Chapter 1: the awakening

Arthur von Frostreich, with his striking white hair and piercing red eyes, woke up from a coma, his gaze slowly adjusting to the dim light in the room. He looked at his hands, and they seemed so thin and frail. The maid, Elara, entered the room, and her eyes widened in shock upon seeing Arthur awake. She rushed out of the room, calling for the doctor.

A while later, the doctor arrived, checking Arthur's condition with a mixture of surprise and concern. "He needs to rest for a month and eat healthy foods," the doctor said, his voice firm but gentle. "He's been through a lot."

Arthur's eyes locked onto the doctor, his voice weak but determined. "What happened?" he asked, his words barely above a whisper.

Elara's expression turned somber. "You've been in a coma for 10 years, Arthur. Many things have changed."

Arthur's eyes widened, his mind racing with questions. "What about my father and mother?" he asked, his voice laced with a mix of fear and anticipation.

Elara's eyes dropped, and she hesitated before speaking. "Your father is sick, and your mother... she was killed in an assassination 5 years ago."

Arthur's face fell, his mind reeling with the news. "Who's managing the kingdom?" he asked, his voice firming up.

Elara's expression turned grave. "The officials are in charge, but the kingdom is in a state of breaking down. You need to rest, Arthur."

Arthur nodded, his mind racing with thoughts and plans.

A week later, Arthur started going outside, watching as the castle was in shambles. The garden was dying, and there were cracks in the floor and walls. He asked Elara, "Where is the one in charge here?"

Elara's expression turned disapproving. "He's in the tavern, drinking."

Arthur's eyes narrowed. "Assemble the knights. We're going to capture the people involved in this case."

Arthur and the knights arrived at the tavern, their presence causing a commotion. The patrons parted as they made their way to the man in charge, Evan. The guards seized Evan, holding him firm as Arthur approached.

"Where is the money you took?" Arthur demanded, his voice cold and authoritative.

Evan struggled against the guards, but they held him fast. "You'll never prove anything," he sneered.

Arthur's eyes flashed with anger, but he kept his composure. "We'll see about that," he said, his voice dripping with determination. "Take him away. We'll sort this out in the dungeons."

Arthur continued to capture everyone involved and locked them all in the prison to interrogate them one by one. The guards interrogated the people, but they stayed silent. Arthur's patience wore thin, and he declared, "If you don't speak up in 3 seconds, I'll torture you all."

One person spoke up, a man named Gerald. "I-I'm the one responsible for the taxes," he stammered. "I spent them all." He looked up at Arthur with a desperate expression. "Can I be released now?"

Arthur's expression was unreadable. "Yes, you're free to go." The guards released Gerald, but as he walked away, Arthur whispered to one of the guards, "Kill him silently." The guard nodded, and Gerald's fate was sealed.

The people began to talk, one by one, revealing the extent of the corruption and deceit that had plagued the kingdom. Arthur listened intently, his face growing grimmer with each passing moment. He realized that almost everyone was involved and that he would need to gather a loyal team to govern the kingdom.

With a newfound sense of determination, Arthur made his way to the king's chambers, eager to speak with his ailing father and discuss the future of the kingdom.

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