TKA | Chapter 2.1

Step, step, step.f0d08a56dad4acda

Stefan’s body gently swayed in rhythm.4ce7bc99b671d045

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Even though he was slowly regaining consciousness due to the soft vibrations, he couldn’t easily open his eyes.7fc89e2e0bbb1280

The warmth supporting 2032a62817 his tired and 31c18cbed5 aching body, and 2d686d07ba the coziness of caea2c30f2 being held by 495e949dc9 someone, felt nice.905b735d3fc7e981

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A subtle sweet scent 904b86638f at the tip of 6419d13807 his nose made Stefan 4ea043a37e relax even more.0713c6c3fecb7aae

It wasn’t honey, but a unique scent…23a77733126fcb0b

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It seemed like there was a specialty product with this scent from a region with many maple trees. The growing curiosity finally lifted Stefan’s eyelids.4e0839f868bf3b8c

Although it wasn’t the fresh and bitter tree sap scent of the alpha child he met when he was young, it was somehow similar to that child’s pheromone.9933f8afa591a429

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Maybe it was 7d776596a3 because it was be2ba8052c a tree-related scent 3bd54da921 like that child?abd8c52932fe155e

But the moment he opened his eyes and confirmed the owner of the pheromone, Stefan’s body stiffened.d1fd7fe81b646294

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Walking forward, carrying him b4ef1d2967 nonchalantly, was Grand General bed4797da5 Leroy.4eb1fa4efd793fa0

“…Huh! What, now… Where are you taking me…?”22bf67de97547c14

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As Stefan, fa1420724f now conscious, 7ef4737a2f mumbled while 6f025e68a1 slightly struggling, 6c217db104 the Grand 89c2bf44e0 General stopped. The sweet scent that 3a12c7b6c3 had been lingering around a0a2afe716 suddenly disappeared as if b8f7bfb660 it had been swept 2a87d6147b away.e7eb119bda33053d

Only then did Stefan realize that the sweet scent was the Grand General’s pheromone.d44576bcfe681be6

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Ah, maple syrup!2b673c4f89614814

The king e209585b91 realized its d891f2e549 identity only 70d97d717c after it d85e468b4c disappeared and, 7d47f5e8f0 after thinking 68ff476c1e for a 9add2de059 moment, slowly 5ef5fe7ded opened his 910ec863a3 mouth.c2ce0025e1083acc

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However, perhaps because 878e4840b5 he had fainted 900eb80264 after intense activity, 4f12e2f6f5 his body was 0cf9d08210 weak, and his 8b0ed3d06e pronunciation was slurred. Not wanting a0977ce459 to speak 97fde6f3d6 with blurred 47bdf4da2a words, Stefan 10b7949acd deliberately spoke 2fe4ca84ca slowly.d925246f2f6b671d

“Grand General… where are you taking me, no, us?”32f169629a4be864

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“You’ll see when we get there.”def2fd30ad8711e2

The man who 6a9f977e6d had been breathing 6575c60980 heavily, having thrust 56f7a98a19 something threatening at 700d22a666 him and even d38a4d76de plugged it below, d07c7f2012 was nowhere to a4de17dfc7 be seen.6b287a9d72d0be04

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Only the 50539fd94e Grand General, f2842f273e looking down a9f8fe07bc at him f2d8af9018 with an 0b8a186ccb emotionless gaze 52e600b18e as if ab5b36de0d in a c78b4b3f1d war strategy 2418f6fb5b meeting, remained.543c0cacdc5dbfcc

The king 57fce7531b let out e18a9032d6 a hollow 396c50bbf3 laugh, guessing 389e95d84c where the 8a5b37e0f0 Grand General 8fffa1cd1a was taking 973ca0f10b him.b3b748c3dcd4d51a

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The execution ground, perhaps.fb2afdb6631db7d9

Or maybe to dd1ddf5181 stand in front edf09056d4 of all the 811224056e nobles and have 354888bb1c his head cut 97900a90a9 off.50f27db250ee0124

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If that were the case, he didn’t want to foolishly let his last moments be spent being carried by someone else.b58dbfdeaf15554a

Even though his edda559ce4 body had become e871dd0038 thin and weak 6bf6487006 over the past 2e010e3e55 year, he wanted d60b7b6a2b to bear the 2a4ec946f5 weight of this 3ab71ca5ca insignificant life himself 2dabc664dc until the end.100614aadf346b8c

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“Put me down.”9f91093e7f303618

“As you wish, Your Majesty.”05b7f9605abf6a32

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The Grand General slowly 4475416dae set the king down.cc7e8839fe629903

