Don’t Pull It... Please..

Right after the King dismounted Amias from a long journey and gave some instructions to his Silver Hawks, there's a figure caught in the corner of his sight, it looks like a dandelion— no, it's a blonde figure of something!

Then as he turned to look at it, a strong arm wrapped around his waist then he looked at who it was, it was Elias who started to sob out of nowhere. He didn't know what to react but he instinctively placed a hand to sooth Elias and coax him. He wasn't used to this intimate or embracing someone, but it's Elias. 

Hesitantly, he asked, "Elias, what happened?" At first, he thought it wasn't Elias because this young man had already reached his chin.

But Elias didn't reply at all as he sobbed on to the King's chest. 

Percy interrupted, "Hey, you know that you can't d—" the King shushed him sharply.

The servant, Becky approached them outside as she bowed before the King, "Your Majesty, Master Elias rushed here out of nowhere, but I could tell.. something really happened that bad in the academy."

The King looked at Elias who was bawling his eyes out, "Elias, I'll take you to the guest room." 

Elias could only afford to nod as he was assisted by the King himself.

The King gently guided Elias towards the palace, his hand providing support to the distraught young man. The Silver Hawks watched in silence, their eyes following their sovereign and his unexpected guest. Percy, still bewildered by the scene, exchanged puzzled glances with the other guards.

Inside the palace, the King led Elias to a comfortable guest room, softly closing the door behind them. Elias slumped onto the bed, his sobs gradually subsiding into hiccups and sniffles. The King stood beside him, his expression a mixture of concern and curiosity.

"Elias," the King spoke again, his voice gentle but firm, "You know you can trust me. Tell me what happened."

Elias finally lifted his tear-streaked face, his blue eyes filled with anguish. He took a deep breath, attempting to compose himself before he began to recount the harrowing events that had transpired at the academy.

"Y-Your Majesty," Elias choked out between gasps, "They a-accussed me for stealing something, a-and they tried to take the necklace you gave to me." Elias subconsciously held the amethyst pendant around his neck, the necklace that the King gave him that night in the ball, "They told me to give it back, but I couldn't, because it's mine." 

The King's gaze softened. 

"A-And…" Elias started to sob louder, "Father slapped me. When I told him that it was from you, he slapped him and told me I shouldn't utter any addresses tha-that's connected to you under the 'deeds' I committed."

Elias lifted his teary gaze to the King, "Your Majesty, I never steal anything, and the people… even my fellow commoners… they looked at me like a sinner."

As Elias poured out his heart, tears streaming down his face, the King stood there, his heart slowly crumbling within him. He had always been seen as a formidable figure, a ruler with a reputation for strength and authority. But in that moment, all of that faded away, and he was simply a man, watching someone he cared deeply for in pain.

The King had indeed been a stern ruler at times, making difficult decisions for the greater good of his kingdom. He had faced wars, political intrigues, and countless challenges that had forced him to make tough choices. But in that vulnerable moment, he realized that what he feared most was not the enemies beyond the castle walls, but the anguish of those he held dear.

Elias, a young man who had become a cherished friend, was sobbing in his arms, his trust in the King unwavering despite the hardships he faced. 

The realization that someone he cared for was suffering, not because of external threats, but because of the unjust accusations and cruelty of others, weighed heavily on the King's heart.

The King may have been feared by many, but in that moment, he felt a different kind of fear – the fear of failing those he loved and cared for. It was a reminder that his duty as a ruler was not just about power and authority; it was also about protecting and nurturing the well-being of his people.

As Elias continued to pour out his pain and anguish, the King held him tighter, silently vowing to do everything in his power to alleviate that suffering. He realized that true strength lay not just in wielding a scythe or commanding an army, but in the ability to give solace and assurance to his people.

The King's anger simmered beneath his composed exterior as he listened to Elias's heart-wrenching account. The pendant around Elias's neck, the one he had given him during the grand ball, held a significant meaning to both of them, and the accusation of theft was a direct attack on their trust.

"Elias," the King said, his voice filled with empathy, "I believe you. I know you would never steal anything. That pendant is yours, a symbol of our friendship and the trust I place in you." He reached out and gently touched the amethyst pendant, "No one has the right to take it from you."

