Rulers of Veistanlu

A Letter for the Peasant

Renjiro was right. Prince Alvar could have just ordered them to release Onyx with false accusations as reasoning, and gather his own high-ranking chivalries to arrest Dolian while the sky was still dark and faintly luminous, or even before the selection.

They were well aware that the Prince, behind those mesmerizing beauty of facial features and his gentle demeanor, knew that he loved revenge, especially when it was well-deserved. 

Duke Mejia did not pay heed. In fact, he loved revenge as much as His Royal Highness. So, he wholeheartedly agreed on treating the case in an extra manner.

Despite the major scheme in progress, Duke Mejia was confident that everything would work out. It was apparent when Renjiro wisely decided not to let any of the prison's Knights to see him and the Duke together, as this would create suspicions of aiding a ‘criminal’ when they hadn't even cleared Onyx's name. Not only that, even if Onyx’s record was cleared, the crowd would not appreciate the preferential treatment he received as a mere peasant, which Duke Mejia and Prince Alvar agreed to avoid mentioning in public until Dolian fell.

“Duke Mejia!” Two startled knights guarding the outside bowed their necks down to him as soon as he revealed himself from the shadows. They had an armor made of iron, and a black shawl to keep them warm. The taller one with a man bun asked, “What seems to be your business, Your Grace?”

He replied calmly, “I’m here to interrogate someone.”

The Duke turned to the Knights that were eager to accommodate him, and handed a plastic bag that he’s holding. As a response, the Knights gestured their palms in a way of stopping him.

The other with a short ponytail exclaimed, “No need for inspection, Duke Mejia!”

Duke Mejia toured Velemau's two jails on a frequent basis, and whenever he left, everything was always free of trouble. He had always done this, long before his father passed him the title of Duke. As a result, the Knights' confidence in him was understandable.

“Who will you be interrogating, Duke Mejia?” while they’re walking towards the white halls, the Knight asked, looking up at the Duke’s towering height.

The Duke laughed softly, and said, “I don’t know what his name is, but he was captured not long ago. Bring him into the room.”

They parted ways after the Knight bowed his forehead to him. The Duke needed to fib in order to avoid being more embroiled in the situation. He decided to approach Onyx as he usually does to others and inquire about the crime, without revealing that he already knows who Onyx was to back him up in silence.

Prince Alvar explained, “If the scheme goes out to the public, it may appear that we’re assisting a ‘criminal’. We’ll only be open about it when Onyx is proven innocent.”

Duke Mejia chuckled, sliding his hands over his deep brown roots. “I’m aware, of course. You could just say that I should lie when questioned.”

“…” Glaring at the grinning Duke, the Prince replied, “You are insisting that, not me.”

He yawned as he lay on the chair's fluffy cushion after setting the plastic on the counter, slinging his forearm against the chair's top. Even when no one was present, he was vocal about his thoughts. He released a grin much less softer than his casual one, a grin that only would show when what one’s anticipating the most would come shortly.

What he said next seemed to be what he had meant to say a long time ago. He exclaimed, “Time is ticking for you, you levereter!”

**

“Why are you here?” The guy in the next cell asked as Onyx swirled a strand of his hair around his index finger. 

Because of the stone walls separating them, the unfamiliar voice would be muffled, but Onyx's enhanced hearing picked up on his speech too perfectly. His bored gaze was fixed on his gleaming strands of hair. He still had not quitted twirling it while he settled uncomfortably on the thin mattress.

“You answer first,” Onyx replied.

“But I asked first.”

"Then I have nothing to say to you."

Silence was the next thing they heard. Onyx was fine about it since he believed that things should go his way, this time. Though, the man still waited for his personal response, until he gave in to his request.

“Fine,” the man said, his raspy voice hinted to Onyx that he was talking to an old guy. “I tried to kill the King.”

“The King? I thought the Prince was the only target,” Onyx questioned, his mind fogging after getting that information. Is what they did that bad? What exactly did their family do? Even if he had many questions forming in his head, he did not give in much to his curiosity— for now.

“I don’t understand either. I was just bribed to do it. After all, who would turn down a hundred pounds of gold? But last month, the Prince caught us trying to poison his father.” The man paused to release a dry cough. “By getting himself, the Prince, be poisoned instead.”

“How?” Onyx asked, now that he’s concerned.

The old man let out a nervous chuckle. “I don’t know if the Prince has changed, but he was always sleepless and tired.”

It hasn’t changed. The thought entered when the Prince's lovely face appeared in Onyx’s mind. His eye bags were pink, even.

