KNEEL BEFORE THE CROWN (BL)

Adam sat on his beautiful terrace, from that height he could see the entire palace grounds. A greenhouse filled with many flowers still stood tall after time had passed. A beautiful fountain with carvings of flowers and vines. He remembered that it was a place where his mother liked to spend time alone. A gentle afternoon, Adam had just gotten rid of the fatigue of state duties.

A series of white lilies were placed in a vase on the table. Adam just watched it without speaking. Enjoying the afternoon quietly, the blue sky slowly turned orange and gold. He glanced at Weithia beside him.

"Do you know that white lilies symbolize pure love? If you fall in love with a girl, give her the flower. If she replies to you with a white rose, it means no. But if she replies to you with a daisy or red lily, it means your love is accepted."

Weithia who sat with Adam that afternoon accompanied him to talk about many things. "I'm not in love with anyone, Your Majesty."

"That's just knowledge, Weithia. Every man must be good at reading the language of flowers."

He continued, "Lavender, my favorite flower which means loyalty. While yellow roses are the opposite, infidelity. The servants here are even careful in decorating the palace, because not just any flower is placed. That proves that a woman really values ​​a flower."

Adam continued his discussion, it was very obvious that the man really liked flowers, "It's summer, and the land of Wilhelmia is very fertile. Almost every garden has flowers, look at the pink flower down there, that's called chrysanthemum. It means honesty."

"In the southern garden, there is a carnation garden, my late mother's favorite flower. But only white or pink ones are planted which means 'I will not forget you'. Like my feelings for them." Adam said softly.

"You really like plants, my King?" Weithia smiled. Slowly he pulled the white lily in front of her. And gave it to the King.

"Sometimes a man receives his first flower when he is buried. The dead receive more flowers than the living, because of the regrets they have."

Adam smiled and took it, "So you want me dead, Weithia?"

"No! Your Majesty. That's not it." The young man said nervously and the King laughed.

Their closeness was quickly established, Adam liked the young man's performance and personality. His attitude was quick to respond and always told the truth. It had been almost two months since his inauguration, and the young man had never made any mistakes. Every morning he was ready beside the King's bedroom door and sometimes didn't sleep at night to stay on guard.

Adam also just found out that the man was five years younger than him. Because his height and face didn't look that young to Adam. He was still nineteen years old when he was appointed as a Knight of Wilhelmia. The King also didn't mind his actual age. As long as he was capable, why should it be delayed.

"But do you know what flower is the most interesting?"

"What is it, Your Majesty?"

"Astrella flower."

"Astrella? I've never heard of that flower before."

Adam leaned his body against the back of the chair, "It's a flower that is said to have magical powers. I've never seen it myself." 

Weithia listened intently. "There is a legend that says that the flower can cure any disease with its properties. When I was little, my late father was so interested in the legend that he decided to send his soldiers to look for it. But the result was nil. It was never found anywhere."

"Over time, the history of the flower has disappeared, the current generation may not know about it at all."

"Where is the flower, Your Majesty?"

"Some say that the flower is in the forest of death in the east, or on the peak of Mount Emsbur in the western country or on an uninhabited island in the southern sea. No one knows for sure. I can't be sure of the truth."

"Even though it has never been seen, it doesn't necessarily mean that the flower isn't real, right, Your Highness? Maybe someday I can bring the flower to you."

Adam laughed. "I will look forward to it, you will be the first human in the legend to successfully find the flower. But there are also those who say that Astrella only appears when someone dies. I can't remember who exactly had to die. But that makes it even more ridiculous, doesn't it? Like, it costs so much for just one flower."

***

Adam was silent, looking at the evening sky. His mind was no longer filled with flowers. How it felt to have warmth curled up beside him in the depths of the night. So loving and gentle. From a distance he could see the river with a calm current that gave life to Wilhelmia directly from within the earth. His eyes looked at the sky reflecting the ancient light of stars hundreds of thousands of light years away. Whether he should be lucky or feel sad when he became someone sent by God to lead this country.

"Is there something bothering your mind, Your Majesty?"

"Just guessing how the case that Trevor is handling is continuing, it's been several days without any new news. Luckily there are no more victims." Adam said quietly. "We can't just let this matter pass."

"I agree, especially with the victim's condition being so strange. Maybe if you allow me, I can help General Trevor?"

"No need, stay here."

Adam never dared to look for a beautiful river with sparkling water, so many colors shining above it, like a rainbow packed into one stream. Or beautiful flowers shaped like crowns that are silent on the meadows or dewy hills. Or seeing the sky with mystical and fantastic colors, so sad and melancholic. Whether it brings joy or sadness to him.

