The Letter

Kaiser sat there silently as the investigators awaited his dismissal or anything that he would ask to do, the sounds of the city drifting in through the open window. He looked at the case files scattered across his desk and sighed. There were still so many unanswered questions, and the more he dug into the details of the case, the more he felt like he was hitting a brick wall.

As he read over Elise's letter again, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was something missing. Something that would finally make everything make sense. Was her death really just a random event, or was there more to the story?

That couldn't be.. maybe, the quill, the paper and the envelope was meant to be used for Elise's arrival in Heisenberg to update the King.

He closed his eyes and let out a deep breath, trying to clear his mind, his raven hair cascades beside his shoulder and his earrings dangling in motion. He needed to think outside the box, to approach the case from a different angle.

He wanted to read Elise's letter again, but it's too disturbing, despite himself killing and torturing sinners. In truth, Elise had sent two letters: One for his father and one for her husband. Despite the disturbing nature of Elise's letter, Kaiser felt compelled to read it again. He had already read the letter addressed to Tobias, which contained a reassuring message about her love for him and her regret for not being there when their son was growing up. However, the letter addressed to the former King was a completely different story.

In the message as his hand, it was written with crimson ink, "Your Majesty, This letter is from Elise Chambers, whom you had favored on sending in Heisenberg. I have no time, so I will explain it as much as I can. I am being held captive."

The King took a deep breath, thinking he had to read this part again, "Bandits have seized the carriage and stolen my jewelry, money and personal things. The servants you assigned to assist me.. are being sexually assaulted as I write, and soon, it was my turn. I do not know who these bandits are, but they sure have a leader and are constantly visiting this isolated area of the forest where we were held captive. This leader is covered in black cloak. I couldn't identify whether it was a man or a woman. I could tell it wasn't from Heisenberg either, what makes things complicated is that, this leader speaks very lightly that I couldn't hear if their voice is feminine or masculine. But the hem of the cloak has patterns of gold trims.

I do not ask for help anymore, knowing it will be soon my turn to suffer, and I will be dead soon. I have lost a large amount of blood and I am pouring all my energy in this very last letter. Your Majesty, may this hawk arrive in Danschen safely and receive the letter as soon as possible."

But it was all for naught, as the former King was assassinated before he could open the letter.

The mention of the black-cloaked leader with gold trims on their cloak caught his attention. It was a detail he couldn't ignore. He had heard rumors of such a figure before, but they had always been dismissed as mere superstitions. 

As Kaiser closed the letter, he felt a chill run down his spine. He had seen the cruelty of mankind many times before, but this letter was a different kind of horror. It was the kind that made you question the very nature of humanity. The vivid description of her captivity, the brutality she and the servants had endured, and the ominous presence of the enigmatic leader in the black cloak with golden trims all weighed heavily on him. It was a letter of despair, a plea for help that had come too late.

Kaiser leaned back in his chair, his mind racing with thoughts. The mention of the black-cloaked figure with gold trims was a troubling coincidence. Could it be the same person who had orchestrated the murder of the former King and Elise? The similarities were too striking to ignore.

His father— no, the former King was killed before his eyes, of course he couldn't forget that incident so easily. but, his memory was quite blurred and couldn't tell if the cloak had gold trims.

As Kaiser's thoughts raced, he couldn't help but wonder what Elise's true identity might be. The fact that she had been treated with such care and had been personally transferred to Heisenberg by the former King was a clear sign that she was not just any ordinary noble woman. Could she have been a member of the royal family? Or perhaps something even more prestigious?

As he pondered these questions, a name suddenly sprung to mind: "The Duchess of Danschen." This title was reserved for the highest ranking royal women, and it was rare for them to be seen in public. They were typically kept hidden away in a palace, only appearing for special occasions.

The implications of this revelation were massive. If the Duchess of Danschen had been kidnapped and possibly killed, that would be a terrible blow to the royal family and the entire country. Kaiser knew he had to find out the truth before it was too late.

"Nery." He called the butler and stepped out from the little hideout where he usually settles to serve the King for his thirst for brandy. 

Nery lowered his head, "Your Majesty."

"Call Percy." He commanded.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Nery said, immediately complying with the King's orders. He bowed deeply before darting off to fulfill the task at hand.

A few seconds later, the sound of footsteps approached the King's chambers. And then, Percy entered the room, "Your Majesty, what seems to be the matter?" Percy asked as he looked the King up and down, noticing the serious expression on his face.

"It's about Elise, Percy," the King said, his voice stern, "I believe she may not have been a member of the nobility, like we previously thought. In fact, I suspect she may have been the Duchess of Marigoldsprings."