Now that he’s been thinking about it, what does the Prince do to weary himself? Whatever it was, Onyx believed he would never understand those terms that were meant for the Royalties. Perhaps, no one might even spend time or tongue to a mere peasant to tell tales about a Noble’s work.

The old man explained further, “I guess we caught him in his lowest guard. However, in just one bite he was able to tell that the food had inedible contents. He stopped his old man from eating it, though.”

A human that was able to differentiate what was poisonous in one bite? With an arch brow, he asked himself. It was impressive, but that could only mean one thing: Prince Alvar kept getting his food poisoned. He slightly pitied the Prince.

“Damn you, we should’ve not just done it!” A guy from another cell shouted, echoing through the hall. Onyx heard it a little bit too loud, and he knew that regret laced from the brittle voice.

Should I know more about this? Onyx was interested to converse for the first time in years, and he would not have thought that it would be about a crime. It was very unfortunate, and not only that he had nothing else to do rather than stare on the unsanitary walls, it would be beneficial for him if he gathered more info. Relaying information to the Prince might be a way to speak his gratitude in the future.

He appeared to have decided. “Who bribed you?” 

The old man chuckled. “It’s best for you to not know. You might be targeted if you know such a thing.” 

“Oh, don’t be like that,” Onyx hushed as he placed all his weight on the wall behind him. “You’re telling me a story that you didn’t finish, and that’s a pain.”

His interest unconsciously grew more and more. He prayed that it would halt.

“Ah, how I wish to drink with you in the outskirts of town. You seem to be a challenging person to exchange words with,” he said, his lungs filled with sad laughter. “Too bad, I’m stuck here for life. I’m lucky that I did not undergo public execution, the most embarrassing way to go to hell. But my face was still exposed to the world as a criminal now, though.”

The old man fell silent. Onyx remained patiently awaiting more answers while his hearing was filtered by a man from another cell, warning the old man not to say anything else or they'd be in further trouble. Unlike the old man who remained optimistic, laughing over his own demise, the other guy was drowning with guilt.

Onyx’s mind sang, Humans are indeed horrible.

At last, the old man spoke above the cries of his friend, “They're a bunch of Nobles.”

They’re. His strand that he twirled fell from his grasp. So they're a band.

“If we get caught, it’s your fault, you old skamelar!” yelled the other guy.

"We're already caught. What the hell do you mean?!"

The old man and Onyx continue to converse, unconcerned to the guy who spilled his shame for all the crimes he had done. Onyx never shared his mind to others, moreover, in a prison in which he clearly didn't belong. Perhaps, this would keep him away from thinking harshly.

Onyx finally answered the first question from the old man that would no longer remain unanswered, “I was falsely accused of touching a woman.”

The old man winced; he appeared to find it more painful than the one who’s facing the fraud allegation. “Oh lord, by whom?”

Onyx shrugged his broad shoulders. “Cal with a ‘K’ or ‘C’? I don’t know.”

“If it’s the sultry singer, it’s the one with the ‘C’.” The old man’s answer caused Onyx to frown with disgust.

“What?”

“You don’t find her sultry?”

“…”

Onyx sounded so definite when he answered, “No. Never.”

The jail bars from the old guy rattled. He must’ve held them with great force. He continued, “That woman is the definition of the jammiest bit of jam!”

“I don’t give a damn about women,” Especially when they’re a bunch of puterelles. 

He took it back— this conversation helped him think more harshly of humans. Onyx said his final words to him. 

Am I that bored? 

His eyes looked everywhere, and it was nothing but darkness, so he probably was. He was more convinced than ever that he should never do something that may put him back in this cramped space. For example, using his Werewolf abilities to kill someone that had pissed him and his fellow serfs for years.

He was thankful for the admonishing voice that died away his temptations for once.

Though Onyx wasn’t thinking when he remembered his last statement; the words just escaped his lips. He was just probably angry about everything that had happened, even though he’s in a stable mood at the moment, now that he was left alone without any presence that placed his heart in chaos.

A sudden clinking from the metal door passed his ears, followed by creaks when the entrance door to their cells opened. Soon, it was accompanied by the footsteps of a Knight, heavy and loud. Onyx’s lips formed a half-smile. Hope is here.

“Is it breakfast?” The old man asked.

“You just had dinner, mister,” the Knight said, walking by Onyx’s cell.

“Oh, it must be your public humiliation, young lad.”

“That’s for tomorrow.” The Knight unlocked the cell, and Onyx stood. His wrists were confined with metallic handcuffs, and the Knight announced, “His Grace wants to interrogate you.”

