KNEEL BEFORE THE CROWN (BL)

A red military uniform, Adam had worn that afternoon. Only for official events and activities like today. A red coat with a double-breasted, two rows of buttons vertically decorated. Complete with a fur-lined robe, trousers, and boots. Not to forget a gold crown with a simpler shape than the more formal one.

The right side of his hair was combed back neatly. His sea blue eyes looked so sparkling beautifully. Gazing out the window, seeing a vast meadow on the side of his castle. The maids were very busy decorating the King. Making sure that there were no flaws in his appearance.

Weithia was also in the room with him. A tall man with deep gray eyes. Adam never got tired of looking at him. He saw Weithia reading a book. With his formal clothes, a long black coat and a white chavat tie. He combed his hair all back, leaving a few strands of hair on his forehead.

A sword given by Adam was attached firmly to his waist. The scabbard was made of silver with a rose carving. The sword inherited from his ancestors, the King, gave to Weithia as a sign of respect.

Adam felt tired of standing, the formal clothes he was wearing and all the signs of his title made him even more complicated and heavy.

The yellow light of the sun shone brightly on him, making his eyes hurt...

****

..... "Adam." A soft voice was heard from behind him. The man turned to his side, a black-haired boy smiled at him.

"Don't daydream. The teacher will be angry."

He had difficulty concentrating on the math lesson his teacher was explaining. His gaze continued to be directed out the window, watching the large magnolia tree that was blooming that season. A tall tree without green leaves, only filled with blooming pink and white flowers.

He counted how many times the flowers fell from the brown branches. There were so many that he was overwhelmed. His mind was not present in class, staring at the sky and wondering. What would the world be like if there was no war and evil. There were only lavender flowers, magnolia trees and kindness.

"Adam? What are you daydreaming about? I will end this class in a moment."

Adam just smiled and shook his head, "Sorry." Then the Teacher continued his material slowly. He glanced at the two boys sitting not far from him. Focused on writing and paying attention. With a sheet of paper and a quill in his hand.

"Finally spring has come after the bitter and cold winter has passed. The flowers are starting to grow. And I can smell the peaches from the tree!" one of the children ran and tried to climb the tall tree. Adam just chuckled because his attitude was so active - unable to stay still.

"If you're not feeling well, you better not join the class." Said a black-haired boy beside him.

"I'm fine." The cool wind blew slowly. Birds danced in the air. Nature seemed to be making music that brought joy. He saw the blue color that dominated the sky beautifully. White clouds drifted across the country far away in the east.

Everything looked so alive in Adam's memory.

He was taking a new step, he was writing a new page. Far from his home and country. He did everything solely for a brighter future than the dark days in the past. He always wondered how to maintain the will to live.

"Maybe the answer is plain and simple. Because of curiosity. Why were you chosen by God. Why did you have to go through all this. What do you want to be in the future and maybe to find out what your deepest desires are."

The answer of a little child that kept perched in his mind without stopping.

Peaches fell from the branches of the tree, and the three children began to eat them. It tasted sweet. Adam smiled sadly, knowing that they would not be together forever. He didn't even have forever. "I will give you everything someday." Adam said softly.

His two friends just laughed happily, not understanding what 'everything' meant. "I won't be here forever. Someday I have to go home."

"Don't be sad. We will be happy to visit your country. Even though we will all be apart, this friendship will not die." Said a child with beautiful shiny blonde hair.

"Yes, we don't need everything. As long as you still want to be our friends, that's the main thing."

"Of course, there's no way I can forget you guys. I hope someday we can meet again."

*****

A promise was made under the spring sky to always be friends. An innocent and pure promise that was naive about the world. Weak like a dandelion. They didn't realize they were making memories, all they did was have fun. It was so torturous if they dared to remember it.

'I I will forget you. I hope someday we can meet again.' The young man exhaled, making the glass beside him fog up a little. He usually never slept while traveling. It made his head a little dizzy.

The luxurious horse-drawn carriage sped through the wind at night. The man with his tired face looked at the city streets that were so crowded with people dancing and partying. Lively, too noisy for him. Fruits and vegetables and wine from the harvest were abundant everywhere. Beside him, an old man looked so calm while also looking out the window.

A fur coat that kept him warm, with a black-edged gold ring perched on his index finger. "Are you okay?"

The man nodded, "Of course, Your Majesty."

"King Wilhelmia will hold a harvest party like this every year. Luckily he invited us." His voice sounded heavy and deep. Several horse-drawn carriages were seen lining up in front and behind them as they entered the large courtyard of the palace. Indicating that the King had deliberately invited many guests.

It was amazing to think that he could be present at the man's house. The land of his birth was too beautiful to understand. The sun was sinking in the west, the orange sky now changing to an increasingly dark color. A soldier shouted to signal the arrival of someone important.

"King Henry of Gwylion!"

