Chapter 16: The Order of the King cannot be defied

"Then did you catch those fools?" the King asked with narrowed eyes and Alec Valorian nodded in response,"We have succeeded in luring them in the dead end of the alley. Turns out they were going in and out of the palace to report at the brothel where they gather for their meetings." he stated.

The king had his finger on his chin looking amused, "Brothel? What a strange place for a rendezvous."

"The owner of the brothel was the person they are reporting to. After we searched the place, we found out that it was the brothel where the Royal Concubine was from." Alec added which made the king's amused expression turn to grimace.

"That bitch must have been the one sending those traitors to report to him." the king stated. He turned to Alec, "Find out if that brothel owner is threatening her to leak information about the insides of the Antares Palace. Strengthen the security, I do not wish to be killed in my sleep." he commanded.

King Cadell caught a glimpse of his son staring at afar. Curious to see what he was looking at, the king did not avert his gaze and continued to stare at him. While his gaze was on the prince, he resumed asking questions, "Then why did you two take so long outside?"

Alec secretly glanced at the direction of his eyes and saw him looking at Chance who was facing the opposite direction to the king, "His Highness saw someone following us, we thought it would be better to catch that person instead of letting him go without knowing its purpose." he answered. 'Your Highness, face the king!' that was what he wanted to shout to him but yelling in front of the king would be rude.

"I see, then did you catch that person?" the king asked, looking at Chance with a serious face as a man approaches him.

Alec with his blank face was worried about the crown prince, the king was still staring at his son in the entire conversation. "We saw the person go inside the inn, we waited in there but when we checked there was no one like that in all rooms. Strange as it is, we decided to stay for a night then go back to the palace the next day." he answered.

In the corner of the knight's eyes, he saw a man stop in front of Chance. He immediately looked at the king to see his reaction but King Cadell was resting his cheeks at his closed fist.

"But," the knight paused when he saw the man's hand was about to caress his master's face, he blocked the man and put his hands on Chance's arm to make him face the king, "Do not worry, we will find that person and do everything to ensure Your Majesty's safety."

"It is not me you should worry about that person. Knowing that the person was following my son, do your best to protect him." the king said and since Chance was finally facing him, he felt chills as he met the king's intimidating stare.

Awkward, Chance smiled trying to ignore the sweat that was breaking by the side of his face, "That is right. Having Alec as my knight, why is there such need to worry, Father?" he said and glanced at Alec.

The king did not say anything further and just nodded as a response. He removed his stare at Chance and moved it to the man behind him, "You resemble the young ruler a lot, Caliber, I assume?" Cadell said.

The man walked in front of him and gave a deep bow, "Yes, that is correct, Your Majesty. Caliber is my name." he raised his head and glanced at Chance with a smile.

"Valorian," the king called out, "How is it going with the hunt?" he asked while not even removing his gaze at Caliber.

The knight hesitated but had no choice but to answer, "There was a secret male prostitution business in the Geminga area, Your Majesty, we have raided the salon and captured everyone found in there." he responded and his words made Chance turn.

'Male prostitutes in a salon? Like a gay bar?' he thought. Hearing the word 'capture' made him go cold, 'Don't tell me...' Chance turned his head to the king in an abrupt manner but tried his best to conceal the fright on his face.

"Good." the king muttered. The elbow that he rested was put down and he straightened both his hands while resting it on the arm of the throne, "Kill them." he commanded with no hesitation.

Chance felt his knees weaken and he trembled, his aura made him scared, the way his father said was casual as if it was normal. He commanded that kind of thing with no remorse, wearing a serious expression with an empty look in his cold blue eyes.

"Father—!"

He did not realize that he yelled out in disagreement. He immediately shut his mouth as they looked at him. "What kind of reaction is that, Charles?" the king asked while squinting.

He did not know what to say for he only exclaimed that subconsciously. He could only look down at his feet, "No, Father. Sorry for such impudence." he said. He gripped his scabbard tight and was gritting his teeth, holding himself back to not say anything bad.

Caliber looked at the prince who was clenching his fist. 'The mad Charles is back.' he laughed in his mind. He turned serious as he see him trembling, 'This jerk of a king is doing it on purpose.' Since Chance was just beside him, he secretly put his hand on his back and caressed it to calm him.

Chance flinched as he felt a touch and glanced at Caliber. The king suddenly thought of an idea, "No, do not kill them."

Surprised, They looked at him with disbelief. Chance who were uneasy sighed of relief by the change of command. Caliber raised an eyebrow and looked at Cadell in confusion, 'Why the sudden change? Could he have realized how his son feels?' he thought. He smiled, 'I guess the king really adores his son. No wonder he chose him to be crowned.'

Alec felt uneasy, the king was never the type to undo his command,so why did he change his mind? "Charles will be celebrating his birthday officially as the Crown Prince if I recall?" the king asked Nicholas and the latter nodded, "That is right, Your Majesty." he responded.

The king smiled but only for a few seconds to uphold his 'serious' grumpy image, "Perfect, then invite those men in the celebration." he stated, making Nicholas furrow his brows and even Alec, whose face was always blank.

Caliber let out a snort to see the king's hypocrisy but he smiled knowing that he was doing it for his son, 'What a kind father, even letting them in the celebration where only the richest could go in.' he thought and he grinned seeing Chance calmed down and has a face of relief.

"Your Majesty, the celebration cannot possibly be attended by just someone. What would the other nobility say if they knew you invited someone over, not only that, but the men who violated Your Majesty's law!" Nicholas opposed the idea but the king had ignored him.

He looked at his son and smiled sweetly, Charles, who was liking his decision smiled back. King Cadell turned his gaze to the knight who remained silent. "What do you think, Valorian?" he asked.

The knight did not meet his eyes and maintained his gaze to the ground, "What I think does not matter, Your Majesty. Only yours shall and it shall be obeyed." he answered and stayed between the middle.

Satisfied by his answer, the king clapped his hand once, "Great. Invite them to the celebration and they shall be our special guests." he said and the Royal Butler did not say anything in disagreement anymore for the decision of the king is absolute.

Chance looked at Caliber before facing the king with a smile, "Thank—"

"Kill them there."

Chance froze as he heard his father's words. Caliber who was actually about to give bits of respect to the king turned serious and his smile faded. Chance looked at the king with a mixed expression, "Wh-what d..." he could not continue his words and felt a gush of mixed emotions. 'Why...?' he thought, could not dare to blink because if he does, a tear will probably drop.

"Is it not a great idea? Call them to the celebration and commence the death punishment. It will be quite a show for the others." the king stated jokingly but was serious.

Caliber's face was blank as he glanced at Charles. His expression was dark, obviously not liking what he was witnessing.

"Since you seem to adore those filthy men, it will be a privilege for them to die at a royal celebration, is it not?" he added.

Chance's breathing was getting heavier and he could hear a thin loud sound in his ear, about to lose his hearing.

"Did you hear me, Valorian? Kill them as brutally as your fellow knights can." the king repeated, but Alec did not answer as he was looking at his master.

The King once again stared at his son, 'Do not even think about going that way.' he thought then turned to look at Caliber.

Caliber was a fool to have thought that the king would have a change of heart. He was a fool to forget that the king does not like the type of people who in Chance's time, they call as 'gay'.

It was one of the laws of Antares.

If someone was caught having a relationship with their same sex, they shall be beheaded or sometimes, their death depends on what the king wants.

It was terrible. So terrible.

But no one can defy the order of the king.