Prologue

“Your Majesty, this is as far as I can help you. The boat is waiting for you at the borders. Just head straight and you will see it hiding behind the round rock. Forgive me if I cannot accompany you. It is an honor to serve you, Your Majesty.”

“Pushed out of the tunnel, his knight Conor closed the gate so as not to let them chase after his king. With his hand shaking, the last sight Alexis could see was the smile of his loyal guard as a number of soldiers ran behind him.

“Conor…” he mumbled as he ran to the shore where the boat was waiting for him.

Swallowing his saliva, he held back his tears. Conor was like a brother to him. In his miserable family, he found what the real concern really was. The warmth of a family’s love that he never received from his parents, Alexis found it in Conor.

‘He sacrificed his life to protect me… am I really worthy of it?’

And so Conor’s words echoed in his ears as if he was just beside him and all.”

‘You Majesty, it is time for your meal. Please do take some rest even just for a while’

‘Forgive my rudeness but those words hold no fact, Your Majesty. They do not know what they are speaking of’

‘It works by luck. We have no power against the weather. I am sure your majesty will learn new ideas’

“All this time… I am being guided by him. And all I did was a failure! How did this even happen…”

‘When you fall, there is only one thing left for you to do. That is to rise’

Collecting his energy, Alexis runs with all his might. Even if the sand swallowed his shoes, he did not halt nor falter. With bare feet, he removes the heavy garments he can remove to fasten his pace.

‘If I give up now, then there is no tomorrow’

With the sight of the shore and large rocks, Alexis gains hope. Indeed, just like what Conor had said, there’s a boat waiting for him. Hiding behind the rocks.

‘Conor… there really is a boat…’

But before he can even rejoice to his safety, number of soldiers show up. As if they are waiting for his arrival. 

‘No… Conor said….’

“Your highness, it is such an honor to be in your presence. Why not, have a good chat with us?”

A grin can be seen visible on his lips. Pallad. The head of the knights. He was like a dog wagging his tail to Alexis before but the very image is the complete opposite of what he is right now.

‘They betrayed me…’

“And if you are curious, we would be glad enough to invite that knight of yours”

“Conor?! What did you do to him?!”

The wind in this open space is much calmer than what it usually is. Even the calm sea shows how perfect this day was. 

Pulling a man with his feet hitting the ground, two soldiers throw his body on the ground. Lifeless. Indeed, it was none other than…

“Conor…”

“Suited for his place, we give him the present he deserves. Don’t worry Your Highness, you will join him soon”

And so Pallad’s chuckle covered the whole place as he saw how helpless the king was.

‘I was your dog before but look at you now, if I ask you to bark, what is your difference with one?’

Ruling his land with all his heart, he did no wrong but ended up falling from his reign for a sin he never did. 

In the center of the kingdom’s palace, with a podium created especially for him, Alexis had his hands cuff-tied. Wearing only thin clothes, barefoot.

“Welcome to the Kingdom of Voneveir!”

That voice was so familiar in his ears. Alexis can never be wrong about it. It was his son, Allan.

"Your Majesty, Do you have any last words for your people?"

Being humiliated like a criminal who purged innocents, does he really deserve to receive such disgrace?

“Your homeland whom you loved…”

Remembering every sleepless night he had in order to manage every problem his kingdom is facing…

“… your people whom you cherished… “

Looking at every soul in front of this place, none can even dare help the poor king. But in their eyes, no matter how he looked at it, what he saw was happiness and no pity at all.

“… your knights and warriors whom you sharpened…”

Does he deserve to receive such a fate? With the memories of Conor’s dead body flashing in his mind, he saw Allan walking to where he was. Holding the sword that he can be sure to say his very own, he smiled bitterly.

“Such a great present to receive…”

Not a curse to bless upon them who have wronged him, not even words begging for his life, on his last breath, the king accepted his fate.

'I have given them what I can give. What kind of a ruler am I if I would hurt those whom I serve?'

With the hands of his own child, the prince of the kingdom, his life ended in a flash. The last thing he can hear is the shouting of his people, celebrating as if it were something to look forward. As he saw such sight… his eyes lit no light of hope… 

And this is how Alexis Voneveir ended.

Huff huff huff

“Good thing you are finally awake, hurry up before the others empty the bins”

“Where… am I?“