─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
Ezra paced back and forth as he waited for Xavier to arrive at the meeting. Generals, lieutenants, and other highly-ranked official knight members sat quietly as they stared at each other with confusion.
"This is absurd. He calls himself the emperor? He forces an unwanted war and disrespects his knights by showing up late?! Where is that damn guard?!" Ezra mumbled under his breath in a frustrated tone.
"Grand commander! Your majesty has fallen ill and is resting with the princess. The imperial maid reported that she found him, on his knees - resting beside the princess while lying in bed. She mentioned that his majesty was drenched in sweat and his skin was ghostly white, that of an ill person." Explained the young guard, out of breath.
Ezra tilted his head towards the sky as he closed his eyes, demonstrating his frustration.
"Of all the days, today had to be the day, it seems. Very well. Go back to your post. I will commence the meeting." Ezra sighed as he shook his head.
"Gentlemen, it appears his majesty is a bit under the weather and will leave the meeting to me. Let's start the meeting." Ezra announced as he walked into the meeting room.
Everyone looked at each other with disappointment. A few sighed while others whispered to each other.
"Leave the attitudes for another time, men. Let's get straight to the point. We leave for Sulunder after tomorrow, at dawn. We will provide horses for you all. The rest of the men will carry on behind us. There will be five carriages filled with supplies, weapons, extra armor, and food for the stay. Since Sulunder is a small country, it should not be hard to conquer. However, that does not mean we should be careless. As discussed a couple of days ago, our strategy for this war is to…" Ezra explained the strategy for their attack, tricks, and other announcements.
The meeting ended at midnight, leaving the rest of the ranked-knights to go home to their families before their departure.
Ezra sighed heavily as he stood up from his chair and began to collect the documents from the meeting table.
"Grand Commander, a word?" Asked the scar-faced man.
He looked up at the lieutenant and nodded.
"I apologize if I offend for what I am about to say. I have been observing you ever since the talk of this war, grand commander. I also believe that you disapprove of this war." The scar-faced man said as he helped him collect the documents.
Ezra paused and looked at the lieutenant with a saddened expression.
"You are right, Jahmal. War is only needed when we must defend and protect. Our land is blessed in every aspect. To make it brief, We are one of the most powerful and wealthiest countries ever to exist. Why must we continue to take what is not ours? Ever since I was a child, I was only taught to swing my sword, show character, and never stand down. But at what costs? We nearly had a grand tragedy today. Yet, the man who caused all of this showed no signs of remorse. It is as if he is trapped in a repeated cycle of death and blood. He is selfish. He does not care for anything or anyone else other than his own gain." Ezra explained as he sat down.
"At times, one loses their sight on what is important and focuses on greed. Rather, perhaps they try to occupy their mind with other matters than to face the truth, Grand Commander.'"The lieutenant responded.
"I have known you ever since you were a young prince—a mere child who was fragile and struggled even to lift his sword. You always had compassion and pure intentions for everything and everyone. His majesty is different from you. Though you both share the same royal blood, he was raised differently than you and the former prince, may his soul rest in peace." He continued as he placed his hand on Ezra's arm.
Ezra nodded and stood up tall.
"Go home to your wife and children. Enjoy every moment with your family. Rest well, and I will see you on our departure date."
They both cracked a smile and nodded.
"Rest well, grand commander. You need it the most." replied the scar-faced man as he exited the room.
.
.
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It soon became morning. The sky remained a charcoal gray with scattered clouds. A few droplets continued to fall from the sky.
Xavier sat up from his bed as he held his head with his hand. Rubbing his eyes, he removed the covers off of him. He turned to his side, only to find the princess, still heavily asleep. He sighed deeply and searched for his robe. He got up and opened one of the french doors.
"Your Majesty!... m...may the sun, and the moon, shine brightly upon the…" reacted the nervous guards.
"Enough. Fetch me the imperial maids." Xavier interrupted in an annoyed tone.
"Y...yes, of course!" one of the guards replied as he ran to complete his mission.
Shortly after, ten imperial maids came in and bowed in unison.
The head maid bowed her head as she held her hands together behind her back.
"Take her to the emerald palace. Prepare her a bath and change the covers there. Be extremely careful with her as you bathe and change her. Have the imperial doctor check on her health status. Report back to me when you are finished. Where is her nanny, Marina?" He questioned.
"She is in the emerald palace, waiting for your order, your majesty." The head maid answered.
"Very well. Prepare my bath as well. Layout my attire for today as usual. Have the chef prepare my breakfast and leave it at my office. Let her nanny know, at noon - I expect her at my office." He commanded as he walked
The maids all bowed nervously as he walked towards the window.
"Has it been raining all night?" Xavier asked the head maid as he leaned against the pillar by the oversized window.
"Yes, Your Majesty. In fact, there was a large storm a few hours ago. The lake is over-flooded." The maid explained.
"Interesting. It has not rained this bad in years." Xavier mumbled as he continued to stare out the window.