TKA | Chapter 2.1

Step, step, step.ca6ab40e76ff9053

Stefan’s body gently swayed in rhythm.cc5038f0b4f98e97

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Even though he was slowly regaining consciousness due to the soft vibrations, he couldn’t easily open his eyes.964c7f8d89e0e572

The warmth supporting 6ae4218773 his tired and 8c25c53c5b aching body, and 36f9ea9fa3 the coziness of b0b6d90a1d being held by 45071de37c someone, felt nice.c4032bc07b106907

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A subtle d1c8e396d6 sweet scent 37c82a906d at the eb6427ad94 tip of 9980ba5cdb his nose e41fea646f made Stefan 2386cb35f7 relax even 49e62365d4 more.7d6e1de3d720eb42

It wasn’t honey, but a unique scent…3e2d3ee92acbae8b

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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.dddd1f5611452028

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.555aea328283d4fc

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Maybe it was because 647d1d63eb it was a tree-related 110f2129e0 scent like that child?5bb96a610d34e1ac

But the moment he opened his eyes and confirmed the owner of the pheromone, Stefan’s body stiffened.76535c5c73df59f0

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Walking forward, carrying him 1ab579cf5f nonchalantly, was Grand General 24c34f5e0d Leroy.3e8320f10cf7e263

“…Huh! What, now… Where are you taking me…?”dcc21ab03db1240a

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As Stefan, now a4bd31f394 conscious, mumbled while b36b1eb23e slightly struggling, the 3885f98774 Grand General stopped. The sweet 3bc436e136 scent that 958f9fc944 had been 3b5628475d lingering around f0f3f11fbd suddenly disappeared b9d57643ba as if 302d903761 it had 7961541539 been swept 60d1f39d5e away.419b437bbecb7e10

Only then did Stefan realize that the sweet scent was the Grand General’s pheromone.1fd657adb93cb4e6

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Ah, maple syrup!7e79f04054352f8c

The king realized its 0840eec925 identity only after it e564f47fd0 disappeared and, after thinking adb4e402c5 for a moment, slowly d9cf677c19 opened his mouth.9c9fe387a34e1ebe

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However, perhaps because f6c16cd78e he had fainted 73a9485704 after intense activity, c63e096bbe his body was eedeff8932 weak, and his 2490a60c31 pronunciation was slurred. Not wanting to speak 25cac460d2 with blurred words, Stefan c5d5d7293e deliberately spoke slowly.c6c4c33d38b5b86e

“Grand General… where are you taking me, no, us?”2224b4bf5f7d9c53

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“You’ll see when we get there.”093b48f942da134d

The man who dc14316664 had been breathing a3a5c674f4 heavily, having thrust 5bfe655266 something threatening at b563567299 him and even ebc82c123d plugged it below, c626c9a78d was nowhere to 8444723ab2 be seen.c170274264dea031

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Only the Grand General, ed2ed85965 looking down at him 52cb6a0366 with an emotionless gaze 3d8aed2cff as if in a b6cb1a57e9 war strategy meeting, remained.35c79c72faefc50f

The king let 9c578990e5 out a hollow 86c27805bb laugh, guessing where b567ca88d6 the Grand General ea913f7562 was taking him.d80497c9ea6cd7aa

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The execution ground, perhaps.3e434ecf84025eec

Or maybe to 56c0db96a1 stand in front f94337c8f1 of all the 815cf7c058 nobles and have 2762fc2079 his head cut 8809cda687 off.f5a7d28c1e0e6c28

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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.3a2f9c5fefceb03e

Even though his ec3864b35a body had become e7a5970ca1 thin and weak 7765a27cd9 over the past 0797d0988d year, he wanted 87dbf8dbb1 to bear the 8bb2c2a1da weight of this 324ff26c3d insignificant life himself c7cead9638 until the end.86e472177febf44e

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“Put me down.”35f882ab4c4f7d17

