KNEEL BEFORE THE CROWN (BL)

"I forgot to tell you, Your Majesty."

"If our potion is so effective, I myself am the guinea pig. Because of that crazy doctor of yours, he asked me to drink the poisonous flower essence. But why am I still alive here?" he said casually – a mischievous smile.

"Because the potion works slowly. Everything takes time, Sirs. I forgot to tell you that Gwylion's product is very effective." Everyone's eyes widened in surprise at the man's words. Everything passed quickly like a dream.

"He's still alive. Now save all your tears."

Ackerley ran out and called the doctors and healers. Asking them to confirm the truth of Anthony's words. Sure enough, the King's pulse was felt, although very slow and weak. A happy expression returned to their sorrow. The gloomy day turned bright in lightning speed.

"Anthony! You almost made this Kingdom mourn! Please stop being careless and apologize." said Henry.

"It took me 1 to 2 hours to regain consciousness. Everyone, calm down. His Majesty will be fine." He smiled faintly.

On the other hand, Trevor immediately knelt down and kissed Henry's hand, continuously thanking him. The religious leaders prayed in gratitude for the miracle that God had bestowed on Wilhelmia. They all laughed and cried happily. Especially Trevor and Ackerley who were still very shocked.

Anthony then patted the General's shoulder. "Mr. Ackerley and the doctors and healers, please stay with His Majesty until he regains consciousness. Don't give him anything else. Wait until the potion works completely. Keep an eye on his pulse and breathing." Everyone understood Anthony's instructions.

"Now General Trevor and His Majesty, come with me."

Anthony said goodbye to everyone present in the King's room. He was so happy with Adam's condition that no one realized there was a man who was unconscious and covered in blood. Only a piece of cloth tied in a messy knot, clinging to his body.

Anthony pulled the man's hand and dragged him along the corridor with a relaxed and friendly face, as the servants stared at them in confusion. Some were afraid - when they realized who the man was being dragged. Not far from the King's room, there was an empty room - immediately entered by the three men.

"Who is this?" Henry asked.

"The honorable Knight of the Kingdom of Willhlemia." He spoke sarcastically. Anthony took off his dirty coat, followed by his clothes. His skin was white - his body was half naked.

"Weithia!? What happened to him? After being missing all night, did you find him in this condition?" Trevor leaned his subordinate against the wall.

"If I were you, I wouldn't want to touch him. He is truly the dirtiest creature I have ever seen." He shook his head slowly.

"Tivius. Stop the small talk. Tell us." said Henry firmly.

The man took a deep breath, there was not a single bruise or scratch on his white skin, while Weithia was already covered in blood and dirt.

"When we parted in the forest earlier. I was actually chasing the figure we saw earlier in the Forest of Death, Your Majesty. Maybe it was some kind of fairy or magic things that you once told me about."

"Magic?" Henry was increasingly confused by Anthony's attitude, in an instant he could change into an executioner and in the next minute become a seven-year-old child.

"But instead of finding a witches or a fairy, i met a disgusting troll. Guess what he was doing?" Anthony smiled sarcastically.

"What?" Trevor was increasingly curious.

"Did he disappear all night? No wonder, he was probably enjoying the most beautiful night of his life. Naked in the middle of the forest with a woman. Of course you all know what he was doing."

"What!?" Trevor's eyes widened. "Don't make things up."

"No, I swear in the name of King Henry. I was tired of spending a lot of emotion and energy beating him up earlier. Now maybe it's your turn."

"Now where is the woman?"

"I don't know, she's already run away."

"How did she look?"

"Sir, your question is like asking me to answer how many trees are in the forest. It was dimly lit, my eyes were only focused on the young man. The woman immediately ran while wearing her robe. I couldn't see her clearly."

Anthony emphasized his voice, "But isn't that not important. What's important now is that we know that the young man that Your Majesty gave the title to is a dirty, depraved and disgusting person. His attitude is lower than a street dog."

"Tivius, watch your words here."

"Your Majesty, aren't you annoyed when you find out that someone you thought was honorable, but actually insults you?"

"The King spend his time with someone like him?" his emotions immediately peaked again. His fist fell roughly on Weithia's already battered face. His feet also shot out to kick the young man's stomach repeatedly.

