Four days later the information I asked for was in front of me as I drank my afternoon tea.
Not a lot of things could be kept behind closed doors people talk, whisper, and secrets spread as fast as fire in the bushes with every person adding their own set of spices creating rumors. Honestly sometimes makes me think that if you want something hidden dispose of anyone aside from yourself. Dead men tell no tales after all.
And that is the reason information guilds exist they hold onto rumors track down the sources tip a few people and there you have it. This specific information guild is the best. Phoenix guild is known as the ears on the wall cause nothing that is provided by them is proved as wrong or false it was the Truth it could be exaggerated at times but there is no smoke without fire.
His Highness Issac was 23 first son of His Highness Theodor the king and his queen, Melissa. Their only child and the only successor for the crown. His father was a man obsessed with authority and believed in and saw nothing other than accomplishments. His mother was obsessed with social circles, gossip, and trends and didn't hold much interest in the prince. She only showed it when the king praised him for something. In other words when he accomplished something.
He became a sword master at the age of 16 and was announced the crown prince and then he joined the battle on their northern borders with the barbarian tribes who were trying to invade them and swiftly settled things down in a short span of three months.
Our Empire had the ocean on our borders and only shared borders with the Kingdom of Freed while the Kingdom of Freed has us on their southern border. The barbarians in the North ruled over the desert, the Estianz kingdom to the east with its cold climate, and the Empire of Kalden to the west.
So the kingdom of Freed naturally dominated the world of trade and to keep itself safe it needed double the security there is no knowing when one might betray you, so they hire a lot of mercenaries and are stricter with their qualifications to achieving knighthood.
About his features, the report said that he had a towering height taller by a head or two than common men. Glossy black hair and golden eyes were traits of the Royal Family of Freed. But I wonder why he chose a princess of another kingdom a foreigner to be his Queen instead of a noblewoman from his court.
Was he ordered? No that is far-fetched it could be to guarantee his back and ensure that he won't be betrayed by us there is nothing stronger than blood to bind people Nevertheless, my curiosity would be satisfied once we meet.
After reading the report I burned the papers and continued my afternoon tea I had to prepare to welcome the delegates and a dress for the welcome banquet.
Throughout my life in this Palace even without anyone telling me I instinctively knew. Don't stand out. Don't cause trouble. Live quietly while we are allowing you to do so. No matter how big it was my palace was just a cage. And no matter how far the distance between the bars it was useless with the shackles at my ankles. I can't do anything exceptionally cause I will make it harder for their princess and am not even allowed to do what a princess does which is simply holding tea parties and attending balls.
And I was painfully aware of the public image that His Majesty was aiming for. The daughter of a wicked woman can only be a wicked vile woman. The cold expressionless princess has no sympathy whatsoever so he locked me up in this place with the excuse that I am yet to properly show the manners and humility that a princess is supposed to have.
Even though the servants who were by my side and acted as my hand and feet. I knew that they were either His Majesty's or the Duchy's eyes and ears and the rest bluntly ignored me unless they were directly addressed.
As the days went by so did my patience run out. I have always been waiting for the time that I will get out of this hell. And the day the delegation arrives fell upon us.
The carriage carrying the deligations and The crown prince from Freed arrived in the late hours of the morning. Having woke up at 3 to prepare for their arrival I was already tired but showed no inclination of such a thing. As I stood behind His Majesty and the Queen beside my supposed siblings I saw the first carriage stop in front of the stairs that led to the main castle with the flag of Freed which was a black dragon with golden eyes and, red background and the driver opened the door and two men emerged from there.
But none of them had the features of the crown prince. I had a bad sense of forbidding. One had soft brown hair and purple eyes and the other one had blonde hair and crystal clear blue eyes. Both of them were, to be honest charming but the blonde man was noticeably taller and simply devastatingly handsome. I was shocked at the thought that he can move and breathe wait can he talk too?
What am I saying? As an engaged woman at this point, I should spend no time entertaining such thoughts. The two men walked out then climbed the stairs and stood in front of us and bowed down at the waist slightly to greet us formally.
"Greetings your Majesty The sun of Aquastine I am Caville Cronwell his Highness the crown prince's aide and I have been sent here in his sted as there were urgent matters to attend to and he implored me to deliver his most sincere apologies. I hope you forgive us for our rudeness" said the man with brown hair and purple eyes.
" I hope it is not something very alarming that will affect the matters we agreed on " Replied His Majesty coldly.
" No, he is simply preparing for her highness the crown princess's arrival and accommodation at the kingdom of Freed and tying loose ends while he is at it. I hope we haven't offended you greatly"
" No, am just disappointed that my son-in-law that was supposed to arrive with you is not accompanying you" he responded coldly even though his words were intimate. " And the gentleman beside you is?"
" Allow me to introduce myself to Your Majesty my name is Zack Edwell an imperial official and have been given the honor of assisting Sir Cronwell" replied the blonde man.
The man who called himself Zack had this air of indifference, confidence, and pride the way he carried himself was overbearing. As far as I knew there were no noble families in the kingdom of Freed with the name Edwell and the way he carried himself in front of the Emperor without fear or intimidation was clearly different from the lower nobles.
I thought of him as weird and suspicious but it is not like I can outright ask for his position or lineage while welcoming them as honored guests. Plus he seemed to be not interested in adding more to his self-introduction and His Majesty showed little to no interest in the whole affair since the main character decided not to show.
" Well then I hope you rest well till the evening and I shall see you at tonight's banquet and we will start our discussion on the morrow in the afternoon. My daughter Amelia here shall guide you to your rooms."
With that, his Majesty headed back to the main castle with his family leaving me with the delegates from Freed.