His Grace? Are Knights referred to as that? Onyx thought, while his feet took the lead of the short Knight. At least I get to do something before I consider breaking out of this ugly prison.

When they reached the interrogation room where everything inside was white, Onyx stared at the obtruding man’s three-piece maroon suit with wide eyes, recognizing him as the one who had run into him yesterday morning. 

He was not the hope he had hoped for.

Onyx had his nose scrunched, his eyesight piercing the duke's blitheness with judgment, hand tensing the other while confined in his metal handcuffs. The anger he should've felt last two days ago just floated back in his core as if it was fresh and new, as if they had bumped into each other at the very moment. He remembered his feeling towards the waste of food and when a Noble like him caused a reckless action against a lower class.

He was no longer calm.

“Y-you…” He glared at his hazel eyes. 

“You may leave,” the Duke said to the Knight who immediately went out and closed the door, leaving the two alone.

After a short silence, the Duke laughed on Onyx’s huge frown. “I was surprised that you remembered—” 

Onyx placed his index finger by his lips, then pointed at the closed door before the Duke claimed that he's familiar with him. Duke Mejia’s lips opened, realizing his gestures with haste.

“—to not fall asleep yet in case of interrogation. It seems like you want to be interrogated, too…” The Duke walked by the door as he talked, then jerked it open. The Knight with a messy man bun who took Onyx in the room jolted sharply in front of the door. Duke Mejia continued, “Sir Mikael.”

Sir Mikael clutched his silver spear by his chest. “Y- your Grace! I’m just guarding in case he tries to place harm on you, but I can’t help but hear you.”

Duke Mejia smiled for a moment, and said, “That won’t be necessary. I believe this man has no plans against me.” Once more, the Duke lied. 

He was well aware that Onyx was still upset from that day, and he might plan something amusing, but not harmful. Any word from a Duke’s tongue was mighty, so he eventually forced the Knight to flee with their heavy shoes, and they could now converse freely. At least, if the serf would calm his bad temper down and release his brows from knitting.

Onyx was quite impressed that the man in maroon got immediately what he's trying to say behind his angry expression. Nevertheless, his dislike of him remained, and Duke Mejia left a huge impression that he’s the type of person to abuse his power.

“How did you know he’s still there?” the Duke asked, falling back to his chair.

“You have ears, don't you? There’s not a sound of footsteps after he gets out,” Onyx replied, his voice laced with rational irritation.

Duke Mejia smiled. The interrogation room was simply just another room. Like any other, it was not soundproof. He thought, It would’ve been easier to find out if the room was indeed soundproof.

“Sit down, will you?” Onyx slammed his weight into the chair following the Duke's orders, causing it to squeak after a heavy fall. Duke Mejia found him ludicrous.

The Duke started, “Face still grumpy, moves remained combative; the same as when I first met you.” 

Onyx remained tense, his green eyes not once softened. “You seem to be a different person from the other day.”

“I was furious that time!” The Duke calmly exclaimed as he countered.

“And?” Onyx asked, making it clear that he was waiting for a word or two— but a plastic was unexpectedly handed to him as a response.

A plastic bag full of bright strawberries.

"Oh," Onyx’s face softened around the Duke, who was avoiding eye contact by crossing his arms over his chest. He asked, "So this is your way of apologizing?"

Duke Mejia sighed. "I felt bad, alright?"

Onyx’s lips formed a tiny smile when he picked up one strawberry to observe the bright color unlike the prison walls. He said, "As you should. The strawberries back there were wasted."

"I picked it up and replanted it!" It was very evident that Duke Mejia was indeed sorry, so Onyx didn't ask for an apology. 

Onyx should've known that there were strawberries inside the room, however, he simmered his sense of smell. To stop his appetite from triggering, he did this when he knew he wouldn't be biting any food for a while. Now that he could eat, he let his olfactory sense open while letting the berry’s sweet juice burst in his tongue.

It was also wise of him to do so in order to hide his Werewolf abilities, now that he had no idea who he was facing.

Before the Duke felt bad again, he cleared his throat to introduce himself. "I'm Etheniel Mejia. I graduated from studying criminology; therefore, I’m the best detective— erm, without Prince Alvar around."

"The Prince is a detective, too?" Onyx asked in a mouthful. 

"He would've, if he finished school."

“Oh.” So I am facing challenging humans now. Although he was confident with his knowledge, he knew that he still had a lot more to know. Especially everything in the political sphere. He asked, "Why do the guards refer to you as 'Your Grace' when you're a detective?"

Duke Mejia laughed in triumph as he raised his chin with pride. While Onyx enjoyed his berries, he declared, "I'm Etheniel Mejia, Duke of Velemau."

