Timothy jumped from his seat. He rushed towards Escanor to the other side and yanked the collar of his shirt with two hands.
"You dare tell my wife that!? You.." He was fuming in anger. His breaths were heavy.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry Your Majesty. I was just telling you what we heard!" Escanor exclaimed with quivering eyes.
Timothy loosened his grip. He let go of Escanor's collar.
"Out. All of you. Out! Leave us"
The people inside the room immediately vacated. Only he and Lucia were left. Timothy sat back on his chair.
"You shouldn't have done that Tim"
Timothy rested his forehead on his hand. "I know. But the way he talked irritated me. It was as if he was pushing us to be that couple in their fairy tale. He could be wrong. And even if we are those two, we are different. Unite all humans? What nonsense. We are free to choose for ourselves"
She just nodded weakly.
"And I will never betray you. I love you too much to even think of it. You could have Castonia if you wish to. You can have everything that I have. That's how much I love you"
"Me too. I know that. But a part of me is still saddened"
Timothy wrapped one arm around her waist. She leaned on his chest.
"Even if it's true, we are not them. They messed up. We will not. Even if we won't have a child, it is fine by me. You alone is enough for me to be happy"
"Do you really mean that?"
"I do. Whatever happens, I will stay by your side"
She kissed him "Me too. I will stay by your side. They are wrong. We are not those two. We don't even remember. We are different. Our bond is stronger. And about me not able to bear you a child. We will prove them wrong. You and I will have our child. A boy, a girl, it doesn't matter"
"Yes" Timothy sniffed her hair "And if we need an immediate heir, we could just secretly adopt one. We will raise the child as our own. We will teach him or her how to become a monarch. Of course if we are to get a daughter we should choose someone with good looks or else she would be compared to your godly beauty"
Lucia chuckled. She mashed his cheeks "You are still flirting with me even though we are now together"
"I will always be" He kissed her hand "Always. I promise"
When they exited the room, the Escanor, Shadow, Father Edmund, Arthur. Sylvie, Erik and Captain Bisham were still standing outside. Timothy looked specifically at Escanor who was still shaking.
"I apologize for my outburst. That was a moment I'll try not to repeat" He looked at them "As for our plan, it stays the same. Captain Bisham will attack Calgari. Father Edmund should stay and manage Holm. Arthur you will go to Borondi. And Erik will march to Tulosa. We will make them yield. After that we will invade the Ninev mountain. As for uniting the Kingdoms, we will not go through that path. It is too complicated and the Queen and I are not so kind-hearted to forgive their transgressions"
They all uttered agreement to the plan. Timothy eyed Shadow.
"The Bear wants to join us. He sees Abraham as a man to follow. Can we trust him?"
"Errr I think so Your Majesty. Just double your guards and keep a close eye on him"
Timothy nodded "Then the meeting is adjourned. Spend the rest of winter preparing for your tasks in spring. Good luck to all of us"
**********
Erik was standing in the balcony. After the stressful meeting, he went up here to breathe some fresh cold air. He could see the city of Holm from where he was standing. The houses which were lined in a neat arrangement were blanketed in white snow. The breeze was cold, the sun was mellow and he was satisfied.
"I found a handsome Marquis" Sylvie said from behind. Her footsteps grew closer and she leaned on the railing beside him.
"You found a Marquis who is still confused by what happened"
"Shocking right? That man in black coat with a ridiculous hat sure dropped some heavy truths. I feel bad for Lucia. She has always been fond of babies. It must have been painful knowing that she can't have one herself. And that was rude" Sylvie frowned "Telling a woman that she can't have a child must be done in secret not in front of everybody"
"Timothy must have been heartbroken also. Well enough of that. We shouldn't pry into their private lives. What I wanted to know is why you kept a secret from me"
"Are you still upset that I didn't tell you the thing about my father?" Sylvie clung on his arm "I'm sorry. I just don't want to be a bother to you. I mean it's a family problem. He is my problem. I should report him to a person with authority and I just did"
"You know I'm just kidding. You did the right thing by not telling me" He smiled "And how is he? How is your father?"
