THE NOTE

"Your majesty!!!" a knight.

His eyes shot open instantly at the sound of someone's voice. His mind quickly became aware of his surroundings, and his protective instincts immediately kicked in.

He sat up, still holding you close, his gaze sharp and alert as he looked around the room, his voice slightly hoarse from sleep and annoyance. "What?!" He barked.

"Your presence is needed in the throne room!"

His annoyance grew at being disturbed, but he knew he had no choice. He was the king, after all.

He let out a low, annoyed grumble as he reluctantly untangled himself from you, gently laying you down on the bed. He then stood up and fixed his clothes.

He looked back at you, his eyes lingering on your sleeping form for a moment, silently promising to return soon before leaving the room.

He made his way to the throne room, his expression still slightly annoyed. He couldn't understand why he was needed urgently in the throne room at this ungodly hour. The only person he wanted to be with at the moment was you, in his arms, sleeping peacefully.

As he entered the throne room, he saw a group of his advisors waiting for him, their faces grave. His annoyance only grew as he saw their serious expressions. He was getting a bad feeling...

He walked up to his throne and sat down, his gaze hard and unyielding. He already had a suspicion of why he was called.

"What is it?" He asked his advisors, his voice sharp and authoritative.

"Sir, we have bad news to report."

His gaze darkened at the advisor's words, his instincts telling him that the news was not good.

"Go on." *Get to the point already.* He thought in his mind, his impatience rising.

"W-well..."

He let out an annoyed huff, growing more impatient by the second. He couldn't stand the advisor's hesitation.

"Spit it out already." He commanded in a harsh tone, his expression stern.

"Y-yes your majesty..."

"Our troops that we sent to attack the neighboring kingdom...."

His gaze grew sharper as the advisor mentioned the troops, his mind already preparing for the worst.

"What about them?" He asked, already knowing in his heart that something had gone wrong.

"W-w-well, we found out some minutes ago that they were all dead, only one survivor..."

He couldn't believe what he was hearing, his heart sinking into his stomach. All his troops... dead? And only one survivor? This was a disaster.

"Bring the survivor here, now." He commanded through gritted teeth.

The advisor immediately left the throne room to fetch the surviving soldier.

Basileus waited impatiently, his mind racing with worst-case scenarios. He clenched his fists, his gaze fixed on the entrance of the room, impatiently awaiting the arrival of the survivor.

After a few minutes that felt like hours, the advisor returned with the sole survivor of the attack.

He was in a pitiful state. His clothes were dirty and torn, his body covered in cuts and bruises, it was a miracle he was even alive.

Basileus' expression darkened even further as he saw the condition of the soldier. He could only imagine how devastating the battle must have been.

He motioned for the soldier to approach. "State your name and explain what happened." He asked, his voice icy.

"May you live long, my king!"

"I am Breffe Stewart, one of your loyal men, your majesty."

He nodded in acknowledgment at the soldier's words, gesturing for him to continue.

"Report what happened, Breffe." He said firmly, his gaze fixed on the injured soldier, silently demanding answers.

"We were ambushed!,

When we reached their borders, surprisingly, they were no guards when we entered the city, no sign of citizens, then it happened,

They ambushed us!"

Basileus clenched his teeth as he listened to the soldier's report. An ambush. He should've known that all too good to be true. But who would dare ambush his troops?

He let out an annoyed huff before asking. "Who was it that ambushed you? Did you see anything that could give us an idea of who the attacker was?"

"We didn't know who they were

They were as strong as the bear

Their archers sharp as the owl.

They were very skilled.

They gave me a note to give you.

They have some of our men as captives."

His gaze hardened at the report. An ambush from an unknown force. Skilled fighters and archers. And they even had some of his men as captives.

The fact that they had left a note piqued his curiosity. "Show me the note." He commanded, his voice leaving no room for refusal.

"Yes, my lord..."

He waited patiently as the soldier handed him the note. He unfolded it with a hint of anticipation, curious as to what it could contain.

He carefully read the contents of the note, his eyes narrowing as he absorbed its words. He could feel the anger rising in him as he read through the demands of the unknown assailants.

He clenched his fists, his mind racing with thoughts and plans. But he couldn't help but notice that the note was signed by *"The White Knights"*. He could vaguely recall that name somewhere in his memory...

"We have to evacuate the kingdom

They gave us till the next fortnight blossom festival to surrender."

