In Another Era

Chapter 29: Justice Is Not Without Flaws

"—and then Noami turned so red with anger, it seemed like she would have taken the broom from George's hand to beat him right in the middle of the kitchen had Francis not stepped in and saved the poor lad." Archie finished his story with a chuckle.

"I have seen some really tough men in my life but I have got to say that woman sounds scary," Kenric commented.

Both of them were sitting on the floor, leaning at the bars of Archie's cell, of course, on opposite sides of it. Their backs were resting against each other as they talked and exchanged stories.

"Honestly? I am more scared of her when is smiling and being nice. You never know what is in her head then. At least when she is angry you can just try and manage to slip away," Archie said. "Francis keeps her in check, though. The poor old man has to always play the peacemaker."

"Francis has been here for a long time," Kenric added. "If I recall correctly his father was one of the chefs at the castle kitchen as well."

"He was," Archie hummed. "He passed away during the plague too."

"Ah," Kenric paused. "Is it not weird how that seems so long ago yet...sometimes it feels like just yesterday?"

"I suppose that happens with really good and really bad memories," Archie replied. "They seem both fresh yet old."

"Like your mother?"

"My mother...the old stable hand...Sir Lancelot..." Archie sighed. "And then I lost the only friend I had too."

"I am right here, Archie, I always have been. You never lost me, even if you think you did," Kenric said softly.

"I'm sorry for pushing you away," Archie whispered.

"You have no reason to apologize. We are here together now, and that is what matters," Kenric replied.

"And I am behind bars for something that I did not do..." Archie murmured.

"I will find out the truth, Archie. I am not letting you get punished. No matter what I have to do...I will free you," Kenric swore.

"Ken...I believe you. And I trust you. But..." Archie inhaled sharply. "I want you to know that even if you cannot then...then it would not be your fault. I do not want you to punish yourself if you are unable to prove my innocence. I know you will give it your best, and that is all I ask of you. Please do not blame yourself if something happens to me."

"Nothing is going to happen to you, Archie. Not on my watch," Kenric reassured, even though he was not as confident in his words as he should have been.

"You are not the King, Ken," Archie said. "It is not up to you."

Kenric remained quiet at Archie's words. He was right. Kenric was not the King and at the end of the day, it was on Godric to pass his judgment. But he knew that Godric believed in justice, so if he had proof of Archie's innocence then...he would be able to save his stable boy.

Kenric opened his mouth to speak up again, but he closed it shut when he heard the sound of footsteps. He waited, and just a few moments later a knight came into sight. He bowed at the prince first, before speaking up.

"You are needed in the throne room, Your Highness," a knight said. "King Godric has requested your presence to discuss some important matters."

"Tell him that I am busy," Kenric muttered. He had been sitting outside of Archie's cell for the last two hours until they were disturbed.

"His Majesty implied that it was an urgent matter," the knight reiterated, making Kenric sigh. He was about to tell him fuck right off when Archie spoke up.