"Guards?" The knights swung into action at their liege’s call, instantly teleporting beside Griffin. "Take him to the dungeon. You know what you have to do." The guards simply nodded and grabbed a seated Lord Zed.

"You don’t know what you are doing Your Majesty," Zed warned. Not that he couldn’t vanish if he wanted to. He was also Crescian, a seer at that. But he had his reasons. "You are committing a grave mistake, and you’ll regret it, soon." Griffin swallowed the lump on his throat. Was that supposed to scare him? Absolutely not.

"Take him out of this place," he said unable to look into Zed’s intimidating silvery eyes. The knights led him out of the throne hall and met with Lord Newton just as they had come out of the throne hall.

"Where are you taking him?" He questioned maintaining his dominant aura. The knights feared him. The only person who could talk to the king casually, sometimes even devaluing him! Who dares disrespect him?

"His Majesty instructed us to take him to the dungeon, My Lord." One of the knights said.

"And what crime has he committed?" Newton enquired trying to catch a glimpse of the lowered face. A man with white hair? He chuckled at the thought.

"We know nothing about that Lord. Maybe you can ask him," the Knight suggested.

"Show your face!" Newton commanded. But would Zed listen to him? "I said, show your face Mister!" He repeated himself and it irked him.

The other Knight holding Zed took the initiative to tilt his head so that Lord Newton could now see Zed’s face, clutching Zed’s hair mercilessly.

Newton was certain he had never seen this before. And hell! His looks! Was he even a man? Newton’s gaze travelled his length settling momentarily on his lips. How would be like to have a taste of this guys lips? Oh damn it! What was he even thinking about?

"What crime did you commit, young man?" He asked, his gaze darting everywhere else but Zed’s face. But as naughty as Zed was, he couldn’t speak a word.

After waiting for the answer for an eternity, Newton had no choice but to issue the directive ,"you may proceed." The knights nodded before pushing Zed forward, who left after throwing a look at Newton. Lord Newton watched as the trio trecked further on the hallway, his gaze fixated on Zed’s back.

"I didn’t know Lord Newton would have great interest in my guest," came Griffin’s annoying voice, startling Lord Newton, but he was quick to regain his composure.

"Isn’t he attractive... hot I say," Griffin said staring at Zed’s silhouette. "You could have told me bro. I would have spared the fun for you tonight, you know you’ll be ’His Majesty’ by then." Griffin reminded him amidst the fun.

"I don’t know what you are talking about Your Majesty. I don’t want your guest." Newton was quick to refute.

"Oh, really? I saw the way you stared into his eyes, his lips, and watched his back until he got out of sight. Tell me Newton, are you into guys?" Griffin asked, a playful smirk on his face.

"What.. What are you talking about Your Majesty? No.. Absolutely not!"

"Of course yes. I could I have failed to notice this," he said walking around Lord Newton in circles. "Who would have thought the callous Lord Newton was into guys?" He asked, intending to jest Newton but the look he got!

"I _ was _ just _ kidding." Lord Newton rolled his eyes. "But the way you looked at him..." He added pretending to elost deep in thought.

"What? I don’t like him! And who is he? Why did you have him arrested?"

Griffin’s face twitched in surprise,"oh, about that... he’s just a criminal withholding important from the royal family. Don’t worry about him though, the knights will take care of that. The information he relays to the knights, please inform me."

"It’s tonight. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten Newton. I’m leaving tonight," he said noticing the enquiring look on Newton’s face.

"I remember that," Newton replied curtly. "I just can’t understand why he took the risk of going to the dungeon. He’ll die!" Newton shook his head surprising Griffin.

Being taken to the Crescian dungeon was the last wish every Crescian could make. One would simply go through hell there. The knights in charge were void of humanity. Some people even believed they were the devils reincarnation. Lord Newton couldn’t help but sympathize with the poor young man. He lifted his face to meet with Griffin’s probing gaze.

"What?" He asked avoiding Griffin’s gaze. A playful smirk appeared on Griffin’s face. So it was indeed true, what he thought to be a candid joke turned out to be true! Never had he seen Newton concerned about someone else, even those that he knew, but a stranger?

"Why do you care about his decision. He made it himself so..." Griffin shrugged his shoulders. "Let him face the consequences of his stupidity alone."

"I’m leaving tonight," he added when no comment came from Newton about his last statement. "I believe you’ll be able to handle things here. And Isadora, I want you to watch her every move closely." Lord Newton creased his brows at that but he was quick to hide it.

"Okay," was all he managed to say.

"No one, not even the high rank generals or the court officials know about this. Only the royal army commander, you and I know about it. You know what I mean, right?"

"Yes Your Majesty. The secret is safe with me."

"I’ll be sending a messenger to fetch information to and fro the palace. Details about this will be provided by the royal army commander. I’ll send him over to personally explain everything to you. And that woman, Jade, you should keep an eye on her."

"Alright. As far as my position as a general remains as promised, I’ll do as instructed," Newton said.

"Consider it done My Lord. As soon as this is over, I’ll confer you the honor of a general. Good luck." Griffin tapped his shoulder and left, a wry smile printed on his face. ’Just wait and see Miss Jade’.