Elias wiped away his tears with the back of his hand and nodded, relieved to hear the King's unwavering support, "Thank you, Your Majesty," he whispered.

The King continued, his expression determined, "We will address this injustice, Elias. No one should have to endure false accusations and mistreatment. I will summon my advisors and the academy's leadership to get to the bottom of this."

Elias managed a weak smile through his tears, "I trust you, Your Majesty."

The King patted Elias's shoulder reassuringly. "Rest now. You've been through a lot. Tomorrow, we will begin the process of clearing your name and finding out the truth behind these accusations. You have my word."

"Your Majesty, Can I hug you again…?" Elias asked.

The King paused for a moment, considering Elias's request. He had always been reserved and mindful of his royal image, but the vulnerability and trust displayed by Elias in that moment touched his heart.

With a warm and understanding smile, the King nodded, "Of course, Elias."

Elias's face brightened as he extended his arms. The King stepped closer, allowing Elias to embrace him once more. This time, there was no hesitation. Elias clung to the King as if he were a lifeline, finding comfort and solace in the monarch's reassuring presence.

In that intimate moment, the walls of formality and protocol melted away, leaving only the genuine connection between the two. The King held Elias gently, understanding that sometimes, words were not enough to soothe a wounded heart. He was determined to stand by Elias's side and ensure that justice prevailed.

As they held each other, the King whispered softly, "I will do everything in my power to protect you and clear your name." Then he added, "Tomorrow, if you are still up to talk about it, tell me how these false accusations started and how it ended up for you."

Elias nodded, his tears now mixed with tears of relief and gratitude. He had never hugged the King before, and this embrace will forever be craving in his heart. The warmth of the King, the sweet scent of the King… he'll forever hold it dearly in his heart even if this moment won't last.

The moment lingered as they held each other, the weight of their emotions hanging in the air. It was a brief respite from the turmoil that had engulfed Elias's life, a precious moment of solace and connection with the King.

Elias finally released his grip, his eyes red and puffy, "Thank you, Your Majesty," he whispered, his voice filled with sincerity, "I will tell you everything tomorrow, I promise."

The King smiled warmly, his eyes reflecting his unwavering support, "I look forward to it, Elias. Now, get some rest."

Elias nodded, wiping away the remaining tears from his cheeks. With a final glance at the King, he settled back onto the bed, clutching the amethyst pendant tightly. As the King left the room, Elias closed his eyes.

The King's words echoed in his mind, and the memory of their embrace would forever be etched in his heart, giving him the strength to confront the challenges that awaited him. With trust in his heart and the King by his side, Elias drifted into a peaceful sleep with the lingering warmth of the King's embrace around his arms. 

The King left the guest room and made his way to the throne hall, summoning Percy, his advisors and some people for the Ministry of Education. 

The following morning, the King summoned the key figures to the grand throne hall of the palace. The ornate room, with its towering marble columns and magnificent tapestries, had seen countless royal gatherings, but this one carried a sense of urgency and gravity.

The members of the Ministry of Education, dressed in their official robes, filed in and took their designated seats, while Percy and Becky, who had been instrumental in bringing Elias to the palace, stood at the back of the hall. Their expressions bore traces of unease and anticipation as they awaited the King's arrival.

As the King entered the throne hall, his face was a mask of anger. He strode to his ornate throne and seated himself, a stern expression on his face that brooked no opposition.

"I called this assembly today because of a grave injustice that has befallen one of our own," the King began, his voice echoing through the hall, "Elias Acker, a commoner and a student at the Academy of Handun Broch, was falsely accused of theft and subjected to cruel treatment."

The members of the Ministry of Education exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions revealing their discomfort at the revelation.

The King's eyes blazed with anger as he continued, "I have worked tirelessly to create schools and opportunities for commoners, so they can grow and prosper. The purpose of these institutions is to provide education and fairness, not to allow false accusations and mistreatment to fester."

Percy and Becky exchanged knowing glances, recognizing that the King's anger was not just directed at the Academy but at the entire system that had allowed such injustice to occur.

"I demand answers," the King thundered, "How did this false accusation arise, and why was it allowed to escalate to the point where a loyal and innocent student was subjected to such suffering?"