Onyx furrowed his forehead. He asked himself, Why would the Prince bring a Duke to me? 

"Aren't you surprised?" The Duke asked with a smug smile.

"You're just too much."

"Too much? Handsome?"

"Yeah, when you don't speak," Onyx answered, finishing the twentieth strawberry, the last one from the plastic. He quite enjoyed the visible hurt on the Duke's face that tried to keep his grin, taking his advice by shutting his lips. A tiny revenge from yesterday’s events.

When it had gone awkwardly silent, Onyx said his supposed statement, "Your rank was too much. I was expecting that loud Knight to be here, not a highest rank."

Duke Mejia broke his silence with his riotous laughter. He explained, "At first, he'll bug you, but you'll get used to it. You should thank Prince Alvar that I'm here, otherwise, Sir Renjiro will never stop chastising you for your lack of etiquette. He won’t even let a Noble to banter with us."

Onyx countered, "I think Renjiro would scold your lightheartedness."

"He does, sometimes. But he won't be able to stop me from being myself." The Duke brushed his palms on his waves, feeling its smooth texture. He clarified, "My rank is so much higher than Renjiro. Even higher than the Prince."

"I'm very surprised already, you can stop the attitude." While the Duke was boasting, Onyx questioned his politically illiterate brain, How is he higher than Royalty? 

And why are the Prince's subordinates annoying?

Onyx’s lips shuddered, urging to ask so many things, from the Prince’s weak physique to the major cause of the Prince’s situation— but he was the one to be interrogated. Shaking his head, he also shook away his thoughts that were unnecessary at the moment.

He watched the small movements of the Duke's hands rummaging under his coat's waist pocket, only to have a lavender envelope between his index and tall finger.

"Before we start with my questions, Prince Alvar has sent you a letter. Perhaps you can ease up after reading it."

He stared at it with disbelief.

“A letter?” Onyx was hesitant about getting it from the Duke’s long fingers. “For me?”

“It makes you feel special, huh?” Duke Mejia wore a friendly smile, sliding the letter to his side. His footsteps echoed while he approached him with a gray key. Once he inserted it into the lock, the cuffs clicked open and banged onto the desk. 

The Duke mumbled softly, “I bet you could free your wrists without any key,” but Onyx felt slight shivers when he heard him too well despite that it would sound gibberish to a human ear. 

Onyx let out a big exhale when he felt troubled. Even he was no actor, he acted like he did not hear a word, and asked, “What?”

Duke Mejia ignored him, and went back to the main topic. “The last time he sent me a letter was years ago, so you’re a lucky guy.”

“I don’t think a letter about catching a foozle would be special,” Onyx responded, ending his worries there. And as a peasant, I shouldn’t be receiving any letters in the first place.

Despite his sharp movements, Onyx was gentle to the letter’s cover, which ended at both thumbs. His gaze was drawn to the tiny v-shaped sticker, which was a bright purple color. His heart fluttered, but he could not pinpoint what was causing it.

The Duke sighed. “Now that you are going a bit slow-paced, I will read it for you.”

“No thanks,” Onyx started flicking the sticker off with his nail. “I’ll read my first ever letter myself.”

“What?!” with wide hazel eyes, Duke Mejia exclaimed as he walked back to his seat. “You hit the jackpot! My first letter is from school, and it's such a dull tale. Letter of full hatred from bullies. It brings me back.”

“…”

A quarter-folded caramel paper laid underneath the envelope’s back when the seal flap was pushed. He was slow and gentle when he pulled the paper to the outside that had the Prince’s written thoughts. Thoughts that were only meant for him. He was a bit upset and scared at the carefree Duke still, but he agreed with him— this was no dull tale.

All that was left was to read it.

Dear Onyx,

I have received your letter, and Lady Cal did report here, proving its legitimacy. 

You have my official assistance. Colonel Renjiro Wright and Duke Etheniel Mejia, two of my most trusted subordinates, have been dispatched to you. Depending on whether you ran from the authorities or be apprehended, one of them will see you.

I would have preferred to help you directly, but due to my heavy workload and tomorrow's selection, as well as a series of assassination attempts over my life, I am afraid I am unable to do so. Instead, I will prove your innocence to the people according to our plan that will be explained to you.

Due to the recorded cases of Dolian in the past, he will not let you wander over the region for long, so you are likely going to be in prison. If matters fall as such, please stay there for one night. That will be the last time you will be in an undesirable room.

