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Chapter 22 - 1.22 Unshackled

"How did it go?" Simone asked once the whole family had settled themselves in the Duke's office. The three brothers gave one look on each other as they braced themselves from the news their parents were about to bring.

They watched as their parents also exchanged glances. Duchess Mirae then let out a small smile and Duke Veron softened his expression. Oh, the three brothers simultaneously thought to themselves. So, a good news then. That's a relief.

"His Majesty," their father started then looked at Nero straight in the eye. The young lord stared back with little interest if the look the duke gave meant a warning of sort.

"Has decided to pardon your brother."

Simone gasped. His eyes widened, viridian irises glistening in pleasant surprise. "This is great!" He giddily exclaimed then stood up to hold hands with the Duchess as they both chuckled merrily.

On the other hand, Nero gave no reaction while Calix frowned. "Not to be a thorn to this blossoming occasion," Calix then interrupted which garnered him an eye roll from the second lord as Simone placed a hand on his hip.

"Don't say that and expect that it will just," Simone brought both arms up and flailed his arms all over as if proving his point. They all looked at him funny. "Cancel out how you just abruptly ended a joyful moment! Historical even; one for the books!" He ended his sermon with crossed arms, a raised brow, and sarcasm.

Nero muffled a chuckle at the dumbfounded look that graced on Calix's face.

"Simone," Duke Veron warned his second son, although quite fondly because he secretly dotes on all of his sons as if they were daughters. Well that and it was amusing to witness Simone sassing the heir. He cleared his throat. "Your brother has worries. We should hear them."

"Thank you, Father." Calix pointedly glanced at Simone for a moment before regaining his composure. "I'm just curios." He furrowed his brows. "What brought this upon?" He continued.

Calix felt that the situation was suspicious. This is because when their dukedom fell in rank, this strengthened the Queen's authority as it was her words that convinced the King. And with her affiliation to the Monrells, Calix was sure that they would do everything in their power to never revoke His Majesty's penalty, of sort, to Nero.

When he also met with Lumierre just a while back, the other had even admitted that he had indeed reported his observations on Nero to Duke Leviticus Monrell II, his father.

The both had agreed to meet on an inconspicuous alley in the common street. Both heirs were leaning on each side of the walls as they both feigned disinterest on one another.

"There's a limit to how much trouble I can make," the Monrell heir confessed as he fiddled with the hood of his robe. He was uncharacteristically serious. There was no hint of the seemingly flippant vibe that he usually held.

"Father's orders are absolute." Lumierre then tightened his hold on his robe as he prepared to leave. "If you are looking for information further than his commands, you came to wrong person. I have no interest on his obsession in this foolish rivalry."

Calix could only watched the retreating figure of the other.

*

"I understand." Duke Veron nodded as if he already suspected Calix's inquiry.

He felt the touch of his wife on his shoulder as he then proceeded to narrate what happened in their visit in the palace. When they were inside the royal hall, the two knelt down as greetings to the King and respect in front of The Crown.

"We greet the Sun of the Empire. May The Crown bless us."

Once granted the permission to rise which was a simple wave of His Majesty's hand, they stood with poise and awaited the King's words of inquiry for their presence. The Second Duke and Second Duchess were aware that King Henry XI already had an inkling of their appearance at the Imperial Palace but he entertained the formality.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of the Sword and Rose of the Empire's presence?" King Henry XI asked.

"Your Majesty, we have come for your recent letter," Duke Veron answered.

"Ah, my wish to meet your youngest."

His Majesty muttered to no one in particular but Veron still replied. "Correct, Your Majesty. We-" Duke Veron started but he was immediately cut off by the King as he abruptly continued his words. The duke did not feel offended by this as he was already used to how sly the Imperial Family are.

"It seems like the two of you are questioning my words," he teasingly said but there was an underlying seriousness in his tone.

"Yet again," he bluntly added then stared at the Duchess.

When the Lanchaster couple gave no response, the king laughed. "I was kidding." The double meaning in his tone was there again.

Duke Veron and Duchess Mirae sensed that the King wasn't done yet so they let him do the talking. They quietly watched as he shifted on his seat to a more comfortable position, poise neglected.

Then, the Lanchaster couple perked his next words. It seems like their King finally see eye to eye how abrupt and how quite foolish his orders were to a mere child.

"The prophecy is yet to be determined of its validity," King Henry XI had explained. The words of the High Priest was yet to be known if it was reliable or not. Indeed, the child of the prophecy had arrived but ever since the curse befall their land, nothing had really happened that was worth to be called as the 'Empire's ruin.'

"In fact, the empire continues to grow!" King had Henry XI chattered brightly. Vermont continued to bloom business which increased the trading and currency rates. Monrell have widened their religious following across seas. And. . .

"Our knights have managed to secure the Burnham Shoal and garnered the signs of the remaining hostile dukedoms from Empire Stralis," Duke Veron recalled to his sons.

Burnham Shoal was a treasure cove for bountiful marine resources. For centuries, empires have been clashing on marking the area. After a month long battle, the Lanchaster knights have staked the place as Empire Cruxire's territory. Not only that, the Lanchasters have also convinced the lingering influential families from the southern kingdom that have yet to sign the peace treaty of both empires.

"Also, I have been told of your son's. . . development," King Henry spoke with implication. Why he had known such information, the two did not dare ask of His Majesty's source. The King sighed, but then something glinted in his eyes for a second.

"Since the two of you are here, I give the honor of knowing my plans." He smirked. "A riddle I give you."

"To whom owes the key of the cursed child's shackles?"

*

"Your graduation is near, is it not?" Duke Veron then suddenly asked Simone. The second lord nodded with confusion etched on his face.

"His Majesty had stated that he will personally attend to the event and award the students himself," the Duke explained then paused before bringing back the same intense gaze to the young lord who sat expressionless.

"And once the after-ball comes, he plans to announce Nero's freedom."