His face darkened even further as he processed the information the soldier just relayed. Not only had his troops been massacred, but now he was also threatened with an ultimatum.

He let out a low growl, anger, and frustration coursing through him. "Those bastards have the nerve to give us such a short deadline." He muttered under his breath before looking at the soldier.

"Have you told anyone else about this?" He asked, his voice sharp and authoritative.

"No only you my king and your advisor's knows"

He nodded in satisfaction at the soldier's response. The last thing he needed was the word of the Kingdom's imminent attack to spread to its civilians. Mass panic wasn't something he needed at the moment.

He turned his attention back to the note in his hand, rereading the demands of the White Knights. They were bold and brazen, that was for sure. And their choice of the Blossom Festival as the deadline was quite ironic.

"Your majesty, what shall we do the festival is in four days..."

He could feel the pressure mounting. Four days? That was almost no time at all.

He ran a hand through his hair, his thoughts a whirlwind of possible courses of action.

Evacuating the entire kingdom was no easy feat. But what choice did he have?

He took a deep breath, trying to push down his own worries. "Contact the other advisors." He commanded the soldier. "We have much to discuss..."

"Yes your majesty..."

The soldier bowed before quickly leaving the throne room to summon the other advisors.

Basileus sat back in his throne, his mind reeling from the shocking turn of events. He was the king. He had to stay calm, collected and make rational decisions. But even he could feel the creeping tendrils of panic beginning to grip his heart.

It wasn't long before the other advisors had arrived, their faces grim and serious. They stood before him, waiting for his orders.

He spared them just the briefest of glances, his steely gaze sweeping over the group.

"I assume you've all heard of what's going on." He said flatly, his voice betraying none of the anxiety that filled his mind.

Advisors: Yes, your majesty...

Advisor 1: We are indeed shocked at the proposal.

Advisor 2: Should we just surrender, what are the terms?

Advisor 3:How could we surrender?!

Advisor 4: ...

He felt a flash of irritation at the various questions from his advisors. They were all too quick to suggest surrendering.

"We are not surrendering." He responded firmly, his voice leaving no room for argument.

He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself before continuing.

"Those terms... I find it hard to believe these 'White Knights' truly intend on letting us go free so easily..."

Advisor 4: may you live long, my king*bows*

He nodded in acknowledgment of the advisor's respect, silently appreciating his loyalty.

"Thank you." He replied before looking at the other advisors.

"We have little time before this 'Blossom Festival' that they're giving us." He paused, his mind racing with thoughts.

"Has anyone heard of these 'White Knights' before?" He asked the group. "They seem to be well organized, well trained and confident."

Advisor 4: I have my king... *shaking terribly*

He noticed the shaking of Advisor 4, his frown deepening.

"You know something." He stated, his gaze fixed on the advisor. "Speak."

"My king...

I was once a knight in the white knight. "

"I grew up among them.

Their king is a rebellious and powerful king.

They have over 500 million soldiers and... more.

Their kingdom is in the north.

King Frëggre is gheir king.

The knights are powerful because once they are 18, their powerful sorcerer enchants them with his potion and makes them... indestructible...

I was Their best knight, but one day, I fled after I found out how evil and heartless the king was

He raped my mother and forced my sisters into marriage.

I hated him. I had to flee.

I came here when I was 30. Look at me now, one of the king Basileus advisors."

He listened to the advisor's tale, his expression hardening with every word.

So they had a powerful king, an army of 500 million soldiers and a sorcerer's enchanted potion that made them indestructible. They were indeed a formidable force.

But what he found most disturbing was the advisor's personal story. The king's cruelty and depravity were beyond anything he had expected.

"I see..." He said after a moment of contemplation. "And you say their king's name is Frëggre?"

"Yes my king..."

He mulled over the name for a moment before nodding. Frëggre. It was a name he would remember.

His expression was solemn as he asked his advisor an important question.

"And this potion they drink... it makes them truly 'indestructible?' Unkillable?"

"Yes, and what strengthens them to be unkillable is the breast milk of their water goddess, the sorcerer gets for them."

He could barely believe what he was hearing. A potion that made them indestructible and the breast milk of a water goddess? This got more and more fantastical by the minute.

He couldn't help but let out a scoff. "This sounds like something from a children's tale." He said with a hint of disbelief.

"It is true my king

I have drank from the same breast milk.

You can ask your wise shaman about it..."