All eyes looked at the old man walking in front of him.

The man walked unenthusiastically following his master. His own presence was not very important. Especially when he received such an annoying letter some time ago, arriving together with an invitation to this harvest party. But now his heart was beating fast, the only rhythm in the hustle and bustle of the party. Nervous, not knowing what he should do or say.

Before he realized he was in a sea of ​​people with glamorous dresses and jewelry. The men looked charming in the suits they were wearing. The aura of nobility was very thick, he then looked around the large hall, many soldiers with banners bearing the phoenix symbol were scattered in all directions.

Not long after, one of the doors to the hall opened, followed by a soldier shouting a name that was so familiar to him. "His Majesty King Adam Everardus of Wilhelmia."

As he said, everyone present at the party immediately bowed respectfully. He could not do much, because of the orders he had received.

With such a shine, greeted by nobles who wanted to shake hands or just greet him to get an honor. He smiled softly and friendly. Blending in quickly because his aura felt very calm and authoritative.

The man felt strange again, but that was human, he thought.

"King Henry. Welcome." Adam said giving a warm hug.

"It's an honor, Your Majesty. Thank you for inviting us."

The man smiled, "Don't be so formal, your figure is like a father to me. And I should be the one thanking you for coming all the way east. Let's find a place to sit."

Adam led his guest to a round table on the hall balcony, with the Knight faithfully following his every step. The sky was completely dark. The sprinkling of stars looked so bright because the sky was cloudless.

"Don't you have to greet your other guests, Adam?"

"It's okay, most of them are just nobles. The only Royal Family present were you and the Princess of Grissham, and she hasn't arrived yet. It's natural since Grissham is so far south."

Henry looked a little surprised, "You invited Grissham?"

"Of course. There's no real reason for us to be enemies. I just wanted to break the ice between us."

"What about the Western Kingdom, Noxawest?"

"They only sent Royal servants, I don't mind. Since that man came to represent his country."

"What about Cedric?" Adam asked back.

Henry laughed, "I'm tired of him. So I sent him to a boarding school. I hope the people there can educate him well. But Adam, I wish you were there."

Adam smiled, "What's wrong?"

"That kid borrowed my ship to sail, he said he wanted to try to explore the ocean. But I don't know what that kid did, he ended up sinking the ship. I'm really tired of him." The man shook his head.

"Really?" Adam laughed. "Yes, I'm not lying. Even though he's the same age as you. But his attitude is still like a seven-year-old."

"I really miss Cedric."

"Come visit the East sometime, I think you must miss everything there."

Henry glanced at the young man behind Adam. "By the way, is this the Knight you just inaugurated?"

"Yes, his name is Weithia Vistalia."

"Isn't he a little young? Does he have much experience? To guard a King like you..."

Adam turned his head away.

His eyes to the distant City of Tropes, which looked brighter than the stars in the sky. "I don't think so, but his abilities are very good. Because he's still young, I can shape him however I want."

Henry took turns looking at the tall man beside him, with jet black hair and eyes. An oriental face and pale white skin. Staring with an annoyed expression. "Anthony, say hello to His Majesty Adam."

The man bowed, "It's an honor to meet you again, Your Majesty."

Adam didn't look at the man at all. "Of course." But at the blue sky, the magnolia trees and the peaches on back of his mind.

The solid ground he stepped on in the past felt so real, for a mere memory of a twelve-year-old child. The situation became quiet for a moment. No one started talking. Henry himself looked so hesitant.

The sound of people's crowds from inside the hall was faintly heard. Only a large glass door separated them. "What have you been doing these years? Is the task of being a King hard for you?" Henry stroked his thin beard that had turned white, as well as his hair.

"Yes, it's really difficult." Adam laughed crisply. "Almost the same as what you taught me before. Politics, economy, militarization. But I don't think there's anything strange about all of that, because it's already the basis for leading a country."

"But there's one strange thing that's happened lately. It's not really an important issue for the Wilhelmian government. But more about justice and social-religious life." Adam explained.

"What happened?" Henry's body leaned slightly because he was curious.

"There was just a riot in Wilhelmian almost two weeks ago. Because the body of a woman who died mysteriously was found. Currently the investigation is still ongoing, but it's very slow. Because there are no witnesses or definite evidence."

"Tell me." Henry said.

Adam smiled faintly, "Initially about some time ago ago a woman's body was found in an alley, died mysteriously from poisoning. But someone spread a bad rumor that the woman died because her tongue was cut and there was not a drop of blood on her body."

"Then? Who spread the rumor?"

"I don't want to make assumptions but I think its Francilius, a man who serves a Minister named Jaquet. But a few days ago Minister Jaquet came to the palace, in a state of ignorance. Trevor interrogated Jaquet, and it turned out that he had nothing to do with it. Meanwhile, Francilius is still a fugitive until now."