"Tivius, stop!"

Ignoring his Master's words, he could no longer control himself when facing Weithia. Hard punches flew again, again and again on the face, chest, stomach of the poor young man until fresh blood flowed from his mouth. Even so, Henry and Trevor did not try to stop Anthony's actions.

They just watched in silence. A feeling of anxiety was boiling up from the General's chest. And Anthony could read that expression, "Look at your face, General. I understand that I am a foreigner. Why should you trust me? But listen, I have never lied. I said what I saw."

"We will hear the young man's testimony later, that is if he wakes up again. After that, suggest that Your Majesty revoke his title."

Anthony put his shirt back on and walked out of the room. Henry had a stern face. When Trevor slowly moved his body closer to Weithia. "Is that what you did last night, young man?"

Slowly a babbling voice came from the young man's mouth. "Can you talk? You better tell the truth, Weithia." The General carried him and leaned him on a sofa. His forehead wrinkled as the morning sunlight shone on every curve of the Knight's battered body, his face was unrecognizable. His eyes were swollen, his nose was broken and his lips were probably torn. Anthony had really beaten him up.

"King Henry. I may return to investigate. Please stay here longer, until His Majesty returns to normal." said Anthony before head out from the room. 

"Do you believe what Tivius said earlier?"

"I don't want to accuse him of lying. But I know this child very well, there's no way he would do that without a reason. So... I have to find the real truth." Trevor's voice sounded calm.

"Okay if that's your judgment, just treat him, if he loses too much blood he might not survive." He answered as he walked away from the room. A Royal doctor was then called by the General to take turns treating Weithia. With his professional attitude, not many questions were asked. Starting with cleaning his wounds from blood then continuing with stitching them.

Not long after the door opened again, "Trevor, Your Majesty's condition is a little better. What are you doing here?"

His eyebrows raised when he saw Weithia's chaotic figure, "What happened to him?"

"Mr. Tivius said earlier that Weithia was found with a girl in the middle of the forest. Naked."

"Really? That doesn't sound reasonable to my ears. There's no way a child as stupid and innocent as Weithia could think like that, right?" he shook his head.

"I don't believe it either, but after last night I couldn't find him anywhere, his alibi sounds reasonable."

Ackerley looked around the young man's body, "This child has never once disobeyed the King or you and his seniors in Haven. Doctor, can you leave us for a moment?"

"Of course. I'll wait outside. The wounds haven't all been stitched up. But don't worry, there's no more bleeding."

After the old man left, only Ackerley and Trevor were left staring at each other as if confirming the truth they knew. "It seems that the King has also fallen in love with Weithia." He said softly.

"Don't talk nonsense."

"You have eyes but can't see. Even the two of them can't hide it at all, it's so obvious and blatant. Have you ever seen the King laugh, act silly, talk a lot and tell stories, before Weithia came? No? Didn't you see His Majesty's face when he saw this young man? Next time try to pay more attention."

"I think that's normal behaviour, it doesn't mean that the King loves this child, right?"

Ackerley sighed, "I know you won't agree with this. But if he can make the King happy, I will fully support him. But remember, don't let anyone know about this. For now, let this be a secret."

Trevor nodded in understanding. When the Advisor reached out to open the window, letting in fresh air. "What about the Princess?"

"She's cooperative, I let the guards stay with her wherever she goes." The man clicked his tongue in annoyance, "I clearly saw her with Weithia last night. I ordered Weithia to accompany the Princess to see the festival. But the girl said that she didn't go to the festival at all. You know that yourself."

"She couldn't be lying, could she? Her words and actions leave no doubt in my mind. We might have seen it wrong when Weithia went to escort the Princess to the festival. It could have been another woman, since our attention was focused on Her Majesty."

"Then who was the girl that Lord Tivius saw in the forest?" Trevor asked.

"There's nothing we can trust here. I don't know which one is right. Let's put it this way, let's sort out what happened since yesterday."

"Okay, starting when everything was fine, the King gave his short speech at the Idrus River, right? After we finished, we went straight to Tropes City."

"Yes, on the way, the King said that his head was dizzy so you and I immediately took him to the palace. Meanwhile, Weithia and the person we assume was the Princess went straight to the festival."

