paper back to Weithia who was silent. "Make it with a broader discussion. A little abstract is also okay." Weithia was still silent.

"I will be back, you also rest."

Adam turned away, walking away from the library. Weithia felt that was not what should have happened. He was a little annoyed because the King misunderstood. Boring words, like arrows piercing his head.

"Your Majesty, wait. Would you like to be with me a little longer?" he said softly.

"Tomorrow we have to work, we both need sleep. Study your poem again, if you want I can give you a private tutor." Adam leaned his shoulder on the entrance. Staring at Weithia.

His gaze weakened, "No need, Sir. I just want to study with you. Thank you for reading it."

Adam came back in and approached the young man, "Why? I don't like seeing you make that face."

"Did I make you sad? Or do you want something? Just tell me."

"I want you to stay longer." He answered softly. The moonlight fell between the two men. Adam obeyed and sat back on the sofa, next to him Weithia sat weakly.

"Talking to you every day, for hours. It's actually quite destructive. Because it will there are days when we won't talk at all. And that's the saddest feeling. Something about you makes me a little more alive, curious about what tomorrow will bring."

"Yesterday, it never crossed my mind that I would spend the night with you in the library. Watching the sparkling silver light of the moon, like this."

The two fell silent and the atmosphere turned quiet.

Weithia smiled melancholy, "Speaking of the moon, we do have to go through a phase of emptiness to feel full again, Your Highness. You make me feel special. Even though I'm nothing. Just a stranger who met you at the end of winter."

"You don't have to be anything to be mine." He touched Weithia's hand gently. "Are we going to spend the night throwing compliments at each other like this?" Adam chuckled. "It sounds lame to me."

"One more thing, don't be shy with me Weithia. From now on, there's no need to be so formal. If you want, you can call me Adam."

"I can't possibly call you by your first name. If other people hear it, wouldn't it be a problem?"

Adam frowned, his smile fading. "No need to think too far about the problem. I don't care, if there are people who don't like it, just come to me."

The King's body now leaned slightly. "Are you afraid? If you do this with me?" He stared at Weithia deeply.

"You taught me not to be easily afraid. I just don't want you to get into trouble because of me."

"I don't want to let your head think about problems that haven't happened yet. As long as I'm here, you'll be fine."

The sound of the fountain from a distance broke the silence of the night. Weithia understood very well that she would cause trouble for the King. "Haven't you thought about marrying a girl?"

"No, why?"

"Is it because of me?"

"Of course. I can marry any woman right now. But I don't want it. If I could make you a Queen, I wouldn't think twice about asking for your hand in marriage."

Weithia lowered her head weakly, "I'm sorry I can't grant your wish."

The King laughed softly, "Now you're apologizing because of your gender? I don't mind at all. Life is short, I will do whatever makes me happy. If this is the way it is, I will not ask for more. Like asking a witch to turn you into a girl." Adam laughed.

"What if someone finds out I am in a relationship with you?"

"Well, let it be."

"Aren't you ashamed?"

The King tightened his grip on Weithia. "Not at all. Let people say whatever. As long as you accompany me to face it, everything will be fine."

The two men looked at each other, "Do you trust me Weithia?"

"Yes, I do." He laughed softly, "This incident happened so suddenly."

"Are you surprised? Forgive me then. It takes so long to express a feeling. Maybe you don't know, the first time I heard your name was three years ago, on the first day you studied at Haven."

"Really?" Weithia sounded surprised.

"Yes, the young man who kept falling while riding his horse. And look at you now! Blooming like a wildflower. Your heart is like a wildflower. What amazes me is your freedom and enthusiasm to grow."

"I didn't have a youth like you, and that makes me jealous. All I do is huddle behind a desk with piles of papers and books."

"Then why don't you talk to me first?"

"What do you think a sixteen-year-old boy would feel when suddenly summoned by a King. I don't want to scare you. Besides, I didn't have any feelings for you back then."

"Is that so? Then since when have you been interested in me?"

"Of course it's a secret." Adam laughed. "Only God knows, since when have you been interested in me?"

"Since I first met you, a few months ago when you saw me sparring with Senior Robin. Then you taught us about military arts. At that time I was very amazed to see a real King. My feelings were mixed with joy and fear."

The young man's gray eyes wandered into his memories, "But you turned out to be very kind and wise. At that time I said to myself – I will continue to follow your every step faithfully. I want to protect you with my own strength."

Adam's expression showed that he was proud. He smiled. "Your feelings for me are truly like a flower that has not yet bloomed. Shy and hesitant. You remind me of something, there used to be so many women who wanted to be my lover, they sent love letters with the scent of their perfume. A girl from the nobility of this country, I once invited to dinner at the palace because she was so beautiful and smart. So special."

"We chatted all night like this, talking about many things. I was amazed by the girl's intelligence. But I realized that all she wanted from me was a throne and luxury. Although not all women are like that, but I'm sick of people who beg from me in the name of pure love."

"Is that so? So I will be eliminated from this contest?" his voice was weak.

The King laughed, "They are not Weithia's rivals. I am not opening a race to win my heart. Our relationship is not official in the name of the Kingdom. It's different if I propose to the girl, she will be my queen. Get a title and a throne."

The Knight bowed weakly as he released his hand from Adam's grip.

"Don't be sad, you are my lover. We don't need an inauguration ceremony or anything. Isn't that right?"

Weithia nodded slowly.

"Don't be jealous just because I talk about a girl."

"I'm not jealous, Your Majesty."

"Tell me if you start to hate this relationship, okay?"

"No sir, there's no way I would do that. I swear I will never break it. So you don't need to worry." 

"Then... whatever happens tomorrow will we face it together?"

"Yes. I promise."

'I want to plant a seed in your mind, which contains a part of my heart. Grow into your reminder of me. A shadow that will accompany every minute, every hour and every day. When you wake up in the morning or have trouble sleeping at night. Hunting in the middle of the forest or reading a book in the library. When swinging a sword on a horse or drinking chamomile tea in the afternoon.'

Love feels so intoxicating. The scent of lavender wafts from the burning candle. Under the silver light of the moon. A sacred garden becomes the meeting place for the two people when night falls. Promises are spoken and hearts are tied. Adam realized that maybe that feeling will remain forever. Meanwhile, from behind his shining armor, the Knight could not hold back his turbulent feelings.

"Your Majesty? Lord Weithia?" a soft and gentle voice was heard from the entrance. The door was wide open with the figure of a woman standing in the shadow. Not believing what was in front of her at that time.

The night felt so long