“As you wish, Your Majesty.”319c032856d3335c

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The Grand General 0c4725dd00 slowly set the 52253e5546 king down.d85e0e1dc5d99d0b

Even after the king’s feet touched the ground, the Grand General supported him until he could stand properly.64ee099d4948e922

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Only after 411c808a44 the trembling be878405f6 legs, the aa136e5b58 sharp pain 0493b7eb7a in his cf8a1c8bbf waist, and c2da9ebb07 the tingling 326051c057 pain from 6af55ee3f1 below subsided e037a1af63 could Stefan 48d651e099 check his 9e676ebada appearance.6383757a457de1ae

No wonder 2680477e7c he felt c0b2640dce cumbersome and 40b0f9d892 heavy.6e77d0255278ecb9

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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.962813cbbd1d1279

The flag of 5b11e4b504 the Kingdom of 81dfd56cc5 Ruhia is a 24c2fab845 red dove embroidered ed5329f00c on golden fabric 838ff9564c with a black 2a1a72f219 border.62e81120906992f7

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The tailor, inspired by 9e8466492e this, created a uniform 2664017a2a that exuded elegance and 32930bf4b3 dignity, quite different from 05c8d0c5fa the leisurely and peaceful-looking 6ce70b892d flag.f6ec9a4ff90733a1

The collar and hem dc13feb9d6 were lined with black e503ec725e fabric that seemed to 9875ede6b0 swallow light. The uniform, intricately woven d88c4627a3 with gold thread that 94d7995669 shone as if melted a3ea3f2f97 from gold bars, was 140f51fb0a embroidered with complex and 8776bfa27c beautiful patterns in silver 2668e45a70 thread.4f68e65651cbab9a

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The cape draped over 97fdeecc58 the shoulders was made 0a9f9d8965 of layers of sheer a9232cbabb black fabric, with three 0dfeb126d7 peacefully flying doves embroidered 951c036996 in gold and silver 856ebf1ff7 thread.70b7fa566acd2368

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.040ecb14afc5dfa0

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But why 28f43c5d45 was he a699a27712 wearing this 45aa42da15 now, in 4582d35f77 such a 4f16967f66 state?2c5b619599a9be6c

As he looked down 38d318c0ea at the uniform with 18fafef837 a somewhat dismal heart, e23069d244 the Grand General bowed 5e5c9073a5 politely and spoke.cc8170f0fb01da1b

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“Your Majesty. It’s a bit noisy outside, so I will lead the way.”3f560eb755b6ba26

“…It doesn’t matter anyway. Do as you please.”fe2f809aa787e32c

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Stefan was ea6d11ac10 inwardly prepared d142f1eeff to be 0597366646 dragged out 2baa459e11 naked and 3268d628aa beheaded, so 9495fa4467 he was add4b17445 bewildered by bbc9f13b9f the situation 49a3318280 of being b82cdddc62 dressed in 21f107a6ed uniform.44f585bbd10f3c36

Moreover, judging by the ffad10984f neat attire, it was 66521169d8 clear that Chief Attendant 513aa07807 Zenon had dressed him.d5d83548b344fb4f

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It meant the Grand General had specifically called the Chief Attendant to dress him…4380a530af8891ec

Having been 8a586bc201 away from 2faf6a700c politics and 78e2b1ccdb indulging in 4af0e70036 debauchery for f86f97ed51 the past bc25c4f594 year, Stefan, 6e7937cecd who was 0d3cabefcc born to b6cd2794aa be a a9d3590d46 king, quickly 7e0bd86fa9 realized the 6aba682d65 situation after 06aae01d5a a brief 0e11bb99d5 contemplation.ea40f00358a1f08c

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Perhaps, the prince wasn’t gaining much support.c153b1061d631877

A rebellion is 9c86c5dc7f about dethroning the 9336f88e60 existing king and 6a6a468b6f establishing a new 28fa769158 one.88ae4248aff0fd76

