She’s That Knight Known As Zero - Chapter 237

Two more days and Leo was finally discharged from the hospital. But even during this time his wife and daughter didn’t visit him. He could only sigh though for after all this was his fault. He could only find a way to apologize to them and make it up for everything.

Just as he was walking out, an attendant was there waiting for him. The attendant bowed respectfully.

“The king have summoned you to the palace, please follow me.”

He somehow had an idea of what is about to happen, he nodded and followed the attendant in a carriage that was parked nearby. After sitting down he could only look outside the window and watch the streets that it passes through.

He couldn’t help but to feel nostalgic, how long has it been since the last time he was here? How long has it been since he got the chance to admire the whole kingdom?

He watched the pedestrians as they walk, some buying food for their family. Others walking towards their work. Some children were running happily playing around the streets before being berated by their parents on how dangerous the place was.

A smile soon bloomed on his lips as he watch all these scenes. This had always been his dream during those deep slumbers of his. He had been dreaming of such peaceful times, where no one has to worry about an upcoming war or the danger of a sudden attack of an ability.

Not long after they arrived at the castle gates, the attendant carried his bag as he was once again lead inside by another attendant. The castle itself didn’t change much from his memories. It still stood tall and magnificent.

He was lead into the great hall, after the door was opened he was welcomed by Akihiro, Yukimura, who was at his right side, the current generals and the higher ups of the kingdom.

After reaching the center of the hall he bowed down as he drop on one knee, “This servant greets his highness.”

Akihiro acknowledged.

“Today you shall be receiving your rightful punishment. Your mind may not have allowed it but your body was still used to bring danger to this kingdom. You have achievements in the past which allowed your punishment not to reach the point of death.”

Akihiro looked at all his subordinates as one by one they nodded at him, accepting whatever decision he has on this trial.

“With all that, you are to help the whole kingdom as it rise back up its feet. You shall be strip off of your knight title as the general and you shall start from the bottom of the ranks.”

“You will also help in every possible way around the kingdom. Whether it was farming or  house building. Be it searching for someone missing or something being taken. You shall serve the kingdom and the kingdom alone for the remainder of your life.”

Hearing all these, Leo knew what Akihiro meant, “This servant shall accept his punishment. No matter what happens I will use my everything to serve our kingdom. I shall not do anything that might cause it harm.”

Akihiro nodded upon hearing his answer, “That would be all. Sir Yukimura shall send you to where you will be staying from now on.”

After sending the two of them away, Akihiro and the others started their normal morning meetings.

“I have to say it first, I can’t send you to where Layla lives. You shall be living separately until she herself tells you that you can return. Whatever you did in the hospital was too much for her. The ladies all want to hit you with everything,” Yukimura said as they were once again riding a carriage.

Leo smiled at the thought of this. The friendship they all built was after all very strong. Seeing how hurt one was, obviously the others would want to get revenge.

“I understand that. But before I get close to her. I have to get close first to my daughter. If I can get her approval then I’ll start speaking with Layla and apologize to her.”

“That’s a good mind set. Keep it up,” Yukimura commented upon hearing his plan.

“I also need to apologize to your son,” Leo looked at him seriously.

“You don’t have to. He wouldn’t like it as well. He had punched you already anyway,” Yukimura laughed upon remembering that scene, he really wished he was there to witness it.

“I don’t know if it’s just my imagination. But is your son? And Akihiro’s daughter…”

Yukimura first fell silent upon hearing this, then he seriously looked at Leo, “Those two never got to be together. They were so focused with their duties and stopped themselves from pursuing such things.”

Leo understood, the two of them loves each other but because of the fact that they have restrained themselves, they never got the chance to be happy with each other. And because of that, that Raven wanted to make sure that everything she wished for would happen.

That is the only way for him to cope up with his emotions, “Then he must be in the most painful place right now.”

“But that young man, only cried once. The moment she disappeared, after that he never showed any signs of sadness at all. He was acting fine, too fine to be more precise.”

Leo no longer replied as the two of them looked outside watching the streets, the carriage turned silent. They have nothing else to say about the condition Raven was in. If the man himself is still living healthily then they can only watch over him.

*****

“WHAT DID YOU SAY?!?!” Akihiro’s voice boomed within his office.

He just returned from the morning meeting and was about to meet Kaoru to talk about his journey towards Hesperian Kingdom when everyone realized that no one had seen him since the day before.

“Go and look for Akira, she might have an idea of where that stupid brother of mine go,” he then commanded before one guard acknowledged and left.

He couldn’t help but to massage his temple, he thought Kaoru was already doing good, just what had happened? Where did he go for the people not to see him for the past twenty four hours?

Another half an hour passed before the one who went to fetch Akira returned. Looking up, Akihiro had his brows furrowed. The guard looks baffled for some reason.

“Your highness, no one have seen Lady Akira since yesterday,” he said in a low voice.

Akihiro was more baffled this time. Kaoru was a playful one but Akira wasn’t.

“Have you asked his brother?”

“Your highness, I am here.”

Before the guard could answer Akito’s voice was heard from the outside. He came in and bowed down respectfully.

“I have just received a letter from my sister. It seems she had entrusted this letter before she left yesterday and have asked the person to give it to me just today.”

He handed the letter over to Akihiro. The letter implied that she and Kaoru would be temporarily leaving for an adventure. And that adventure includes the Hesperian Kingdom. She had asked her brother to inform the king for surely Kaoru wouldn’t do so. She also asked them not to send anyone to help Kaoru.

‘It seems that he found an inspiration and wanted to do everything, during this preliminary checking, on his own. Please trust him and let’s just watch over him for now.’

Akihiro once again massaged his temple, It seems that his brother left on his own to check on Hesperian without the aide of anyone. But what is he planning on doing?

“I’ve noticed that he had been tasking you with some responsibilities for the past few days. What was it about?” he then asked some of the attendants who was under Kaoru.

“He had been tasking us to check the condition over there your highness. We then asked the merchants who started going there for the past months,” one answered respectfully.

“And what did you find out?”

“They are welcoming to people. They also welcome merchants from the three different kingdoms. It seems this is their way to start standing up after the war, your highness.”

Akihiro fell silent, he started thinking of what it is that Kaoru plans.

He had asked the condition over there. He couldn’t send someone over for it will take too long before they can return. He had also checked the weather and started checking how they lived over there.

Then the reason he couldn’t wait only points at one thing.

Kaoru wanted to go there as a simple person and he needs to do so before the two week that Akihiro have set. He wanted to interact with the people instead of just watching from above only interacting with the higher ups. He wanted to understand everything from the people’s point of view.

Akihiro smiled as he shook his head. It seems that his choice of making Kaoru the candidate to be the king of Hesperian Kingdom was the right choice after all.

“I understand. We shall leave him be then. Also task all the merchants to act like they don’t know him when they go to the west and meet the two of them.”

Everyone acknowledged and they all returned to their usual duties for the day.