Weithia noticed the King's face that was so calm. People would not be able to read his expression or understand him, as if he was a complicated masterpiece. He saw a beautiful white fountain, like a fairy dancing with the grace of water and wind. The King's face always looked happy and joyful, trying to give the best for everyone. Never knowing about the terrible misery of his life.

His blue eyes seemed to be gazing deep into dreams and dreams. His lips were so red and in harmony with his white skin. Like a figure carved by God, smooth and beautiful. The green leaves falling on the balcony, the cold breeze so tempting them to look up at the sky. The white lily was held by his fingers.

"If all this is a dream, will I wake up and leave this beautiful world? Forgetting the cold and bitter reality, never to see it again." Adam said softly. Weithia understood that the King was trying to express his feelings.

"This is not a dream, Your Majesty. Sorry, but that bitter reality will probably always be a part of your past. You cannot forget or turn away from it. But keep living together by accepting and making peace." Thomas Gideon, Weithia's best friend in Haven who once told her a little about the King's sad past. A dark organization called Blackwood had taken the lives of his parents. At a very young age, he had to watch his father and mother die. Adam was then taken to the Eastern Kingdom, Gwylion, for a while. And returned at the age of seventeen, to ascend the throne as the eighteenth King of Wilhelmia. In this country, he stood at the forefront for the Kingdom and for his people.

There is not much written in Wilhelmia's history about Adam other than that tragic event. People think that Blackwood killed the King and Queen because of political revenge. Some say that the King and Queen were devil worshippers and the dark organization killed them as sacrifices. Because of the agreement with the devil they used to gain fame and wealth for this country.

But no one knows for sure. Not even Adam. The investigation activities are getting weaker and weaker. Because the people who have accepted Adam, and the man has also brought Wilhelmia to prosperity. The past is sinking. Even so, the King still hopes to find a little clue that will lead him to the truth.

Weithia vows to protect Adam. Whatever the risk. He will help Adam to become the best King that Wilhelmia's history has ever carved.

"What are you daydreaming about, Weithia?"

The young man jumped slightly, "I don't know, I imagine that the line between life and death is very thin."

Adam smiled faintly, "Have you ever heard a story? About a sacred garden where secret lovers meet every night. One day they knew that night would be their last night together. They decided to die there. The Princess said, 'death is just the next step to our happiness'. No one knows if the promise to continue being together will come true, but their story spread throughout the Kingdom. As proof of, 'Until death do us part'."

"So there is no need to be afraid of death, because it is just a part of life. Death comes to all of us. Even for a King. Death beats the same at the gates of the rich and the poor. Death beats the same for a pair of lovers."

Weithia was silent for a moment, "I am sorry for the loss of your parents."

The King just chuckled, "I have never heard those words in a long time. It's been fourteen years, I'm fine. The thing that makes me sad, sometimes I forget what they look like." Adam looked at Weithia, smiling. "You... are really special. I've only been with you for a short time, but I feel like I've known you for a long time. I'm not afraid to pour out my thoughts and feelings to you. And I think that's strange. Trevor and Ackeley, who have been with me since I was little, rarely talk heart to heart like this." Weithia could only smile, flattered by the words Adam said. "I know that you do this sincerely, every word and expression you make, I know that there is no lie. But you are still naive about the world, your eyes still have the shadows of childhood. I guess, that's beautiful. In your head I know there is still a storm of uncertainty." He said softly.

The night came like black ink spilled in the sky. The King was now lying warm in his mosquito net. The stars were side by side with the beautiful moon as if they were looking at each other. It felt so familiar. From a distance, through the wide open window of his room. There was a noisy sound, like the noise of people shouting. One side of the Capital City was seen lit up with red light. Adam sat up, squinting his eyes to make sure it was a fire or something else.

Not long after, a knock on the door of the room was heard, Adam quickly opened it. There stood Trevor in panic and sweat pouring from his temples. "Your Majesty. Citizens ..." Trevor said with a gasp. Weithia and Ackerley then entered with confused expressions.

"What's wrong? Calm yourself down first."

"Look at the window, the citizens are parading women around the city. With torches and pitchforks."

Adam was even more confused by Trevor's words, "What do you mean? What are they doing?" Ackerley spoke up, "They are parading three women who are thought to be witches, Your Majesty. We just got news a few minutes ago from the guards."

Adam was furious, "Witches? Is it because of that case? I told you not to spread it. Look, now the people are scared." He lowered his voice a little. "Then make them stop the parade. And bring the three women here." He said firmly.

Trevor agreed to the King's order and immediately rushed over. He immediately rode to Haven headquarters to ask for help. The higher-ups who were still working that night seemed to have ordered soldiers from the Hazard Company to immediately go down to the city and secure the residents. That night the atmosphere became very hot, plus dozens to hundreds of residents carrying torches. Trevor ordered not to use violence. They were only tasked with stopping the procession.

