Amity: The Peaceful

Chapter 7

Ade's eyes are shut tightly while reclining his back on the chair, his whole body's aching so early in the morning. Five of his attendants are preparing him for his expedition, one is buttoning his inner cloth, the two are preparing his armor while the other two is preparing his other set of clothes.

His lower back and his ass is badly hurt but he still managed to compose himself, cause it'll be more embarrassing to act unguarded and informal in front of his people. He slowly opened his eyes and took a glance at the thick glass window of his room; the sun wasn't up yet.

The silence of their emperor made the five servants feel nervous with their emperor's presence, they're tense and silent as well, but acted so professionally in front of their employer. All were surprised to hear three consecutive slow knocks from the wooden, the people turned their heads on that place aside from Adeodatus. They saw one of the man's personal attendants, peaking on the door, "Your imperial majesty, your ride is ready." the man announced in a monotone voice.

Ade stayed silent then nodded afterwards, his forehead creased when he didn't see his knight outside his room, "The knight commander, where is he?" he asked in a deep and bored manner.

"Outside, he's waiting for you, your imperial majesty."

"I see." Ade nodded and started to lead the way. He walked with grace and authority, his presence heavy and can be noticed by his people easily, and that made them admire and at the same time to feel uncomfortable after their emperor passed on them. He never failed to give mixed feelings towards his people, both good and bad.

Ade's brow twitched when he saw his wagon outside his palace, he planned to ride his own horse up to the west to make the ride quickly and smoothly, but since how whole body is acting and he for sure will fall asleep, Thelonius ordered his men to let out the wagon instead of the emperor's horse.

The secret lovers exchange a knowing glance without being noticed by anyone, he rode the wagon silently and Tarian rode his black stallion, just beside the wagon's door, protecting the emperor with possible harm... more like, just to be with the emperor for a little more time.

Their ride went smoothly and swiftly since it's still dark, there are no civilians on the road to greet and more.

Ade opened his eyes after he felt the slight bum from the carriage he was riding. He straightened his back after seeing the familiar ruins of the west. It's a sign that they're near his den.

He sighed before going down the carriage, he saw his men doing their duties, readying the ship, loading and arranging the sail cloth.

The soldiers are readying the Galleon and two Barque ships, the galleon's containing more than fifty crews including him, and barques will be filled with forty crews each.

And the purpose of this expedition is of course, to conquer another land. With or without a ruler.

He watched how his members raised the ships flags one by one, the familiar rectangular flag of the Carnegie Empire was pulled by the galleon ship, Sea of Torment. Followed by the flags of the two barques, Empress, and Bacchus.

He smirked before walking away, he entered his personal tent, the biggest one among all the tents that's been built by his men also.

He slowly sat on one of the chairs, trying his best not to hurt his lower back even more.

Ade didn't bother to move when he heard a ruckus behind him, meaning someone entered his tent. He knew who the person was, there's only one thick faced person who could talk back to him, defy him and more.

"What?" he asked rudely, unbothered by the man's menacing presence.

"How are you?"

He raised his brow before answering, "What do you think?"

"I'm sorry."

"Damn, stop talking, I won't even forgive you, so, why bother?" he glared and spouted in an irritated voice.

The two went silent for about a minute, the emperor busy being an irritative person while the latter is busy staring at the beautiful, annoyed man in front of him.

"Be careful, your imperial majesty." the knight started in a soft-deep voice

"Yes yes, stop it, you've been saying that since last night." the emperor warned, but this time in a nicer way compared to his tone earlier, he felt a little guilty when he acted like that towards his lover. He decided to just give it to him since this will be their last interaction for the following weeks or even months, depending on their expedition time length.

"I'm just worried."

"I know, and you have nothing to be worried about, I am not weak."

"Yes, I know that but still,"

Ade sighed and rolled his eyes before pulling the man's armored sleeve, he extended his neck as he pulled the man's head down to crush their lips with each other.

The two cut their kisses when they heard some sounds outside, indicating that everything's ready for the trip.

The two went out at the same time and walked towards the galleon ship. He stepped his right foot on the plank before nodding at Tarian.

Thelonius watched their men while pulling the heavy dark anchors up until the ships sailed and vanished in his eyes.

And little did they know that it'll be the last time that they'll see each other for a long time.