Percy's jaw dropped, clearly surprised by the King's words, "Your Majesty, are you certain of this? She's certainly a foreigner.."

The King took a deep breath before responding, "Percy, I have reasons to believe that Elise Chambers was more than just a simple noblewoman. Her special treatment, her mysterious disappearance and the cryptic message in her letter...all point to the fact that she may have been someone of very high standing."

Percy nodded slowly, taking in the King's words, "I see, Your Majesty. And if she is indeed the Duchess of Marigoldsprings, it would explain why she was traveling around the country so discreetly. No one would suspect a Duchess to be wandering the countryside without a proper entourage."

The King nodded in agreement, "Exactly, Percy. And that's why I need you to find out all you can about Elise's background. I need to know who she was, what she was doing here and why she was taken from us. Can you handle that, Percy?"

Percy gave a firm nod, "Of course, Your Majesty. I'll start making inquiries immediately."

Satisfied with Percy's response, the King excused him with a wave of his hand. Once the door was closed behind him, the King slumped back in his chair, his thoughts consumed by the mystery of Elise Chambers.

Then a voice chimed in, "Your Majesty, what's the plan?"

Kaiser flinched lightly.

..The King clearly forgot that he hadn't dismissed the investigators yet and completely forgotten their existence.

Kaiser glanced around the room, his eyes settling on the investigators who had been patiently waiting. Their presence had slipped his mind amidst the whirlwind of thoughts about Elise's case.

Clearing his throat, he addressed them, "My apologies for the oversight. As for the plan, we need to gather as much information as possible about Elise Chambers and her possible connection to the Duchess of Marigoldsprings. This is a sensitive matter, and we must handle it discreetly. I want you to begin by investigating her background, her origins, and any possible ties to the royal family. We need to understand why she was here and what led to her tragic fate."

The lead investigator nodded, "Understood, Your Majesty. We will discreetly gather information and follow any leads we find. Rest assured, we will do our best to uncover the truth."

Kaiser offered a brief, appreciative nod before dismissing them to begin their work.

Several days had passed since Kaiser's meeting with the investigators, and the palace was abuzz with activity. The search for information about Elise Chambers and her potential connection to the Duchess of Danschen was well underway, though progress had been slow.

In the midst of this, Elias decided to pay a visit to the palace. He concocted a rather flimsy excuse, claiming that he wished to receive writing lessons from the King. It wasn't entirely untrue, he just wanted to see the King. He seized the permission he was granted upon, so why not visit the King? He misses him anyway.

With a nervous but determined expression, Elias stood outside the palace gates, fidgeting with the cuff of his shirt. He had dressed in his best attire for the occasion, though it still paled in comparison to the grandeur of the palace. Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, he approached the guards stationed at the gate.

"Good day," Elias greeted with a polite bow, "I've come to request an audience with His Majesty. I'd like to inquire about receiving writing lessons from him."

The guards exchanged a glance, clearly unsure of how to proceed. Elias was well aware that commoners rarely had the opportunity to meet the King, let alone receive lessons from him. Nevertheless, he held his ground, hoping that his determination would win him a chance to see Kaiser once more.

"You're…?" the guard cocked his eyebrow.

"Elias, Elias Acker, Mister. I'm the King's best friend, yes." Elias smiled sheepishly.

The guard regarded Elias with a mix of skepticism and curiosity. It wasn't every day that someone claimed to be the King's best friend, especially when that someone was a commoner. Still, there was a glimmer of something in Elias's eyes that made the guard hesitate.

"Wait here," the guard instructed before disappearing inside the palace gates.

Elias shifted from one foot to the other, his heart pounding in his chest. He couldn't believe he had come up with such a bold and unbelievable excuse, but he was determined to see Kaiser again, even if it meant taking a risk.

After a few tense minutes, the guard returned, accompanied by another guard and a palace servant. The servant bowed respectfully and addressed Elias, "You may come with us, Master Elias. His Majesty has agreed to see you for a brief audience."

Elias's heart soared with both excitement and anxiety as he followed the servant and guards into the palace. He couldn't help but wonder how Kaiser would react to his unexpected visit and what the King might think of his audacious claim to be his best friend.

"Lucky you, young one," the servant mused, "Becky knows who you are, and she rushed upstairs to His Majesty's study to knock and inform His Majesty that you were here." 

Elias felt a mixture of relief and nervousness upon hearing that Becky, the loyal palace servant, had recognized him and hurried to inform Kaiser of his presence. He couldn't help but wonder how the King would react to his impromptu visit, and if the King would be angry or pleased to see him.

