Memories: My Kingdom

Chapter 50: Fedrey

“Leui.” Fedrich called when he saw Leui came out of the carriage together with Melton.

“Sir Fedrich!” Leui exclaimed when he saw the man.

Fedrich smiled and patted his shoulder. “Just call me by my name. We’re already friends.” He said as he turned and nodded to the knights on the gate to open the gate.

The knights immediately moved and opened the gate wide. They saluted to Fedrich and Melton when they passed by them.

“This place is…?” Leui asked as they walked down the path where both sides were planted with beautiful flowers.

Fedrich turned to look at Leui. “You left without knowing where you are going?” he asked him.

Leui was rendered speechless. He turned to look at Melton who just smiled as he silently followed behind them. “Melton…” he called. His voice sounds like he was wronged.

Melton coughed, but did not feel a bit of guilt.

Fedrich laughed as he slapped Leui’s back. “I’m just joking with you. I know you trust my vice-captain so you went with him.” he said as he grinned.

“… why do I feel you’re taking me as a fool?” Leui asked as he suspiciously looked at them both.

Fedrich didn’t answer and just changed the topic. “This place is the Marquis’ manor.” He spoke.

Leui’s eyes widened in surprise. “A marquis…?!” he exclaimed. “Why would we be here?” he asked. He thought that they would be heading to the castle.

“Of course, they wanted to see you.” Fedrich answered.

“Why would a marquis want to see me?” Leui asked.

“Because I told the marquis about you.” Fedrich answered. Before Leui could ask again, he spoke. “He is my cousin, and is the head of the knights.” He told him.

Leui was even more surprised. “The head of the knights… is he Sir Fedrey?” he asked. He remembered Fedrich spoke to him about Fedrey before when they were thrown out of the Dream Weaver’s domain after it collapsed.

Fedrich grinned. His eyes were filled with appreciation as he stared at Leui. “Your memory’s not bad…” he said when his voice trailed off after he remembered that Leui has amnesia. He coughed, feeling embarrassed. “I didn’t mean to make fun of you…” he said.

Leui wryly smiled. “No offense taken.” He spoke.

The three of them have finally arrived at the entrance of the manor. Fedrich stepped forward and raised his hand to knock. Not long later and the doors opened, revealing a tall old man wearing a black coat.

“Earl Fedrich. Earl Melton.” The butler greeted and respectfully bowed.

Leui who was standing beside Melton was surprised by the titles addressed by the butler. He turned to Melton who shyly smiled. Then, he turned to look at Fedrich’s back, shocked. “You both are… actually high-ranking nobles?!” he exclaimed.

Fedrich slightly frowned “Butler Steve.” He called the old butler. “Please stop addressing us as such. Right now, we’re the captain and vice-captain of a group of knights.” He said.

“But…” butler Steve wanted to object, but then they heard footsteps from inside. The old butler turned and then bowed. “Marquis.” He called.

‘marquis’? The owner of the manor? Leui thought and craned his neck. Then, he saw a tall and handsome man with tanned skin whose face looks similar to Fedrich. No doubt, this is Fedrey, the head of the knights.

“Cousin.” Fedrich called.

“Fedrich.” Fedrey spoke and then turned. “Melton.” He nodded at Melton.

Melton nodded back. Then, Fedrey turned and saw Leui. A surprise flashed in his eyes before he concealed it.

“Sir Fedrey.” Leui took the initiative to greet and then bow.

A smile formed in Fedrey’s lips and he turned to Fedrich. “He’s really well-behaved, as you said.” He said.

Questions appeared above Leui’s head as he stared at the pair of cousins.

“Come inside.” Fedrey told them and turned to the waiting old butler. “Prepare some snacks and tea.” He told him.

“Yes, marquis.” The old butler answered and respectfully bowed before he left.

Leui, Fedrich and Melton followed behind Fedrey as they entered. Then, the doors closed behind them.

…

“You must be wondering why I called you here.” Fedrey spoke as they all sat.

“Yes.” Leui nodded. His face is serious.

“To say that I am His Majesty’s right-hand man isn’t a lie.” Fedrey said as he sipped his tea.

