KNEEL BEFORE THE CROWN (BL)

Trevor could not hold back the anger of the people, until his patience ran out. He asked the soldiers to be a little more firm and not be careless. Even the people started to shower them with stones.

The people were dragged to disperse the crowd. And their forks and torches were taken by force. Because they realized that the soldiers had used their strength and acted roughly. Some of the people ran away and moved away from the procession because they were afraid. The rest still tried to fight even though they knew they would fail.

Several soldiers in armor managed to approach the three poor women. Untied the ties and lowered them from the wooden stretcher. There were still many people who insisted on holding and seizing the women from the soldiers.

From a distance Weithia was seen riding quickly towards the crowd, with a red cloak fluttering in the wind. Behind it was a chain mail and light iron plates. A sword with a beautiful sheath perched on his waist. One of the soldiers who saved the women approached.

"Senior Robin. Where is General Trevor!?" Weithia shouted because of the chaotic situation.

"Over there! With the stubborn people. What's going on here? What about His Majesty?"

"His Majesty ordered the General to find Mr. Francilius, the doctor and bring the three women to the palace. The situation is turning around."

"What happened?"

"Sorry senior, there is not much time to explain this!"

Robin nodded in understanding and the two rode towards Trevor. The man saw Weithia's arrival indicating that something was urgent. Weithia explained the King's order, without asking many questions the man ordered his subordinates to bring the three women to the palace quickly, before the people became even more violent.

The three men finally entrusted the crowd of citizens to the Hazard Company. The three women had been successfully rescued and immediately taken to the palace as ordered by Adam. Trevor and the others immediately rode towards Minister Jaquet's residence. Passing through the square and rows of luxurious houses. The area where the nobles live is located on the west side of Tropes. The situation is so quiet and peaceful, far from the riots.

It didn't take long for them to find the residence in question. A tall house with white bricks that looked so neat, with a conical roof that resembled a tower.

A guard opened the door after seeing the Kingdom symbol on the horse and the uniforms of the three men. The green yard was spread out before approaching the main door. He knocked on the front door several times, not long after a middle-aged man came out in a servant's uniform. His expression was confused because of the arrival of an uninvited guest.

Trevor quickly asked where Francilius was, his instincts had told him that something was wrong with the man since they met a few days ago.

"Mr. Francilius asked for permission not to work because he was sick, sir. Since yesterday." He said in a low voice. Not wanting to wake up the noise.

"Where is Francilius' residence?" asked Robin. The old man just shook his head, "I don't know for sure, if I'm not mistaken his house is on Lotus Street. Not far from here. When you arrive at the town square, take the road that leads to the border."

Trevor nodded, "Was Mr. Jaquet home earlier?"

"Yes, sir. He's resting. Is there anything happening in the city?"

"Yes. Civil unrest. Thank you for the information."

He turned to his subordinates, "We will split up, I will go be Francilius and you two look for that doctor."

"Did something happen in the Kingdom, sirs?"

"His Majesty ordered us to look for Francilius. If you see him please report to the Kingdom."

The old man agreed nervously. On their way out of the residence, Trevor and Robin asked what happened. Weithia explained briefly. "The hospital examination report is different from what Lord Francilius said, do you remember? Last time he said that the woman's body was found without any blood on her body and her tongue had been cut off."

"But just now Lord Ackerley said that the woman was poisoned."

Trevor and Robin were shocked beyond belief, "Really? When I tried to go to the hospital, they said that the body had rotted so it was quickly buried. I didn't have time to see the real situation." Trevor explained.

"His Majesty said that it was possible that someone had spread and falsified the secret information, causing a commotion among the people of Wilhelmia like just now. Therefore, His Majesty asked us to look for Francilius and the doctor."

Their horses galloped through the wind, then separated in the Tropes square. The General headed straight for Lotus Street to look for Francilius' house. Meanwhile, Weithia and Robin went to the only hospital in the country. From a distance, they could both see that the crowd was still there, it was not as crowded and chaotic as at the beginning, but it seemed that the people were so stubborn.

The location of the hospital was not far because it was in the middle of the city. A tall and spacious building filled with windows. The lighting was dim, there were several women in nurse uniforms who approached the two young men as they got off their horses.

"We are envoys from His Majesty the King. We want to find the doctor who handled the latest case." Weithia said.

"Donna's case?"

"Yes."

"Doctor Louis, he just came home from duty this afternoon." The middle-aged woman explained.

"Doctor Louis isn't here? Then where does he live?" Robin asked. The woman looked so worried if she answered wrong, especially since the King's envoy was the one asking her. "Yes, he is no longer in this hospital. His house is very close. Sir, can you see that white door?" His hand pointed to a house across the street, several buildings away from where they were standing.

"That's his house. Did something happen to his case?"

Just thanking him and not taking the time to explain, the two men rushed.

The situation was so tense, they immediately rode towards the house. Only the porch light and one of the windows were on. In a hurry, Weithia immediately knocked on the white door.

There was no answer. Robin knocked again. Not long after, the sound of footsteps could be heard from inside the house. They both could feel it. "Hello? Is anyone home? We are envoys from the Kingdom."

The door squeaked when it was opened, an eye peeked through the gap in the door.

"We want to find Doctor Louis. The King's orders."

"F-Father is not at home." A small and soft voice was heard. Weithia and Robin looked at each other. "Are you Doctor Louis's daugher? Where is your father?"

After making sure the situation was safe, the girl finally agreed to open the door wider. "Father just left this afternoon. And said I should be careful. Not to open the door to anyone at night." A beautiful girl with blonde hair said with her voice trembling slightly.

