The King's Return (Sequel of Prince's Knight)

Chapter 1

Ken walked into darkness, he doesn't know for how long he walked there. He looked around him but there's no one there, it's cold and quiet. He doesn't like that place at all and he wanted to get out from that place. He keep going and he feel relieved when he met his parents.

Your Majesty?! Thank you, God. It's all just a dream.

A dream, you said? Then, what's this on our neck, Prince Ken?

They faced him and Ken saw the blade on their neck, their blood dripping down and Ken  screamed. As he jumped back, he bumped into someone and he recognized the girl that he loved.

Touka?!

Where are you going, Ken? Are you going to leave me and your people like this?

No, I-

He saw the blood also dripping from Touka's mouth and her eyes. The three of them approached Ken and he's freezing.

IT'S YOUR FAULT, KEN!!!

NO!!!

"-ness. -highness. Your highness!"

Ken opened his eyes and saw Tsukiyama and Nishiki stared at him worriedly. Both of the knights helped him to raised up and Ken felt throbbing on his right eye.

"How many days I've been sleep?"

"Four days, Your Highness."

Ken then asked where they are now and they said they're in small village near the border. They ask forgiveness since they need to discard their armor in order to blend with the commoner. Ken didn't ever mind it and he asked where's the other. Nishiki told him they went separated, not to draw any attention. Only Tsukiyama and Nishiki who stay with him. Both of Tsukiyama and Nishiki help Ken to stood up and they took him to the porch.

As the door opened, Ken saw a field of flowers surround the wooden cottage. It reminded of the garden in his house and he saw a blue hydrangea near it. Suddenly he reminded of Touka and he lost his balance.

"Your Highness?!"

"...I'm fine."

The two knights walked back and they saw Ken raised up and sit on a bench. Ken dazed for a while then he asked who 'White Reaper' is. Tsukiyama told him that he is the captain of knight from West Kingdom.

"Washuu? Why did they attacked us? My parents never has dispute with anyone! So why-?! Ugh!"

"Your Highness! Please punish me! I've failed to protect the King and Queen!", said Tsukiyama as he kneeled in front of Ken.

The young prince didn't say anything, he asked both of his knight to give him some space. Both of them went inside and leave Ken alone. The incident where his parents were murdered, where he left Touka, and the burnt palace keep replying on his head. His head can't stop throbbing and he leaned on the bench.

"I can't be like this. I must think what should I do next."

Ken walked inside, both of Nishiki and Tsukiyama bowed at him. Ken told them that they need to stay low as possible since western kingdom has the strongest army right now. But they also need to keep in touch with the others and gathered people who wanted to join them secretly. They agreed with him and Ken just hope that everyone is okay. On the next morning, Ken awoke and he saw Nishiki dressing up.

"Where're you going, Nishiki?", asked Ken.

"I'm going to work, Your Highness."

"Work? Can I help you?"

"No, Your Highness. Please stay here with Sir Tsukiyama. You need to rest. I'll guard you at night."

Nishiki bid farewell and he left them. Ken asked Tsukiyama what Nishiki does and he said that both of them worked in shift. Ken stiffened, he just realized that they need to eat and survive and none of them bring any money. He felt that he become liability for them, so he asked what he can help but Tsukiyama told him he just needed to get rest.

Tsukiyama took a bowl of warm soup and he served it to him.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness. My cooking might not delicious as chef palace but this is the best what I can do."

"It's fine. Thank you, Tsukiyama."

He took a spoonful of soup and he ate it. Even he said that, he felt it the most delicious food that he ever had since he didn't ate anything for four days.

I feel pathetic. Both Tsukiyama and Nishiki worked hard to serve me. And yet...I didn't do anything at all.

The days have passed and one night, Ken snuck out from his bed and he took off his bandage. He saw his reflection on a small mirror, there's a cut wound on his right eye.

...My right eye is blind. Touka, I hope you're safe. Please wait for me.

In the next morning, Ken see Nishiki off to his work. While Tsukiyama busy with cutting the wood, Ken wore a cloak then sneaked out. He looked around the village to find a job. He came to several shops but none of them wanted to hire him.

Both Sir Tsukiyama and Nishiki have a good build. Is it because I don't have enough muscle to do labor work?

Ken sighed and he smelled something similar. It's the fragrance of a drinks that Touka was ever drink; a black drinks called coffee. Ken followed where the fragrance come from and he stopped right in front of a coffee shop named 'Anteiku'.

What an unique name. But...I don't see any job opening announcement here. Should I ask first?

Ken swallowed then he opened the door, a doorbell ringing and a man with big nose greeted him.

"Welcome~ What would you like to order?"

Ken squinted his eyes to read the menu. Looking at him has difficulty to read, the barista helped him to read it. Ken thanked him and he ordered a cup of Americano. He watched the barista made it and once he poured the coffee, Ken smelled a great fragrance of it. The barista served him the coffee then Ken drank it.

"! It's delicious!"

"Thanks~"

While he drank it, he heard the doorbell ringing and he saw a black long haired woman walked in. She told the barista about the situation at capital, that place is in chaos and many nobles are dead. Ken stiffened as he heard it, he tried to composed himself not to reveal his identity. He overheard the situation at capital and he was sweating. They chatted a bit more then the woman entered the staff room. The barista sighed and he went back to wipe the glasses.

Ken, calm down. Nothing you will gain if you panicking. You need to calm yourself and think what you need to do for now. I believe Touka is alright.

"Excuse me, is there any job vacancy here? Everything is fine."

"Umm, you need to ask the Manager here. Oh there he is."

Ken looked an elder man with apron coming downstairs.

Hmm? Why this person feel so familiar?