Walking back into the throne room Harding looked up Graves. He wondered if he should say anything about what the Duke said but ultimately chose to remain silent, as he didn't really understand either.
"Announcing the arrival of his Holiness, Arch-Bishop Raven." The servant shouted, getting his attention, and pushing the thought out of his mind. Raven walked in, his emotionless face lighting up ever so slightly upon seeing Alfred. His dark empty eyes and black hair were a stark contrast to his white robes, but the blend gave him a near otherworldly look of someone disconnected from everything but God.
Suprise was all Harding could feel as Raven fell to his knee. Arch-Bishops never held so much respect for Kings as they were granted the privilege of only having to serve God and the Church. Raven must have been the first to act like this.
Looking back at the King, Harding couldn't help but believe that he was lucky, having inherited all the good qualities of his father. Piercing blue eyes that seemed to see through everything and golden hair, a stark contrast to his dead uncle's black. It was obvious he was going to become a handsome adult who would shake nations. Harding felt a little pride knowing this, and although it was vain, he was glad to serve a handsome king rather than someone homely.
Few words were exchanged between the two as the crowd watched with interest. Harding was one. The interaction practically secured the clergy's support for Alfred going forward and was something both he and Graves had expected when the previous Arch-Bishop died. He had mixed feelings about it as it was another political body that could have been used to oppose Alfred if the child ever did anything tyrannical.
A strange feeling built up as the event took place, being solidified with the quiet whisper in Raven's ear. Harding didn't understand why but alarm bells rang throughout his head. He wondered if he had picked up some of Graves's paranoia. Gently nudging the man in question in the hip, he pointed with his head as the two inched their way closer towards Emilia's location.
"..that is why when I ask you to make one more sacrifice, I hope you understand." The words trailed in Harding's ear as the slamming of doors opening and heavy footsteps entering confirmed his bad feeling. "To the Night of the Long Knives." Screams echoed around him as he looked to his left at what happened.
It was quick but the steel pierced through the back of an unsuspecting noble who looked back, face full of fear, regret, anguish and hate. He grabbed the blade only for his hands to be cut as it was pulled out from his back, his body slumping forward knocking someone over.
Harding felt his heart race as he looked up at the throne in disbelief as the child sat on the throne trying to hide his smile with his glass. He saw the desperate attacks of those who charged the throne only to be swiftly dealt with by Raven.
"HARDING!" Graves slapped the man awakening him from his state as his face focused once more on his original goal.
"EMILIA!" His shout was drowned out by the sound of screams, tears and yells. He looked to the right and saw some kneeling and pleading only to be killed. Others fighting back in a hopeless struggle. Few were punched and knocked out, being dragged away to the side. "EMILIA!" A desperate voice as he pushed through the sea of people.
Emilia looked back, tears in her eyes as she saw her husband run over. She wished to run to him but a firm hand placed on her shoulder stopped her. The Duchess looked at her shaking her head as she pulled her through a side door, guarded by two men in black armour.
Harding had spent years on the battlefield. Bloodshed wasn't a problem for him, but the suddenace of the entire ordeal was. The location was. He wondered who killed a man during a banquet. Especially one to celebrate a man of God.
His mind went back to his time with the Duke. His cryptic yet dreadful words of "Wait and your questions be answered." Was he a part of the answer? The dreadful knights of the darkness which he had never seen before, massacring the people around him. The pool of blood surrounding his feet, as each step drenched his trousers. The corpses sprawled across the floor as those who watched on yelled, trying to plead or fight back.
He looked at Graves who just stood still looking at the King with a face of surprise. Harding looked at the knights closing in and knew he couldn't do anything. He just closed his eyes ready to accept his fate.
With a swift push, he fell to his knees as two cold metallic arms reached underneath his armpits lifting him and dragging him across the blood-soaked floor. He only opened his eyes once again when he stopped moving.
That innocent smile plastered on the boy's face lost its previous appeal. A devil behind the face of an angel. Harding listened to the King talk. He felt his anger slowly disappear as he looked at those around him. True to his word those around were some he could recognise as good. Yet despite that, he couldn't believe the action taken by the young boy.
The words were passionate and idealistic. The offer the King made was just another way to take power from them, yet guaranteed them their wealth and lives. Harding looked at Graves who looked back at him. To accept the offer was to accept a deal with the devil yet images of his newborn son and his wife filled his mind.
If he died here what happened to his wife and child? Would the King be mad enough to kill them? Harding gritted his teeth and lowered his head.
"I accept." His hands were white from how tightly they clenched but he knew it was the only way to truly protect his family. He had no other choice. The smile shown by the devil on the throne as people were cut down answered his fears. If he didn't then his family would never be safe.