Trapped In Hisstory

"Caliber, I-"

"Your Highness,"

Chance was finally about to tell Caliber that he is going to leave but he was interrupted when Niro spoke. "The knights are almost complete." he informed the prince, and they saw the knights walking towards the center near the platform they are in.

"The decree will soon come, we must find out whoever let the enemies in." Caliber said with a serious expression. The grin on his face vanished as he talked to Niro. Chance did not take his eyes off Caliber's face. How could one change expressions in such a short time?

The historian could feel Caliber's grip on his hand getting tighter. Chance used his other hand and put it on Caliber's hand to calm him down. Caliber felt the warmth on his hand and it pulled him out of his thoughts. "Oh, I am sorry. Did it hurt?" the Canopus prince asked with worry as he caress the hand of the Crown prince.

Chance shook his head. "No, not at all. Do not worry." he answered with a smile to reassure the Canopus prince.

He noticed Caliber's expression turn grim again, so he raised his other hand, putting his palm on his cheek. "What is the matter, Caliber?" he asked. He moved his hand to move his face to get him to look at him.

Caliber smiled, "Nothing, just...thinking about something." he responded. 

The Canopus caressed Chance's hand with his thumb, and it sent butterflies to the Crown prince. He tried to conceal a smile from appearing on his face because Caliber and the aides would surely tease him.

A sudden realization struck him, and he remembered that his knight was just behind him. He took a glance at Alec and he was staring at him, almost about to burn a hole through him. He immediately returned his gaze in front of him, looking away when Alec caught him sneaking a glance.

'Alec is a knight from Antares, not only a knight, but a captain. Trusted by the Royal family.' Chance thought. Anxiety possessed him, and all thoughts of worry filled his mind. King Cadell trusts Alec, if Alec told the King about him and Caliber, it would definitely be a big trouble.

"No matter how bad it is, I will stand by your side."

Chance remembered his knight's word again. He wanted to hope that Alec will still be with him and not with Cadell. Antares does not approve of same-sex relationships, Alec might misunderstand.

Caliber noticed the anxious look plastered on the Crown prince's face and he could easily tell that he is worried or scared about something again, "Are you all right?" he asked but he saw Chance took a glimpse behind him before looking back at him with hesitation.

Chance looked at his and Caliber's hand that were intertwined together for a short moment then pulled his hand away from the Canopus prince's hold. Caliber looked at Chance with a furrowed brow when Chance suddenly pulled his hand away. 

The Crown prince was about to take a step away from Caliber but the Canopus prince immediately grabbed his hand and pulled him closer, causing Chance to trip to his chest. Chance looked up to Caliber's face and saw his intense gaze, "Not pushing me away is useless if you are going to pull away." he said with an annoyed tone as he knows that Chance is planning to distance himself because of the other eyes on them.

His intense gaze turned gentle and apologetic for his tone. "Charles, do not go, okay?" he said and pressed his lips into his hand. The way his voice and words sounded like a plead sets Chance's heart in pain.

Chance drifted to his thoughts once again.

Antares.

Celebration.

Male prostitutes.

Death.

Fate.

These words were the only thing that circles around his mind. He could not seem to think of anything other than these five words. He will return tomorrow and he needs to tell Caliber. Tell him before it is too late.

"The knights are all here, from every squad, sire." Niro stated while his gaze was still on the knights.

Caliber nodded as a response and he turned to his lover and pulled him slowly up the platform. "Guide the Crown prince to the seat in the middle." he ordered. "I will talk to you later." he said to Chance.

Chance nodded and followed Niro and Sherin to the high seat. Alec stopped and stood beside the seat as Chance sat down, and he could see all the knights gathered in the center. He let out a sigh. 'Looks like I will only be able to say it after this.'

The knights kept glancing at each other and some are confused; they were chatting about the incident and the traitors, but their murmuring was put to a sudden stop when they heard one of the highest knight's footsteps. Not a sound could be made as they looked at the approaching hawk. For the silence that surrounded them, every detail of the movements the aide does could easily be heard.

The spider started walking as well, slowly approaching the center of the platform. The two of them stopped in the middle, looking down at the knights gathered in front of them. The knights felt tense; they are aware of the strength and ability of the two aides in front of them. Gathering them all means trouble and very great danger to all of them.

Their sweat trailed down their faces as they watched the two knights unsheathe their swords from their scabbard slowly, making a 'ssh' sound as it was drawn.

The men gathered gulped nervously as the aides' finger slid to their sharp blade. It startled them, even Chance, when the spider and the hawk put down their swords, with its pointy blade piercing through the ground of the platform.

Feet apart, palm resting on the pommel of the sword with the one hand resting on the other hand. Both of them have this position as they look at the knights with a stern gaze. 

"I assume you have an idea of why you are all gathered here." Niro Navarrus started. His voice made them frightened, not that they are weak but they might lose their position if they get involved in their anger. Not only position as a knight but also their lives.

They concealed their fear with a straight face, and they stood still just as a knight would. "I shall ask again. Do you know why you are all here?" the hawk asked in a calm manner yet loud enough for all of them to hear.

"Sir Navarrus." one of the knights spoke.

"Speak." the hawk commanded.

The knight took one step forward, he placed his right hand on the grip of his sword on his left side and bowed his head, "This lowly knight gather that we are called here regarding the matter of the incident involving Second prince, His Highness Louis, and the Crown prince of Antares." the knight answered.

"Very well, go back." Niro ordered, and the knight did as he say, taking a step back to his position.

"Yesterday, there was an incident with a...delusional maid. She attempted to poison one of the princes of our kingdom and kidnapped the Crown prince of Antares. The guest of our kingdom is very important yet he has been abducted by a 'maid'."

"There are two possible reasons why that happened. One is you are all irresponsible and did not do your duties as a knight to protect and guard every damn entrance, every damn corner and areas you are assigned to," he stated.

"And the other possibility is," Sherin spoke, "There were knights who deliberately allowed the enemies to enter the palace." 

"If I ever find out who let the enemies inside, I will make them suffer the most painful death..." Sherin said as a threat. It was not only a threat to scare them. She meant every word she said.

It angered Sherin that there were traitors among the knighthood. She is the one who handles the knight's positions and assignments. To think that someone she assigned to guard the entrance would betray his own kingdom and the royal family. What a waste of her effort to make them stronger. "You worked hard to serve the royal family and yet resorts to betrayal?" she asked. She wore the same blank face, yet her words come out with the tone of anger and disappointment.

The knights did not say a word. Some of them hopes that the real traitors would come out so they will not get involved in the aides' rage. 

The two aides looked over their master who was watching them. They nodded at him and Caliber stood up and walked towards where they were. He stood between them with a dark aura emitting from his body.

As soon as they all saw the prince, they posed to say their greeting, raising their hands in his direction, "May the Goddess-

"Save your greetings for another day." Caliber said, cutting the knights off.

"Raise your heads, because some of you might miss having their heads up."