Trying to Save my Favorite Character from His Tragic Fate

The door opens, and the chancellor comes in with the masked Federline behind, still with his hoodie. Chancellor Rowe looks at the king sitting pathetically on the floor with his back against the desk. Even though he knows what happened to Ian during all these years, the chancellor feels pity for the king. 

As a monarch, Austin Ethern is considered a good king. He rules the kingdom with diligence and care. That is why the kingdom has been peaceful and prosperous for the decades he took over the throne. He has also been the best candidate amongst all the princes, and the last king has guided him well regarding a monarch's duties. 

However, he lacks ways to cope with his pain, and he remains stubborn for the one thing he felt could fill his world. With the pressure of increasing responsibilities and the pain of losing someone, Austin Ethern couldn't channel out his emotions. No one knows his secret with Ava. Around him, no one could empathize with the pain he felt while standing next to the casket where Ava laid motionless. She couldn't return any of his smiles anymore.

When he looks at Ian, the existence who can connect to his pain, the king has chosen to avoid meeting up with Ian because his wounds open up every time he sees Ian's face. The shape of his eyes reminds him of Ava's, and Ian would always smile whenever they met.

Chancellor Rowe takes out a few healing potions and puts them by the king's side. The king does not lift his head when the chancellor sits on the floor next to him. Rowe opens a bottle and hands it to the king, but the king does not take it. His arms remain limp. 

The chancellor sighs at the stubbornness that he has to deal with during all these years. 

The king's eyes widen when he watches Ian open his hand and place a potion. The chancellor smiles at Ian's response to such a stubborn father. King Ethern slowly tilts his head up, watching Ian crouched down in front of him. 

The king clenches his teeth and pinches his eyebrows. He feels a sharp stab in his heart, and instant regret starts to pour inside. He has failed Ava. He has failed Ian. 

"You grew up well…" The king gently whispers.

Ian lets out a smile, and the king instantly tears up. He misses that smile. Although Ian possesses masculine features, the king sees Ava through him. 

'I missed her,' a voice echoes inside Austin's mind, 'but I failed her.'

The king quietly takes all the potions that Ian hands to him, and the bruises and cuts from his face disappear. The pair of father and son remain quiet the entire time. This is the first time the king has ever felt such relief after Ava's death as if the pain inside his heart is smoothing out with each potion he takes.

Federline goes up to Kyrie, "Headmaster…"

Kyrie turns his eyes sideways to look at Federline, "What?"

"Do you have any healing potions? I don't want to continue wearing the mask, but…"

"Here," The chancellor gives one to Federline.

Federline pauses before accepting it, "Thanks."

He takes off his mask to take in the potion and the chancellor jolts at Federline's messed-up face.

"W-what happened?"

Federline pouts and eyes at the offender, who does not pay any more attention to him since he is too preoccupied looking at Ian. He should really report workplace abuse, but his guild is not even officially registered. 

"I didn't know the paladin is so… Ehm…" Kyrie's image in the chancellor's eyes instantly changes. He secretly takes mental notes to never go against Kyrie for the sake of the kingdom. For Kyrie to just be so heavy-handed towards their monarch, this man seems like he has no awareness of even the word 'fear' or else how could he just strike at a king without a sliver of hesitation. He is sure that every hit he heard outside is crisp and clean.

The chancellor gazes at Federline up and down and wonders how the paladin manages to hire someone like Federline. The man is loyal and careful, with a strength that even the chancellor rarely encounters. contemporary romance

When they were outside, Federline has his eyes closed, but the chancellor can feel that the man has been channeling mana onto the ground. Most likely, Federline is trying to sense the room's movements in case there is an emergency that requires his assistance.

"You should stop looking at me like that," Federline turns to the chancellor and covers his chest while crossing his arms, "You have to think carefully about tainting someone else's purity with your corrupted eyes."

Taken by surprise, the chancellor almost forgets to breathe.

"Federline… Don't mess with other people's heads because you are bored," Kyrie warns without a single reaction on his face.

