KNEEL BEFORE THE CROWN (BL)

Carmellia stared blankly at the plate in front of her, the chamomile tea that her maid had poured a few moments ago was already cold. Her hand didn't even touch the cup. In front of her sat a beautiful woman. Her hair was as white as moonlight and her eyes were as red as rubies. Smiling innocently at Carmellia. As if she didn't know what mistake she had made.

Beside her, a woman with an angry expression gripped her silver fork and spoon tightly. Not wanting to eat with the woman. "Why is that slave here!?" her voice was shrill.

"I don't want her to set foot in this palace! Throw her out now!"

The man who had just been shouted at slammed the dining table hard, making the three women scared. "I myself wanted her here! If you don't want to eat with her, just go back to your room Ingerid!" her voice was so harsh.

The woman who was called Ingerid stood up and threw her plate to the floor, making shards of glass fly in all directions. She took a glass of red wine and poured it on the innocent woman. "You dare to say that to me Anderson! Outrageous! Just for that dirty woman!"

"How dare you!"

The man stood up and wiped the woman's face with his gloves. Facing his wife who was so furious. He didn't want to fight that morning, he just wanted peace. But it was too late, his actions clearly indicated that he had made the woman his mistress.

"Okay. I won't interfere with your business. But if that woman endangers Carmellia. I won't hesitate to kill her."

"Don't threaten me like that Ingerid. Carmellia has nothing to do with it."

"Nothing to do with it!? She's your daughter, your only daughter! Maybe now she'll have nightmares all her life because of you. Is you not use your head!? How could you bring your mistress here!"

Carmellia just kept quiet and looked at the beautiful woman who pretended not to know. With her disgusting innocent face, Carmellia wanted to pour hot tea on her.

The father just sat there without saying anything. Her lips were closed and her face turned away from Ingerid.

"Father, please don't hurt mother's feelings. Is your love history so easily forgotten just because of this woman?" finally the girl spoke up, it was certain that she was on her mother's side. The girl only stared coldly at the strange woman, and stared in disbelief at her own father's actions.

"I want my old father." She took her mother away from the dining table, towards the terrace where she usually calmed down. With a view of the blue sea that was pleasing to the eye, plus green plants that grew lushly on the walls and pillars. That place could always strengthen Carmellia's relationship with her mother.

"I'm sorry mother..." Carmellia said softly. Ingerid only hugged her gently, "You didn't do anything wrong, honey. Don't apologize."

Carmellia sat beside her mother, "Besides, why did father bring that woman here, you really don't know yourself. Someone has to throw her out?"

"No need, that's your father's decision. Who dares to oppose it." She answered softly.

"I don't want to see mother suffer like this."

"No, your father will be angry if you do that. Just let it be, I'm still a Queen. That woman is nothing. I remember what your grandmother used to say, don't be sad because a man betrayed your love. Don't be hurt if one day your husband turns his heart away."

Carmellia widened her gaze at the blue sea, the roar of the waves sounded so calming. With the calm sunlight and the gentle breeze making her a little sleepy. "I think father took her because he was amazed by the woman's beauty, or pity because he found her lost in the middle of the forest. Mother knows father's attitude is very gentle."

"Layla, please get us some grapes." Carmellia said to her maid. The sweet woman left. "Layla told me that father gave her a beautiful house at the edge of the Kingdom. Taking good care of her and giving her everything she wanted. Layla's friend was the one who took care of the woman every day."

Ingerid listened silently. "But mother also knows that it was a long time ago? Even when I wasn't born. Why didn't mother do anything?"

"Mom didn't know about his whereabouts for years. Because she didn't feel anything strange about your father. We always spent time together day and night, not thinking that he would do something like that."

Carmellia added, "His appearances became more frequent over time, maybe since the last two years? At first I saw him always going to town and coming home a few hours later."

Carmellia added, "His attitude was so disgusting, innocent and naive like a child seeking attention." The girl held her mother's hand tightly.

