Hanson entered his study after a short bath. Calvin and Stefan were waiting for him in the sitting room as expected.
"What's your plan now?" Calvin asked as soon as Hanson sat on the sofa on the other side of him.
Hanson just chuckled as he poured himself a cup of tea. He slowly took a sip of the Darjeeling, savouring it as he replied.
"We do nothing."
Calvin and Stefan were both surprised at his answer. Before they could lay out their doubts, Hanson continued. He placed the cup back onto the saucer and slowly leaned back onto the sofa.
"We already knew who sent him. He must be getting impatient as he was brazen enough to try and poison river Morgan."
Stefan folded his arms and leaned back as he sneered with a dark face. "It's quite cunning of him, to try to bring forth another rebellion. This isn't even his territory, to begin with."
"Now he would have his guard up since he knows we discovered his plans." Calvin narrowed his eyes as he let his fingers graze his lips, an action he often did when he was thinking of something significant.
Hanson was completely relaxed as he gave both of them a light smile. "Now, what do you think a cornered animal will do?"
Both Calvin and Stefan turned toward him on realizing his intended meaning.
"You don't say... Is that why you wanted to increase the palace security?" Stefan frowned in contemplation.
"The celebrations will last for three more days. The time is sufficient enough to infiltrate the palace. He will take this opportunity for sure." Calvin mumbled thoughtfully.
"The Princess must be protected well." He added as he straightened up.
Hanson narrowed his eyes thoughtfully at that. He received a letter a few days ago before the Princess' arrival, with an indenture providing him with all rights over the first knight sent to protect Kaia.
It was extremely suspicious since the knight provided by the bride's family will only be under the bride's subordination after marriage considering usual circumstances.
There was also this nagging feeling in his heart about the sudden death of the actual First Knight of Wales, The Demon Sword.
It was said that he died of illness but Hanson could not believe it. He always trusted his intuition and it had benefited him almost every time. And when he heard the news that the young knight who instilled fear upon the entire Zestria, suddenly died of an unknown illness, he could not believe it at all.
Had he been alive, he would have taken the place of the Princess' Knight Guard and have arrived with her at Clarines. He would've been a great help to Hanson with his extraordinary talent even if he had been under the princess' command. He was prepared to not hide anything from his wife, so it wasn't an issue.
But the one that arrived was The Silver Knight, who was said to be second in strength only to The Demon Sword. Although he could not outsmart The Demon Sword, nor triumph over him in terms of strength, he wasn't one to be trifled with either.
It's only that, it was said that The Dark Knight's loyalty lay towards the country and The Silver Knight's loyalty lay towards the royal family.
So by reneging the rights to command The Silver Knight to Hanson, the princess holds no power in Clarines. Hanson can very well do as he pleases with her.
A normal parent would not have done something like this to strip away all of their child's protection.
And besides,
"Don't you think there's something ambiguous about this marriage?"
Calvin and Stefan turned towards Hanson.
Calvin tilted his head thoughtfully. "Come to think of it, usually the Walerian Royal family will choose one of their own as the partner for the heir." He remarked. "Yet when your father proposed the marriage, they agreed readily."
The temperature in the room dropped significantly instilling chills in any other witness. Hanson's thoughts brewed as frost seemed to settle in his gaze.
"It seems Wales isn't as peaceful as we thought."
------------------------
Dawn set in the next morning, painting the sky the hue of marigolds.
Hanson just entered his room wearing his dark-coloured bathrobe. His long black hair was still wet with water droplets trickling down his neck after the bath. He held a towel in his hands and dried his hair carelessly.
He had just finished his morning training and he was famished.
Just as he was thinking of ringing the maids to bring in his breakfast he heard a few frantic knocking on his door, followed by Catherine's voice.
"Your Highness, it's Rosewood."
Hanson furrowed his brows as this was unusual. "Come in."
Catherine immediately stepped in and bowed.
"Pardon me for the interruption Your Highness but there seems to be an urgent situation."
"What is it?" Hanson looked at her inquiringly.
"The princess seems to be ill. She did not wake up at her usual time today morning so her Lady in waiting went ahead to wake her up but the princess seems to be unconscious as she did not rise."
Hanson's expression morphed into seriousness as he swiftly gave her instructions.
"Summon the royal physician immediately, and call in Calvin and Stefan. I will head over to the Princess's quarters right away."
"Yes, Your Highness." Catherine left to carry out her orders at once.
Hanson strode out of his room in urgent steps, disregarding his attire. Kaia's quarters were close to his and he soon arrived there. He pushed open the door and strode in straight.
Hanson saw Alexandra replacing the wet towel over Kaia's forehead. Athena and Cynthia were busying themselves by bringing a change of clothes for Kaia and fresh towels.
"Is she running a fever?"
Alexandra raised her head towards Hanson and replied calmly. "Yes, Your Highness."
Although she looked taciturn and sounded, as usual, the slight tremor in her voice betrayed her emotions.
Hanson let out a small sigh and walked towards the bed. He sat beside Kaia and placed the back of his hand over the side of her neck and checked her temperature. Hanson frowned as the fever seemed to be serious.
It was negligence on his part as he had not ensured her health. She did not have a break after the long travel and had to adhere to the traditions and attend the Ball as soon as she arrived.
Hanson's eyes dimmed when he realised that she had not uttered a single word of complaint. She perfectly had the right to make decisions that overpowered his authority and make herself comfortable but she did not go against his words even once and went along with his arrangements silently.
He then realised that he had to take care of his little wife more.
Hanson's hand subconsciously moved as he gently patted Kaia's head not realising the term of endearment he had given to her in his heart.