Few hours had been taken to extinguish the flame.
In the guest room, Thomas sat on the chair, few most loyal soldiers stationed behind him. Thomas lean forward, his glared over the unusual lining of hundreds of servants and guards standing before him. Everyone's head down. No one dare to make single noise or move evan an inch. Standing like a statue.
Thomas taping over the floor with his sword. His sword tapping sound echo in the room louder. For them this sound is not much different from death whistle.
His gaze sweep over the line, "There are hundreds of soldiers and servants at the castle. BUT NO ONE NOTICE THE FIRE! REDICULOUS!"
Thomas throw the chair at the wall. They tightly closed their eyes and body slightly shrink. Thomas shout at them "ARE YOU FOOL OR THINK ME AS FOOL?"
Everyone's body tensed, breath hitched in fear. No said even single word.
He step forward and placed his blade over shoulder of dandy looking man, the head buttler. By contact of cold metal over his neck make his body trembles.
Butler wavering eyes fixed over the blade. Face and cloth drenched by sweat. He stammered "I-I wa-s mana-gin-g the imvento-ry"
"Inventory…" Thomas murmured then shit his blade to head maid. "You."
"I w-as in ki-tc-hen, pre-par-ing fo-r to-nig-hts di-nn-er." Her words completely broken .
Then Thomas point his sword at the near soldier. But soldier didn't waver over it. He answered "Me and my unit is at traning ground for drill."
Thomas squint his eyes over word 'drill' he asked "what drill?"
"Its—"
"Let me explain, my Lord." A handsome blonde man in shining armour interrupt him.
Just by his arrival, everyone's sholder lowered with relief.
"Who is he? That just by his presence make other relieved." Dire whisper
"He is John, royal knight commander and sweet heart of ladies." Thomas answer him in whisper.
John step forward and slightly bow. "Peaceful time has rust our soldiers skilled, my lord. That's why I order them for drill."
Then he draw his sword. Thomas' hand tightened over sword and contracted pupil trace his each and every movement ready for counter. But John put the blade on his own neck. Despair hollowed his gaze — the kind of emptiness that even tears couldn't fill. "If you still doubt over my loyalty then I will cut my throat."
Thomas silent. Stare at his melodrama. Then glance at the crowd, they stood motionless, mouth parted, as awe washed over them like a silent tide. What an actor just a small act and fool them all.
"After me, nothing may not changed, but my country will lose a loya—"
"Go on." Thomas interrupt him.
John stood rooted to the spot, shock draining the color from his face.
Thomas repeat "Go on, do it."
As John freeze their. Thomas point his blade at his throat. Blade's cold point touch his skin. Then few drops of blood streamed through the blade. Thomas lean forward and match his eye "Or should I have to help in your act?"
John's eye fixed over the sharp eyes of Thomas. He can clearly see his death in his eyes. Lips flickered to speak but fear already has taken his tongue.
"Your majesty, please spare him. He is not guilty." Suddenly, head maid fall on Thomas foot and tightly grab his ankle.
Just after her, other also little by little increase their voice.
"Sir John always kind and hardworking."
"He always first in danger mission. Your majesty should not question him."
Thomas glance at them. Servants and even royal knight protest but still there is little bit hesitation in their faces. Even knights with them. If now, may I take any wrong step then they will kill me.
Then Thomas eye fall over the head maid. His upper lips slightly curl in disgust. He kicked her.
"Argh!"
Head maid repulse back, her hand release from his ankle. Thomas glared crowd and shout "SILENCE!"
His just one word silence each and everyone's mouth.
"DO YOU ALL FORGET TO WHOM YOU ALL TAKING? HUH!" His word make them shudder. Thomas again look at them as they all cooldown. "Ok, you want to spare him. Right?"
"I will spare. But you all have to carry his punishment. Will you?" His sword distant from John.
"We will…" a voice come from behind. This encourage them. They all slightly raised their head and replied "We will."
Thomas nod then announce "Then, as a punishment. Your monthly wages for two months is suspended and also you all hit by 30 wipes." After that, Thomas glared at the Head maid "As for you, you have extra 100 more wipes and you are fired."
Head maid legs collapsed and eyes widened. For her this is the only source of income. Now, this even lost from her.
Thomas turn to John "John, may this all are coincidence. But it still your fault. That's why you are punished with 100 wipes and you are demoted to platoon leader."
John kneel deeply with heads on floor. "Thanks for mercy, my Lord."
Thomas ignore him and left the room.
---
Thomas walking in the corridor alone. Schedule paper in his hands.
He study the schedule table of servants and guards. Then, he found a gap at certain day on certain time. Here, this is time where most of servants not in castle and even patrolling guards little far from castle. This is time where taken placed.
Thomas pinch his brows between eyes and thought, royal knights schedule come under John. Royal castle manage by Queen itself. Then, Emma—
Thomas shake his head side to side No, no that's not possible. Must be someone framing her. But who? And why?
Then Thomas throw the schedule paper on the floor and look at the burnt door of his room. First, I have to start my investigation from where this all start.
Thomas open the lock and closed the lock. He repeat this several time. Lock is right that means someone lock door from outside.
Thomas open the door. Dust and dry winds welcome him. Room which once pure white room made by ceramics and marble. Decorated by beautiful paintings and statues. Now, this is completely covered in black ash and burnt debris.
Thomas finger traces the ash covered wall. And recall incident. Fire spread through walls and paintings. But this happens to quickly.
Then his eyes fall on the broken lamp over burnt bed.
Thomas lift the lamp. This lamp similar but quite different than other lamps. It has several pointy metallic protruded which can crush anyone's skull if fall from roof.
As he checking, he found a watermark over the head of lamp. "Master…Devin' …workshop."