"Yes, then the King fell ill. At that time, you went to the city to look for Weithia. But you didn't find her."

"That's right. Robin helped me too. But the surprising thing was Francilius's whereabouts and Minister Jaquet's betrayal. I immediately rushed to the headquarters and asked for help from the Evtalon Company."

Ackerley's expression was languid when he heard his brother's name being mentioned again. His long silver hair was gently caressed by the wind. A pair of glasses were around the man's neck. "Yes, and you immediately took him to the prison cell. We decided to accompany His Majesty overnight." He said. "Before that, I went to the Princess's room to check on her condition. She said she never went to the Festival with Weithia." He took a deep breath, "We can't just accuse a Princess of anything."

"Then, early this morning, King Henry came with the antidote. The King recovered shortly after. Previously, Lord Tivius brought Weithia in this condition."

They both looked at each other, "There's no way King Henry would be a liar. Lord Tivius said himself that he was willing to be a guinea pig in making the antidote."

"Wait, could it be that the news of the nobleman's death spread because of that group?"

"I've never seen my brother in Wilhelmia, but that doesn't mean he's not here. Moreover, there's no one to suspect anymore, because there's only the good or the bad. If it's true that my brother did it, then he's the one who spread the news."

"But someone as stupid as him couldn't possibly work alone. Surely he's just an errand boy from his master." He added.

"Lord Jaquet?"

"That's possible. Let me conclude, what we have to do is, first find out who is behind this terror, it is better to wait for His Majesty to recover. My advice, do not interrogate them yet." He glanced at Weithia who was still unconscious, "Second, find out about the relationship between Weithia and the Princess."

"I hope His Majesty can wake up soon. So does this young man."

"Yes. Besides, Ackerley. When did you realize that His Majesty was interested in him?"

"Not long."

Trevor sighed, "Alright, you stay here. I will go to the headquarters now, check the evidence I got last night."

*****

A carriage entered the gates of the Grissham Kingdom, the white castle stood out prominently among the black rocks. The waves crashed against the edge of the sea. The blue and clear ocean became the most beautiful view in the Kingdom.

A handsome man got off the horse carriage accompanied by a girl beside him. Her feet stepped in as her wide dress fluttered beautifully. The colors blue and white filled the palace. The furniture was not as luxurious as in Wilhelmia. Sturdy pillars covered with horse-shaped banners stood firmly supporting the castle.

With an irritated face, Anderson stepped into each room. Restlessly looking for his wife, Ingerid. The girl beside him clung to the man's large arm. He looked uncomfortable but was reluctant to say it.

"Ingerid?"

He said softly with a trembling voice.

"Do you still remember going home?"

His body moved closer to the woman who was sitting on her favorite balcony alone. But she never wanted to see her husband's face. Her gaze was calm looking at the blue ocean in front of her. When the sun was sinking in the western horizon. Her lips were silent when her husband sat down beside her.

"Carmellia hasn't come home yet? What is she doing there? It's been almost three weeks." He said hoarsely.

"What do you care?" the sound of the waves breaking the silence. The man's cool hand touched Ingerid's shoulder. His brown hair looked shiny when the sunlight fell on it. 

",Don't come home. I'm better off alone without you."

"Of course I care about Carmellia, she's my daughter. I know, maybe this mistake I made won't get your forgiveness. But please look at me now."

The wife saw her husband's teary eyes. "I don't know what happened in Wilhelmia. But Carmellia and I have exchanged letters several times. I think she's fine, there's no way the King would do anything to her."

"There's no sign of her coming home?"

"No. Besides, why did you suddenly come home and cry in front of me like this? Asking about our child after spending time with your new concubine." She said weakly.

The sun was sinking below the horizon, Carmellia once said that dusk was the best time to see the world. The tired sky would fall asleep, replaced by the soft light of the moon. Becoming a beautiful dream for the world.

"I regret it."

The wife laughed softly, "Why? Did the girl's beauty fade? Where is she now?"

"I asked her to wait somewhere else, I want to talk to you alone Ingerid. I want to come back with you. If you want."

"What's the reason?"

