Compared to the internal strife, a recent rumor circulating in the military camp caused him even greater concern: to the east of the Silver Ring Kingdom, the army of Holy Guard City had approached the border, and war between the two countries, which had been dormant for six years, might break out again.
And Her Majesty the Queen...
Herman's mind conjured up that beautiful yet strong figure. Half a month ago, the "painting incident" triggered a sharp decline in the Queen's reputation. Coupled with accusations of squandering the national treasury, influencing the King, and Princess Saint Guard, she was thrust into the eye of the storm of public opinion.
Herman sat up in bed, rubbing his forehead in exasperation. He wanted to sort out this mess, but didn't know where to begin.
"Sir, are you asleep?"
The sentry's voice came from the doorway, interrupting Herman's thoughts: "What is it?"
“There was a woman who claimed to be from the royal palace and said she insisted on seeing you.”
Hermann's eyes widened, and he stood up: "I'm coming."
Five minutes later, the knight commander saw the weeping maid Cathy at the camp gate. He pulled her to a secluded corner and asked anxiously, "What happened?!"
From the maid's fragmented words, the knight finally understood what had happened.
Half an hour ago, the chief judge of the Silver Ring Court, accompanied by a squad of soldiers, sealed off the royal bedchamber, produced an arrest warrant signed by the king himself, and publicly read out eleven charges against Queen Mary, including corruption, sedition, infidelity, treason, and aiding the enemy.
Seeing that things were going badly, the maid Cathy took advantage of the crowd's inattention and secretly slipped away. With nowhere else to turn, she had no choice but to go to the Royal Guard camp and seek help from Knight Commander Herman.
"What?! Why didn't anyone tell me about this beforehand..." Herman stopped speaking, suddenly remembering that just yesterday he had been transferred from the palace to the military camp. Thinking about it this way, tonight's arrest of the Queen must have been premeditated.
As the captain of the Royal Guard, Herman knew Queen Mary better than anyone what kind of person she was, and he simply didn't believe the accusations. Recalling everything that had happened in the past few days, he gradually understood the truth—to quell public anger and stabilize the situation, Queen Mary had been made a scapegoat and pushed to the trial, and her sentence would most likely be the guillotine.
The question is, what should we do now?
Hermann was a knight of the kingdom and a royal guard. Upholding the king's authority, defending the nation's honor, and unconditionally obeying orders were his duties and responsibilities. But…
"Sir Knight! Please save the Queen!"
Cathy's weeping deeply pierced the knight's heart. Torn between duty and justice, Herman agonized over this difficult choice. Sweat beaded on his forehead, his lips trembled, yet he could not utter a word.
If his father were here, if it were him! What decision would he make?!
Herman recalled the words spoken by his father, Baron Cumberland, during his knighting ceremony.
Remember my words! When faced with a powerful enemy, be fearless and undaunted! Be courageous and loyal, worthy of God's Father! Speak the truth, even unto death! Protect the weak, it is no wonder!
Herman closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, there was no longer any hesitation or doubt in them.
“Cathy, give this to the commander of the South Gate military camp, my father—Baron Cumberland, and tell him to meet me at the West Gate of the palace.” Herman took off the cross he always wore around his neck and handed it to the maid.
Cathy looked at the token in her hand and sobbed softly, "My lord, what are you going to do?"
Hermann turned and strode toward the camp: "To do what a knight should do."
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