A few weeks had passed after the Winter hunt incident. We went back to Westreon after helping House Salvatore clean up the remains and the poison that was left on the ground. Elaheh, Klent and some of our knights stayed there even after we went home to make sure nothing poisonous was left. It was hard since the ground was covered in thick snow and nothing grows there right now, but Elaheh found a way to make sure. They all returned a few days ago looking triumphant.
The king was informed of our survival and how I rescued the people who were trapped at the mountain because of the demon beasts. It was also reported how 'valiantly' the vessel, me, and the Knights of Noktis faught to end the necromancer who was after the king's life. The fight happened up on the mountain which was now off-limits to outsiders and no mention of the attack at the camp and my sisters were mentioned.
The Brouette Dukes made it clear that I and the Knights of Noktis saved everyone, glorifying us to a point where we literally became heroes. The common people now sing songs and made plays about our heroic deed of saving the kingdom from the monstrous necromancer and his army of the undead.
I was reading the report Elaheh made regarding the poison when I heard a knock on my door. Sebastiene went and opened it, took a letter tray and thank whoever sent it here.
"Lady Mel, a letter has arrived." I heard Sebastiene say as he placed the envelope on the my table after examining it.
The first thing I saw was the royal seal engraved on the wax. The second letter had the insignia of House Salvatore. I opened the second one first.
It was a letter of thanks from Duke Salvatore. After reading the contents and saw no problem, I had Sebastiene forward it to my father. Then, I stared at the letter with the royal seal for a few moments.
"Now what does that king want?" I asked taking the letter and ripping it open.
I read the contents in silence before putting it back to the tray.
"This.. Send it to Athy." I instructed Sebastiene who raised his brow questioningly before taking the tray out.
It was a banquet invitation at the Royal Palace. It was a banquet to celebrate and honor the heroes, aka Knights of Noktis, who saved the king and killed the necromancer. To celebrate the heroes, yet only nobles were allowed to participate. Even the Knights who fought that day were not invited. Not even the high ranking ones. Could they be any more hypocrite?
A few moments later, Sebastiene came back with Athy and her maids.
"What the heck does that idiot want now?" Athy said as she walked in my office like it was her own.
"No idea." I shrugged and I pushed the papers I was reading aside. "But I received a report stating envoys from other kingdoms have come to join the said banquet."
"Oh?" Athy raised a brow at me. "They invited people from other kingdoms knowing that there are political conflicts that could ignite when some people see each other?"
"That's not all, lady Athanasia." Sebastiene smiled at her before adding, "They 'kindly' informed that House Castellan and the vessel will certainly be there."
"Which makes the invitation hard to decline." Athy nodded in understanding.
Sebastiene nodded and I let out a sigh.
"Where is Uriel by the way?" I asked, looking for our middle sister.
"After hearing about the banquet, she went off with mom to order our dresses." Athy rolled her eyes sarcastically.
Uriel might seem worry-free but amongst all of us, she was the one who has the most work during the said banquet. As she was in charge of external affairs, things like banquets and parties with foreign dignitaries are her problems. So besides shopping for dresses and accessories, she has no other way to unstress herself.
Both Athy and I sighed heavily.
"Can you not decline that invitation, my lady?" Loki asked.
We all shook our heads.
"Why?" Loki asked, confused.
"Then we won't see what they prepared for us." Athy answered with a sadistic smirk.
That afternoon, I received a report from Miss Bloom about the foriegn guests as well as all their informations. She also informed me that Vince Wicke was currently at the capital. She has no idea why he was there, but he seems to be staying for some time as he booked a room for a whole month.
After reading all the reports sent that day, I pushed everything off my table and turned to look at Sebastiene.
"Seb, how about the other thing?" I asked my butler who was pouring me some tea.
"I have already run through the information we have gathered, my lady." Sebastiene answered as he sat down at the other side of the table and poured himself a cup of tea. "It is indeed him."
"I see." I sipped my tea and stared at him.
"But like most of them, he is not in a good state." Sebastiene added. "It's hard to tell for sure."
Now we have another thing in our hands.