[Royalty Arc 11] Royal Hunting Celebration

"I don't want to doubt you, but when there's a hint of trouble, there may be deeper issues at play. Duke Arthur has been disloyal for some time, and I'm concerned about his growing influence among the Dukedom."

Lance's eyes widened, "My father would never..."

"I believe you, but evidence has surfaced," King Alexander appeared troubled, "For forming factions within the kingdom for personal gain, we must follow the law, and I cannot make exceptions."

Lance's face grew paler: "My father is not disloyal. The evidence must be false. Please, investigate it thoroughly."

He knew his words might seem weak, but he had no choice but to rely on King Alexander's trust.

King Alexander continued, "I came to inform you because I want to protect the De Vere Dukedom. Now that I think about it, the best way is to prove that the De Vere family has no ties to Duke Arthur is to assist me in getting closer to Duke Arthur."

At that moment, Lance seemed to realize the implications of his words, and excitement crept into his voice, "The De Vere Dukedom should share the King's concerns; please do not worry, I will inform my brother.."

King Alexander gazed tenderly at Lancelot, "It's not the De Vere Dukedom that can help me, it's you who can assist me."

Lance was taken aback, "Me, Your Majesty?" What could he possibly need from him?

The surrounding attendants had been dismissed, leaving only the two of them in the dining hall. King Alexander stepped closer, placing a hand on Lance's cheeks. 

"Duke Arthur is a serious concern for me, but he is my brother. There's no excuse or evidence to eliminate him. Are you willing to help me find this evidence?"

Lance looked at him with surprise. The man's gentle and affectionate smile sent shivers down his spine.

King Alexander's words from the afternoon echoed in his mind, Duke Arthur seems quite close to you.

King Alexander believed that Duke Arthur held a special place in Lance's heart and intended to use him to get closer to Arthur.

How could he do this? Lancemot was his consort, with status and a title.

No, Lance corrected himself. King Alexander never considered these men his consorts. His heart always belonged to the First Consort Jace.

To King Alexander, they were just decorations. If they could serve other purposes, they were considered fully utilized.

"Does Your Majesty truly want me to do this?" Lance found himself asking.

Something stirred in King Alexander's heart as he spoke to Lance warmly and beguilingly, "I need you. Are you willing to help me?"

"Yes," after a long pause, Lance replied with a sad smile, "I am willing to assist the King. Whatever the King asks of me, I shall do."

At that moment, a warm heart turned silent.

Lance felt something in his body, something ethereal, floating away. It left him with a sensation of relief, as if the ice encasing him had finally melted. He was certain now that this body truly belonged to him.

King Alexander's eyes gleamed with an unusual light, and he smiled, "I was joking, but you took it seriously."

Lance's internal dialogue continued: ["I thought I had a legitimate chance to approach Duke Arthur. Damn."]

007 chimed in: ["King Alexander, this bastard!"]

Lance: ["Let's keep it clean, no bad words."]

[King Alexander's favorability has increased by +10, his current favorability is 60.]

Lance thought to himself: [...] From now on, he'll likely become an expert at adapting to changing circumstances.

"Your Majesty, please refrain from such jests," Lance said, displeased.

He lowered his head and added softly, "I am the King's consort. I have no one else in my heart."

King Alexander, seemingly in a good mood, didn't mind his tone, "Understood. I already had my people thoroughly investigate the rumors circulating in the kingdom. They are indeed baseless."

Of course, they were baseless because you had started those rumors. Lance responded with a nod, "Your Majesty's wisdom shines brightly."

King Alexander appeared to reconsider his actions, offering a few words about another matter before departing.

As he left, Lance felt more certain that he still harbored suspicions about the De Vere family. The initial rumors had been a test. 

Fortunately, his prior performance and goodwill had had an effect, and King Alexander did not suspect that he was intentionally getting closer to Duke Arthur.

-----

The leaves flickered in the night breeze. Lance waved goodbye to King Alexander prepared and walked back in his castle.

["There's a problem."] He remarked to 007, ["Lancelot sold his body to you, so where did his soul go?"]

007 replied mechanically than usual, [ Insufficient Authority, cannot be queried. ]

Lance nodded thoughtfully, removed his jewellery, and decided to sleep.

-------

The next day, First Consort Jace accidentally damaged the new books gifted by the King.

Although King Alexander occasionally had disagreements with First Consort Jace, he never stayed away for long and always returned to Jace's side.

"He promised that there would only be me," First Consort Jace muttered, his eyes clouded with frustration. Could his promises change so quickly?

One of the butler tried to console him, "My lord, the King did not have stay overnight in Consort Lancelot's Castle, he still only love you."

"I know," First Consort Jace replied, tucking his disheveled hair behind his ears, a cold resentment lingering in hisgaze, "The Royal Hunting Celebration is close. I think he can continue his escapades for a few more days."

Now that he was the First Consort, he couldn't simply watch King Alexander fall in love with someone else. It was time to remove it.

---

The brisk autumn breeze carried a chill over the bustling hunting grounds. Flags billowed proudly in the wind, the thundering hooves of horses resonated through the earth, and the rhythmic horns echoed in the air, driving the prey into the open.

It was a grand spectacle, one that made it easier for the nobles of Britain to partake in the age-old tradition of the Royal Hunt.

Duke Arthur, dressed in his finest riding attire, held the reins of his steed with a firm hand, refraining from urging his horse into a gallop.

Not far ahead, King Alexander, the monarch of the land, fully focused as he drew his bow. His narrowed eyes scanned the area, tracking the movement of his prey.

A startled deer darted out of the woods, racing forward in a panic. The bowstring hummed, and the arrow in King Alexander's hand shot out, striking the prey.

The arrowhead pierced the deer's eye, and the terrified animal let out a cry before collapsing.

Praise and applause erupted from the onlookers. King Alexander's expression remained composed, his gaze still icy. He drew his bowstring again, targeting another fox.

To be fair, King Alexander had the charisma to captivate Lance.

King Alexander patted his horse's neck gently to soothe the anxious animal beneath him. Just then, First Consort Jace excitedly approached him, his smile beaming.

"Your Majesty, can you gift this deer to me?" he asked.

King Alexander glanced back at him and replied, "All the prey I capture belongs to you."

The nobles nearby sighed. The First Consort had been in the Royal Family for years and still held a special place in the King's heart.

First Consort Jace claimed the deer and urged King Alexander forward. In that moment, his attention was firmly on him.

As they rode into the forest together, First Consort Jace turned to cast a provocative smile in Lance's direction.

Lance watched as the nobles and guards followed the two into the forest. He lowered his head and tightened his grip on the reins, unable to pursue them.

In the midst of his distraction, the sound of a whistling arrow pierced the air, and a rush of wind brushed past Lance's ears.

Strands of hair near his temples danced in the breeze as an arrow zipped past, narrowly missing his ear.

A piece of broken hair floated down gently and landed on Lance's shoulder.