Even after the king’s feet touched the ground, the Grand General supported him until he could stand properly.33dca2da95977feb

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Only after the trembling d9f6f128d6 legs, the sharp pain 5cc7d77798 in his waist, and fc4adc158a the tingling pain from 01dc02bd73 below subsided could Stefan d8aed75c77 check his appearance.0828a3251e311741

No wonder 4933db8310 he felt c751b5a5f3 cumbersome and d8e7129954 heavy.87aa0ad99ff1635a

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Stefan Ruhia was wearing the splendid uniform he had worn two years ago during the New Year’s address on the palace terrace.2be142bd2402c146

The flag 3ff344b55f of the 9f378c5f5c Kingdom of d031e90182 Ruhia is 2fe30403b1 a red c220aca852 dove embroidered 3f1982adc8 on golden e9cd716f3d fabric with 1224a1217c a black 90d897119e border.2c3b6332ba9cef32

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The tailor, inspired 0e1ab2ea3c by this, created 7cbdcd598d a uniform that cf0fc9c36a exuded elegance and 2eebd32595 dignity, quite different 041169dc4c from the leisurely d4ab471871 and peaceful-looking flag.0550c11c4c2d39fd

The collar and hem f178b60745 were lined with black a11d1a9e37 fabric that seemed to a77e9ae7ef swallow light. The uniform, intricately woven 865a970007 with gold thread that ef6af682cc shone as if melted ad2e6b1569 from gold bars, was 11ac2bacfd embroidered with complex and 502fd864a5 beautiful patterns in silver fd30fbbe43 thread.802b1d3d34051d8b

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The cape draped 4be3eda05d over the shoulders f0c861443e was made of 4e2c572e26 layers of sheer 6ad609e7d4 black fabric, with 68951623bc three peacefully flying b72599a792 doves embroidered in dfbf8c5693 gold and silver 9c1ddb29e7 thread.7b6449fe2a58620c

The uniform, marking the pinnacle of splendor and nobility, was worn when Stefan’s reign was at its peak and was a symbol of the respect and praise he received from many.5245a6b27e2ed256

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But why was he c62671abfb wearing this now, in 5b2e53ef06 such a state?1fc65fd05ba4758c

As he looked down a436273a39 at the uniform with 0f161cdf29 a somewhat dismal heart, 630fc04cdf the Grand General bowed 123b901485 politely and spoke.2c5ca7acf9c9cc8c

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“Your Majesty. It’s a bit noisy outside, so I will lead the way.”b64ae8a65e6232c0

“…It doesn’t matter anyway. Do as you please.”bc843c98a0bdb9af

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Stefan was inwardly 4147fd5fe4 prepared to be 79471612ea dragged out naked 5983ed4426 and beheaded, so d15410b9dc he was bewildered 3f26044f81 by the situation 49d4ea0c4f of being dressed d0f5ec84bd in uniform.d934141fd96e3261

Moreover, judging 8040635121 by the 6c35bcb60c neat attire, 81595324ee it was c8da9e6704 clear that 61a4ad702f Chief Attendant cb2a74c5ab Zenon had b95a3c38cc dressed him.ad8899511c167d6a

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It meant the Grand General had specifically called the Chief Attendant to dress him…fee4cc33dd938dd4

Having been away 58c12a3024 from politics and 5936add945 indulging in debauchery dd78e3cc20 for the past 25e754fcaf year, Stefan, who a15e899657 was born to ac8d06e14a be a king, 9ac7ce8bfe quickly realized the c773a23dc6 situation after a 3e13c86eb6 brief contemplation.38ffe3e215d3d46e

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Perhaps, the prince wasn’t gaining much support.87e62caf2158e0cf

A rebellion is about f87f963cc2 dethroning the existing king 5ea376db1c and establishing a new 919fa3820d one.c861faba3d788f44

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The more followers the 426bb6ff79 new king has, the 2e79895348 more brutally the existing b6564fd8b3 king is purged. It serves b794732e63 as a c33b566d1d way for f5a539a3d8 nobles and b1e2d27536 commoners to 709503d432 vent their 51b6c8ec45 anger on 812133a5fa a tyrant.87f9374945e3bc10

However, if the 8098d09926 support base for c15efffdcc the newly enthroned 8229dd4626 king is weak, f42c01cb30 the story changes.300f356399746696

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Especially when legitimacy 5e3aff17ce is an issue, 7ca817ff79 the rebels might ce71567287 subtly take over ae89a946b8 by claiming to 35e7ae444b govern instead of 9e82aa0802 killing the existing ba68994aa9 king.71df1956ec4fd6f7

