"What do you mean that Cyprian's dead?" King Owen asked in surprise. Two nights ago, his head guard and the royal guards had set out to look for his daughters.
One of the guards who had fled Groovetown had reported to the king. "He is dead, Your Grace. A man had come out of nowhere and killed half of our men," he shivered at the memory of it.
The king's council were listening with keen ears as they threw glances at each other. Now that Caspian was dead, the General commander of the king's army had filled up the space. Of course, the elderly councilmen didn't like a young man among them.
Councilman Edmund then cleared his throat. "Permit me to speak, Your Grace," he bowed.
King Owen beckoned him to speak as his head was in great turmoil. This was when his Councilmen came in handy.
The councilman bowed to the king in appreciation before turning to look at the guard. "You said that this man came out of nowhere, then boom. Cyprian was dead and so were the others," he probed.
"Y–yes, milord," the royal guard replied. "Only six of us returned. The others are in Groove town, dead."
Councilman Edmund frowned at the news. "What does this–" he waved his right hand in demonstration, "–strange man looks like?" He asked.
The guard's lips wobbled in fear as his body shook in fear. "I–I can't recall Milord. Everything happened so quickly that I had to run without getting a good detail of the man. But I knew his eyes, those eyes. They were silver and bright." He rasped.
Upon hearing the guard's words, a sudden silence passed through the throne room. A chilling tension dropped on every one of them, spreading around like a net when trapping fishes in a river.
"Then it is a good thing you returned with this news. Go and freshen up. The king will request your presence later," Edmund immediately dismissed the scared man.
"Thank you milord," he replied and bowed to the king, "Your Grace," before rushing out of the room like a scared mouse.
The moment the giant wooden door was shut, Councilman Willow shook his head. "What was Lord Kael Darkhaven doing in Groove town? Last time I checked, Groovetown was part of Asta," he said aloud for everyone to hear.
The new councilman and commander, Eric, then chuckled. All eyes fell on him as he placed his hands on the long table. "Perhaps you have grown too old to remember councilman Willow. Groove town is the border between Everia and Asta. Although the Lord of Everia should not be there, it wasn't written that he couldn't be there," he mused.
"You–" Councilman Willow was about to say another word when Edmund cut him off.
"You are right, Eric. That is true. The king of Asta could also decide to go to Groove town. It is a town that stood between two kingdoms. Or should I say, a town without a kingdom?" He wondered.
Another plump councilman whose beards have turned gray finally spoke up. "We are straying from the topic. The right question should be why did the Lord come to the princesses' aid?"
"Councilman Sullivan is certainly right," Eric replied and leaned on his seat with pride. It was so good to mess with the old men who thought they were wise. Across the table, he could feel councilman Willow's glare.
Edmund, on the other hand, kept thinking about Eric's suggestion. "Your Grace, the princesses have ventured into the northern land. It would be best to send words to the King of Everia. The princesses should immediately be escorted back to Asta when they arrive at Everia." He reasoned. "By doing that, we would avoid any strife between both kingdoms," he concluded.
Everyone at the table nodded to Edmund's idea. The man was surely brilliant and witty.
King Owen smiled at this. It was better to play things wisely with the northern royalty. "Councilman Storm, tell the head scribe to send words to Everia. Edmund's words should be written, word for word. There should be no mistake. It should be delivered by another scribe. We don't want the letter falling into the wrong hands. Don't forget to use the king's seal," the king relayed to the young man.
Councilman Storm bowed, "as you wish, Your Grace," Eric replied and casually stepped out of the throne room.
Just as he stepped out of the throne room, one of the royal guards hurriedly stepped inside.
"Your Grace, Milords," the guard bowed. "The Eastern prince has arrived."
All the councilmen instantly turned to look at their conflicted King. Waiting for his response.
"Then we shall welcome him with open arms," King Owen replied and dismissed the guard. "Councilman Willow, find a servant to tell my wives and daughters to assemble outside. Including the butler," he added before waving for the others to head out.
As the councilmen start filling out of the throne room, Edmund hears the king call him.
"Your Grace," he bowed.
King Owen Flynn walked past the Councilman, and Edmund fell into step behind him. "You will be the spokesperson for the king on welcoming the Eastern prince. If he asks about his bride-to-be, I believe you will take care of it," he said to the man.