As they ascended the grand staircase and made their way through the palace corridors, Elias couldn't help but marvel at the opulence and grandeur of the palace. It was a stark contrast to his humble life in the town below, and he couldn't suppress a sense of awe.

Finally, they reached a set of ornate double doors, and Becky turned to Elias with a warm smile, "His Majesty is expecting you," she said, before gently pushing open the doors to reveal Kaiser's study.

The room was lined with bookshelves filled with volumes of knowledge, and a large oak desk stood at the far end, where Kaiser sat, engrossed in paperwork. When Elias entered, Kaiser looked up, surprise and curiosity flickering in his lavender eyes.

"Elias," he said, setting aside his quill and giving Elias a small smile, "To what do I owe this unexpected visit?"

Elias's body tensed up when he heard the King's voice. He stood there at the doorway, his eyes locked to the King's figure, sitting before the desk. His usual lazy raven hair and the usual attire of plain white, long sleeved and oversized blouse while black pantaloons completed his attire. 

How could the King be so effortlessly attractive?!

Suddenly, he thought that it's a mistake to visit the palace.

Kaiser's gaze remained fixed on Elias, his curiosity evident. He couldn't deny that he was pleased to see Elias, but he was also keenly aware that the young commoner's visits were rare and often associated with specific reasons.

Elias cleared his throat, breaking the momentary silence, "Your Majesty, I... I wanted to request something," he began, his voice betraying a hint of nervousness.

The King leaned back in his chair, his expression expectant, "Go on, Elias. You know you can always speak freely with me."

Elias took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing heart, "I was wondering if... if you could give me some writing lessons, Your Majesty. I've been struggling with my studies, and I thought you might be able to help."

Kaiser's lavender eyes softened with understanding. He had known Elias for a long time, and he was well aware of the young man's determination to improve himself, "Of course, Elias," he replied, his tone warm and reassuring, "I'd be happy to help you with your writing. We can start right away if you'd like."

Elias felt a rush of gratitude and relief. The King's willingness to assist him meant more than words could express, "Thank you, Your Majesty," he said, his voice filled with genuine appreciation.

Kaiser gestured to the empty chair across from his desk, "Please, have a seat. Let's get started."

As Elias took a seat, he couldn't help but steal a glance at the King. Despite his initial nerves, he was grateful for this opportunity to spend time with Kaiser, even if it was in the context of a writing lesson. As if an invisible gust of wind entered the room, Elias caught the scent of the King's as he prepared a few papers for Elias. 

Elias coughed dryly.

God, he's so..

Kaiser glanced up from arranging the papers, noticing Elias's sudden cough. Concern crept into his expression, "Is everything alright, Elias? Do you need some water?"

Elias waved a hand dismissively, his face turning a shade of pink, "Oh, no, Your Majesty, I'm perfectly fine. Just a little tickle in my throat, that's all."

Kaiser nodded, but he couldn't help but find Elias's reaction somewhat amusing. It was clear to him that Elias was somewhat overwhelmed by his presence, even in this simple writing lesson. 

"Alright then," Kaiser said, trying to put Elias at ease, "Let's begin with some basic writing exercises. We'll work on improving your penmanship and grammar."

Elias nodded, trying to focus on the task at hand, but every now and then, he couldn't resist stealing another shy glance at the King. The man was simply too captivating, and Elias couldn't help but feel a pang of admiration every time he looked at him.

The King watched every movement that Elias did, from the way he held his pen then as he did some strokes. Elias felt very tense, anxious, as if he's also having a mistake by just writing in front of the King.

Elias wrote his full name and passed the paper to the King. Kaiser took a glance at his handwriting and remarked, "Your handwriting is looking good."

Kaiser's comment seemed to ease some of Elias's tension, and he managed a small smile in response, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Now," the King said, "Let's work on a sentence. Write something you'd like to say."

Elias nodded and began to write. He carefully composed a sentence, but he intentionally included a grammatical error, just to see if the King would catch it. He handed the paper to Kaiser, who took a moment to read it.

The King pointed his finger at the incorrect part of the sentence, a playful glint in his eye, "You made a little mistake here," he said, gently tapping the paper, "See if you can spot it."

Elias looked at the paper, slightly embarrassed that he had been caught so easily. He followed the King's pointed finger and quickly saw the grammatical error. He felt a flush of embarrassment creep up his cheeks.

"Oh, I see it now," Elias said, feeling a bit sheepish, "Thank you for catching that, Your Majesty."

The King gave him an encouraging nod, "No need to be embarrassed, Elias. Everyone makes mistakes, especially when learning something new. That's how we improve. Now, let's correct it together." Kaiser leaned in a little closer, his presence making Elias feel both nervous and exhilarated at the same time.

