1 Lament

In the Royal Capital of Vengaria, the chiming bells reached far and wide. It didn't take more than a couple of days for people to come through the intimidating gates and gather in front of the palace.

Waves of young and old pretty soon filled the plaza, waiting for the spokesperson to walk outside. The creaking wooden doors opened and two rows of guards walked outside with their impenetrable silver-plated armor on display.

Custom made spears in their hands with silver shafts and sharp double folded spearheads. A falling leaf that got carried with a sudden burst of wind ended up getting cut in half when it found its way towards the blade. That alone was enough to receive waves of pure amazement from the townsfolk.

"Hear, Hear!"

A scrawny old man with a hoarse voice stood in front of the palace's gates on a podium with a parchment he unfolded with both hands. He wore a blue robe with red threads on the oversized sleeves. His long white beard reached his belly.

The people that gathered around looked up at the old man, who smirked as he looked down on them and proudly wore his arrogant face. After a few coughs to clear his throat, his eyes went from one corner to the other, making sure that everyone was looking at him.

"His Majesty, Emperor Bala passed away!"

They voiced their disbelief, which annoyed the old man, something that even showed on his face as it twitched with every word the townsfolk said. He raised his scrawny hand as high as possible, signaling for them to keep silent. "Fret not, the Royal Court will appoint a new emperor by tonight!"

"And who are you to decide that?"

The sudden voice coming from the crowd startled him and those present. Veins popped on his neck and forehead. His wrinkled face turned red. Droplets spat out of his mouth as he shouted. "Impudent! Who dares…?"

A wave of people turned around and gasped at the sight. A tall man with a velvet red cape and intimidating armor stood amongst them. The instant they saw the crown on his blond head, they fell to their knees. He simply smiled at them and urged them to get up with a swift motion of his muscular hand.

The scrawny man's face twitched when the people kneeled. He narrowed his eyes to get a better look and gasped. "K-King Arthur!"

Towards the people, he showed a kind face, with a natural smile that lifted his cheekbones and forced his blond beard to perk. When they stared into his calming blue eyes, their worries that rose from the disturbing news washed away.

The scrawny old man wasn't as pleased by this King's presence. While the townsfolk weren't looking at him, he clenched his fists, driving his nails into the flesh, deep enough for blood to spill out. It was his way of calming his nerves.

King Arthur glared at the old man with the same blue eyes that emitted a profound coldness, sending shivers down his spine, making him flinch and take a step back without realizing it. "Old man Tew, I'm sure you will honor the law and wishes of my dear friend!"

'Damn him…' Old Tew cursed the king internally and forced a smile onto his face. "O-Of course, t-that's my intention…"

King Arthur unsheathed his sword and plunged the forged steel into the ground, creating sparks from the friction. "Very well, go ahead then! My apologies for interrupting you!"

Old man Tew coughed a few times while he stared at the blade that cut the solid ground as if it was nothing. His brown eyes glinted every time his gaze fell on king Arthur, who stood in the plaza, with the people. "According to our Law, we will gather Beastmen for a chance at claiming the Emperor's throne of Vengaria!"

A person from the crowd voiced his concern. "Beastmen? Aren't they extinct? Our Emperor was the last of the line!"

King Arthur smiled upon hearing the question and turned to Tew with a smirk. "No worries, Merlin has already begun casting the spell!"

Tew plunged his nails deeper into his flesh, and more blood poured out. He twitched and his face distorted. Bulging veins, ready to pop, appear on his forehead. 'Merlin! That wretched woman! She's still alive…'

Old man Tew raised his voice. "We shall wait for the candidates to arrive then!"

With a swift motion, he rolled the parchment and turned around. At a fast pace, he returned to the palace, out of the people's eyes. Once he walked in, he turned his gaze to a young woman. "You there, call for my nephew!"

The servant flinched. "Y-Yes, sir!"

Old man Tew returned to his chambers. He slammed the door shut. He grabbed the chair in front of him and threw it across the room, shuttering it against the wall as he yelled his lungs out. A mouthful of blood painted the floor after his hoarse voice left his throat. He leaned on the table to rest his old bones and panted.

He paced back and forth in his room for a while until he stood by the window and look outside. His rage only grew when he saw king Arthur in the plaza, chatting with the commoners. His eyes bulge to the point they are about to fall out of their sockets.

His brewing anger subsided when he heard a knock on his door. He hurriedly went to answer it and gasped when he saw blood flowing under it. "Ah, my nephew…!"

From the other side of the door, a rather icy voice was audible. "Uncle Tew, are you in there? Forgive me for being late. I had to teach this thing you sent to call me, a lesson on manners!"

Several nights have passed on the magical continent of Vengaria since then. In the outskirts of the royal capital, deep within the mountains, a dim light flickered from a cave where King Arthur stood by the entrance. "Can I come in, Merlin?"

A soft, alluring voice echoed from the cave. "Since when do you ask for permission?"

King Arthur walked in and saw his friend on her knees, doodling on the ground with a piece of coal. He frowned when he saw her working instead of taking care of herself. For one, her long, silky black hair was messy and unkempt. "Since your beloved passed away a few days ago… Did you mourn?"

She stopped and turned her gaze at him. He could tell from looking into those eyes the pain she must have felt. He noticed her trembling slender hands that kept busy with the coal, like she was trying to overwrite her emotions with the blackness of the piece of burnt wood left on the floor of the cave. "Arthur, just as I, you know that time is of the essence at this point. I'll take my time later and properly mourn…"

The king sighed. With a hand, he held onto his head, as if he was having a headache. He walked to one of the cave's walls and, with his back against the smooth surface, he quietly sat behind her. His kind blue eyes narrowed when he turned his gaze at her. 'Stubborn woman!'

Merlin's chuckle soon turned to laughter that echoed throughout the cave, catching Arthur by surprise. "You used to like that about me…"

Arthur's cheeks changed to a light rose color. "Merlin?! S-Stay out of my head!"

A few moments of comforting silence passed. Arthur leaned back and let the flickering light wash his worries while Merlin continued with her work on the spell. A few minutes later, she uttered with a smile. "You don't have to worry about me, you know. I'll rest and deal with my issues when I have the time to do so!"

Arthur smiled and nodded in silence. He walked out of the cave and took a deep breath. The clouds that shrouded the sky dissipated, and from the darkness, a beauty of silver stars emerged like dots on a massive canvas.

He stared into the distance and uttered with a nostalgic tone in his voice. "Don't worry, old friend. I'll keep her safe! Those who wronged you will soon meet their end by my sword. That I promise you! Let this round of King Royale be what this land needs!"