How on earth am I here, Axel asked himself but there was no answer to that, this must be a dream, I ....
Sir... Sir... Wake up
What happened, asked one of the girl to another
I don't know, he just dose off and he is not waking up.
Maybe he is tired, from his journey I mean,
He looks like a traveller who has been on the road for so long.
Should we inform the Madam?
She said we should tell her if anything goes unusual....
We can't do that, said the other girl a little louder. look, this is an opportunity, this man is a wealthy merchant, am sure he must have a few gold in his pocket, we can take the money and split it amongst ourselves.
And when he wakes up later?
We do it now and leave quietly, he wouldn't know us in person.
And so the girls search his pockets and found a bag containing fifty pieces of gold coins in it, this was a fortune for them.
The split the gold and left axel in the room all alone.
Molly.... Is that you?
No answer came from molly as he wasn't really there, he saw the day himself and Molly sneak into the kitchen to steal food as they were not allowed to eat for a trouble they caused earlier that day.
He saw molly messing around with the other girls dresses and throwing dirt's on the nurse while she wasn't looking.
It was all happy moments and he missed this days.
Axel looked up to the sun and smiled to himself, even if he can't be seen or heard, he followed molly around everywhere she went, looking at her face. It's been so long he sow her and he doesn't care if this is a dream or vision, he is glad he gets to see her again.
Axel woke up the next morning in the rod house and for the first time in a long time, he felt disgusted with himself, he just saw the face of the one mistake he can never correct, to him, molly is the only sin he felt guilty of, he has spent the days of his life trying to bring justice to her death, trying to correct that mistake.
He never stopped feeling guilty of her death, he was responsible and he will never be able to forgive himself. Everyday he carried this guilt in his heart and deep inside he has buried it but never forgotten about it.
Last night everything just resurfaced and now, now he just want to go back to the palace and be in his quarters, alone.
In the palace, it was time for the morning council meeting but Axel was no were to be found, the council men instructed the palace guards to search the entire premises still he wasn't found
No one saw him leaving the palace last night which made it the more strange. Some council members went to his quarters to find the countess, since she was his personal assistant maybe she might know a thing or two concerning his whereabouts, but unfortunately the countess wasn't also in the room assigned to her.
What could have become of them ? This has never happened before, the king usually takes the carriage and some guards with him if ever he intend to leave the palace grounds, so how come he left unannounced without the knowledge of anyone and the countess? What is really going on?
We should sound the alarms, said one of the council member to the rest, while some nodded their head others just kept quiet and observe the situation. Deep down, they all wished he gets lost or killed and stuffed in a cave for all they care, no one would miss such a king as Axel, but no one would say that out loud, not after what happened to half of the council members some moons back.
They all sat in the throne room quietly, in deep thoughts, each of them wishing and hopeing that he somehow wondered off the edge of a cliff and died a brutal death so they can elect a new king who will be more humane and considerate than Axel.
Axel walks past the guards and into the palace, heading straight to his quarters, it's the king said one of the guards who ran straight to the throne room to inform the council members that the king is back.
My lords, he bow to all the council members, the king has returned, he delivered the message respectfully before walking out of the throne room.
Axel got to his quarters and into his room, I want to be left alone he told the guard stationed outside who responded with a salute. The council members didn't waste time to assemble outside the room but weren't allowed to go in. The king want to be undisturbed at the moment my lords said the guard.
What do you mean by that, it's time for the council meeting and the king ought to be in the throne room this minute, tell him his presence is required in the throne room at ones.
Am sorry my Lords but this is a direct order from the king, I can't go against them.
Confused, the council members shook their head and began leaving one after the other, we are doomed said a council man to another in a whisper. Human race will be wiped out of existence in no time, I have never seen a king such as king Lucian in my entire existence. We are at war and he doesn't care at all to fight back, no strategy, no discussion, nothing. Every morning we come out here hopeing for a difference but every morning it seems to get worst.
You should keep your thoughts to yourself council man Grove said Westley, the one he was talking to. Such words can get you beheaded in no time.
The kingdom is in a total disorder now and as such you don't know a friend from a foe, one of us might be working directly as a spy for the king and might rat you out if the words you say now get to his ears.
I don't care, Council man Grove said in annoyance, the supernaturals will eliminate us before I get beheaded, i think it's high time we the council members start doing something. Westley looked at Grove and walked closer to him cornering him to the nearest piller, you might be saying this out of anger, annoyance and frustration but believe me my friend, it doesn't sound like that to all ears. It sounds like treason and you know very well what will happen to you if others hear this, I will advise you quit saying that, if not for yourself let it be for the sake of your wife and children. The stigma that comes with such name will make life far worst than it already is for them when you are gone, understand?
Grove nodded his head, am sorry, I didn't mean to say that.
No need to apologize my friend, we are all tired after all.
Unknowingly to them, countess violet was within close range and could hear all their discussion.