“So here's an update of the situation… One of our people was able to burn down the rehabilitation centre, and I was able to contain the news to the investigation team and a few of the royal guards. The teacher is already playing her part; all you need to do is play along. You were just taking a rehabilitation class for that all that dreadful drinking you do and you had no idea. Capisce?” Articus explains in a clear voice.

“Damn it. Can't you let me rest in peace Articus?” Siyu says with a grumble, his tired eyes lowered to the table. He thinks of his cottage in the north; I miss that place, he thinks with a sigh.

“Just play along, Siyu. Everything will be fine.” Articus coaxes. “I'll submit a report of your statement. Rest easy for now.” Articus says before standing and leaving through the door.

**SLAM**

Siyu winces at the sound of the door closing.

“Fuck. Will I ever escape that guy?” He asks, rubbing his head. Siyu felt a headache coming on.

…

…

The clanging of the metal door resounded in the small room.

Siyu gets up from his hay bed. He looks to the guard standing before the prison doors.

“You know the drill,” the guard says with a gesture of his hands. “The king demands your presence.” He says before entering the cell.

Siyu pulls himself up and moves his heavy legs to the wall to kneel. Has my time come? He wonders, suppressing a sudden urge to break free and fight to the death before calming his heart.

…

…

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Siyu was guided through the maze-like prison before walking through a series of tunnels that lead to the outside of the castle walls before being guided through the courtyard under several curious eyes.

He was led to a private room before being announced at the doors.

“Come in,” A voice calls out from within the room.

The guard opens the door and gives Siyu a push. “Don't do anything stupid,” He says before closing the door.

Siyu's eyes rest on the king seated in a recliner to the side of the room.

Siyu kneels. “Your majesty,” He says with a bowed head.

“Come; take a seat.” The king says before gesturing to the sofa against the wall. “Don't worry about getting it dirty,” He says with a commanding voice.

Siyu gets up and walks to the sofa to sit, his face a little red with embarrassment. Isn't this a little inappropriate, He thinks with slight hesitation before sitting down.

The king sighs and gives Siyu a deep look before speaking with a heavy tone. “Frey has been gone too long. I need you to bring him back. Someone has attempted to poison his wife; the poison was caught by the servants, but unfortunately the perpetrator managed to escape the castle and has yet to be found.” The king says before taking a sip from his goblet. “Oh, where are my manners?” He says with a chuckle. “Pour yourself a glass of water. From the mountain springs in the north; the cleanest water you'll ever taste,” The king says with a laugh.

Siyu watches the progression of the conversation with wide eyes. He clears his throat to adjust to the situation. “Ugh, your majesty…” He says, not sure how to respond. “Am I not here to be judged?” He asks, bewildered by the situation.

The king raises an eyebrow before looking at the chains binding Siyu's hands and feet. A look of realization appears on his face. “Ah, the demon incident. Yes, don't worry about that. A bit of a shame, that. I've heard that Articus has already suppressed the news, so it should be okay, but you really shouldn't be colluding with demons, young Siyu; it's bad for your reputation. But it matters not; I feel I have a general understanding of your character, and as long as it is not against the interests of the kingdom, I won't interfere anymore than necessary.” He explains with a wave of his hand, uninterested in the matter, before laughing at a thought. “But it's not me you should be worried about. If Commander Reyle hears of your interactions with demons, he would not hesitate to hunt you down. And don't underestimate him; although he's not a general, he is still very much a grandmaster. But that's not my problem,” He says with a laugh.

Some anxiety rose up from within Siyu. I forgot about the Demon Hunters…

“I have no personal feelings about demons, but I do feel some pity for those poor bastards,” The king says with a shake of his head.

Siyu raises an eyebrow. “Pity?” He questions, curious as to what the king meant.

“Yes, pity,” The king says before taking another sip of water. “As I understand it, the demon path generally falls under two divisions. The demons that got caught with their pants down, and the vampires who continue to prey on the innocent from the darkness. I won't say anything about the vampires, but from what I know of the demons who were exposed… some of these demons simply had no business doing what they were doing. I don't think they knew that there's an order to the way things work; it just wasn't their turn. If only those bastards knew…” The king says with a sigh.

“Knew what?” Siyu asks.

The king looks to Siyu. “That it doesn't have to be so hard to eat your fill,” He says with a chuckle.

Siyy couldn’t control himself and laughs out loud. “Says the king of a kingdom!” He exclaims. Was it ridiculous or was there a hint of truth? Siyu didn't know, but he very much wanted to laugh.

The king also chuckles. “Yes, says the king of a kingdom,” He says with a smile.