Federline straightens his back, lifting his chest, "Yes, headmaster!"

Rowe looks at Kyrie like he has something to say, but somehow the words are stuck in his throat. He decides to give up since he has to take care of the king. Rowe pulls the king up and guides him to sit on the couch.

Kyrie sits in front of the king, "I am not as nice as Ian."

The king purses his lips and looks straight at Kyrie's eyes, "Then what is that you want?" 

He turns his eyes to Ian, "I will only consider requests that do not harm the kingdom."

"Don't get me wrong, King Ethern. I have no interest in taking advantage of others."

Federline chokes on air but just pretends that he is coughing from a cold. He stands back straight when Kyrie glares at him.

"Three things," Kyrie lifts three fingers.

---

The king reaches his hand out, and Kyrie clasps it.

"Then, that is a deal," the king seals the agreement with a handshake, "The written pact will be sent to you."

"Thank you."

The king faces Ian and puts a hand on his shoulder, "Ian... I am sorry for all these years… Too bad you are leaving, and I cannot make it up to you immediately. But, if you want to come back, this useless father will welcome you and make it up to you."

Ian nods with a smile, "Hmm."

"What are you planning to do now with the issue of the church?" asks Chancellor Rowe, "Now that you have escaped from prison without clearing any of the accusations placed on Ian, I don't think this will be so easily resolved. Plus, you are not asking us to negotiate with King Aria."

"That… You don't have to worry about it because I have already taken care of it," Kyrie replies as he reaches into the dimensional space on his palm and takes out a staff.

"What is that?" The chancellor narrows his eyes as he examines the staff.

"This? This is the relic that helped the fallen saintess transport all those demons who attempted to invade from the forest of Labam. Your south side borders, remember?"

"Ahhh…" Rowe runs his eyes over the relic, "Oh! Since the temple in Aria has fallen, why don't you go for a trip to our temple?".

Kyrie suddenly goes quiet, rubbing his thumb on his palm.

[Should I go to see Vita?]

The image of Phanes enters his mind. 

[No… Not now.]

There are some suspicions he needs to resolve before looking for Vita.

"The goddess will look for me when she needs me," Kyrie replies. 

He hits the floor with the staff, and an enchantment circle expands from the dot that the staff marked on the ground. The circle starts to spiral and lifts off the floor. As it floats up, it diminishes in size while a portal comes out. 

"Federline and Nate… You two go back by carriage since I don't have enough mana to bring you two with me." Kyrie looks at the two guys nod.

"So this is a goodbye, Sir Rowan, Prince Ian," Chancellor Rowe mentions.

"Yes… Till next time," Kyrie nods at Chancellor Rowe and King Ethern.

Ian looks at his father staring back with a troubled expression, "Father, take care… You too, Chancellor Rowe."

"Hmm…" The chancellor smiles.

The king sighs but smiles at Ian, "Son, you also take care."

Ian nods and turns around to enter the portal with a smile.

The portal disappears, and Rowe orders the servant to take Nate and Federline away to rest. Shortly after they have gone, Earl Beaumont requests an urgent audience with the king. 

The king allows Eart Beaumont, and within just two minutes, the earl rushes in like he is running away from demons. 

"Your majesty!!! Terrible news!!!"

"What is it, Earl Beaumont?"

"The the the…"

"Take a seat, earl."

The earl swallows hard, and through his heavy breathing, he says, "T-the first prince from the kingdom of Aria has rebelled against its king!" 

"What?"

"I just heard from my informant that the first… first prince had accused the current king of covering up the true cause of temple's corruption. Denying true justice to the affected people and also profiting from those people's deaths! He forced into the palace with an army!"

The king and the chancellor hold their breaths as they look at each other like they guess at the same time who is behind the deed.

"And…" The earl runs out of breath, but the suspense drives the king and chancellor's patience thin.

"And? And what?" The king hurries the earl.

"And… And the saintess under the authority of the goddess is heading to the temple to purge the sinners!"

done.co