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The more followers the 5f6bf8ba15 new king has, the 045d9cf00a more brutally the existing 45b1cdec8e king is purged. It serves as a ecf7aebef3 way for nobles and d6be3caae9 commoners to vent their 4f1eb143a0 anger on a tyrant.3ae404ee95fcc63c

However, if the support ad6cfc6c35 base for the newly 7fd0b65dcd enthroned king is weak, 90410becb6 the story changes.e7d6f3a18cde5093

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Especially when legitimacy 53a6879c96 is an issue, d76b6dbcd4 the rebels might 5884ba0609 subtly take over 7732dd4125 by claiming to 5ca1f250f3 govern instead of de5f29f31a killing the existing 49f8bb23da king.232bc572f21ef485

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.edc5b3a0de2eb1db

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Stefan knew early 26f74e64e4 on that his 1c13eb9424 brother, Prince Soren 9fba750f3c Ruhia, was reputed 2f5d1da6f7 to be deceitful b7f919b4d8 and violent.c3fbd765b8c7090e

There were rumors 68dd9d28c7 that he often 246c9ee4ca broke promises made 4d7d7b8045 to the nobles 8017ddf4c7 supporting him.c6330b545289823e

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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.402105d51fee05bb

If so, 7c4a820245 this uniform 3a367356ab is for 4b771bccac show.8c36966cd7c25a11

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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.1a0cbb415cbd8e43

Swallowing a sigh, Stefan c18fd58b4c trudged behind the Grand 04c07f0105 General.213c9d9a6aa33da5

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Under normal circumstances, e50f63ca07 Stefan would have a058ae4c98 maintained a proper 5165455b52 posture while walking, b4a5469c12 no matter how e4fcd0500c unwell he was, 382c9c7c76 but what was 9ceb854aaf the point when bdc4b8064f he was about 8af0d05180 to die?08bdbfead311f6b4

−Your Majesty, much can be seen from a person’s posture. Please, maintain your posture in any situation.22a3fdef96098414

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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.115edfaca63f983b

The Grand General, perhaps sensing the resignation and despair in the king’s footsteps, suddenly stopped.2a36ac538947b325

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Before they knew dc342c3604 it, the Grand 354439f35e General and the b14df94db4 king were standing b0daa95170 in front of e7d15690af the main gate 38e93f7253 of the palace.11e1d47a0b5cd531

Realizing this, the noise from the large garden and open space outside the palace suddenly filled Stefan’s ears.0c00771128457000

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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.15f3cf1c79af4d21

And they were all waiting for the king’s death.3d12497c8b57aad8

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“…Huff…!”fe6a537a8526dc95

Unconsciously letting 4bbf3b077b out a 28f6a0e07c low, whimpering 827cca735a sound, Stefan 32fddf7032 took a c6565aeaf7 step back.6ef28b0063eb274c

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If he stepped through this door, he would… die.7082b1feed7faf84

Wearing the uniform ca9e076ec1 from the peak bd210d7308 of his reign, cf7e7cc47d he would be bf7f75c783 forced to kneel dd77adba44 and be beheaded 7299ef1036 in front of a4b8aa29d3 those who sought 23d49c6cbe to dethrone him.476fbf5d88eaf394

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With the handprints on 78b83e7c10 his cheeks and the 54c469ac35 lewd marks covering his d897f4dbdd body.047c6edb5ef4036f

Everyone would 7f8dd54264 laugh, everyone 198d91faf5 would scorn.1773790aa0459e93

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Even his death.bfc8ae9e3ba2ab3d

Despite being prepared, when faced with it, he couldn’t bring himself to walk to his death. Stefan’s eyes reddened.acaa44d894827f52

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At that moment, the Grand General’s hand touched the king.302eaba85952b184

He straightened the crumpled 7747e63510 cape from carrying him, 4352d1f03f knelt to smooth the a30883cfed folded uniform, and checked 1a142a6f93 if anything else was f1da62e479 creased. He even brushed 0e6b2610c6 off the white 50f8cdd1e3 threads on the 99d8b3bbd9 shoes with his 35fd3fe386 sleeve.bf8d1701df4e09a9