Elias's heart raced as he tried to focus on the task at hand, but the proximity of Kaiser made it difficult to concentrate. He couldn't help but steal glances at the King's features, from the way his dark hair fell over his forehead to the intensity of his lavender eyes.

The King's warm breath brushed against Elias's cheek as he pointed out the grammatical error, and Elias's skin tingled with the sensation. It was an almost unbearable combination of nervousness and desire, and Elias found himself struggling to keep his composure.

"Now," The King said, "I need you to write 4 paragraphs of anything you'd like to say, then I want no grammatical errors as I've already discussed with you, I expect you to already grasp it. Then, after, I want you to read it out loud."

The problem is, Elias didn't listen carefully. 

Elias nodded, trying to hide the fact that he hadn't paid the closest attention to the King's instructions. His mind had been preoccupied with the King's presence, and it had been difficult to concentrate on anything else. However, he didn't want to admit his lapse, so he simply smiled and said, "Of course, Your Majesty. I'll get started right away."

With that, Elias began to write his paragraphs, his pen moving quickly across the paper. He tried to recall what the King had said about avoiding grammatical errors and did his best to apply those principles to his writing. But in his haste to impress the King, he couldn't help but make a few mistakes along the way.

Once he had finished, Elias looked up at the King, his heart pounding in his chest. "I've completed it, Your Majesty," he said, his voice filled with nervous anticipation.

The King nodded, his eyes fixed on the paper, "Very well, Elias. Now, please read it out loud."

As Elias began to read his paragraphs, he carefully chose his words to conceal the true nature of his feelings for the King. He had to be subtle, to hide the depth of his affection behind layers of metaphor and ambiguity.

"In the realm of shadows, where secrets lie,

A figure stands, commanding the night sky.

With eyes that hold the wisdom of the stars,

He guides us through life's turbulent memoirs.

In the gentle caress of a whispered breeze,

He finds solace among the ancient trees.

A soul enigmatic, a heart concealed,

In his presence, all worldly woes are healed.

Though his path may be veiled in mystery,

A beacon of hope, a silent reverie.

In the kingdom's heart, where secrets reside,

He's the guardian of truth, forever by our side.

And as the moonlight bathes the world in grace,

I find myself lost in his enigmatic embrace.

For in his presence, I am forever bound,

To the King who wears an unseen crown."

Elias finished reading, his heart pounding in his chest. He had poured his feelings into those carefully chosen words, and he hoped that the King would appreciate the sentiment without realizing the true depth of his affection.

The King listened to his words attentively, his hand propped to his jaw as he looked at the paper. He tapped his fingers onto the table, having no sound because he wore gloves as usual. "Very well, I hadn't heard any errors." he said, "But, you chose a poem, how brilliant of you, Elias. In such a short time, you've written 4 paragraphs of the whole poem of yours, Impressive." 

Elias felt a mixture of relief and nervousness at the King's words. He had managed to hide his true feelings behind the veil of poetry, and Kaiser seemed to have appreciated his effort.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Elias replied with a small smile, "I've always had a fondness for poetry, and it felt like the right way to express myself."

The King nodded in approval, "Poetry can be a powerful medium for conveying emotions and thoughts. You have a talent for it, Elias. Keep practicing, and you'll only improve."

Elias's heart soared at the King's praise, and he couldn't help but feel a surge of affection for the man sitting across from him. He knew that his feelings could never be openly expressed, but moments like these made him cherish the time he spent with Kaiser even more.

The King continued, "Besides in writing and improving your grammatical skills, what else could I help you with?" 

Elias's eyes widened a bit, if he said there's no more then it meant he'll have to leave the palace, for he had no more requests to the King. He had to think of anything to request, so he could still spend time with the King. There's no way he'll end this visit so early. He wanted to stay with the King. 

"Math.. Geometry!" Elias blurted out. 

The King raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by Elias's request, "Geometry, you say? It's not a subject many people enjoy, but I suppose we can delve into it if you wish. Do you have any specific areas or problems you'd like to work on?"

Elias's mind raced as he tried to come up with a convincing response. "Well, Your Majesty," he began, "I do know a bit of geometry, but I always had a hard time solving problems involving angles and measurements. Perhaps you could provide me with some challenging geometry problems to solve? I believe your guidance would be invaluable."

Kaiser nodded thoughtfully, "Very well, Elias. I appreciate your eagerness to learn. Let's start with a few problems to gauge your skill level." With that, he began writing down a series of geometry problems on a piece of parchment, pushing it across the table toward Elias.