"I bet he's going to be executed" Sylvie lowered her head. "His crime is treason and attempting to kill the Queen. My father is going to die"
"That's... sad. You have sacrificed a lot for us"
"It is the right thing to do" Sylvie attempted to smile "He is a traitor"
Erik couldn't bare seeing her fake smile. He wrapped Sylvie in his embrace. "You can be yourself in front of me. No masks. No lies. I am here"
Sylvie snuggled her face on his chest and sobbed. The sob turned into a painful wail. She was trembling.
"I... I don't want him to die. He is not a good person but he is still my father. And I... I was the one to cause his death. My actions were as good as killing him. He will die because I betrayed him. But I had no choice Erik. I had no choice!" Sylvie looked at him. Her usually smug face was downcast. Tears wetted her eyes. "I did it for you. I disobeyed him because I chose you. I would have still disobeyed him for Lucia, but I did not have second thoughts because of you. Imagining what your reaction will be filled me with dread. I don't want to hurt you"
"I know" Erik caressed her face. There was a scar but she was still beautiful. He wiped her tears. He then put a kiss on her forehead. Erik realized that she had become dear to him.
"What you said earlier. Is that true?"
Erik's cheeks showed a shade. Earlier when he thought that Sylvie had poisoned their wine, he hugged her and whispered that he still loves her no matter what. His actions were abrupt and he himself was surprised by what he said.
"It is true" Erik confirmed "And I want you to be the next lady of Greenwater"
Sylvie grinned "Oho. I never thought that this day would come. My handsome Marquis is finally ensnaring me in his net. Are you proposing to me Marquis Erik?"
"I am. Will you become mine?" Erik said immediately
His answer made Sylvie's jaw drop. She was speechless. She lowered her head.
"You were supposed to say, 'Begone vile woman. Do not misunderstand. Although a net suits a curious creature such as you'"
Erik laughed "I am not that cruel to you"
"Well you were never sweet to me either"
"Although it is not in my nature, I will try to be. Just accept me. I'm still waiting for your answer"
Sylvie smiled. It was sweet and genuine "I will. You know that I will"
**********
A month later
The snow finally stopped falling. Those already in the ground were starting to form puddles amidst the punishment of the growing sun.
Timothy yawned and stretched his limbs. It was early- too early. He was on horseback along with Lucia and their guards.
"That was a good winter" he said to her.
"Yes. And probably our last if we lose in the war"
He looked intently at her "And do you think that will happen?"
She smiled "No. Not with you around we will not lose. My husband is Timothy Castonia"
Timothy also smiled. He looked around. The people of Holm gathered in the streets to bid them goodbye. They were holding baskets filled with copper coins. Lucia told him that it was customary to spread coins instead of flowers in Holm. Timothy was amused knowing this. Holm really is a merchant city and Vanadis is a merchant Kingdom.
Father Edmund approached them. He embraced his daughter and then Timothy. Arthur also did the same although more awkwardly.
"I will await for good news. Teach those Wismarines fear" said Father Edmund to him. He looked at Lucia "May the Omniscient guide your way. Know that I am proud of you"
"Thank you father" Lucia said "And Arthur. You know what to do?"
"I do" Arthur looked at Lucia. His blindness on the left eye was not apparent "I will surely cinch that alliance for you"
Timothy reached his hand to Arthur. He had seen Arthur grow from what he was before to whatever he is now.
The next one who bid his goodbye was William. His brother was clad in armor probably because he came from the barracks.
"Tell father that I'm here and I'll be waiting for him to visit me. And remember what you promised. I will join you once my job here is done"
"And join me you will. See you brother" he grabbed William's arm.
William nodded "Until we meet again King Timothy"
Timothy straightened his posture. He pointed forward and Abraham shouted the order to advance. Their party of a few hundred horsemen guards started the procession towards the gate. Along the way, the people of Holm shouted cheers for them. Copper coins were thrown on the road.
They will go to Nirvana and fetch his legions. After that... Timothy couldn't help but smile in excitement. The spring offensive begins. They will crush them all. Wismarines, Tulosans, Hadeans, Inkish, Cantonese, Calgarians and that old tyrant hiding under the Ninev mountains. They will know fear in the image of the lion and the pelican.