Well, here is this chapter, I hope you like it and I'm sorry, that this time, I didn't put any listening music.

***

Days pass by in and changed to months, when Erik was learning new things. He even tried to learn swordsmanship, but soon realized that it was not his strength. He knew that would have had to learn that skill from an early age, now it was a little late to learn all of it, not to mention the fact that he did not even really want to hurt anyone, let alone fight.

Richard also saw that Erik wasn't created to kill anyone, because so strong were the teachings of the monastery in his mind. Richard was surprised that Erik was not on that wretched period of time, before settling in the monastery, had gone into evil ways. Some higher power must have been guided Erikiä, to this rocky road, he concluded, and thought that, yes this still be a good king , even though he was not keen on fighting.

Around the same time Maria had noticed changes in herself, which are telltale pregnancy, which come into full fruition over time. Erik think that Maria looked even more beautiful than before, when she aglow with future motherhood.

Erik was nervous about Maria's pregnancy and he wanted to protect her from all evil, and hoped that their children would have a better life, than what he himself had been.

Although he didn't talked much about it to Maria, he was afraid that the coming child would like for him was happened and in his mind he hoped and prayed to God to protect the Maria, as well as the unborn baby.

***

Richard decided it was high time to introduce Erik to the people, it became subordinates to know what kind of man they would get their ruler when the crown would change ownership. Erik was very nervous about coming day, as he was supposed to give a speech to the people. He decided to be honest and tell all about that shameful mark. He didn't want to be secretive about this matter any further, because before long might happen that someone would see that mark and accidentally blabbed it to the world.

Finally arrived that day, and they walked a large podium, which was built in the market place. They sat on the throne, and Erik saw people looking at them partly honor, partly expectantly, as Very rarely the royal came out, behind the stone walls in the middle of ordinary citizens.

King Richard stood up and spoke to the people, the end of which was followed by cheering and clapping. When the people were silent again, Erik rose cautiously to his feet and take a uncertainly step further. He was scared, but this was to be done. He looked at the people below the surging, took a deep breath and began to speak.

Erik told them the whole story, even he wanted to forget most of what he had experience.
"I will not force you to like me and if you think that I do not fit your king, I can give up the crown. I just wanted to be honest with you, so that you will know what I am . "Erik said gulping quiet and silent.

People was quiet, no one cheering, nor patted and Erik started to expect the first spawn ammunition, which would striking at him. He was used to it, and didn't felt the physical pain, but the inner hurt even more. He turned and walked slowly back to the throne, until suddenly started to hear screaming, cheering and clapping. Confused, he turned to look at people who clapped, cheered and chanted his name.

This was new to Erik, as he had been used to hear the name calling, slander, and received only blows, kicks and rotten vegetables and fruits. Small embarrassed smile spread on his lips and for a moment it seemed to him that everything will go in better way, when suddenly a very familiar figure rushed up, along with a couple of other men. Before anyone had time to do anything Julian had already slashed the king's throat open and attacked to the Queen.

Erik looked horrified at this, but realized that he had to act now if wanted to get his wife to safety. So he jumped to Maria and pulled to this with him, Ignatius striding behind him. They ended up in an isolated street, where they stopped for a moment.

"Ignatius, best friend of mine, I beg and pray, take Maria with you and take her out of here, get her to safety", Erik asked and looked at his old friend begging for.
"I will", Ignatius said and strode to Maria.

"Erik, no. I don't want to leave you", Maria asked.
"Mary dear, go. I don't want anything bad happen to you. Be so kind", Erik asked and looked at his wife unhappy. It hurts so much that he had to leave her like this, but it was the only way to protect her.
"All right", Maria said, tears streaming to her cheeks, and go with Ignatius.

Julian didn't noticed this until it was too late and Ignatius had rode out of the city gates, Maria with him.

Erik watched as the two fainter and finally disappeared from the view. He wished that they may get escape and and save from Julian and his subordinates. He didn't do anything to escape, but stood still in place, even when the two thugs arrived and took him over to Julian.

"Did you try to escape." Julian said, and looked at the estimates Erik.
"I didn't try", Erik said, to stood there and watching the tips of his shoes.
"Then why did you run away?" Julian said.

Erik was silent, and did not answer. He looked silently to Julian knew that he did not have to tell him, because Julian already knew what he had done.

"I guess you help your little wife to escape", Julian hissed viciously to got Erik cringe to stepped back. He almost ran thug, who standing behind him and nudged him away from himself.
"So what", Erik said and get rough nudge to his back from thug who stand behind him.
"That little escape will not last long, and when we catch them, you'll look at when they are executed", Julian said, the great satisfaction in his voice, when receiving Erik's clearly fear.
"Julian, I beg you let her live. I'll do anything you want, if you just let Maria go", Erik begged and tears rolled to his cheek.

Just when he thought he was expected to live in peace, all of it was destroyed and taken from him again. His parents were lying dead in front of their thrones and Maria was, hopefully, safe with Ignatius. No longer he had anything to lose and he would die gladly, if it only guarantee to protection of Maria.
"Anything?" Julian asked crooked smile on his face.
"Just about anything", Erik said, and took the crown off his head and handed it to Julian, "I even die, if you want that", he added quietly, hoping that man front of him, have mercy upon him and let him of this pain that gnawed his innermost so much.

"No, you're not dying yet, not before I wanted so", Julian said, smiling contentedly, even though he was a little annoyed at the same time because of how easily this has gone, "I need a servant, and you fit for the job well", he added and dropped the crown on his head.