Captive

Elias stood there, utterly flabbergasted, as he watched the King capture the thief with such grace and precision. The onlookers were equally stunned by the King's swift response, and a hushed silence fell over the crowd.

But then, Elias felt something warm and wet trickling down from his nose. He raised a hand to his face and realized that his nose was bleeding. It seemed that the sudden rush of adrenaline and shock had caused his nosebleed.

The King, still holding the struggling thief in a headlock with his thighs, glanced over at Elias with concern, "Elias, are you all right?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine worry.

Elias nodded, trying to regain his composure. "I... I'm fine, Your Majesty," he managed to say, his voice shaky, "Just a nosebleed. Don't worry about me."

As the King continued to hold the thief in his powerful headlock, his attention briefly shifted to Elias, who was dealing with his nosebleed. He nodded with concern and a reassuring smile, acknowledging Elias's condition.

However, in that split second, the thief, desperate and furious, managed to pull a small knife from his pocket. With a sudden, vicious motion, he aimed the blade towards the King, intending to strike him from behind.

But the King's instincts and reflexes were honed to perfection. Despite the brief distraction, his senses remained sharp, and he sensed the danger. He swiftly turned his head just in time to see the knife, and with a lightning-fast movement, he grabbed the thief's wrist, preventing the blade from reaching its target.

The crowd gasped in horror as the situation took a deadly turn. The thief struggled and tried to free his arm, but the King's grip was unyielding. Elias, still dealing with his nosebleed, watched in shock as the life-and-death struggle unfolded before him.

With a surge of adrenaline and the instinct to protect himself, the King made a sudden, decisive movement, intending to disarm the thief. However, the force he applied was unintentionally powerful, and in the blink of an eye, a sickening snap echoed through the air.

Elias's eyes widened in horror as he realized what had just happened. The thief's neck had been inadvertently broken by the King's swift and forceful action. The thief's lifeless body went limp, and he fell to the ground, the knife slipping from his hand.

The marketplace erupted into chaos as the shocked onlookers began to react. Some screamed, others rushed to the fallen thief, and a few fled the scene in fear.

The King slowly released the lifeless body, his hands trembling with the realization of what he had unintentionally done. He turned to Elias, his expression a mix of shock.

Amidst the commotion and shock in the marketplace, whispers began to circulate among the crowd. Some of the onlookers recognized the lifeless thief as Oscar Bruford, a man known in the Handun Broch community. Murmurs and hushed conversations spread like wildfire.

"I can't believe it, that's Oscar Bruford!"

"Oscar had two children, a daughter, and a son, didn't he?"

The news of the thief's identity and his family quickly reached the ears of those who knew him. The tragic turn of events left many in disbelief, as they had known Oscar as a struggling father trying to provide for his family.

Elias overheard the conversations as well, his nosebleed now under control but his attention fully focused on the unfolding situation. The weight of what had just transpired weighed heavily on his and the King's shoulders, and the revelation about the thief's identity only added another layer of complexity to the already dire circumstances.

The King's face remained stoic, his expression unchanged despite the whispers and murmurs that rippled through the crowd. He understood the gravity of the situation, the consequences of his actions, yet his demeanor remained composed and unyielding.

In his mind, he thought, You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

The King had made a split-second decision, and he was not one to dwell on what could not be changed. His focus remained on the safety of those around him and the order of his kingdom. Emotions, especially those of remorse, had to be set aside for the responsibilities he bore.

Meanwhile, Elias observed the King's indifference, feeling a mix of admiration and unease. He respected the King's ability to remain composed, yet a part of him wished for a deeper understanding of the situation. It was not the King that he always sees in the palace.

The King continued his walk with Elias through the bustling streets of Handun Broch. He was well aware of the rumors and whispers that followed him in the wake of the incident. Some of the officers received his orders and quickly dispersed to carry them out.

"Tell the thief's children that they'll be summoned to the Danschen palace," he instructed the officers who passed him by without a hint of emotion in his voice.

As he walked away from the scene, a hushed silence enveloped the onlookers. They exchanged nervous glances and muttered among themselves, "It's... It's the tyrant king…" The incident had reinforced the reputation of King Kaiser as a ruler who did not hesitate to use force when necessary.

Elias's footsteps halted, then he tugged the King's hem, "Your Majesty, are you alright?"

The King turned his attention to Elias, his expression softening somewhat as he looked down at the younger man. He realized that the incident with the thief had likely left Elias feeling shaken.

"I'm fine, Elias," he replied with a reassuring smile, his voice gentle, "It was a necessary action to protect us. Don't worry about me." He placed a hand on Elias's shoulder in a comforting gesture, "Are you feeling better now? Your nosebleed seemed to have stopped."

