Chapter 7

The Kingdom of Etilania was in mourning the entire afternoon to honor the people who had died during the goblin's siege. This was done at the request of the Kingdom's Priest where everyone must stay inside their houses until tomorrow morning.

But this kind of event does not interest the King, he was never the religious type to start with. Instead of mourning, he drowns himself inside the library with Leon reading history by history from a thousand years back. This was all because of that prisoner he just saved from getting executed. He already had resolved to pardon that woman just before the siege because she killed the Marquis he was planning to assassinate, it was a way of repaying her in return of making it easier for him, he doesn't need his son's conviction.

He planned on revealing all the scandals the Marquis of Luwan did to the public in exchange for her but he did not expect the siege to happen and on top of it, that woman saved his son and his knight. Due to the sudden turn of events, he can now have a solid reason to keep her. Aside from the siege what was unexpected was the Marchioness of Luwan's actions in the conference room, why was she so furious to Catori - the prisoner, that she wanted to execute her so badly. What's even worse was her claims to make her daughter a candidate as his consort.

Ryu gasp silently as he covers his face with his left hand while holding a book with his right. He imagined the Marchioness's daughter Amber as she secretly looked at him with longing eyes, it was disgusting. She was not beautiful, to begin with, in comparison to the candidates for consort he had approved she was way below all of them.

Much to his dismay, he decided to keep an eye to that family until he finds a rightful replacement for the late Marquis, who knows what they're scheming behind his back.

"Your Majesty" Leon interrupted him

"What?"

"Aren't you tired and hungry? We've been here whole afternoon and we have read all the books available in this massive library but there's only a few of which tells about the infamous group called 'Creed', majority of it were tales to scare bad kids" Leon scoffs as he goes down a ladder from the far right part of the library "I mean, how can you tell that girl's shadow was a member of that group anyway?"

"I just know" The King replied indifferently. He stopped reading his book and leaned over while both his hands were in a cross over below his face.

"Why does this group interest you if I may ask?"

"That is for you to find out" answered Ryu

Leon gave off a silent sigh "Did it ever cross your mind that maybe you're wrong? Maybe they don't even exist?"

King Ryu doesn't believe it, when he was a child his grandfather used to tell him stories about his adventures when he was still a young Knight himself, He (Ryu) and his brother would always look forward every night before going to bed. His grandfather, the former King of Etilania was a famous young Knight who saved the Kingdom from the great war 30 years ago. There was one night that he told them about his encounter with these so-called group "Creed", but after that night he went missing for weeks and when he came back he was never the same.

"Your Majesty?"

"What?"

"It's already time for dinner, I think we should go back, I mean we have a guest tonight..."

King Ryu, "Don't tell me those Mother and Daughter are still here in my palace..."

Leon, "No! Your majesty, they left immediately after the conference room incident"

"Then who is this guest you are talking about?"

Leon sighed again "The Prisoner you saved Your Majesty, you still don't have orders yet so she'll be staying as a guest for tonight". He looks at the King still with his indifferent expression hoping for any reaction to his statement. Ryu was never used to eating with other people aside from his son Aiden, although if he considered eating as eating together.

The King finally stood up and went out the door, "Let's go then" he said

-

When they arrived in the dining hall they were greeted by Prince Aiden who was happily seated with Catori.

"Good evening father!"

The King only stared at him but it did not bother the prince. He looks at Catori who surprisingly appeared to be - clean. He can now clearly see her other than her bruises and wounds, fair-skinned and plain face but what attracted him was her silver eyes and silver hair, she had her bangs in sideways. How odd, he thought.

"You are looking more human now," he said to Catori

Catori who was looking down at the delicious food on the table got surprised to finally notice King Ryu's presence. She immediately stood up "Blessings to the Sun of Etilania!"

The King nodded and silently went to sit on his chair at the end of the table. "...and a bit lively I see"

Catori realized what she did and sits down from embarrassment. "I apologized for my sudden reaction your majesty, it's just I never had been in a dining hall as grand as this and surrounded by influential people, it's overwhelming"

"It's okay Catori! From now on you'll be eating like this with us!" Said Prince Aiden happily

"No"

The prince paused and looks at his father "What do you mean by no, father?"

"She will be going to Corhall tomorrow"

Everyone including Zen and Leon who were present was surprised. Catori, on the other hand, was not.

"Corhall? But why father? I thought you saved her because of the--"

"I did not save her because of you" King Ryu interrupted Prince Aiden, he looks at Catori who was listening to their conversation "I'm guessing you knew that already, or am I mistaken?"

