Brought to his knees before the kingdom after ten years of hiding, Kyros believed that he would be sentenced to death for the murder of his pack. His sentence would mean the end of it all - his torment, his abuse, his turmoil.
But his destiny change...
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The silence that suddenly dwelled in the atmosphere was heavy. It felt like the cold ocean waves were dragging him under and plunging him back into their icy depths.
Reuben had led Kyros into the courtyard where the soldiers were at. They weren't clothed in any armor at the moment, instead, they wore simple clothing that bore the color of beige cloth and black boots. Swords were strapped onto their belts and some had crossbows slung over their shoulders.
All of them stopped at what they were doing and proceeded to stare at Kyros. They ceased their speaking, they put down their bows and arrows, time seemed to stand still.
Kyros stood next to Reuben, who had a big smile on his face. For Kyros, it felt uncomfortable to have all the attention drawn to him. He was used to blending into the shadows and going unseen like an elusive predator of the night. Privacy was something he was used to having, especially since he practically grew up in the forest, secluded from the outside world.
The courtyard was a large, rounded grassy area that was surrounded by tall walls. It was an outside area located in the castle, and Kyros felt overwhelmed in an area that held many people who analyzed him.
But they looked at him with not a hateful gaze, but a curious one. He didn't feel any animosity radiating from their gazes, nor anger or bitterness. Vengefullness was not dwelling within them, and they even seemed to be at peace, to some extent, in his presence.
He never would have expected what would happen next, though.
The soldier closest to him approached him until he was a couple of feet away from Kyros. His clear, blue eyes matched that of the sky and he boldly kept eye contact with him and he placed his fist over his chest.
Time seemed to be frozen in its tracks.
And then the soldier proceeded to kneel before his king.
Kyros took a step back in surprise and kept his eyes locked on the soldier pledging his loyalty and respect towards him.
But the soldier wasn't the only one.
When Kyros had gotten over the initial shock and looked away from the young man on his knees before him, he noticed that all of the other soldiers were falling on their knees as well. Men and women of all social classes and ethnicities. Young soldiers and older ones alike.
It didn't matter.
All of them were kneeling before their king.
He looked to Reuben who gave him a toothless smile in respect as he, too, fell to his knees before Kyros.
Kyros was king.
Kyros was king, and he stood there in silence for a few moments, taking in the sight around him. They respect me. They honor me. They acknowledge me.
But to Reuben's surprise, as well as everyone else's, Kyros lowered himself to the ground and knelt before the soldiers. He bowed his head in respect and kept his posture low. He humbled himself before his people and felt honored at their display of veneration.