Elias nodded, though his gaze still held a hint of concern, "Yes, Your Majesty, I'm fine, thank you. It's just... I've never witnessed anything like that before."

The King gave a nod of understanding, "I understand, Elias. It can be quite overwhelming. But remember, I'll always prioritize your safety."

As they arrived at the academy, the King noticed that Elias's uniform was slightly disheveled from the earlier incident with the thief. He gently reached out to fix Elias's collar, his touch tender as he spoke in a fatherly tone.

"People who commit a sin will always carry that burden with them," the King began, his voice soft but filled with wisdom, "Because, Elias, there are often many paths one can take in life, and the choices we make define us. Why would someone choose to commit a sin when there are so many other ways, so many better options?"

In life, there are always choices. There are always alternative paths to take, even when it seems like there are none.

Elias looked thoughtful as he listened to the King's words. Then he replied, his voice tinged with a hint of skepticism, "But what if those sinners are forced into their actions? What if they have no other choice, and bad people have pushed them into becoming sinners?"

It was a harsh reality of the world, and one he had encountered many times in his role as King.

The King nodded in acknowledgment of Elias's point, "Indeed, circumstances can sometimes force people down a difficult path," he agreed, "But even then, we must strive to find a way back to the right path, to make amends for our actions, and to resist the influence of those who would lead us astray."

Whoever falls into the manipulator's hands is no other than a fool. 

Elias seemed to consider the King's words, and his expression softened. "Thank you, Your Majesty," he said sincerely, "I appreciate your guidance."

With a final encouraging smile, the King ruffled Elias's hair and said, "Now, go on and make the most of your time at the academy, Elias. Learn all that you can, and never stop questioning the world around you. I'll be here to support you every step of the way."

As Elias entered the bustling academy grounds, he quickly spotted his best friend, Ezra, who had a bewildered expression on his face. 

"Damn, is that the king??" Ezra whispered in amazement, nudging Elias as they watched the King's retreating figure.

Elias chuckled softly, sharing the same sense of disbelief, "Yeah, that's him," he replied, shaking his head, "He walked me all the way here."

Ezra's eyes widened with a mix of awe and envy, "Lucky you," she said, her voice filled with admiration, "I can't believe you got a personal escort from the King himself."

Elias grinned, feeling a sense of pride and gratitude, "I guess I'm just lucky that way," he said, clapping Ezra on the shoulder. 

Ezra eyed Elias curiously, and her brows furrowed in confusion, "Wait a minute," she said, her voice trailing off, "Did you get taller, or am I just feeling a bit dizzy? And your voice sounded deeper too…"

Elias couldn't resist a playful grin, "Wait a minute," he retorted, "Did your hair become even more ginger-y, or is it just my imagination?"

Ezra rolled her eyes, swatting Elias lightly on the arm, "Idiot," she said with a smirk, "My hair has always been this ginger."

Ezra cleared her throat as she cocked her eyebrow to Elias.

Elias blushed, rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment, "Well, you see," he began, trying to find the right words, "A lot has happened since we last saw each other. I guess...I've grown up a bit."

Ezra's eyes widened with understanding, and a mischievous grin formed on her lips, "Oooohh," she teased, "Our little corn is going through puberty!"She playfully nudged Elias in the ribs.

Elias couldn't help but laugh, "Yeah, something like that," he replied, glad to be back at the academy with Ezra.

As Elias and Ezra walked through the empty corridors of the academy, a few early bird students hurried by on their way to classes. It was a familiar scene, one that Elias had missed during his time away.

Ezra began to share her experiences at the academy while Elias had been gone. She spoke about the challenges and hardships she had faced, especially in subjects like mathematics, which had always been her Achilles' heel, "You won't believe how hellish it's been without you, Elias," Ezra said with a sigh, her eyes rolling dramatically, "Mathematics has been an absolute nightmare. I never thought I'd miss your explanations so much. And don't even get me started on the new literature teacher – she's as strict as they come."

Elias chuckled, recalling the challenges he and Ezra had faced together in their classes, "I can't imagine it being that bad."

Ezra huffed, "Well, it's been pretty terrible. But that's not even the worst part. Guess what? Principal Marlowe was exchanged with a new principal."

Elias raised an eyebrow in surprise, "Really? I wonder why."

Possibly, the reason why Principal Marlowe was exchanged was because of the issue between me and his son, Elias thought, his mind connecting the dots, He was probably expelled by the King himself. I heard that Becky said the King stripped some titles of the members in the Ministry of Education.