He considered the advisor's words for a moment, his skepticism still lingering. But if there was even a chance that this tale was true...

He turned to another one of his advisors, a older woman who was known for her wisdom.

"Summon Shaman Darya." He commanded, his eyes still fixed on the advisor who once belonged to the White Knights.

The advisor bowed and immediately left to summon the Shaman.

A few moments later, the door burst open as the Shaman entered the throne room. She was an ancient looking woman with a wise and ageless aura about her.

She approached the king and bowed her head respectfully. "You called for me, my king?" She asked, her voice steady.

He nodded in acknowledgment before getting straight to the point.

"Shaman Darya, I have been told a... wild tale." He began, his gaze flickering between the Shaman and the former White Knight advisor.

"I need you to look into the possibility of the White Knights having truly indestructible soldiers. They get their strength from a potion that's said to contain the breast milk of an water goddess."

He paused, waiting for Shaman Darya's response.

*screams and shivers* "d-did you just say... w-white n-night?!!"

The King's eyebrows raised at the Shaman's reaction. Her usually calm demeanor had been completely shattered by the mere mention of the White Knights.

He exchanged a surprised glance with the former White Knight advisor before turning back to Shaman Darya.

"Yes. The White Knights." He confirmed. "Have you... heard of them before?"

*speaks in unknown language while scattering her spiritual objects*

The King and the former White Knight advisor watched on in bewildered silence as the Shaman began to speak in an unknown language and scatter her spiritual objects around the throne room.

It was a scene of almost complete chaos, and the King was starting to wonder if he had made a mistake in summoning her so hastily.

"Shaman Darya..." He tried to say, trying to get her attention. "What are you doing?"

"M-my king may I ask what business do you have with them?!"

He was slightly taken aback by the Shaman's intense reaction.

"I was just inquiring about... an unlikely possibility." He replied, his gaze flickering to the former White Knight advisor.

"There's no need to get-"

But he was interrupted as the Shaman suddenly began muttering to herself in that strange unknown language again.

"Shaman Darya!" He snapped, his patience starting to wear thin.

"My king..."

He was starting to lose his patience. The Shaman's behavior was bordering on irrational. He took a deep breath, trying to maintain his composure.

"Shaman Darya, please. You're acting quite... strange." He said, his voice sharp. "Get a hold of yourself. We're just asking about the White Knights. Nothing more."

"O-o-ok

What do you want to know but before I answer

What business do you have with them?!!"

He was slightly relieved that the Shaman seemed to be returning to her senses. But her question still baffled him.

"Why does it matter what business I have with them?" He asked, his tone slightly defensive. "I merely wanted to confirm some information."

He paused for a moment, his gaze fixed on the Shaman. "...Why do you seem so concerned about them?"

'Y-you have put your leg in a fire that consumes everything it touches even a Strang of hair'

Her choice of words sent a shiver down his spine. Her analogy was eerily ominous.

"What are you insinuating?" He asked, his expression darkening. "Are you trying to tell me that the White Knights are dangerous? More so than I believed?"

"What do you need to know?"

His mind was racing with questions, but he tried to focus on the information he truly needed.

"I need to know if their soldiers are truly... 'indestructible'." He said, emphasizing on the last word. "The former White Knight advisor claims they are, with the help of a potion. I know this sounds... outlandish, but I need you to be honest with me."

*looks at the white night advisor and shakes her head*

"It is true me king

Their sorcerer provide them potion, which is the milk of their water goddess", *speaks some unknown language again*

His eyes widened at the Shaman's words. It was all sounding more and more fantastical by the moment.

"The... milk of their water goddess?" He repeated, as if struggling to believe it himself. "And this potion truly makes them impossible to kill? They cannot be harmed in any way?"

"They can be...

Remember, nothing lasts forever, my king."

He nodded in agreement with the Shaman's words, but his mind was still racing with questions.

"I see... and their king? This Frëggre. What of him?" He asked, his gaze flickering to the former White Knight advisor once again.

"*screams* ahhhhh no more!!!"

He was starting to become both worried and irritated. The Shaman was acting like she had gone mad.

"Shaman Darya, calm down!" He ordered, his tone sharp.

But his words seemed to fall on deaf ears, as she continued to mutter gibberish and quake in... fear?

His grip on the armrests of his throne tightened, his impatience growing with every passing moment.

The Shaman was clearly not in her right mind, and he could see his advisor looking equally concerned.

He tried one more time, his tone now more pleading.

