Chroma and Achromos

Chapter 12: The True Face of the King

"Achromos, I.."

Tok tok tok tok

The sound of knocking on the door stopped Chroma who had just spoken up.

"Your Majesty, doctor Ghoz has arrived." Said a guard from behind the door.

"Lake in." Answer Achromos.

Doctor Ghoz walked into the room with sweat on his body and his gasping breath. It was obvious that he was running in a hurry.

"Your Majesty, let me check on Queen Jane." Pinta doctor Ghoz. Achromos just nodded slowly.

After examining Chroma, Dr. Ghoz looked quite agitated. He moved his hand and threw his gaze everywhere.

"Yes-Your Majesty, forgive me, but Queen Jane's circumstances.." Said doubtfully. "start to get worse."

"What do you mean?" Ask Achromos with a sharp look. Doctor Ghoz wiped his sweat with a handkerchief.

"It looks like the wound is a little swollen. Your Majesty, have you been feeling some pain in your stomach for a few days?" Ask Ghoz's doctor while turning to Chroma.

"Yes." Yeah." Chroma answered with a frown.

"Is your heart also pounding?" Ask Dr. Ghoz again.

Eh?

Chroma fell silent at the question of Doctor Ghoz. During this time, does he pound because he likes Achromos or...?

Chroma nodded with a slight hesitation.

"Right, there seems to be a bit of poison left. I'll make the cure for you, Your Majesty." Tukas doctor Ghoz while tidying up his belongings.

"Doctor," Call Chroma.

"Yes, Your Majesty?" Doctor Ghoz replied.

"So, my heart is pounding and my stomach is hurting because there's poison left?" Ask Chroma.

"Yes, Your Majesty. People usually have fever too. When I check, your body temperature is indeed a little high, Your Majesty." Clearly again.

Chroma simply nodded allowing Doctor Ghoz to leave. He immediately sighed with relief, feeling lucky he did not continue his sentence earlier.

Apparently, not love, huh? Hahaha, of course! I can't possibly fall in love with this stupid king! Inner Chroma.

"Jane?" Get Achromos.

Chroma was silent again. Doctor Ghoz was able to explain her pounding heart and aching stomach, but he could not explain the pain when Achromos called her Jane. The pain was not in his stomach or heart. Then, where is it?

Chroma closed her eyes tightly, trying to turn her mind to something else. It would be very troublesome if he thought too much about unimportant things like love. He should focus on his mission.

The mission? Also true. He is here to carry out his mission. What happens if he falls in love with his target? He could abandon his mission and end up with his head detached from his body. Chroma was sure Vhor was able to kill him easily given his great ability. Plus his current condition is not good, making it almost impossible to run safely from the worst possible situation.

The cold hand that touched his forehead resuscitated Chroma's daydream. Again, something is throbbing.

"Jane, are you okay?" Ask Achromos.

"I'm fine." Answer Chroma flat.

"So, what do you want to say?" Ask Achromos again.

"So? When?"

"Before Doctor Ghoz arrived."

"Let's go, I've forgotten."

"Jane, answer me seriously." Pinta Achromos's.

"I'm serious."

"Then why are you crying?"

"Because my stomach hurts. I'm sorry, I don't want to talk to anyone." Chroma turned her face and looked out the window.

Achromos. Chroma changed so quickly. Is this all because of this incident? But can something like that change people so quickly?

Achromos clenched his hands in frustration. He did not understand Chroma. What was inside his mind seemed to be covered in a thick fog. He had just decided to get to know Chroma better. He wanted them to be closer, but his efforts were rejected outright by this girl.

"Why?" Mumbled slowly.

Chroma faintly heard Achromos's voice look and found him looking down with an injured face. Chroma felt the pain again. Honestly, he didn't want to say anything like that. But if he pretends to be a sweet woman and behaves like a wife, he is afraid he will drown in temporary illusions and end up falling in love with Achromos—or?

I'm sorry, Achromos. Say Chroma in the heart with teary eyes.

Tok tok!

"Excuse me, Your Majesty! I came to bring you food." Mysha's awkward voice from behind the door managed to make the tears that almost fell onto Chroma's cheeks stop.

Achromos got up and walked out of the room after allowing Mysha to enter. Mysha bowed her body and pushed the food trolley towards the bed.

"Yes-Your Majesty, are you okay?" Mysha asked with a worried look. Chroma smiled as she nodded.

"Thank God! I'm so worried when I hear you're sick." Typal Mysha with a smile.

Mysha helped Chroma sit on the bed and then fed her with the porridge she was carrying. He then accidentally saw a necklace lying on the floor.

"Your Majesty, is this your necklace?" Mysha asked as she gave it to Chroma.

Chroma took the necklace and looked at it. The necklace was lined with a very beautiful blue colored stone. Obviously the necklace was not his. Then who's it?

Chroma immediately remembered the moment they were in the greenhouse. Achromos asked him to close his eyes, but he did nothing and asked about his necklace.

Don't-don't.. Thought Chroma.

Chroma grasped the necklace tightly. He feels happy and sad at the same time. His feelings are so mixed.

"Mysha, why is His Majesty treating me so well?" Chroma asked suddenly.

"E-uh?" Mysha stopped her hand that had just spooned the porridge from the bowl she was holding. "I mean Your Majesty?"

"Why does His Majesty treat me so well?" Ask Chroma again.

"Te-of course because you're his wife!" Mysha Exclamation. "...maybe."

"But, isn't he called the King of Darkness by the people? He's killed a lot of people and it's cold, isn't it?" Chroma.

"M-m-excuse me, Your Majesty!! Servant has sassy!! Please punish the heavy servant!!" Mysha Exclamation.