Ezra shrugged, "Who knows? Maybe Marlowe finally retired. But rumor has it, the new principal is even stricter. Some students are already calling her 'the Iron Lady.' Ugh, it sounds like we're in for a rough year."

"So," Ezra started, "The necklace, it was yours, right?"

Elias's hand instinctively went to the necklace that hung around his neck, the delicate pendant nestled against his chest. The amethyst pendant was beautifully crafted in a teardrop shape, with the gold chain.

Ezra's question caught him off guard, and he hesitated for a moment before answering, "Yes, it was a gift from... someone." He couldn't bring himself to say that it was a gift from the King himself.

Ezra's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she leaned in closer, her voice lowered to a conspiratorial whisper, "Come on, Elias, spill the beans! Who's the lucky guy?"

Elias felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment, and he stammered, "I... I'd rather not say. It's a personal matter."

Ezra raised an eyebrow, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Oh, come on! You can tell me. Is it a secret admirer? A mysterious suitor? A handsome stranger who swept you off your feet?"

Elias couldn't help but chuckle at his friend's antics, "You have quite the imagination, Ezra. But I promise, when the time is right, I'll tell you everything."

Ezra let out an exaggerated sigh, but she relented, leaning back with a playful pout, "Fine, fine, I won't pry any further. Just remember, I'm here for all your juicy gossip, whenever you're ready to spill."

As Elias and Ezra entered their first class of the day, the room fell into a hushed silence. It seemed like all eyes were on Elias, and he couldn't help but feel self-conscious under the scrutiny of his fellow students.

Ezra nudged him playfully and whispered, "Looks like you're the center of attention today, Elias."

Elias glanced around the classroom, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment. He had hoped to keep a low profile, but it seemed like the news of his personal escort by the king had already spread throughout the academy. and not to mention, the issue between the former principal's son and him.

The students exchanged curious glances and whispered among themselves, their curiosity piqued. Elias could hear snippets of their conversations, speculating about the reason for the king's interest in him.

Their teacher, a middle-aged woman with a stern expression, cleared her throat to get the class's attention, "Settle down, class," she said firmly, "We have a lot to cover today."

Throughout the class, Elias could see why Ezra had described it as hellish. The teacher's lessons were fast-paced and demanding, and many of the students seemed to be struggling to keep up. The room was filled with a palpable tension as the teacher fired questions at the students one after another.

Elias, however, found himself surprisingly well-prepared. Thanks to the education he had received at the palace, he had a strong foundation in many of the subjects being taught. While the material was new and challenging, he was able to grasp the concepts quickly and provide correct answers when called upon.

Ezra, sitting beside him, gave him an impressed look, "You're doing great, Elias," she whispered, "It's like you've been here for ages."

Elias smiled modestly, trying not to draw too much attention to himself. He didn't want to come across as a know-it-all or make his classmates feel inferior.

After the class ended at noon, Ezra turned to Elias and said, "Hey, Elias, I need to take care of something real quick. Mind if we meet at the gate instead of walking home together today?"

Elias nodded understandingly, "Of course, Ezra. Take your time. I'll see you at the gate."

Ezra flashed him a grateful smile and hurried off, leaving Elias to gather his things and head towards the academy's gate. He couldn't help but wonder what had come up for Ezra, but he trusted that she would share the details when they met later.

Elias was enjoying the peaceful walk around the academy grounds, the vibrant autumn foliage casting a warm glow across the campus. The air was crisp, and he could hear the rustle of leaves under his shoes as he strolled along the pathways. Lost in his thoughts, he barely noticed the changing colors of the trees and the soft whisper of the wind.

Suddenly, a shadow fell over him, and before he could react, everything went black. He felt a strong grip on his arm, pulling him away forcefully. His heart raced in his chest as he tried to make sense of what was happening. Panic surged through him, and he tried to call out, but his voice caught in his throat.

In the darkness, he could hear muffled voices, whispers that seemed to echo from a distance. His mind was a whirlwind of confusion and fear. Who had taken him? Where were they taking him?

The grip on his arm tightened, and he was yanked forward, stumbling blindly in the dark. He tried to resist, but the force pulling him was too strong. His thoughts raced, his senses heightened, but he couldn't see anything, couldn't discern who his captor was.

As suddenly as it had begun, the darkness lifted. Elias found himself standing in a dimly lit room, disoriented and breathless. He looked around, trying to make sense of his surroundings, but the place seemed unfamiliar. The air was thick with tension, and he realized he was not alone.

Before him stood a group of hooded figures, their faces obscured in shadow. Fear gnawed at Elias's insides as he realized he had been taken somewhere unknown, surrounded by strangers whose intentions were unclear.

His voice came out as a mere whisper, "W-Who are you? Why have you brought me here?"