Catori reaches out to the young Prince Aiden who started shaking. The young prince looks at her and she gave him a smile "Don't worry your highness, I'm not going anywhere but in order for me to do that I have to earn my right to live in this palace"

"Exactly" pleased, the King supported her "Beyond these walls, people outside will only look at her as a murderer, the one who killed the Marquis and because I saved her from getting executed it is more likely that the Marchioness and her daughter are currently spreading ill words to destroy my reputation and yours"

The young prince sniffled "...then why take her to Corhall? Isn't Corhall a dangerous place father?"

King Ryu, "Just because it is currently a battleground of war doesn't mean it's THAT dangerous. The Knight selection exams will be held there, after six months and I want her to enter and become one"

Leon who was behind the King the entire time finally realized what the King's plan was. Attending the Knight selection program is indeed the best option, if Catori passed the exam under the King's recommendation then the people will no longer look at her as a murderer but instead, she'll be called the King's loyal pet. Just like him and Zen.

But only if she passes the exam.

They are still not sure if that shadow was indeed a member of that infamous group but the King seems to believe it so.

"Do you understand me white hair?" Said the King directed at Catori

Catori stood up and bows her head "You save my life and for that, I am indebted to you, your majesty, I will do what you ask but can I ask a question if you'll allow?"

"What is it?"

Catori, "Why do you want me to take the Knight exam? As you can see I am a woman and a slave on top of that, I heard being a Knight requires to be a member of noble status or having to own an enormous amount of wealth, all of these requirements I do not meet."

King Ryu, "You don't need money and status if it's under my recommendation" the King looks at both Leon and Zen.

"All I want in return is your loyalty and a woman knight is not impossible, it's not just - common, and I believe in terms of fighting skills, you have that. It takes a b level knight to kill a hobgoblin and you killed one or two"

Catori was amused by the King while he was talking, bold, precise, keen... It was nostalgic, the feeling that is.

"Then will Ciar go with you as well?" The Young Prince asked

Leon, "Ciar?"

"Yes! That tall black guy behind Catori, I named him Ciar! Father! Catori said you can see him! Is that true?"

Again Zen and Leon got a bit confused because there was really no one behind Catori but looking at the King's reaction who was also looking at the direction where "Ciar" was confirmed their doubts that there IS someone there.

"Hmn, Ciar eh?" The King responded, "Then do Ciar talks to you white hair?"

He seems to be enjoying calling her White Hair, thought Catori but she doesn't mind at all, it was much better than being called a slut. "No, Your Majesty"

"Then what does he do?"

"Nothing, Your Majesty, to be honest, I really don't know yet"

King Ryu leans at the back of his chair while in a crossed leg. "I see, it's too bad but I'm hoping good in the near future your Ciar can be of service to me" he smiled

Catori knew that the King saved her because of Ciar but at the same time ever since she met the King she has this strong feeling towards him whether it's good or bad, she doesn't know it yet but she understood well that she will need stay to find out the answer.

"Certainly, Your Majesty, You will be the first person to know," she said

King Ryu continued to smile "Very well, then please eat, I'm guessing the Prince prepared all these food for you"

Prince Aiden blushed "I--"

Catori can't help but held his Young Prince's hand making him blushed even more "Thank You, your highness" and she looks to Zen and Leon "Thank you to both of you as well" and lastly to King Ryu "Your Majesty, thank you..."

The King did not answer no more and started eating his food.

What's there to thank for, he thought. She gained nothing from him even her freedom. Inside this palace, she will always be a prisoner, the only good side was her chains were invincible and she doesn't know about it.

---

After their dinner, Prince Aiden decided to take Catori to his favorite garden. Although Zen was still malicious towards Catori he couldn't do anything about it because one way or another the King was eager to make her a knight and if she passed they will be working together. Just the thought about it made him uncomfortable.

"Catori! Look! These are my favorites" the young prince pointed to a group of flowers in the center.

"Wow, they are beautiful your highness, what are those?"

Prince Aiden "The yellow ones are called Winter Aconites while the red and white ones are called Hellebores" he picked one of each and gave it to Catori "I can finally give them to you"

Catori smiled and looks around, the Prince directly knew why "There's no dungeon right?"

"Yeah, I guess us meeting together was not a coincidence"

They both look at Ciar behind. Ciar tilted his head as if he doesn't know what they were talking about.

"Hump, Ciar, acting as if he doesn't know, but anyway, I'm so glad we could be like this Catori! It's just sad that you'll be leaving tomorrow" silently Prince Aiden muttered "Maybe I should talk to father"

Catori patted his head "Your father is a busy man and he already did a ton by saving me and giving me a chance to live with you, don't worry your highness, I'll do my best, I'll be a Knight worthy to serve your father"

"Okay!" Prince Aiden nodded "I'll be waiting here for you Catori!"

"Thank you, your highness, I will repay your family for everything, I promise"

---- End