It had been a month since Arthur had left for war. Now he is sitting relaxed in his tent. The war was over a few days ago and the result was victory for the Nightingale Kingdom. It was all thanks to the intelligence of Esther who had taught him all this time.
Arthur had reported this to his father a few days ago. In addition, he also often sends letters to his mother, Esther. But until now there was still no reply that reached his hands. Arthur was starting to feel worried.
Suddenly a knight came and entered his tent with a roll of paper.
"Your Majesty Prince Arthur, you have received a letter from His Majesty the King," said the knight as he handed Arthur the scroll.
Arthur took it and began to read the words in the letter one by one and hoped that at least it contained Esther.
Unfortunately, the letter only contained the King's pride in himself and an order for Arthur to bring all his troops back to the Nightingale Kingdom in order to attend the welcoming party.
As His Majesty's orders, Arthur immediately brought his troops back to the Nightingale Kingdom. Arthur, who was riding his horse, was at the front and led the line valently. Arriving at the gates of the Nightingale Kingdom, all the people cheered with joy to welcome their return.
The crowd in the parade still continues. Many people threw flowers and colorful pieces of paper at them. They had even hit Arthur's face several times. Even so, Arthur did not feel irritated or annoyed. He also felt happiness like the people who were there.
Arriving at the palace, the welcoming parade ended. All the knights and soldiers got off their horses and escorted their horses into the stables of the palace. Arthur got off his horse and left him in the hands of one of the soldiers. He wanted to immediately go to Marigold's palace to let go of the longing with the woman he loved the most.
When he arrived right in front of Marigold's palace, Arthur was immediately greeted by his mother's two favorite ladies-in-waiting, Anne and Helena.
"Where's my mother?" Arthur asked with a bright face because he couldn't hold his longing anymore.
"Em... Your Highness the Prince, actually..." Helena started to stutter when she wanted to convey Esther's condition.
"What's really going on?" asked Arthur, who was confused about seeing Helena who was flustered now.
"Her Highness Esther has been imprisoned for a week by Her Majesty the Queen for using magic," replied Anne firmly, hoping for Arthur's help to free Esther.
"DAMN IT!" Arthur cursed then immediately left Helena and Anne.
Arthur now walked full of anger into His Majesty's study. Even though he had been barred from entering by the doorman's knights, Arthur didn't care at all. He immediately barged in.
"Arthur? I know you're a war hero now, but you have to follow the rules anyway to meet me. Don't be like your mother, Esther!" said Lucius.
"I don't want to hear your nonsense, Your Majesty. I just want to ask your power to free my mother from prison," Arthur said matter-of-factly.
"Okay, but you can release him tomorrow. For now you better prepare yourself to attend the victory party," replied Lucius casually while handing him the power of attorney scroll.
Arthur quickly took the scroll of the letter. "So don't ever expect my presence at the party. I'm going to pick up my mother right away."
"But you were the main character at the party," said Lucius.
Arthur walked away from Lucius' study. "That's not important to me."
Seeing Arthur leave, who still defended his decision, Lucius ruffled his hair in frustration with the boy. "I don't know who the stubborn kid looks like."
Arthur stepped swiftly towards the dungeon. The first thing he got was the noise of the prisoners and the pungent smell. Looks like the guards really don't treat all the prisoners here well.
Arthur continued to walk forward while looking to the right and left to look for Esther's whereabouts. Who knows if Esther is in between one of those cells. Even though Arthur had walked around the prison, he still couldn't find Esther. Where did the Queen, who was always called a bastard by Esther, imprison Esther?
Almost all the cells in the dungeon had been bypassed by Arthur but he still hadn't found Esther. Arthur also remembered that there was one more place, namely a large cell filled with water. Usually the cell is used to interrogate class criminals or traitors to the kingdom.
Arthur ran quickly to the cell that is often called the earthly hell. Sure enough, when he got there, he saw the guards who were usually in the Queen's palace guarding there. Arthur immediately showed the power of attorney given by His Majesty the King. After seeing the letter, the guards allowed Arthur to enter.
Arthur immediately stepped into the cell filled with water. From a distance, he saw Esther tied to a pole and in the middle of a fairly high pool. Even the water had reached Esther's neck now.
Now Arthur is trying to swim in order to reach Esther's whereabouts. It took him ten minutes to reach the pole where Esther had been hanged. Arthur lifted his head to see how Esther was. From below he saw Esther who was already unconscious.
With all his might Arthur tried to climb up the pole in order to reach Esther. In essence he was trying hard to save Esther.
Now, Esther was in his arms. Esther's body was now completely icy cold. Her face was even pale as her mother's face when she died.
Arthur who had panicked immediately carried Esther like a princess and got out of the dungeon. He took Esther to Marigold's palace. Anne and Helena who saw Esther in a wound and wet immediately ordered Arthur to take Esther to her room.
Esther was already laid on her bed. There is only one word to describe her current situation, which is tragic. The hair and dress were still wet with a few red spots that were blood. The whole body is full of deep wounds and still bleeding. The face and lips that are no longer the color of blood.
"Helena, you better make lunch for the Prince. Let me take care of Your Majesty," said Anne giving orders.
"Okay, Grandma." Helena immediately came out and denied a single word.
"You'd better fill your bellies too, Prince Arthur," said Anne again.
"But I want to take care of mother. I also want to know what happened. Besides, why didn't she fight Her Majesty the Queen with her magic? Didn't you have very strong magic," Arthur said incessantly.
"Prince, I don't have time to serve you. You'd better eat quickly and ask Helena all about it." Anne glared at Arthur.
Arthur lowered his head and gave in. "Alright."
Arthur immediately came out of Esther's room. He walked towards the dining room. There was already Helena who was serving several types of food. Arthur immediately sat on one of the chairs there and took the dish that was in front of his eyes.
"Helena, do you know why mom doesn't fight back when she's treated like that?" Arthur asked with a worried face mixed with confusion.
Usually when he returned from the battlefield, he was immediately greeted by the tragic state of his mother like that.