241 Why Not Just Hit Him (1/2)

The next day at the palace, the doors opened slowly under the heavy ringing of the morning nine o’clock bell. A low-key, but elegant carriage drove out.

All guards before the palace gates lowered onto one knee to welcome the carriage. Before them was a silent giant. The knight was clad in a metallic armor of black steel. Its features were sharp and menacing but the body was thin rather than burly, making it seem abnormally agile.

This was the divine armor passed down through the Round Table Knights. Contrary to other heavy armor, this one was not paired with large weapons such as spears or shields. It only had a sword.

The cross-shaped sword hung at the knight’s waist. Precious stones and diamond pieces were inlaid in the hilt. It looked like a gorgeous and finely made piece of art rather than a killing weapon for the battleground.

The carriage stopped beside it. The knight lowered onto one knee and lowered his head politely. The sound of metal grating was like weak thunder.

”Greetings to Your Majesties from Galahad.” The voice that came from the armor sounded like a young girl’s but it was not gentle or sweet; instead, the voice had indescribable awe-inspiring seriousness.

After a long pause, Mary’s greeting sounded in the carriage. ”Long time no see, Christine.”

”Long time no see, Your Majesty,” the knight known as Christine replied stiffly. ”Please call me Galahad here. ‘Christine’ is too soft of a name for a knight.”

”Ever since you put this armor on, you’ve become…” Mary’s voice paused in the carriage as it became troubled and lost. ”Never mind. Who isn’t like this?”

”In my humble opinion, Your Majesty is still as before,” Christine replied gravely. ”Even if I’ve inherited the position of Galahad, I am still captain of your guard.”

After a long silence, Mary seemed to chuckle. ”It seems that I’m the one who overthought. It’s getting late, my captain of guard. Escort my brother and I to the Musician’s Union.”

”Yes, Your Majesty.” Galahad stepped back, mounted her horse, and rode forward.

The guards in the back hoisted the ceremonial euphorbia, pulled the ropes and steered the carriage behind the steel knight as they marched forward. Ever since the queen went into reclusion, the royal family fell into silence. Now, the royal procession once again appeared in the city and it did not represent anything simple.

All was silent in the carriage’s path. The citizens all bowed and did not begin discussing quietly until the carriage had gone. Some with foresight saw the emblem of the second queen on the carriage and understood the queen’s decision. In the end, the carriage stopped before the Musician’s Union building on Queen’s Avenue.

Mary, clad in a formal dress, descended from the carriage with the help of a servant and reached toward the carriage. ”James, stop hiding and come here.”

Soon, a frail figure covered from head to toe in white grasped her hand. Unwilling to come out, he lifted his mask and whispered in her ear.

”Bear with it. It’ll be over soon.” Grasping his hand, Mary’s voice was gentle. ”I’ll go with you later, alright?”

The white-clad figure held her hand and wanted to say something, but seeing the eyes that looked like his mother’s, he lowered his head obediently.

”Welcome, Your Majesties.” Bayer walked forward and took off his hat in greeting. He was completely polite.

Mary nodded slightly. ”Thank you for the welcome by the Musician’s Union. My brother has caught a cold and cannot speak. Please understand.”

Feeling the dangerous coldness, Bayer smiled wryly. He still uttered a well-formulated response, ”Of course. We’ve prepared a resting room for Your Majesties. Please follow me.”

”Thank you.” Mary held the crown prince’s hand and followed behind Bayer. After two steps, she still did not hear the clanking behind her. The steel knight Galahad was still in her original spot. Rather than following, she stared at the distant crowd as if spacing out.

”Christine, what’s wrong?”

The knight quickly turned around. After a few seconds delay, she replied, ”Nothing, Your Majesty. There is no problem.”

She caught up amidst the clanking sounds and stood beside the royalty with her sword. Before stepping through the door, she looked back to the crowd subconsciously. There, the white-haired youth disappeared like an illusion.

-

Curious scholars had filled the large hall of the Musician’s Union. There were not many musicians who were dedicated to theories, and there were even fewer who had become famous.