As the members of the Ministry of Education exchanged glances, one of them, a senior official named Lord Reginald, approached the King with a questioning expression, "Your Majesty," Reginald spoke cautiously, "while I understand your concern for Elias, how can you be so certain that he is being falsely accused? We must consider the evidence presented and follow due process."

The King's jaw tightened as he heard Reginald's doubt. He turned to face the senior official, his eyes flashing with a cold determination, "Reginald," he said with a snort of impatience, "I can be certain of Elias's innocence because I was the one who gave him the necklace in question."

Reginald's eyes widened in realization as he processed the King's words. The pendant, which had been a symbol of the King's trust and friendship, was now irrefutable evidence of Elias's innocence.

The King continued, his voice firm, "That pendant was a gift from me during a ball at the palace. Elias would never steal from me or anyone, and he has no reason to. I trust him implicitly, and I know him well enough to be certain that he is being falsely accused."

"Elias." the King called out sternly.

"Your Majesty," Elias addressed.

"I want you to enlighten us on what exactly happened, and why you were accused of stealing." The King said.

Elias stood before the gathered officials, the pendant that the King had given him nestled securely around his neck. His eyes met the King's, and he felt a renewed sense of determination to clear his name.

Taking a deep breath, he began to recount the events that had unfolded at the Academy of Handun Broch. His voice was steady and unwavering, even as he relived the distressing moments.

"Your Majesty, it all began when Principal Marlowe introduced us to his son, Kler." Elias began.

To the day where the King and his subjects went to the Lysanthal Clan, miles away, the issue happened as they ventured deeper to the forest. In the early morning, the first subject of the academy started as Principal Marlowe introduced himself, a nobleman with the title of Handun Broch's Principal bringing his own son to the work. He asked the students to get along with Kler, and be their friend. Kler was a kid who liked socializing even though he's not talkative, so he chose to stay in the class where Elias and Ezra belong.

Kler was not misbehaving at all, and had taken a liking to Elias's side as he settled in the class. Ezra was minding her own business, since she doesn't like kids at all. And so, It was Elias who paid attention to Kler. 

During the breaktime, Kler started to be fussy about his father, tugging at the hem of Elias's clothes and repeatedly saying, "I want to go with father!" Kler couldn't make his way to the Principal's office anyway, he didn't know which way. Unlike other people, Elias is a good natured young man, and has a long patience. He spoke reassuringly, "Let's find Principal later when brother Elias finished eating, hm?" 

Kler agreed with him.

As Elias finished eating and the bell suddenly rang, a reminder that students should proceed to the next subject. Elias was puzzled a bit, for why the break time only lasted for a moment, and not that usually long. He held Kler's little hand and said, "Kler, I'm sorry but brother Elias couldn't assist you to your father's office, how about after school?" 

Kler nodded, his eyes filled with innocence and trust, "Okay, Brother Elias," he said softly, his small hand still holding onto Elias's fingers.

As the day progressed, Elias kept an eye on Kler, making sure he was safe and not getting lost in the bustling crowd of students. Kler seemed content, finding solace in Elias's presence.

Later, after the school day had ended, Elias and Kler found themselves in the center of the school courtyard. The atmosphere was lively, with students practicing various skills, studying in groups, and enjoying their free time. Elias noticed Kler looking around anxiously, his eyes searching for someone.

Suddenly, Kler's face contorted in distress, and he let out a loud cry that echoed through the courtyard, capturing the attention of everyone around them. Elias's heart raced with nervousness as he tried to calm Kler, fearing that the other students might think he had done something to upset the principal's son.

"What's wrong, Kler?" Elias asked, his voice filled with concern.

"Give me my necklace back!" Kler wailed, pointing at the amethyst pendant hanging around Elias's neck.

Elias was taken aback, "What— no, this is mine, Kler, what are you talking about?" he replied, his confusion evident.

But Kler continued to cry, his tears flowing freely as he insisted, "No, it's mine! Father gave it to me, not you!"

The crowd of students watched the scene unfold, some whispering among themselves, their curious eyes fixed on Elias and Kler. Elias felt a mixture of frustration and helplessness. He didn't want to upset Kler, but he knew the pendant was a gift from the King. It was a symbol of trust and friendship, and he couldn't simply give it away.

