Prologue

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

Pushed out of the tunnel, his knight Conor close the gate as to not let them chase after his king. With his hand shaking, the last sight Alexis can see is the smile of his loyal guard as numbers of soldiers are running behind him.

"Conor…"

He mumbled as he run to the shore where the boat was waiting for him. Swallowing his saliva, he hold his tears. Conor is like a brother for him. In his miserable family, he find what real concern really is. The warmth of family's love he never receive from his parents, Alexis found it in Conor.

'He sacrificed his life to protect me… am I really worthy for 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 run with all his might. Even if the sand swallowed his shoes, he did not halt nor falter. With bare foots, he remove other heavy garments he can remove as to fasten his pace.

'If I give up now, then there is no tomorrow'

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

'Conor… there is really a boat…'

But before he can even rejoice to his safety, numbers 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 am 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 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, he is in bare foot.

"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, do he really deserve to receive such disgrace?

"Your homeland whom you loved…"

Remembering every sleepless nights he had in order to manage every problems 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 look at it, what he see was happiness and no pity at all.

"… your knights and warriors whom you sharpened…"

Does he really deserve to receive such fate? With the memories of Conor's dead body flashing on his mind, he then saw Allan walking to where he is. 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 a 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 was the shouting of his people, celebrating as if it was 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?"