"How could this happen?" said Adam while looking into the distance. "I don't know, Your Majesty. But it seems that when this case spread, the residents became so afraid and forcibly arrested women who were suspected of being witches." Ackerley said.

Adam massaged his forehead, "The one who spread this case, really went too far. Besides, how did the people conclude that witches were involved here?"

"Maybe because of the woman's corpse, Your Majesty. Her characteristics made the people think that black magic was being practiced."

"We can't involve religious leaders here. Because they will definitely side with the people."

Trevor spurred his horse closer to the crowd, the situation was chaotic and disorderly. From a distance he could see women whose feet were tied, being paraded on wooden stretchers. Surrounded by hot fire and pitchforks. It was clear that they were crying in fear.

"Please stop!" Trevor approached the person he thought was leading the crowd. The old man ignored him and the people continued to shout for the three women to be executed immediately. Trevor tried to restrain himself, but the attitude of the Wilhelmian people was so excessive. Not showing the slightest fear of the King made Trevor furious.

He ordered his soldiers to immediately intervene. Their horses blocked the path of the group. Asking for the torches to be extinguished and the pitchforks to be lowered. Not many people looked afraid, so they continued to fight the soldiers' blockade by force. Trevor was even confused about where the procession was going. But he thought that these people wanted to take him around the city, to 'introduce' the woman accused of being a witch.

Adam could not understand the behavior of his people, a developed city like Tropes still believed in myths and superstitions. Usually this only happened in small villages, not in a big country like Wilhelmia. Even Wilhelmia itself does not actually have a social order that tends to be puritanical and fanatical about religious dogmas.

Like a fire burning in the summer. People take the law into their own hands.

Only a small number of citizens are willing to accept orders from the General. Indicating a sense of respect for the King. Trevor's main goal of bringing the poor woman to the palace is still far away. The man is not on anyone's side, and treats everyone the everyone was the same.

Slowly because the people also could not fight the soldiers, they began to calm down and stopped shouting. Even so, Trevor still could not quell their anger. The leader of the procession came forward to meet Trevor.

"General! Those women are descendants of the devil! They are a race of witches! So please execute them immediately!"

"Calm down. I cannot judge them. This will be handed over to His Majesty. Please do not take the law into your own hands. He will decide."

The man with the fierce face continued to heat up the situation and made the other citizens not accept the General's decision. "No! We want them executed in the city hall. In front of all of us!"

Adam increasingly thought that Trevor could not reconcile them. The light blazing from the fire had not yet gone out. He could still see it from the balcony. Beside him faithfully accompanied the servants and Royal Knights, waiting for the King's orders. This situation was completely unexpected by him.

"Three days ago, did you ask your brother, Lord Francilius, to deliver the results of the victim's examination to me?"

Ackerley nodded, "Yes, Your Majesty. Because I was in a hurry to meet the parliament as per your order the day before."

"Did you have time to read the document?"

"No, Your Majesty. After the doctor wrote it, I immediately sealed the envelope and let you be the first to read it."

The bespectacled man was silent for a moment, "But I saw the condition of the corpse myself. You already know, right? That the woman was poisoned and caused her to die instantly. The doctor is investigating what poison was used."

Adam and Weithia looked in surprise at the Royal Advisor. "Poisoned!?"

"Yes... poisoned, Your Majesty. What happened?" said the man worriedly.

"Francilius said that the woman's tongue was missing and her blood was gone. It makes me confused as to who could have done that."

Ackerley became increasingly confused, "No. No, Your Honor! Because the victim died quite a long time ago, plus the cold air at night, that's why the body turned blue, not bloodless. Oh my God."

"Has my brother committed a crime? He changed the information on the document?" he added with a scared expression.

"There is misinformation here. Someone tried to spread terror to Wilhelmia and succeeded. Maybe it's true, Francilius has betrayed me. The false description of the victim's body is so similar to black magic. That's why after it spread, the people were so scared."

"Did Trevor also receive information like you know?" Ackerley asked.

"I think so. He focused on finding the criminal and looking for witnesses. It never occurred to me that a third party was causing problems." Adam looked at Ackerley and Weithia alternately, "Maybe the doctor is in trouble now." With a worried expression.

"I apologize, Your Honor. Maybe the body has been buried now." Ackerley said with a trembling voice.

"This isn't entirely your fault, Ackerley." Adam turned around, "Weithia, you go to Trevor, order him to find Francilius, the doctor, and also the three women. Hurry up. And bring them all here."

"Yes, Your Majesty. But will you be okay here?"

"Don't worry. You go ahead. My brother is probably at Minister Jaquet's residence in the west of Tropes now." Ackerley explained. And Weithia immediately rushed over.