KNEEL BEFORE THE CROWN (BL)

This story is like a story he once read from a book. About the journey of the main character who left his youth in the summer. Then started his first steps in the fall as a grown-up and wise person. Then he met someone he never expected to come before.

The fallen leaves hinted at a change. Tend to look emotional and get closer to the person they love - family, lover.

The main character still has a youthful soul left from last summer. His innocent mind is still attached to him. The main character has no idea whether the person he just met is good or bad. But slowly feelings of love began to grow in his heart.

Last summer, he spent his time having fun as a child. But now everything has changed. The new feelings that grew in his heart, are truly pure - his first love.

The two people met in the fall. Everyone disagreed with the relationship the main character had. Because it would lead him to sin and destruction. But he chose to stay. And learn to achieve maturity and true love. Revealing the veil of himself. Breaking the daydreams he made every night. Interpreting all the imaginations he had ever created in his head.

The King now stared at those tired eyes. Sad. Melancholic. His lips full of wounds, silenced. His gaze was empty, not a single word came out of his mouth. July ended. Summer still gave him a little time.

Adam fixed his gaze on Weithia. He made the wrong choice and regretted it. He was still too young to live in regret. The young man only pondered in silence. Not having the courage to look at the two blue eyes in front of him. Letting himself cry over the things that had been lost, crying was the sound of the season, in the end he found the courage to face what was ahead.

Adam felt that the rhythm of his life was getting faster. It was hard and somehow nice, it had to be gone through. He felt so happy with the simple relationship they had. "Two suns don't seem like they will be enough to light up those eyes. I remember last night when we talked in the library. Don't you want to go there again. We read a lot of books and we wrote hundreds of poems." Adam said softly.

Weithia's hair was parted, which looked longer. 

"I feel calm just by looking at you. Thank you for coming here. I hope you know that, I was never angry with you just because of that little thing. I will not hate you. I promise."

"Why? Why are you so nice to me?"

Adam smiled softly and stroked the man's nape. "Don't you already know the answer?" then their eyes met. Morals reminded him, when religion calls. While love only sees it from a distance.

"Do you still want to continue this with me?"

Weithia nodded. "Of course." He began to shed tears.

"Let the past pass, there are some stories that do not need to be remembered or remembered. Make it your lesson. Just remember my message, don't be afraid. No one will dare to insult or beat you. Anthony promised not to do it again. Besides, why didn't you fight back? Even though I'm sure you can."

The young man just bowed weakly, "I deserve it, Your Majesty. I, who am covered in sin, was saved from the mire by your angelic hands."

"We will find out who that person was, what they're doing to you."

Weihia nodded.

"You don't remember anything don't you? that's stranger."

"I don't remember a single thing, Your Majesty. The last time i remember was the glimmering lights of the festival. I stood there, in the middle of the crowd, then suddenly my ears buzzing. It was loud enough to make me fell to the ground. Do you trust me?"

Adam nodded. "I do."

"And I didn't expect you to call me this soon, Your Majesty." 

"I'm tired, that meeting. Nothing makes me happier than hearing your voice." Adam chuckled. His feet stepped open the balcony door, letting the night air in.

"You'll be twenty soon. Are you happy?"

"I don't know, Your Majesty, I feel like I have a lot to learn. The more I learn, the more I realize that I know nothing about this world."

"That's why I'm here for you. You're like a blank canvas that I'm ready to fill with anything. Something about love is deeper than any shallow reason. You'll also realize that good compatibility or adjustment is needed to make a relationship more meaningful and strong. And be more confident in expressing your feelings."

Adam then sat on a chair facing out. The Knight knelt in front of him. Both of his knees were on the floor. When his hand tried to touch the King's hand. He could feel that his hand was shaking slightly, the young man felt something haunting Adam's mind.

The King looked at the figure kneeling below him. His gaze made him a little afraid that he couldn't control himself. Then he diverted his feelings by opening a new conversation. "About life you have to open the invisible, the untouchable and the unspoken. Something about life is seize the day. You are still too young to dare to live in regret. Starting tomorrow, welcome your new day with enthusiasm."

"Is there anything bothering you, Your Majesty?"

"The most important thing in life is to believe in your own strength. As long as you still have breath, it is never too late. Those were my parents' words. No matter how much ugliness is seen."

"Your Majesty?" Weithia sat on the floor and touched the King's calf which was covered by long black pants. He still wore his velvet jacket of the same color, full of honorary title symbols. His index finger tapped the chair handle irregularly. With a gold ring with a red stone perched on his thumb.