Onyx felt his lips forming a genuine smile after reading just half of the text. His strategy of enlisting the Prince as an ally paid off, and he was blown away by the Prince's consideration of the many consequences that could result from his decision. He might have easily fled earlier if it had been the only option— but regardless of his actions, both of the options have a solution. Amazing.

Since his entire focus was on the letter, Onyx didn’t realize that Duke Mejia was watching every expression he made.

I admire your foresight. I was trying to figure out whether you were a Noble, since the build of your letter was comparable as one. Despite the difficult circumstances you found yourself in, you devised a sound solution that would help all of us.

I do have a request, which I will express in person. I will also give anything you ask for in return for your help in apprehending a fugitive criminal. Keep yourself secured, and I will see you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

Prince Alvar

Alvar. Onyx mouthed while being entirely mute; he felt the surname sounded so right from his lips. So that’s how it’s spelled.

“Hey,” Onyx looked up from the letter to the Duke calling him. Brushing his cheek with his index, he bantered, “There’s a red stain here.”

“I don’t remember having blood on my face,” Onyx replied, folding the paper back into its lavender case.

“Because the blood is rushing in your face. Just what had the Prince written towards you?”

Onyx became acutely aware of himself as a result of Duke Mejia's chastising remarks; his face and his ears that were tucked in his dark fringe burned like fire, and he could hear his heart pounding. His hand gripped the fabric above his chest while convincing himself, calm down, your fangs will show. He was afraid, very afraid that the Duke might notice, and his claim that Onyx could easily free himself would be proven right.

Despite his lighthearted demeanor, Duke Mejia was a brilliant man.

Onyx let air enter his lungs with a big inhale, and emotions were swooped involuntarily to the own prison of his core; he was able to collect himself again after exhaling. His shoulders stiffened, and declared, “I'm not red.”

“Anymore,” the Duke added. “You’re very skillful at relaxing yourself immediately. Just how many surprising talents do you have?”

Onyx re-sealed the envelope using half-hanging the sticker from the flap. He carefully set it back on the white desk with caution, keeping it away from the metal handcuffs.

“I still don’t understand why you were back in Dolian’s place,” Onyx said. He frowned when he realized if the Duke had stayed for a little bit longer, he wouldn’t be here taking up their time, and risk tainting the three people of Nobility’s reputation. Or if the Duke was a Werewolf, he would hear Quillan’s disheartening shrill and ran back to the mansion with him— but it wasn’t the case.

“Dolian has always been a levereter, and I couldn’t file any complaints against him. Every crime he did was perfectly executed, with the witnesses taken down, threatened, or bribed,” Duke Mejia explained whilst crossing his leg on another. “With hopes to find evidence yesterday as a normal manor inspection, I left with none.”

Onyx asked, “Did you check the second floor?”

“Yes. No woman, no serfs, no chivalries.”

“He hid them in the basement, I think.”

“So he does have a basement.” The Duke brushed his chin with a thumb. “He claimed that he didn’t. Do you know which part of the mansion was it located?”

I couldn't say I was unaware of it until I heard the six knights' footsteps from below ground level the other day. Onyx's green eyes were riveted on the purple envelope that lay silently beside the desk. His mind raced as if it were being pursued, searching for a reason.

He countered with a different question. “Can’t you just use your title to take him down?”

“Reputation matters so much to Nobles, especially as the ruler of this Dukedom,” Duke Mejia remained calm and smiling as he answered. “Without prior evidence, I can't arrest him. My record is clean for years, and I wouldn’t taint it now.”

He heard Duke Mejia’s sigh louder than what it actually sounded. “This matter is no longer significant. Moving on to the interrogation.”

The Duke’s expression went suddenly dark, dropping his elbows by the desk, clasping his hands together.

Onyx had never been terrified of Dolian or any of his allies, but this highest-ranking Noble was tremendously intimidating just after his last word. Hazel eyes that seemed so friendly but lethal, kind but devious. Those were eyes that he dreaded the most. 

A sudden call came rushing from his gut, Run!

“Every answer must be truthful. I’ll know whenever you lie.”

“Of course you know,” Onyx said, attempting to top his fears with great confidence. “You’re a detective.”

Despite Duke Mejia's comforting grin that couldn't really be strained, Onyx's slim, lean arms hadn't eased in the least when his instincts told him to leave. He knew the Duke was danger even if he didn't have instincts. Anyone would worry if they’ll be up against a Nobleman with plenty of opportunities for education in his life.

When this Noble showed kindness to him, Onyx initially thought he would be vastly different from the others, but he quickly learned he was just like the rest during the Duke's queries, harsh queries. An offender, a crude, a fopdoodle.