Elias glanced around, hoping for a way to resolve the situation without causing a scene. He spotted Ezra in the distance, observing the situation with her usual detached demeanor. With a quick gesture, Elias signaled for her to come over, hoping she might have an idea to diffuse the situation.

As Ezra approached, Elias turned back to Kler, his voice gentle but firm. "Kler, I promise you, this necklace is mine. But let's find your father and sort this out, okay? He'll confirm it for us."

Kler's protests continued unabated, his cries growing louder as he clung to Elias's leg, refusing to let go of the pendant. The surrounding students were now openly staring, and the situation was becoming increasingly embarrassing for Elias.

Ezra arrived at the scene, her expression unchanged, but her eyes observant. She assessed the situation quickly and stepped forward, "Kler," she said in her calm, measured tone, "I think we should find your father and ask him about the pendant. He will be able to clarify everything for us."

But Kler was inconsolable. He shook his head vigorously, his tears streaming down his cheeks, "No! I want it now! Father gave it to me!"

Elias knelt down, trying to reason with the distraught child, "Kler, I understand that you think it's yours, but I promise you, this necklace belongs to me. It's very special to me, and I can't just give it away."

Kler's cries intensified, his small fists pounding on Elias's chest in frustration, "No! It's mine! You took it!"

Ezra exchanged a glance with Elias, her usual indifference replaced by a hint of concern. She knelt beside them, addressing Kler gently, "Kler, your father is waiting for you, and he can explain everything. Let's go find him together."

But Kler was not ready to relent. He clutched the pendant with all his might, his emotions overwhelming him. The surrounding students began to murmur, and Elias could feel their eyes on him, questioning his actions.

With the clutch, Elias became worried, the necklace might break. He didn't have any money to fix it, so he tried to pull it back, "Kler, I— please don't pull it…" Elias's heart drops even deeper whenever Kler pulls it. He doesn't have the money to make it fixed, not to mention it's high-quality jewelry, how could he possibly find money to get it fixed? Worst case scenario is that the king would be definitely disappointed in him. He doesn't want that.

The atmosphere in the school courtyard grew increasingly overwhelming as Kler's cries and the commotion drew more attention. The students' whispers and murmurs swirled around Elias like a suffocating cloud of judgment.

Elias's heart raced as he tried to gently pry the pendant from Kler's small, determined fingers, "Kler, please," he pleaded, his voice trembling with anxiety, "The necklace is important to me. It's mine, I promise. Let's find your father, and he'll explain everything."

But Kler's grip on the pendant remained unyielding, and the tension between them escalated. Elias could feel the weight of the crowd's disapproving gazes, their judgmental words like sharp daggers.

As he struggled to maintain composure, Elias was acutely aware of the harsh whispers around him , "Is he really having a fight with the Principal's kid? How immature."

Ezra, too, sensed the mounting tension. She discreetly scanned the area for any sign of Principal Marlowe, but there was no sign of the school's leader. She knew that only the Principal's intervention could resolve the situation and clarify the ownership of the pendant.

Elias's hands trembled, torn between his desire to protect the pendant and the need to ease Kler's distress. He was trapped in a whirlwind of emotions and judgment, his world reduced to the overwhelming pressure of the crowd's scrutiny. He couldn't help but wonder how the situation had spiraled out of control so quickly. The pendant, once a symbol of trust and friendship, had become the focal point of an emotionally charged confrontation, and the weight of it all threatened to crush him.

Tobias, Principal Marlowe, stood at the edge of the chaotic scene in the school courtyard, his eyes widening in shock and disbelief as he witnessed the commotion that had enveloped his son, Kler.

Ezra, the observer of the situation, stepped forward to provide an explanation, "Principal Marlowe," she began in her usual calm tone, "there seems to be a misunderstanding. Kler believes that Elias here has taken a necklace that belongs to him."

Tobias, his face contorted with a mix of anger and concern, approached the center of the turmoil. His eyes darted between Elias, Kler, and the pendant hanging from Elias's neck, "Elias, why are you stealing jewelry around the school?"