Edmund frowned. The king was cunning. Using him to cover up for his reckless actions that drove his daughters from the castle. "Are you trying to say that I should lie, Your Grace?" He asked. This was getting more complicated than he thought.
"That is what I just said, Fitzgerald," the king replied and walked away.
Edmund was left speechless at the king's words.
***
About a hundred soldiers, dressed in red tunic and gleaming amour, swords and shields in gear, stood before the gigantic palace of the Asta king. Flagging their red emblem as they surround their King's carriage.
The castle was surrounded by thick, giant walls that could stand any attack from an enemy. They had entered through the giant gate made of iron. The path leading to the castle was busier and much smoother than outside of it.
The royal family of Flynn, stood outside the immaculate palace. The King was at the forefront. On the left side of him was his wife, the Queen, Remi and her daughter, Pandora. On the left side was Lady Amelia and her daughter, Riona. Beside princess Riona was Edmund Fitzgerald, who was standing as the spokesperson. Behind the king's household was the other councilmen. Behind the councilmen were the head scribe, butler, the head stable man, the kitchen head, and Lady Isabelle, the Governess.
Ronan Thorne's eyes skimmed through the king and his household. A smirk evident on his lips.
Pandora rolled her eyes in annoyance. They have been standing like this for the past five minutes, yet the prince didn't emerge from his red carriage, which was decorated with gold. "Mother, I want to go inside. The sun is scorching," she complained.
Queen Remi turned to look at her husband, the king. She didn't like it when Pandora was uncomfortable.
"You will go nowhere until the prince has been welcomed," the king seethed. But he was beginning to wonder why the prince was yet to meet them.
The coachman then jumped down from his seat, along with a stool. He quietly placed it at the feet of the carriage door. Then he pulled the door open with utmost care.
Ronan, who was about to step out of his carriage saw the stool. Without saying anything, he kicked it aside. "No stools," he said in an unfriendly manner.
"Sorry, Your Grace," the coachman replied and quickly made to remove the stool.
"Welcome to Asta, Prince Ronan Thorne," Edmund had just begun when the coachman screamed.
The eastern prince moved his legs around the coachman's fingers as an evil glint entered his eyes. The sound of broken bones filled the air, leaving the royal family in shock.
Riona inched close to her mother, who held her tightly. It now seems that the rumors about the eastern prince were true.
"It is my pleasure to grace this wonderful castle with my presence king Owen Flynn," the prince replied as he made his way towards them.
Edmund swallowed an invisible lump in his throat as he felt the prince's deadly aura. Sweat rolled off his neck as he turned to see Councilman Willow glaring at him with a smile.
The prince's eyes fell on the dark-haired girl, who was clinging on to her mother like a child. He tilted his head as he stared at them menacingly.
Riona immediately shut her eyes in fear. The man was brooding.
Ronan's eyes then moved towards the left side of the king. The princess with brownish-blond hair was frowning so hard while the Queen stared at him without fear.
Then his eyes fell on the king. "King Owen, your family seems to have shrunk in size, doesn't it?" He asked. Before Edmund could open his mouth, Ronan beat him to it. "Four daughters. But I see only a pretty face and an ugly brown haired girl," he replied with sarcasm dripping from his voice.
Councilman Edmund began to feel that they wouldn't be able to fool the prince. He had barely stepped foot inside the castle, and he was already unnerving everyone in his wake.
"There has been an infectious illness that has plagued the king's household, Prince Ronan. Unfortunately, Lady Victoria and Catelyn were not so lucky," he lied through his teeth.
The butler turned to glare at the councilman's head in anger. It seems they didn't want the prince to know what had transpired in the castle two days ago. Of course, he had heard about everything that happened. Lady Victoria was a good woman, and so was Lady Catelyn.
"Sad indeed. I believe that is the only death that happened in the king's household?" Ronan remarked. He could feel the tension hanging in the air. He was so enjoying it.
"Yes. The king almost got caught up in it too. It was a blessing that a cure was found." Everyone then turned to look at Edmund, even the king. They were beginning to wonder what he was up to.
Ronan chuckled before waving it off. A cold expression suddenly covered his face. All smiles and jeers are all gone.
"Where is my betrothed?" He asked and silence reigned.