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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.ca68d71fe96842d8

In the end, Stefan e4767036d6 shed a single tear ca128a7f6f and pleaded with the 4e41e24f33 Grand General.b07d70efc7a9a84c

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Desperately, he begged.5f52fbc369af94ae

“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.”a24e567355a9f84c

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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.9861733ac62b3030

After gazing at the king for a moment, the Grand General gently took the king’s right hand and kissed the back of it.c1a370fae4124836

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With utmost reverence. And filled with a 2c88af3d1b poignant emotion that pained c67a994cdc the heart of anyone 5e907c305d watching.5a116603b5548fb0

Startled by the unexpected formality, Stefan trembled. But Leroy didn’t react. He simply refuted the king’s words calmly.692151488785da94

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“It’s neither kindness nor humiliation.”f0c07d84246bed0e

“Then, why are you…?”31cc5f83cb4954a4

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“…Your Majesty will have to ponder that yourself.”c99e673c97b2b6f5

“In the future…?”4590148a00c11bbb

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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?cb4199e04993e94f

Perhaps he would be 8846b460de imprisoned, living as if 09f0772f2a dead.c3220bc0b4a9da3a

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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.c3ba48f2f1e8caf6

Not knowing whether the db09be0bfc extension of his life 87f563c87d was a joy or 6e2543910d a torment, the confused 3decbcf4bc king heard the Grand 34cd0f85da General mention something unexpected.51b99a24e94aaa3e

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“Your Majesty might be right about dying, in a way.”f0dea83847dd15b4

“What?”a26dc55292d202c1

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“The you from the past year will disappear after today.”fa2c3a428fbe41c6

“What kind of wordplay is that, ugh!”2476223713234cac

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The Grand General pulled the king’s right hand, causing him to stumble forward.e0b6d6d01d1fd109

As he was 97f1968678 led, he found aa08d45ae7 himself standing right 9ba22f4e23 in front of ffd4487fe6 the main gate, d43b585fd2 bewildered, as the 43367ef4ec Grand General knocked b53c8c2dc1 on the door 72a9eb2f92 with a loud 53a1bdfbd9 bang.01e14e6628bcb9a6

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“Open it.”0de3e21776d5f7ff

Creak, creak, creak…28b4e005a0707856

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The palace’s main gate, which required five strong men to open, began to slowly open.6e3ac23fa5d94ca9

The noise that e83ea65298 had been audible 21e97b17b2 beyond the heavy 267e49b20f and thick gate f37d6184b9 suddenly vanished, leaving d30b73f792 an eerie silence.2d579277e704c545

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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.16c9157083ba1bf3

And there, except for the nobles at the border, every noble who could come to the capital was gathered…6517b89c800e5274

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With Soren Ruhia at f9f5dd419a the forefront.70601b36ba0c5f86

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.18488ffc991550a5

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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.ea58da7766e49edb

“Hahaha, Your Majesty! It’s been a while!”654055fde48caa1f

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The nobles standing behind 57610fc247 Soren Ruhia, who exaggeratedly 5f784c473d greeted him, did not 63fa3b523f bow their heads to f91b9b1231 Stefan. Only Soren Ruhia made c05b9d6c9c a grand gesture of 8291f524a5 courtesy.138a1bfefa3a38f1

Stefan showed no reaction.5ccac790681ededf

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Even though his mind 40d03185e5 was dulled by pheromones 73f7865065 and semen, he needed 7b9da2584f to assess the situation 117b17d1d3 to die comfortably.682eed67145d0c3b

Seeing Stefan’s unexpected reaction, a crack appeared between Soren Ruhia’s brows.abda099809aa33ee

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Wanting to elicit 4668209a52 some response, Soren 91f5d483e8 Ruhia taunted Stefan.de4087aa5dee55c9