"Do you know where or who your father went?"

The girl shook her head. "Father only said he wouldn't be gone for long. And maybe the day after tomorrow he'll be back. But I can't be sure. He left the house alone this afternoon without anyone accompanying him."

Weithia and Robin looked at each other, "Are we too late? How? Should we just go back and report it to the King?" Weithia thought for a moment, "Yes... I think we should go after the General."

Robin nodded in understanding and turned to the girl in front of him. "If something happens, scream. And go outside so your neighbors will know. Lock all your windows and doors, okay?"

The girl nodded, "Is my father in trouble? To the point that the King called him?"

"No. We hope your father isn't in trouble."

The silence of the night felt even deeper. Who knows how long it had been since the riot happened. Weithia and her senior met Trevor in the square. And it seemed that the man also did not get a happy result. The cold air was getting more and more piercing, and the night wind was blowing so hard. The three men decided to turn around to avoid the procession and go through the western gate of the palace to save time. Adam had been standing back and forth in the hall of his castle. With his velvet coat dragging on his floor. Full of crystal lamps hanging luxuriously from the ceiling. The orange light made the situation warmer. Along with several servants who skillfully treated the wounds of the poor women.

Their body was full of bruises, and some burns. Their dress was torn and not in good condition. Adam never thought that the people of Wilhelmia would turn into backward and barbaric people. Small countries or rural areas are still thick with mystical stories and superstitions that cause paranoia for most people. But this is a developed and large country. Just because of negative rumors, it can be so torturous and miserable for these poor women.

Several questions were asked slowly by Ackerley, the women swore that she was not a witch. And Adam believed it. Especially because there was no concrete evidence.

"The people of Wilhelmia are afraid because the body of a woman who died mysteriously was found." Adam said. "Just because of not socializing enough with the people around, domestic quarrels, and a female healer who usually treats sick people with her traditional medicine."

"Isn't that it? what did you do? Even suspected of being witches." Said the King.

The three women could calm down because they knew that Adam was protecting them. "Yesterday, the townspeople caught us, Your Majesty. Locked us in an animal cage. Because of an accusation we didn't do." Her voice trembled as she wanted to cry. "I'm just a healer who often helps my sick neighbors. My friend is just a poor girl, and a mother."

"My child might be looking for me, Your Majesty." Said a black-haired woman with tears streaming down her cheeks.

Adam nodded in understanding, "The situation outside might not be safe if you return, stay here. I'll ask someone to pick up your child." The three women prostrated themselves because they received the King's generosity. Crying and giving thanks.

"Enough, stop. It's my responsibility to help you. Now you can at least be at ease. Pray that God will always protect you."

Adam had predicted everything before. Accused without basis, without evidence and strong or reasonable arguments. If they had returned home, perhaps their fate would have been on the gallows. He was very disappointed with the tragedy that night.

Ackerley beside looked so worried and exhausted. His brother's actions were probably consuming his mind. Adam began to think if he had pushed Ackerley too hard. The old man might not be strong enough to manage state duties alone.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Your Majesty. Just a little dizzy."

"Then just rest. Trevor and the others will probably be back soon."

"No. I will stay here. There's no way I can sleep well tonight."

Adam just stared at him doubtfully. Then some footsteps were heard so loud, rushing from outside the hall. Not long after three handsome men entered with disappointed and exhausted looks. The King just sighed, knowing that the three men had not succeeded in bringing what he wanted.

The three immediately knelt down, "Your Majesty. We apologize. Francilius was not found at Minister Jaquet's residence or his house. Meanwhile, Doctor Louis was also not at his house. His daughter said that he left this afternoon and no one knows where."

Adam listened silently, "Then what are you doing here?" his face was annoyed. "Order your subordinates to look for them until they find them. You stay here to secure the city."

Adam saw Robin and Trevor's faces blackened by the ash from the parade earlier. He ordered Robin to go to headquarters to convey his orders. While Weithia and Trevor stayed behind.

"I'm starting to worry, the harvest festival will certainly still be held. With conditions like this, will it still run smoothly?"

"Should I not spread the invitations for Your Majesty's Royal guests?" said Ackerley. "It's good if you haven't spread them yet. Then let's wait, if the harvest festival can quell the residents' unrest about the witch rumors, it's better to hold it."

"I received a report from the Captain of the Hazard Company that they had just managed to disperse the parade. Thankfully there were no fatalities. And the three women are also in a safe place."

Trevor nodded. "Then maybe you can rest Your Majesty. Tomorrow will also be a tiring day."

Adam nodded looking at the tall, closed window, the moonlight covered by thick clouds. "Speaking of exhaustion. Trevor, maybe you could help Ackerley out a bit. He looks overwhelmed." The General nodded.

"And Ackerley! Don't share your duties, state information or anything like that with anyone. You were so careless. Don't do it again." Adam said without raising his voice.

The man just bowed weakly. "You are the Royal Advisor. Your duty is so important. I can't trust that position to anyone. Only you, so please do it right. I can't believe you dare to do something so stupid."

"Forgive me, Your Majesty, I won't make that mistake again." He said weakly. He realized that the incident that had just happened was part of his negligence in carrying out his duties.

"I forgive you, I also forced you to work too hard so far. But I will guarantee your lives in this world. Whatever you ask for, I will grant it. Loyal servants of the Kingdom. Wilhelmia thanks you." He said with authority.

He turned from the room. Weithia was about to accompany the King to the front door of his room as usual. While Trevor and Ackerley were still in the hall, watching Adam's back as he left.

"Good evening, Your Majesty."