"But don't worry, I will be by your side no matter what. Don't feel alone or sad, I will always be by your side until the end." Carmellia said softly.

Those words moved Ingerid, maybe the reason she could survive this far was because of her daughter. The only valuable thing she had. Layla soon came with a bowl full of black grapes that looked so delicious. The Princess asked her maid to sit with them to enjoy the beginning of the day. Looking at the sea and chatting. Her maid, Layla was only four years older than Carmellia, her friend since they were little. A beautiful girl, the daughter of a Baron who served the Kingdom.

Ingerid's attitude was even very gentle to the girl, and she already considered her as her own child. "Princess, this morning you received several letters from noble men. Don't you want to read them?" she said cheerfully to lighten the mood.

Carmellia just laughed, "Before I opened it, they already knew what was in it. They probably just wanted to invite me to have tea together, or accompany them hunting to show off their strength. Boring."

Ingerid understood very well her daughter's personality who didn't like to laze around. "You're getting old, dear. Don't you want to marry a handsome man?" she cooed.

"Mother, I just turned nineteen this year. Now I'm busy honing myself in the Kingdom's governance. I don't want to just be a display. I want to help mother, because one day I will also be a Queen. So I have to study. There is no time for romance. A soulmate will come in time."

Ingerid and Layla just laughed at the words of the beautiful girl with green beads and long flowing brown hair. Just like her mother. So enthusiastic to study and carry out her duties obediently. Carried away by light and pleasant chatter they spent the morning. Carmellia was so good at bringing someone's heart to happiness. A gift from God.

Ingerid was silent for a moment, "But there is one invitation you can't refuse, Carmellia." The girl was silent seeing her mother's serious expression, "King Wilhelmia asked Grissham to come and celebrate his harvest party. Father and mother can't possibly come there."

Carmellia was a little surprised to hear her mother's words, "So mother wants me to come there alone?"

Although hesitant, Ingerid agreed. "Our kingdom has always been a place where people put their hatred. Maybe your arrival can change the situation."

"Mother is the same as accompanying me to death." Carmellia said annoyed. "Willhelmia and Grissham have always been enemies, so why should they invite us. I don't want to come."

Ingerid remembered her girl's words earlier, "Don't you want to be a good Princess? Your job is to bring peace. Come to Willhelmia and restore Grissham's good name."

From a distance the three women saw the main gate of the castle open. Then two luxurious horse-drawn carriages crossed the bridge and entered the main courtyard. Grissham's white castle stood out among the black rocks, standing high on the edge of the cliff. The sound of the waves could not be heard anymore, the blue ocean was the main view in the country.

The sound of seagulls could be heard from various directions. Ingerid, without seeing who would get off the carriage, already knew it first. Layla was ordered to invite Carmellia into her room in one of the towers. Six men were seen entering the palace so arrogantly that Ingerid could no longer see them. The Princess insisted on accompanying her, but her mother asked her not to interfere.

"You will know in time. Now this is not your responsibility. Follow mother's orders and return to your room."

Carmellia was forced to leave her mother alone. The woman walked towards the palace hall accompanied by two of her ladies-in-waiting. There Anderson alone greeted his guests. Chatting on the sofa in the spacious living room, until when Ingerid came they bowed respectfully.

Ingerid felt like she was entering the middle of a conversation. Anderson's words, her husband sounded very arrogant. His hair was already full of gray but his spirit never faded. The King looked so familiar with the men. While Ingerid herself did not like it. All she did was listen to her husband's words in silence, the King's orders were so absolute and could not be challenged. Worried that she would do something out of line.

Her eyes darted in all directions, searching for the whereabouts of her husband's mistress. Her feelings were devastated, but that was no excuse for not doing her duty as Queen.

Carmellia paced around her room, her mind uneasy about what her father might be planning. Her parents had never been open with her about some things. She understood that there were limits and her capacity as a Princess. But she was disappointed because she couldn't read the situation that was happening in her Kingdom.