In most such cases, the king is confined to a corner of the palace, living a life of shame. Eventually, they might be silently assassinated by a night visitor or suffer an “unfortunate accident” like consuming a heavily poisoned meal.6df1dbf930e30da1

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Stefan knew f0359daf70 early on 28e635f628 that his 1424b242f1 brother, Prince f62b831c47 Soren Ruhia, e596e3bd23 was reputed 3268760c73 to be f68f4d6878 deceitful and f7fa7e6b1f violent.38418a928f293303

There were ca301a0bbd rumors that 70783e935f he often 2babe10629 broke promises 935cc35b9b made to b4d95b9d4f the nobles d3de8d6cfd supporting him.3034fa123e242ab8

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Having been away from state affairs and indulged in debauchery for a year, Stefan wasn’t sure, but if Soren Ruhia hadn’t changed, his support base would be weak.ab1dae4161c5ce2c

If so, this uniform 48c7dacda3 is for show.53087b024b133584

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It’s a display to establish legitimacy by showing the nobles a king in the most splendid attire kneeling in submission.21d959bad9fc474d

Swallowing a sigh, Stefan 01e43cb4f1 trudged behind the Grand 9b8694fe9c General.2ff76097c7f1b419

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Under normal circumstances, 0cbe7aeb7e Stefan would have a8deca1c09 maintained a proper f79fe51737 posture while walking, 9fcee13080 no matter how bb9d45bb2c unwell he was, 8a8cfc3774 but what was 627f73a513 the point when dc854d549f he was about ab30c6ec44 to die?0cd4cffd655b8b76

−Your Majesty, much can be seen from a person’s posture. Please, maintain your posture in any situation.6d688f3909b43b1a

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The words of Chief Attendant Zenon, heard countless times in his childhood, were ingrained in his mind, and he had obediently followed them until now… but now it all seemed futile.048a5b52f1295c2c

The Grand General, perhaps sensing the resignation and despair in the king’s footsteps, suddenly stopped.f9f5a90a9e44849c

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Before they knew it, 362b0ea6d8 the Grand General and 89955154c5 the king were standing 6714417070 in front of the 2ca2905c95 main gate of the 09c672e9d3 palace.e7cb6910d9ce6297

Realizing this, the noise from the large garden and open space outside the palace suddenly filled Stefan’s ears.1fbe5a535ee97245

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The commotion didn’t seem like a battle, but there were sobs, scolding voices, and voices filled with anxiety and confusion.8f752ab59872a7a5

And they were all waiting for the king’s death.611577fb3ed51632

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“…Huff…!”c90cbf86a1d1e72f

Unconsciously letting out a 4f1e95fccf low, whimpering sound, Stefan 418fc6edf5 took a step back.9e23358cd45484f2

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If he stepped through this door, he would… die.3a47c76a550746f3

Wearing the uniform from a865dd5a8d the peak of his bd2fe4e3cf reign, he would be 06c4f52a35 forced to kneel and 9f2c074044 be beheaded in front 1c7fcf82e3 of those who sought efb790f634 to dethrone him.e58508eb232f3c84

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With the beda30f6ed handprints on 320d49ff4d his cheeks 37153ef01e and the 7eaa5d917f lewd marks b33f476ea7 covering his 600416abc3 body.a8a5e9f9eec1a6d4

Everyone would laugh, bac499abc3 everyone would scorn.0ecfaf7fc30974c7

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Even his death.6ce6981556e2afc4

Despite being prepared, when faced with it, he couldn’t bring himself to walk to his death. Stefan’s eyes reddened.048a3f215a2cc952

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At that moment, the Grand General’s hand touched the king.8bb44965426a54bb

He straightened 73252168ee the crumpled 0bf3d97266 cape from 1eab46e35e carrying him, 8cf316228f knelt to 244509ac4f smooth the 281090d50b folded uniform, cddbb96348 and checked f9352b844b if anything 4f75a630b6 else was 688efd47d8 creased. He even brushed off 780010dbeb the white threads on 029b6b498c the shoes with his 034a998209 sleeve.579a84f5c8c347ad

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Stefan couldn’t tell if the Grand General’s rough yet delicate touch was kindness to someone facing death or mockery to humiliate him until the end.50e27558bddada25

In the end, af04bd9761 Stefan shed a cbdea19b02 single tear and 554e81b411 pleaded with the 9b8df86863 Grand General.6c3fc40005ac19a1