"It's okay, Mysha. I'm not mad." Chroma. "But can you explain what you mean by saying that?"

Mysha straightened her body then played her fingers a little restlessly.

"Yes-Your Majesty Achromos.com is not at all the King of Darkness..."

•••

Achromos looked at his father's face in disbelief. He felt his ears misheard. Suddenly Braz called Achromos into his room and said he was going to come down from his throne and give it to Achromos.

"Are you serious, Your Majesty?" Ask Achromos.

Braz just smiled as he nodded. Braz certainly planned something behind it all. But, why did he give his throne that he loved more than his family?

"Why?" Tanya Achromos asked for an explanation.

"Because. I'm bored?" Answer Braz lightly.

Achromos clenched his teeth furiously. He knows exactly Braz is not kidding. For him the kingdom was only part of the game he played. Achromos believes Braz is playing himself at the moment, but opportunities like this don't come twice. From that day on, Achromos vowed to usurp the throne from Braz's hands and to make the Kingdom of Chraz detached from its ruthless regime.

Yeah, that day. The day that Achromos swore he would kill Braz and Chlari someday. The day where he lost everything his mother, Vhell, and his normal life. Now Achromos is given a free way to avenge what happened that day.

"alright. I accept your offer."

•••

"What..say you?" Tanya Achromos doesn't believe it. He immediately ran towards Braz's room. His breathing was hunting and his anger peaked to the top. He almost exploded when he heard what happened.

The inhabitants of a village have been massacred. The whole. No matter they are men, women, old, young, even children. And what makes Achromos almost exploded was when he learned that the massacre was carried out by the royal army. Plus, they said all that was an order from the king. Achromos never once ordered anything like that. The only person who can do that other than himself is Braz.

Achromos clutched his chest tightly. He feels stuffy. Her tears almost came out. He doesn't believe a man like Braz is his father. He doesn't believe in her flowing blood from a guy like Braz. Why is it so cruel? Achromos ran in frustration. He immediately opened the door violently when he arrived at Braz's room.

"Oh, Achromos." Said Braz who was sitting relaxed on the chair with a smile.

Achromos approached Braz and immediately kicked the table.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE???!!!" Achromos cried until his throat hurt.

"What's wrong with you? Just came in already screaming." Said Braz while closing his ears.

"ANSWER ME, BRAZ!!!" Pekik Achromos's.

"What have I done? Hm.. I'm just getting rid of something useless." The answer.

Achromos again gritted his teeth. He almost lost control. If only he had carried his sword, that very second he would have slashed Braz's neck.

"What.. You mean useless?" Tanya Achromos held back her anger.

"Hm.. Because they refused to move? I plan to make a garden on that land." Answer Braz.

Achromos gaped in disbelief. Braz's reasoning was absurd to him.

"Just.. Because of that?" Mumbled.

"Yes." Yeah." Braz replied with a smile.

Achromos clasped his hands tightly. He felt what happened this time was his fault. He was only twelve years old, and he still did not have enough power even though he was king. The real position of the king was still occupied by the lowly humans before him. He has been a puppet played by Braz from backstage.

"Braz, I'll repay you someday." Achromos said as he left the room. Braz smiled cynically while propping up his chin.

"I'm looking forward to it." Mumbled.

•••

"After that, there were several more massacres committed by the royal army. His Majesty has tried his best to prevent it, but until two years ago, it had continued. In addition, when His Majesty tried to stop the royal army, he was considered to participate in the massacre. Although he tried to explain that they misunderstood, no one believed him. That is why he is called the King of Darkness. Because of various things, he became difficult to control his emotions and easily angry. Sometimes it is difficult to control his power. It was also what made the people even more convinced that His Majesty was a cruel king." Mysha.

Chroma was stunned to hear Mysha's story. He still could not digest what he just knew. He felt so embarrassed. He considers Achromos to do this, without finding out more. Achromos is so good to him. It's all because he's kind. He is not the King of Darkness as people say.

"Then why did His Majesty look like he hated me at the beginning?" Ask Chroma.

"That's because suddenly His Holiness Braz ordered His Holiness Achromos to marry you. Your Majesty is suspicious of you.." Answer Mysha

Hm.. Didn't he? Quickly. Chroma in the heart.

"Then, two years ago, he was finally able to take control of the entire royal army. Eventually the slaughter stopped. But still in the eyes of the people of Chraz, His Majesty is a cruel king. Even all the servants and royal guards believed that." Mysha.

Whole waiter? Inner Chroma.

"Then why do you know all this, Mysha?" Ask.

"W-uh! I-i.. " Mysha immediately threw her gaze in any direction and moved her fingers agitatedly. His face was red.

Mysha? Don't-don't..

"What do you have to do with His Majesty?" Ask Chroma.

"Hu-relationship?! I-I mean you, Your Majesty? H-servant is just a waiter! Not more!" Mysha cried as she waved her hand.

Chroma looked at Mysha blankly. The throbbing feeling came back, making him feel uncomfortable. He immediately turned his body back.

"Mysha, I'm full. Please come out." Pinta Chroma's.

"Yes-Your Majesty, but you just ate a little.." Mysha Reply.

"Please." Chroma said as she stared straight at Mysha.

Mysha immediately put the remaining bowl of porridge on the trolley, then pushed it out of the room.

"Your Majesty," Mysha said as she stopped her steps at the doorway. "I think, Your Majesty should be grateful."

Mysha said good-bye and smiled at Chroma with a sad look on her face before leaving the room.

"What..that?" Chroma Briefs. "What can I be grateful for in all this?"

Chroma covered her face with both hands while crying. Everything is no longer important to Chroma. In his heart he decided.

He will cease from his mission and disappear from Achromos' life.

Forever.

———