"Please, Shaman Darya. Snap out of it! You're scaring us."

"Ahhh

You must not be afraid, my king. Your fears must never be seen.!!!"

He was at his wits' end. The Shaman's cryptic words were more maddening than reassuring.

He took a deep breath, the last bit of his patience hanging by a thread.

"Shaman Darya," he began, his voice now low and calm despite his growing frustration. "Enough of this! What are you trying to say? Speak plainly."

"I will come back later...

Do not stop me, or you'll see the wrath!!

Get me ten virgins.

Send them to my shrine."

He was absolutely baffled. Ten virgins? Going to her shrine? What the hell was she talking about?!

He was about to protest, insisting that she explain herself here and now, but something in her eyes stopped him. There was a madness there, a look of absolute intensity.

He could only nod.

"Ten virgins. To your shrine. Understood."

"You must be strong, my king *pause*

How is the queen?"

The question caught him off guard. It was such a random change of topic that it took him a moment to process it.

"The queen? She's... fine." He replied, his voice still holding a hint of irritation at the Shaman's previous behavior. "Why do you ask?"

"Protect her. You know she is heavy with a child.

You must!!*turns to leave*

I'll visit her at night to purify her room."

He watched as the Shaman prepared to leave, her previous outburst momentarily forgotten.

"Yes, she is heavy with child." He confirmed, his expression softening slightly when he thought of his queen.

Her words about purifying the room caught his attention.

"Wait... what do you mean you'll purify her room?" He asked, a hint of suspicion in his voice.

"She is surrounded by evil spirits

I say no more...

Till evening..."

His jaw clenched slightly as the Shaman dropped a bombshell about the queen.

Evil spirits? Around his queen? Was that why she was acting strangely lately?

He tried to mask his worry, his voice steady.

"Evil spirits..." He repeated, his mind already racing with concern for his wife. "And you say you'll get rid of them tonight?"

*leaves*

He watched as the Shaman departed, her mysterious warnings still echoing in his mind.

The idea of evil spirits surrounding the queen, especially when she was heavily pregnant with his child, made his blood boil.

He couldn't shake off the sense of unease that had taken root inside him.

He turned to one of his advisor, his voice quiet yet firm.

"Alert the guards. No one is allowed near the queen's chambers except for Shaman Darya tonight."

"Y-yes my king!"

He watched as the former White Knight advisor promptly left to carry out his orders, his mind still preoccupied with the Shaman's warning.

His thoughts lingered on the queen, his heart heavy with worry.

"Protect her..." He muttered to himself, his own words echoing the Shaman's. "At all costs."

He took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. The hours felt excruciatingly slow as he waited for news from the queen's chambers.

What if something had happened? What if the Shaman's warning was accurate?

He clenched his fists, his mind filled with a hundred anxious thoughts.

"Please..." He whispered, his voice heavy with worry. "Please be safe, my love.

Advisor 4: your majesty..

His head snapped up at the sound of the advisor's voice, his gaze sharp.

"Yes?" He replied, his tone tinged with both irritation and anticipation.

What are we going to do?...

His shoulders sagged slightly, the weight of his responsibility pressing down on him. He had asked himself this question countless times.

He walked over to the window, staring out at the sky beyond.

"I don't know." He finally admitted, his voice tinged with frustration. "We lack enough intel on their strength and plans... We can't just make a move without knowing what we're up against."

He clenched his fists, the feeling of helplessness gnawing at him.

"But we can't just do nothing either." He continued, turning back to look at the advisor.

"Continue to gather information on them. I want to know everything. Their numbers, their capabilities, their strategy... everything."

Yes your majesty!

His gaze lingered on the advisor for a moment before he nodded, his expression stoic.

"Good. Report any new information to me, no matter how small." He said, his voice firm.

He then glanced at the clock once more. It was almost time.

"I will be going to check on the queen." He announced, heading towards the door.

*nods*

He didn't bother to wait for the advisor's response before exiting the room, his mind focused solely on the queen's chambers.

As he walked briskly through the long corridors of the palace, his heart pounded in his chest with anticipation and worry.

Finally, he reached the queen's chambers, pausing for just a moment before pushing open the door.

*hears a faint scream*

His heart skipped a beat as he heard the faint scream, the blood draining from his face.

In an instant, he was by the door, throwing it open and rushing into the room.

"My love?!" He called out, his eyes darting around the room, searching for the source of the scream.

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