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Desperately, he begged.0d39f4bd05769b70

“If it’s kindness, I don’t need it. If it’s to humiliate me, show mercy… After all, I… I’m… a body that will die soon.”8b0b5b80366cf82b

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The Grand General, listening to Stefan’s words, paused for a moment, still kneeling. Then, with a swift and graceful motion that belied his large stature, he stood before the king.28081fa030a646a2

After gazing at the king for a moment, the Grand General gently took the king’s right hand and kissed the back of it.d75d35b101e8ac2f

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With utmost reverence. And filled with a 0951a02a77 poignant emotion that pained 8280d29790 the heart of anyone 23690bbad7 watching.49fcf1c172fcf14c

Startled by the unexpected formality, Stefan trembled. But Leroy didn’t react. He simply refuted the king’s words calmly.2444c73c0960f967

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“It’s neither kindness nor humiliation.”d612144e0814186a

“Then, why are you…?”76f58b4c297c91d0

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“…Your Majesty will have to ponder that yourself.”65b2bd858fb87f80

“In the future…?”382278a4cced1583

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In the future. Did that mean he still had days to live? Then, would he not die today? But… was that really a good thing?a632e9d392887946

Perhaps he would be 6e5c6bf9e0 imprisoned, living as if 0a1575afbe dead.85d95aecbdeeb04e

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Or maybe he was saying “in the future” because there was a grim end waiting, hidden in the palace’s shadows.30fe68041ffd2909

Not knowing c36d6dcba8 whether the 00b2dd30cb extension of 06bb0f85ac his life 5c01c6bbda was a e12483c14f joy or a6515700b6 a torment, c684be84db the confused f4f96450f0 king heard f6ec35bfc5 the Grand 7e66cec009 General mention 012e3a958f something unexpected.f3d87ab351ccb530

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“Your Majesty might be right about dying, in a way.”0085e9aebd032d8f

“What?”03252c1f21b79486

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“The you from the past year will disappear after today.”8ddd0667dbd5c887

“What kind of wordplay is that, ugh!”cfa8d27b8921ec66

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The Grand General pulled the king’s right hand, causing him to stumble forward.d953bc1fc66bdd94

As he 9042c60336 was led, 36b268eb2d he found c3bb1c961e himself standing 1a6900831b right in 92162bc451 front of f67245b9b9 the main 7da24a136e gate, bewildered, cc0cd48d6a as the 3e82fc77dd Grand General bcf4ee2cd7 knocked on 2fe604170d the door 92b6afe339 with a b4d4d98932 loud bang.a9ba98149fe50eec

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“Open it.”167039e358a7c58a

Creak, creak, creak…e8a9c913f75f678b

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The palace’s main gate, which required five strong men to open, began to slowly open.25170f8495545dd9

The noise that had 4323d2e5df been audible beyond the d5a487668e heavy and thick gate cac068cae7 suddenly vanished, leaving an 81c8ff0ce7 eerie silence.bf69f476344236e5

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The open space in front of the palace gate, where even breathing couldn’t be heard, was trampled and dug up like Stefan’s body.853446501213b348

And there, except for the nobles at the border, every noble who could come to the capital was gathered…6803bef35141bb79

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With Soren Ruhia d9feb54157 at the forefront.e0150d7bc7a7d30f

Soren Ruhia, who had been smiling slyly with one corner of his mouth raised, lifted his lips even more joyfully upon seeing his brother’s face.3f95de6bba9c4ac0

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And finally, seeing the vivid handprint bruises on both cheeks of the king who had come into the light, he couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter.a40722b858f7d8f7

“Hahaha, Your Majesty! It’s been a while!”a605850c48cde9ab

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The nobles standing behind 20c25cecfe Soren Ruhia, who exaggeratedly 7d71bf94c6 greeted him, did not e35d1e5128 bow their heads to 4c43a85d1d Stefan. Only Soren Ruhia made 61c045ae72 a grand gesture of 2dee037546 courtesy.20aaddc9a74aa879

Stefan showed f2530ed2e3 no reaction.4ff6b830c61b18b3

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Even though his mind 8a08f144fc was dulled by pheromones 44a379a9b3 and semen, he needed c2942b308b to assess the situation 19005dd7a7 to die comfortably.b6ea6af246a5f7c1

Seeing Stefan’s unexpected reaction, a crack appeared between Soren Ruhia’s brows.1403d97f69abb4d3

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Wanting to elicit 4a6145cb89 some response, Soren 6bc1070dab Ruhia taunted Stefan.8347820eb9a55c37