Adam ignored Weithia. He continued his words, "It is indeed difficult to judge the meaning of a person's life. Some say life is valuable because of love. While some believe it is measured by faith. Some argue about how much sacrifice we have made. And finally say life is meaningless."

"Your Majesty, you don't look well."

"I only teach what you asked for. Are my words meaningless to you?"

Weithia propped himself on his knees, making himself a little taller so he could see the King's face more clearly. "Something happened? Tell me."

Adam looked at the Knight's still disfigured face. Few days had passed, the swelling had gone, the bruises were still clearly visible. He gently stroked Weithia's temples, his slightly torn lips, and his newly stitched ears. "Anthony really ruined your handsome face. Did you keep your promise to rest for the day?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. The doctor treated me well. The medicine he gave me made my wounds dry up quickly. What about you?" Weithia placed both of her hands on Adam's knees. He was no longer ashamed to make a physical contract with the King.

"Go back to your room, it's already late."

"You are clearly keeping something from me."

Weithia was silent for a moment, when the King turned his face away. "Did something happen to the meeting earlier? I was not allowed to attend because of your orders."

Adam did not answer, anxiety settled on his expression. Making Weithia even more worried. 'Is this my fault?'

"Did I do something wrong, Your Majesty? Did the people at the meeting know about it?"

"Know what?"

"Our relationship."

Adam smiled faintly, watching the young man in front of him. Their faces were so close to each other. "No. Take it easy."

"Then what? Don't make me feel guilty."

A knock on the door was heard several times, Adam then let him in as if he already knew who was behind the door. The man's disposition was gloomy and scary as usual. But Weithia didn't budge, he stood up, as if ready to face him again.

"Your Majesty, I have checked the condition of each border. Soldiers have been ordered to guard there." His neck was full of sweat. He brushed his hair back.

"Is there anything else I can do?"

"Yes, sit with us here." Anthony took a seat on the sofa not far from the balcony door. The man could even wear a thick leather coat in the summer. Adam was silent, Weithia stood.

"You guys make up. I don't want to see you two fighting again. Don't use violence at any time."

Both men seemed unwilling to comply with the King's orders. While Weithia just stared in confusion because of his blindness to the conditions that occurred. "Your Majesty, did something happen? What's wrong with the border area? My parents live there."

"Really? is that so?" Adam turned around, "Then i will immediately prepare a place for the residents on the border. Now you go back to your room to rest"

"But, Your Majesty."

"Have you ever obeyed even once?" Anthony interrupted coldly.

A tense situation was immediately created, "At least tell me what happened."

Anthony stood up to the man, roughly pulled his collar and pushed him to the edge of the bed, "Have you never been taught manners? Saying that to him?"

Weithia just smiled sarcastically, without Anthony's knowledge, the young man threw a punch at his face. He also fell down, the Knight sat on him and dropped his fist several times.

Adam just watched the fight silently, not knowing what other language to use. He didn't break it up, didn't even flinch. The two of them fought with sweat, competing to see who would win the fight. Weithia, who was now willing to fight back, actually made the King a little happy. Anthony's back hit the table and broke a glass vase so that the water and flowers fell apart. Not wanting to lose, he pulled Weithia's leg.

Made the young man fall face down into a glass cabinet, where the King kept his formal attire. Thankfully it didn't break, the Knight punched Anthony's face and stomach repeatedly until blood came out of his mouth.

He winced in pain but it didn't last long, because a hardcover book suddenly flew towards Weithia's head. Because at the beginning he had hit the edge of the bed, his head hurt a lot and his vision was a little blurry. Even so, he didn't want to lose in front of the King who was watching.

The cold wind came in making Adam tighten the fur cloak he had been wearing. His eyes now glanced at the night sky and Tropes City in the distance. Orange lanterns were still hanging in many people's houses. The noisy sound of the two men's fight did not disturb his peace that night. Memories of his parents came back to him. Again and again. Like a spider's web living in his head

He saw Weithia beating Anthony roughly, he understood that the young man's anger had boiled over and he could no longer hold it back. "Enough Weithia. Anthony. I'm tired, today has made me run out of energy and words." He walked away from his own room.

However, the two men still did not listen. Anthony wiped the blood on his face and Weithia adjusted his clothes. They ran after the King who had drowned in the dark hallway.

"Your Majesty? Where are you going?" Weithia approached. Anthony followed beside the King.

The three men went down the stairs, returned to the ground floor and went towards the kitchen. It was midnight so there was no one around. Adam went deeper into a wine cellar, opened one of the wide drawers containing rows of expensive wine bottles.