Leui didn’t speak. Fedrich rolled his eyes while Melton smiled at his captain’s antics.

“Sir Fedrey’s point is…?” Leui asked.

Fedrey didn’t immediately answer. “I was born, raised and grew up in the Capital. I became a knight to protect my home. So – “ he looked at Leui. “ – I will do everything to protect it, and keep the peace that has been going on for five hundred years.” He said.

Leui nodded in agreement. “I understand sir Fedrey’s point of protecting the Capital.” He said. “I, too, don't want a disorder, or worse, war, to happen… again.” He said. “We will only suffer more loss instead of gaining. And, perhaps, what we’ll gain wouldn’t be worthier than the loss.” He looked at Fedrey.

Fedrich and Melton were just silent while Fedrey smiled. “You’re really a smart man.” He said as he looked at Leui.

Leui smiled back. “Thank you for the praise.” He said.

“I’ll be direct to the point, then.” Fedrey said as his expression turned serious. “You have already seen the Dream Weaver incident. And I want to tell you that it’s not the only incident that happened in the kingdom.” He said.

Fedrich’s expression changed and he finally turned serious. Melton remained silent, listening to them.

“Four days ago, in Riverside Town, aggressive Flying Sharks attacked the shore. If not for them needing to breathe underwater immediately, they would’ve destroyed the entire Riverside Town.” Fedrey continued. Then, he looked at the stunned Leui. “Yes. Although a few people have died.” He told him.

Fedrich clenched his fists. “Why would they go to the Great River’s fresh water?” he asked. “They are saltwater animals!” he said.

Fedrey didn’t answer, because he doesn’t know. “Five days ago, in the West Tribe, there was an earthquake.” He spoke. “It was done by the Giant Moles.” He said.

“… how many died?” Fedrich asked.

Fedrey turned to his cousin. He took a deep breath before he answered. “There is only one survivor.” He spoke. “Everyone was buried.” He added.

They all took a sharp breath.

Leui, as both Fedrich and Fedrey said, is a smart person. So, he now knows why he was called here, and understood what Fedrey is trying to say. “Everything that happened was related to the other races.” He spoke.

Fedrich and Melton turned to him. Actually, after they received Fedrey’s order to summon Leui, they thought that Fedrey just wanted to see Leui if he was dangerous or not, and decide if he could be brought before the king. When they heard what Fedrey spoke, they thought that Fedrey just wanted to warn Leui about the dangers that he might face in the human kingdom.

But, after they heard what Leui spoke, everything fell into place. They finally understood. Why Fedrey summoned Leui, and why Fedrey told them about those incidents… This is horrible!

“Cousin… are you suspecting that Leui has something to do with those incidents?!” Fedrich asked as he abruptly rose from his seat.

“I am.” Fedrey honestly answered.

Melton’s jaw dropped as he looked at Fedrey. Then, he remembered that Fedrey has always been like this – direct. He doesn’t like deceit or anything related to it.

“Cousin! You already know that he helped us save the people of the Rainbow Village!” Fedrich spoke. “He even helped us catch those thieves! He even helped a poor family treat their sick daughter!” he said.

Unlike Fedrich’s angry expression, Fedrey is calm. “Who knows if he was just putting up an act?” he asked and smiled at Leui. “Like, gaining our trust before cleaning all us up in one swoop?” he said.

“Cousin!” Fedrich’s voice rose.

Fedrey turned to him. “Look. You already trusted him when you only met him just recently.” He said as he shook his head. “You are too sympathetic to other people and trusting.” He told him and frowned in displeasure.

Leui met Fedrey’s gaze. “Please excuse me, but I think sir Fedrich’s already fine the way he is.” He spoke. “It’s better to trust and be deceived, than to not trust at all and then regret.” He said. “If you want to ask me if I am colluding with the other races, then my answer is ‘no’.” he told him. “Of course, I don’t have any evidence to prove my innocence. If you know any method, then I apologize to trouble you but please do tell me.” He explained.

Fedrey stared at Leui and Leui stared back at him. His eyes are clear and his gaze is determined. He has done nothing wrong, so why should he let himself be subjected to this?