Adam continued in a low voice, "The doctor who performed the autopsy on the body is also still missing until now. So I increased security in the city, thankfully there were no more victims. I am really confused, whether this harvest festival should be held or not."

"Last week the people paraded three women, who were accused of being witches."

Henry's brow furrowed in disbelief, "So that person named Francilius spread rumors to create terror in the city? Do the people think that the deaths of the women were due to witches and black magic?"

"That's what happened."

"Didn't you find Francilius' conspiracy?"

"No. We have conducted investigations into the parties who are thought to be involved. There are only a few of them. And all of them don't know anything."

"Do you think this has something to do with witches?"

Adam chuckled, "As far as I know, that nation has been extinct for a long time. Besides, it doesn't make sense, it really annoys me." Adam lowered his voice.

"Look! This is a harvest festival. The harvest is abundant and the people are happy. You know yourself that the appearance of witches is always followed by disasters in society. Starting from disease outbreaks, death, crop failures, and other disasters. But none of that happened. The nation of Wilhelmia, who knows when it became barbaric like that. They want to take an innocent woman to the gallows."

Henry nodded in understanding, "I guess the religious authorities must support the witch hunt? Then what are you doing?"

"Of course. For a problem like this, I can't rely on religious leaders. Their hatred of black magic and the devil is already in their blood. They don't want to lose, playing a role in the hunt to take advantage of the hardship to rebuild their bargaining position in society."

"I can't do much, only within my authority as King. I secured that innocent woman in the palace. Over time, the people's anger also weakened. I think this harvest festival will be the peak. Now that it is certain that my enemy is a human, I can focus on finding him."

Henry listened attentively to Adam's explanation. "Witch hunts are not a concerted initiative by a single authority. They occur occasionally and follow a similar pattern. This is the first time in Wilhelmia during my reign."

"It is fortunate that these false rumors did not reach my ears in Gwylion. If yes, maybe there will be a riot there too." Said King Henry. "My man, Anthony Tivieus. He is very good at spying, his abilities are also no joke. I myself appointed him. Maybe he can help you here."

Adam was silent. "How?" said Henry who seemed a little pushy.

"I already have enough people to work on this case. Besides-."

"Enough people but not able to find Francilius in almost two weeks."

Adam sighed, he glanced at the man with jet black hair for a moment. His face was so flat and he could read his uncomfortable movements. "Does he mind?"

Henry laughed and pulled the man to sit with him. "Of course not! Besides, he doesn't have much to do in Gwylion. Better here, more useful. Isn't that right Anthony?"

The man just lowered his head, and nodded slowly. His smile was very confused. Not daring to look at the figure in front of him. Henry seemed unaware of the tension between his men and King Wilhelmia. History decided to bring together the rope of fate. After hiding behind closed doors for so long.

On a summer night, under the sky that stared at him. His feelings sank deeper. As if the beautiful and enchanting party was not real. He kept thinking that he was dreaming. Because reality would not be as beautiful as that.

"Then I will leave him here with you. Tomorrow I have to go back to Gwylion."

"Is it that soon?"

"Yes. There is no other choice, many things await me there. Besides, another reason I came here is to make sure whether you are well or not. And I think so"

He continued, "If I'm not mistaken, this year will be the fourteenth year, the anniversary of your parents' death, right?" Henry said slowly.

"Yes, that's right, usually we will release lanterns or pray by the river by releasing carnations. My mother's favorite." Adam smiled faintly, "It's a tradition now. People do it every year."

Adam still couldn't drown his sadness, his eyes could not lie. "I used to think that their deaths were because God hated me. But now death is a reminder, when I face a dark path that I don't understand. And I'm afraid to go through it."

"My dream will not be stained with blood, with the hands that took their lives. As long as I still breathe. I will continue to search for it. And keep moving forward."

Henry could see the sparkle in Adam's blue eyes.

"My determination has been firm to carry out this responsibility. When the crown was placed on my head. I knew that, I could not go back."

"But always remember my words, if you think before you act. And never feel alone. I am always here for you Adam. We will all always be by your side."

The man smiled, "Thank you, Uncle."

"You can call me father if you want."

Adam chuckled, "No need, later my father up there will be jealous."

Henry knew that interfering in Adam's state matters was not a good thing. He limited himself from diving deeper. He was grateful just by Adam telling his problem. At least he knew that Adam trusted him.

The men spent the night drinking wine and eating food served by the servants. No nobles dared to disturb them of course. Until not long after, another important person was heard coming – the Princess of Grissham. Weithia was then ordered to greet the princess and bring her to Adam.

A wide dark green dress was seen entering when the glass door opened. Behind the girl's waist was tied a sweet ribbon, with overlapping lace. Her brown hair fell long while her emerald green eyes stared doubtfully at the men in front of her.

Adam stood up and kissed the girl's hand. "Welcome to Wilhelmia, Princess Carmellia. It is an honor to meet you."