Elias tried to hide his excitement as he looked at the problems. He knew he had just extended his time with the King, and he couldn't be happier about it. He slid the paper across the table to Elias, who tried to maintain his composure despite his growing anxiety. As he glanced at the problems, his inner thoughts screamed, Your Majesty, what the hell is this?

The first problem involved finding the measure of various angles in a convoluted shape, requiring intricate calculations. The second problem delved into the properties of a nonagon inscribed in a circle, a topic Elias had never encountered before. And the third problem, the most daunting of all, dealt with the concept of similar triangles within a hexagon.

Elias took a deep breath and nodded, determined not to let his nervousness show, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I'll do my best to solve these problems."

Kaiser leaned back in his chair, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes, "I have every confidence in your abilities, Elias. Geometry can be quite challenging, but with practice and guidance, you'll improve."

Elias nodded again, his mind already racing to tackle the first problem. He didn't want to disappoint the King, especially when he had been granted this precious time with him.

One by one, he examined the problems first before answering it all. He wanted his paper to be presentable and neat to the King's sight.

Problem 1: Angle Extravaganza

Elias stared at the paper, his mind racing with confusion. What the hell is this Angle Extravaganza? The polygon with 15 sides looked like an incomprehensible mess of angles. 

Problem 2: Nonagon in the Circle

As he moved on to the second problem, Elias muttered under his breath, "Nonagon in the Circle? Seriously?"

Problem 3: Hexagonal Similarities

Elias raised an eyebrow at the third problem, Hexagonal Similarities, unsure of what to expect. What kind of hexagon is this? he wondered. He knew he had to apply trigonometry concepts to solve it, which added another layer of complexity. 

..Part of him was suffering and part of him thinks it was a good thing, at least, he has a time to spend time with the King.

After a long while to process the problems, Elias took a deep breath and moved on to the first problem.

Ah yes, we're back again at Problem 1: Angle Extravaganza

Elias took a deep breath and began tackling the first problem. He started by identifying the central angle in the polygon, which was relatively straightforward. Then, he calculated the measure of the central angle by dividing 360 degrees by the number of sides, which in this case was 15. 

With the central angle determined, he moved on to the exterior angles. He remembered that the exterior angle of a polygon is supplementary to the central angle, meaning their measures add up to 180 degrees. Elias then divided 180 degrees by 15 to find the measure of each exterior angle.

As he filled in the angles on his diagram, Elias noticed that some angles shared vertices, forming pairs of vertical angles. He used this knowledge to his advantage, applying the principles of vertical angles to calculate missing angles and complete the diagram.

With patience and careful calculations, Elias eventually solved the Angle Extravaganza, ensuring that the sum of all angles in the polygon added up to 360 degrees.

Problem 2: Nonagon in the Circle

Moving on to the second problem, Elias focused on the nonagon inscribed within the circle. He knew that an inscribed angle's measure was half that of the central angle that intercepted the same arc. He first calculated the central angle by dividing 360 degrees by 9, the number of sides in the nonagon, to get 40 degrees.

From there, he deduced that each inscribed angle in the nonagon had a measure of 20 degrees. Elias then worked to identify various angles within the nonagon, using the fact that adjacent angles in the polygon shared a common side.

With precision, Elias determined the angles required to solve the problem. He found the angles formed by the intersection of radii with the circle, and with a few more calculations, he successfully completed the task, ensuring that the sum of the measures of the inscribed angles equal 360 degrees.

Problem 3: Hexagonal Similarities

Elias gazed at the third problem, Hexagonal Similarities, and took a deep breath. Hexagons always seemed tricky to him, and this one appeared to involve proportions and similarities. He decided to tackle it step by step.

First, he focused on the larger hexagon, labeling its sides with variables to represent their lengths. He then examined the smaller hexagon, which was nested within the larger one. Elias realized that the problem involved ratios of corresponding sides.

As he set up proportionality equations based on the ratios of corresponding sides, he made an error in his calculations. Instead of carefully cross-multiplying and solving for the variables representing the sides, he miscalculated one of the ratios.

Elias believed he had found the correct values for the sides of both hexagons and confidently filled them in. However, unbeknownst to him, his mistake led to incorrect values, disrupting the proportionality between the sides of the two hexagons…

—

NAPPEN'S EXTRAS:

Concubine Eli: Your Majesty, I love you but what the heck is this?

Kaiser: Didn't you asked for this?

Concubine Eli: I did asked for this but... this is too much! My brain can't almost handle this!

Kaiser: [Suddenly sounded serious] What do you want me to do then?

Concubine Eli: [Nervously] Never mind! It is you who strengthens me, I can handle this one, Believe in me! I won't argue with you, Your Majesty, whatever you say handsome [wink]

Kaiser: ???