~•|•~
"That's enough to escort me here, Dante," Virginia said, releasing her hold on Dante's arm when they reached the main intersection of the palace. She smiled at her nephew, who raised one eyebrow.
"I would like to escort you to the main ballroom, Your Majesty," Dante said straight.
"I know," Virginia replied, nodding slowly. "But that's enough since we're going in different directions. I don't want you to be more late to meet His Majesty," she added.
Dante sighed softly. "Very well, Your Majesty." He paused for a moment to stare at Virginia, making the woman in her late fifties smile in wonder.
"What is it, Dante?" asked Virginia in a nurturing tone.
"May I ask you a question?" asked Dante politely.
"Yes." Virginia nodded confidently. "Go ahead," she added, curious about the questions her nephew would ask with such a serious face.
"I'm pretty sure you heard about the incident at the Chete River this morning. Aren't you angry with me for choosing to save Lady Buford over His Highness?" asked Dante to the point. He didn't remove his gaze from the queen, who didn't change her expression in the slightest.
"Dante" called the queen. She gave a small chuckle afterwards. "As a queen, of course I'm angry with you. You, a naval, disobeyed the basic rules as a royal citizen. However, I put that anger aside because His Majesty will determine the appropriate punishment for you." Virginia smiled at Dante. "As a mother and aunt, I decided not to be angry with you. In my opinion, you telling Lennox first to swim and pull over saved him. Nox is a grown man, after all. I'm glad he was able to save himself without anyone else's help. After this, you can draw your own conclusions, Dante."
The man was silent for a long time, then smiled faintly and bowed in shame in the perfect position of a naval.
"Dante Arthur De Ignacio, Captain Team Yannick, begs for forgiveness from Her Majesty the Queen."
"Dante..." Virginia sighed heavily. "You don't have to do this," she said.
"I will not leave until you forgive or punish me, Your Majesty," Dante insisted, still bowing for Virginia. He was stubborn.
"My, this boy... he's a lot like the Marquess when it comes to things like this," Virginia muttered, rubbing her temples. The queen turned to her courtiers, who were also confused. "Do you really won't leave if I still keep quiet?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Not a single step," Dante said.
"May safety always protect you, Dante. I totally forgive you," Virginia said quickly. However, the man did not straighten up. "Stand up!"
"Thank you very much, Your Majesty," said the man, who stared straight with his military bearing at the queen.
Virginia looked at Dante while shaking her head. "I'm glad you sent Nox to the riverside first instead of allowing him to stay to help Lady of Buford. I heard she caused this mess."
"Oh, that's not it, Your Majesty. Really," Dante said, defending Inez in front of the courtiers, who were quite surprised by the denial. He gave a small shake of his head. "They are both victims. It's just that Lady of Buford can't swim, so her response was perfectly normal."
"I don't know what it is, but I really dislike Lady of Buford," Virginia retorted as she broke her gaze from Dante. "Too many scandals," she muttered.
Dante swallowed his saliva for a moment. "I think it's time to meet with His Majesty."
"Ah, you're right." Virginia turned to Dante again and nodded in agreement. "Dante, His Majesty is unlikely to give you a severe punishment."
Dante smiled and nodded. "Even so, I'll accept whatever his decision is. I'll leave first, Your Majesty." He bowed. "Have a good day," he added as he walked away without a second glance at the courtiers.
"Is the captain really that cold, Madame? He didn't even glance at us," said one of the courtiers who watched Dante's departure with a puzzled look. This was because the queen's courtiers were girls who had the best reputation and advantages in all of Schubert.
Virginia shrugged. "He used to be just like Nox. It's just that, after entering puberty, he started to change. And since entering the military, he's changed even more," she replied with a smile. "So, who's more handsome? Nox or Dante?" she asked the courtiers, who blushed with embarrassment.
One of them raised her hand shyly. "In my opinion, both are handsome and gorgeous. However, Madame has already prepared a fiancee for His Highness, Nox. So, I'll be aiming for the captain," she replied.
Hearing that, Virginia laughed as she stepped into the main ball.
~•|•~
"Dante Arthur De Ignacio greets Your Majesty the King," said the man kneeling on the red carpet in front of the throne.
On the throne was the Great King Gustava, resting his head and looking at Dante with a lazy gaze. "Get up," he commanded, which Dante immediately obeyed.
The man crossed his arms behind his body and stared straight into silence.
"Not prioritizing the royal family, ignoring the king's orders, and arriving almost an hour late," Gustava said in a voice that echoed in the main room. "I know you rarely, almost never make mistakes. But why is it that once you make a mistake, it's so severe, Dante?"
Dante flinched, making Gustava let out a long sigh.
"So, you admit your mistakes?" asked Gustava.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I cannot be evasive when you have gathered so much evidence," Dante replied clearly.
"So, are you ready to accept the punishment?" asked Gustava again.
"Whatever it is, I'm ready, Your Majesty," Dante replied with a firm nod.
"I see..." Gustava nodded in understanding. "The crown prince did ask me not to punish you. But I can't let your mistake pass by. It would be bad if everyone made an example of you," he said sarcastically.
"That's right, Your Majesty. Please give me your command," Dante said in a calm voice. Not because he was not afraid, not because he already knew that the punishment would not be severe, but because he was ready to accept whatever the punishment was.
"I, the King of Schubert, Gustava Juliano De Schubert, sentenced Captain Dante Arthur De Ignacio as a personal knight to the Crown Prince, Lennox Percevil De Schubert, for one month. I also suspend your leave as a naval and give you full access to the Beetheaven Publisher Press regarding this accident case," Gustava said, as witnessed by his followers. "Then, when you have returned to the barracks, you will receive your military punishment from Fleet Admiral Sigmund Anthony De Ignacio."
"Captain Dante Arthur De Ignacio accepts Your Majesty's orders," Dante said, kneeling back on the red carpet.
"How gracious of you to accept my punishment," Gustava scolded, closing the decree that had been written up moments ago by his aide. "Will your peace of mind prevail if I put you in prison and cut off your career in the military?"
"Your Majesty!" exclaimed the Marquess of Spencer, one of the king's followers, who immediately rose from his chair and defended Dante. He nodded slowly. "With all due respect, the decision has been made. I don't think it's good for us at a time like this," he added, glancing at Dante, who remained silent while kneeling.
The Marquess of Spencer's opinion was shared by the other followers. Because cutting off Dante's career in the military is just like destroying Schubert's military glory.
"Marquess," Gustava hissed. He sighed heavily then. "Very well. Enough of this. Dante, get up!"
"Yes, Your Majesty." Dante raised his head and looked straight at the throne.
"Your punishment begins after I leave this room. Please remember!" commanded Gustava, who then rose from the throne, making the followers stand up as well, and Dante stepped aside from the center of the room.
"May safety always protect you, Your Majesty."
Gustava left the main room with his aides, accompanied by a respectful greeting from his followers.
Dante, who had been silent since before, now glanced at the Marquess of Spencer, who was still standing in place while gazing deeply at him.
Dante nodded slowly at the Marquess of Spencer, and then, without further ado, the man walked out of the main room to begin his punishment.
———