"They often come to the Kingdom lately, Princess." Layla said while watching Carmellia who couldn't sit still. She pulled aside the white curtains with the towering windows, letting in sunlight and fresh air into her room. The sound of the waves could be heard clearly even though they were in a high tower.

"Yes. That's right." On her study table and shelves there were so many books, indicating that Carmellia was an educated and intelligent person. Her emerald green eyes stared far away in her reverie.

"Don't think too much about it, Princess. Didn't the Queen say that it wasn't your responsibility, you don't have to burden yourself. Maybe they were just discussing ordinary government issues."

"Yes, but if discussing government issues, shouldn't it be done together with the parliament? Not privately like now? Most likely the reason why mother is always in a gloomy condition, besides father's problems, is also his responsibility."

Layla smiled slightly and didn't want to say anything else because she was afraid of making the girl's mood even more melancholic. Her job is only to guard and accompany the Princess in any situation.

"I'm also quite scared, Layla. If I have to go north. I myself don't know what caused the tension between Grissham and Willhelmia." The girl's face was worried, "I've read all of Grissham's history, look at all those piles of books. There's no definite cause for the conflict that happened in the past. Even my own teacher couldn't answer it."

"So the nature is really a secret huh? Maybe it could be a personal problem between members of the Kingdom. Revenge? Love?"

Carmellia laughed at her maid's words, "Seriously. It's impossible because the love of the two kingdoms has been tense for years."

Layla's tone made the Princess feel better, "That's probably the reason! King Willhelmia wants to melt the ice between his Kingdom and Grissham. That's why you were invited to the party. I'm sure not only Grissham was invited, surely neighboring countries too. So you don't need to worry."

Carmellia took a deep breath, "I am indeed Layla, I have a duty to carry out." She said softly. "We will go north together."

"Of course.

Carmellia got up from the bed and jogged out of her room. "Princess, where are you going?" Layla whispered, there was nothing she could do but follow Camellia. The two girls went down the blue carpeted stairs and crept towards the living room in the main hall. Her beautiful dress fluttered in the wind. Camellia's hair was very beautiful when the sunlight fell on it.

With difficulty, the girl peeked from behind the large pillar, who were with her mother at that time. She saw about five or six men sitting opposite her parents. Some were stocky, some were thin, some looked very old with glasses and some looked young with thin mustaches and long silver hair.

It was useless, the girl would not hear their conversation. On the other hand, Layla looked so scared if the King and Queen found out, she could be punished or banished from the Kingdom. "Don't worry, Layla. We won't be found out. Don't pull my clothes!"

"Isn't it bad to eavesdrop on conversations?" a soft voice was heard from behind the two girls. Carmellia turned around and found a woman with white hair standing behind her. Her father's mistress. With a beautiful pink dress that was specially made for her. She would never accept the woman's presence in her palace.

"None of your business. Besides, this place is not suitable for you to step on." The Princess said firmly.

"How rude, I just wanted to say hello."

"Don't be rude to the Princess." Layla emphasized.

The woman just smiled innocently, not feeling like she had done anything wrong. Her attitude made Carmellia annoyed, she really wanted to throw the woman off the cliff. And drown in the deep ocean. Layla decided to pull the Princess away. But Carmellia refused.

"Say hello? Oh, of course you can. How is it? Are you happy living here?"

"Yes, I am happy, Princess."

"I also want to remind you of something, because of your actions, my father and mother's relationship was destroyed. I want you to leave this place, as soon as possible. I don't care where you want to go, live on the coast or the market, maybe?"

The beautiful woman just kept quiet and smiled faintly. Her red eyes were so scary, behind her beautiful and sweet face, it was so strange. Carmellia held back her emotions because if she got angry it wouldn't produce good results.

"I don't know. Your father is the one who fell in love with me." She said in an innocent tone. "So it's not my fault, right?"

"Insolent. You're a foreign woman who's ruining things. So shameless."

"Isn't it It is very common for a King to have a concubine?"

"What did you say!? A concubine? Don't even think about it. There is no place for you to do that."