Adam took three bottles, he gave each to Weithia and Anthony. The King helped open the three bottles with a special tool consisting of a wooden rod and an iron spring. He asked Weithia to take a sip. The young man just agreed and carried out the King's orders.

A moment later he was about to vomit the drink, but the King said. "Swallow it. Have you never drunk wine before?"

The young man was forced to swallow and shook his head slowly, "Bitter, Your Majesty."

Anthony beside him just chuckled, while taking a leisurely sip of the bottle of wine. Adam was already familiar with his habit of drinking. Anthony rubbed his stomach which felt so sore after being beaten, Adam noticed it and rubbed the man's shoulder. While Weithia winced because of the wine he drank.

At least the wine made them a little better.

The three men finished their wine in the dimly lit warehouse in silence. Only a few sips could enter Weithia's throat, "My head feels heavy. Am I drunk, Your Majesty?"

Adam smiled, "No. How can a drunk person say something like that. I want you to finish it. Don't argue."

Anthony could clearly read the anxiety on Adam's expression. The King couldn't take his eyes off Weithia who was struggling to swallow the drink. Until her face became redder. And her breathing became heavier. Curious about the closeness, he dared to ask.

"Weithia looks too close to you, just for a Knight."

Adam was silent for a moment, "I can be attentive to whoever I want."

"But, Adam- His Majesty Henry asked me to make him a little further away from you. He doesn't like this young man."

"I respect his opinion, but I'm sorry. Weithia has sworn to always be with me until the end. You don't need to worry, if he breaks his promise, I will kill him myself. Not anyone else."

Weithia listened silently with his mind clouded by the wine. He was never a drinker. He was never let anything clouded his mind by anything before. 

"Isn't yesterday's action considered breaking a promise?"

"Listen, the promise he made was so heavy. So, not giving bread to the weak is also a mistake. Besides, we don't know what really happened. He was wrong, to let me be in the position yesterday. But his departure was indeed my order. Yesterday's festival was indeed a time for people to rejoice.My illness was very sudden. Even I myself couldn't predict it, let alone other people."

"Beside, he doesn't remember anything."

"He doesn't remember!? that's nonsense."

"At the end, i'm sure we will know who did that to him."

The two men watched the Knight who had fallen to the floor with his empty wine bottle. Without orders, Anthony immediately carried the young man slowly. "Let's take him to his room." Adam led the way, his fur cloak dragging on the floor.

An empty long corridor greeted him again, his eyes looked up at the row of tall windows that were not covered by curtains so that the night sky was visible again. They climbed dozens of stairs again. Anthony's expression was annoyed when he found out that Weithia's room was so close to the King's.

After Anthony put the young man on his bed, he again moved to approach the King who entered a large room. The library. Which was still in the same corridor as the King and Weithia's room.

Adam and Anthony stepped inside, presented with rows of bookshelves full. "Do you know Haven?"

"Yes, a kind of military education made by you."

"That's where Weithia studies. Look at him earlier when he fought back against you. He easily won, I gave him that title not just for fun. Because his abilities are great."

"The first time I met him was about three years ago. When he first entered as a new student. He was so bad that the educators wanted to expel him. But I said no. Let him learn, and look now. He really makes me proud. Every few weeks Haven often holds some kind of competition between students, whether it's official or just a joke. That young man always wins it."

"His enthusiasm for learning is what interests me, his unique personality, his figure that is sometimes mature but sometimes innocent like a child always makes me laugh. His personality is cheerful, smart, tough."

"What do you mean by telling me all that."

"I just want you to get to know him better. Listen for a moment."

Anthony did not respond, annoyed by the King's behavior. His feelings were like being hit by a large rock. But then Adam approached and stared closely at his black eyes that were as dark as the night sky.

"This. For you."

Anthony took a necklace from the King's gloved hand.

"I'll return it."

"Why?"

"This is yours, and must return to its owner." Adam said softly.

The man smiled bitterly and accepted the necklace with a clear blue pendant. Then immediately put it on his neck. "You understand that your actions are the same as throwing me away."

Adam immediately hugged the man, his head pressed against his chest. "Not at all. You will always be a valuable figure in my life. But now everything is different."

Adam stared closely at Anthony. The man's face got closer until finally their lips met. Deep and cold, the kiss. Anthony knew that it would never happen again in the future. It hurt him.

The night they had spent together was too long. The lights were dim and the atmosphere felt so quiet. Maybe for the last time.