"I was just carried away by her beauty. I realized that it wasn't important. That's not what I wanted. I want to be with you and Carmellia again. Just tell me what I have to do, I will obey all your orders and wishes, My Queen."

Ingerid looked at the sky which was slowly getting darker. The wind whispered in her ears. Like the sounds of crying that were ignored to be heard. The stars twinkled as if signaling a signal. Seen in her husband's eyes, was she telling the truth. Was this just another lie.

"I know all this is so sudden, I know you must find it difficult to forgive my stupid actions. There's too much burden for you to carry because of the trouble I caused. And it might fall on Carmellia."

"Should I pick her up? What if something happens to her." He said while holding the Queen's hand. "You look worried."

"Worried about you and Carmellia. Yes. Don't be reckless if you want to go to Wilhelmia. Besides, where have you been for days without coming home? Was it because you spent time with that woman?"

"I don't remember much. At first I went to the noble's house, met my old friends. Saw the new school in town, did a little impromptu. Escorted the girl to her house. Then... that's it, I guess?"

"What?" Ingerid's brow furrowed, "Why is it so unclear. Just tell me the truth! No need to lie to me, Anderson."

"That's right! I'm not lying. Just meet the nobles. They all met me."

"Then where did you sleep huh!? At that girl's house? At our house by the sea!?" Ingerid snapped.

"I'm not lying Ingerid, I swear on the name of my parents."

"Okay! Don't waste my time anymore. I don't want to see that woman here. Tell her to go home."

"Okay."

Anderson opened the door that separated the balcony and a large living room. There sat a beautiful girl who smiled when she saw Anderson coming. "Are you done, Your Majesty?"

"Listen to me, it seems like we can't continue this relationship anymore. I'm sorry."

The girl was immediately angry, and whined spoiledly, her hands hanging on Anderson's neck. "No way! I don't want to go home! Why did you suddenly say that to me. Did I do something wrong?"

"No, no. I just have to finish some business with my family. They don't want you here, please understand." Anderson called a guard to take his concubine away. The girl cried and begged not to be thrown out. Although he couldn't bear it, his family was more important than the girl.

He felt like a slave who was always ordered and scolded by her. The girl's attitude was sometimes very excessive, stubborn and shameless to the point that Anderson was fed up with her. If his requests were not met, the girl did not hesitate to hurt his body. Anderson was a little worried that the girl might kill herself, hesitating whether to let her go or not.

He saw Ingerid who was still sitting on the sofa. She had her brown hair in a bun and a silver crown was on her head. While the sound of the concubine's cries was no longer heard by Anderson. He loved his family very much, but also loved the girl, the beauty he had would never be obtained by Anderson again, like an angel who had descended from nirvana, unable to stay on earth for long.

He decided to return, his feet raised closer to Ingerid. They both fell silent staring at the night sky. 

"Could Carmellia be happy living there?"

"No, she's my only daughter. Not just any man can approach her."

Ingerid chuckled, "I'm not talking about young men. I mean what if she likes being in Wilhelmia?"

"Dangerous." Anderson answered shortly. "Grissham and Wilhelmia's relationship isn't good, you know that."

"That's your fault. Don't let Carmellia fall into it."

"I know, sending her there wasn't a good choice."

"You look troubled, why? Not willing to let that woman go?" Ingerid said sarcastically.

"Don't say things like that. I'm sick of her. She's even fiercer than you."

"There's no way you'd leave her just because she's fierce, I know there's something you want from me. If you don't want to say it, I don't care. Just don't drag the Kingdom and this family into it."

"Okay."

"Then what do you want? What do you want now."

"I'll take care of this matter. Get together with you and Carmellia again. Meanwhile, I'll take the girl home to her city. After that, maybe I'll give her to a noble."

"Remember, she is not an object. Even if she is yours."

Anderson nodded in understanding. His gaze was blank as he looked at his shoes that were dirty with dirt. He glanced at Ingerid for a moment, "I dreamed about the future. I saw it in my sleep."

"What did you see?"

"I don't know, I don't want to say. I just know that you are my shelter. In my heart you grow and that is where you really belong."

Ingerid heard her husband's words that felt so strange to her ears. She could no longer believe all the man's words. But there was no way he would lie about Carmellia. His only child.