The woman chuckled, making Carmellia and Layla feel disgusted. "What do you think you can decide? A King is the only one who can make me a concubine. He is very much in love with me. He will grant any request."

Carmellia clicked her tongue, her brow furrowed. "If anything happens to my father. You will be the first person to be killed."

Layla held back the Princess from her increasingly overflowing anger. She forcibly pulled the girl away so that the King and Queen would not find out. Carmellia did not rebel, her expression looked so sad.

They stopped in a long hallway, the Princess could not hold back her tears. She did not want this to happen, but she could not do anything. Beside her, Layla just smiled pitifully and hugged her. Trying to calm the girl down, she certainly could not understand how Caemellia felt. Because she had never been in her position. All he could do was to make Carmellia not sad.

*****

It was early summer, the King seemed to pay great attention to the candidate. With his personal decision he could also get the title of a Knight. In his country it had been a long time since his grandfather's reign. So Weithia would be the first in Adam's leadership.

For a farmer, who worked in the fields every day. That day was one of their happy days. Like successfully picking stars in the sky. They wore the best clothes and were picked up by the Royal horse-drawn carriage, as one of the guests of honor. Never dreamed of this happening, but God gave it like a birthday present.

Only nobles with interests were invited to the inauguration of Wilhelmia's military ranks, members of parliament and religious leaders also attended. No other civilians entered the luxurious hall of the palace, the ceiling was high and several crystal lamps hung beautifully. A painting of heaven with beautiful angels was beautifully painted in the sky of the hall, with Wilhelmia's banners symbolizing the eternal phoenix attached in several parts.

A Knight was recognized as a prestigious warrior class, because his loyalty to the King would usually be rewarded with a plot of land or gold coins. The path to becoming a Knight according to tradition was when a child was sent to the castle to become a messenger, then at the age of fourteen he began to be trained in sword fighting, horse riding, hunting, and managing the Knights' tournament. As he grew older he would be invited to the battlefield to become a companion and student of a Knight. And if he was old enough and his abilities were high, he would be awarded a noble title through an elaborate ceremony.

As was to be carried out that day, although Weithia did not follow the old tradition. He would still become a Knight. The King entered the hall in his royal clothes, a long red robe dragging on the floor. A sparkling gold crown perched on his head.

Everyone present bowed respectfully to the King. The ceremony began when the Archbishop read a prayer and greeting for Adam. The situation was quite crowded but so conducive, the aura of nobility was so thick. Weithia's parents who were sitting in the front row tried to adjust as best they could.

Adam sat on his throne waiting patiently for the Archbishop's lecture. So not long after they finished, Adam rose from his seat. A religious leader approached and handed him a tray with a sharp, shiny sword on it.

Not long after Weithia appeared in his armor, a happy face enveloped the young man even though he tried his best to keep himself calm. The King took the sword, asking Weithia to kneel before him, asking for his promise of virtue.

"Do you promise to never lie to the Kingdom?" Adam placed the sword on Weithia's right shoulder. Moving to his left shoulder according to the promise of virtue he said.

"I promise."

"Do you promise to always help and assist the weak?"

"I promise."

"Do you promise to show courage, loyalty, faith and honor to your King?"

"I promise."

Adam's blue eyes could not turn to the young man in front of him. Standing nervously when he handed the sword to him. Dozens of people present in the hall applauded enthusiastically welcoming their new Knight. On the other side of the room sat a row of military colleagues from Haven. The man stood proudly in front of Adam, shining brightly as if it was his destiny to stand in that place now.

The sunlight entered through the towering glass. Weithia smiled. Seeing her parents who couldn't hold back their tears. The young man who was so charming and hypnotized every eye in the room. The most beautiful man Adam had ever seen in his life, like descended from nirvana and became the lover of Mount Olympus.

The inauguration ceremony was closed with joy, the King left the room after giving a few words to his people. Knowing that the Knight's life would not be the same again, he allowed him to spend more time with his loved ones. Before starting to open a new page with the King.