H̶e̶l̶l̶ Hail King || ONC 2021(Longlister)

III. Keeping the King safe

Edward's teeth were gritted together and with the same gritted teeth he bit out – "Explain yourself before I banish you for the crime of disrespecting your king."

"Apologies, my king. I meant no disrespect but your safety."

Edward was too impatient and perturbed to use his mouth, so he merely raised a brow.

"I got wind of this drink being poisoned."

Gasps rang around the room, eyes turned wide and faces turned pale.

"I did not know soldiers were supposed to partake in gossip," Edward growled the words.

If the soldier was not trained to be unafraid even in the face of death, then the whole kingdom would have witnessed him shake like a leaf and piss his pants.

"Calm down, King Edward." The former king yet again saved the day with few words. The soldier was thankful for his saving grace. "As the matter of concern is your safety, I insist that we do not take any risk and test the waters."

Edward nodded his head. One of the ministers hand-gestured a man who could easily be passed as a boy but was not as child slavery was banned in the kingdom. The man walked over and bowed in front of the king before bowing to others.

"Tell the jailor to bring in a tester from the cells."

"Yes, sir."

Fifteen minutes passed before he came back with two other men, one of them was in shackles. He was given a push from behind, making him drag himself forward lest he falls face down on the tiled floor and have his skull open.

Edward pinned him with an intense glance and uttered a single word of order. "Lick."

The man did not have a choice other than to oblige. Unhurriedly, he kneeled and bent forward before hesitantly licking the spilled wine from the floor. Nothing occurred for a good ten minutes. Edward was ready to raise hell and bring it down on the soldier who dared to offend him. However, he did not get the opportunity as their tester abruptly collapsed. Small tremors were propelling his body to shake violently; he was convulsing. Froth was beginning to form at the slight openings at his mouth.

"Take him!" Adam ordered the jailor who without further ado heaved up the dying man with the help of a few orderlies. Turning to the young soldier who saved his son's life, he graced him with a face full of gratitude. "Thank you, young man. Your action is appreciated and the court will make sure to reward you. We need more loyal sentinels on our side. On second thought, I will reward you myself as the father of the king. What is your name, young soldier?"

"Jupiter, sir."

"I, Former King – Adam Cromwell I, assign you as the personal sentry to the present King – Edward Cromwell II."

"It is a great honor, sir, but this is a hefty commitment and I do not deem myself fit to serve the king."

"I understand that this is indeed a big responsibility, although I don't doubt your capabilities."

"What if I fail at my duties, sir?"

"You would not. I believe that you would protect our king with your life."

While Adam and Jupiter went to and fro, Edward scrutinized the latter. Jupiter possessed a slender frame, a round face, brown eyes, straight teeth, and a nearly vertical rather than a tipped mustache. It gave the mustache hairs the impression of toothbrush bristles. It was a toothbrush mustache. Instead of a soldier, he came across as a handsome entertainer. More than Jupiter the name Charlie would have suited him. Was his father serious about making this person his guard? He almost snorted at the notion, only deterring from voicing his thoughts to not leave a bad first impression as a king.

"No more argument, young man! I order you to do as you are told."

"I apologize for my involuntary insolence, sir."

"You are forgiven this time. Renard, a personal attendee of the king, will tell you his schedule. Any specific fragment will also be notified to you by Renard."

"Yes, sir."

"And no matter what, you do not leave your king's side."

"Never, sir."

"Father, I am no more in the spirit to celebrate. To witness such a scene unfold before all of us was very disturbing, and to think it was my death that was planned is alarming even. I would wish for a relaxed evening in my bed-chamber."

"We understand."

With a "goodnight" towards his father and "follow me" towards Jupiter, he returned to his chambers.

As they arrived at their destination, Edward paused and rudely tossed over his shoulder – "Do not sleep a wink the whole night or else you won't see the sunrise tomorrow."