General Martin couldn't believe what he was seeing. All this month he has been getting report that everything is fine in the border but in real everything is messed up. He didn't get any message of this situation even through his secret line.
"Winter, Are you sure it was Grand Marshal?"
"Yes. According to our investigation he colluded with the king of cercious and he also manipulated our army. I am sorry that I couldn't understand that he also blocked our secret line and sent you those reports.I will accept any punishment, sir."
"What's the point of punishining you at this point? The war is coming and neither we have a competent emperor nor we have a strong army. Also we got a corrupted Grand Marshal. How are we supposed to fight now? Winter, Leave me alone. I want to think."
" Understood."
"I need to go back to capital and report it. I cann't do anything without the original plan that Grand Mashal has. I have to Speed up things."
"Winter!"
"We will go to capital now."
"Yes sir. "
General Marshal set out for capital that night. It took him seven days to reach there. When they finally reach there, they were exhusted but General went to emperor as soon as he reached capital.
"So you are saying that Grand Marshal betrayed me?" Emperor Henry asked with a very calm face.
"Yes ,your majesty. I have the proof."
"I believe you have. But what you were doing when he was plotting against me? Or are you also with him?"
"No, your majesty. I never ever thought to betray you."
"You better not. Don't forget you are my dog and I have the lash."
Generel Martin gritted his teeth. But still he said, "Thank you for trusting me.What we shall do with Grand Marshal since he is your uncle?"
"Interrogate him. And then kill him. After that you should prepare for war. Don't disturb me for those kind of small war."
The emperor left the room. Generel couldn't beleive his ear.
"Small war!! "
After an hour general went to Grand Marshal's mansion to capture him. When they reached there the mansion was calm like a noon of summer in a countyside house. General entered the mansion. He saw no one inside. No one can help but think that the criminal has escaped in such situation. General also thought so . But he was proved wrong when Grand Marshal's butler ,Eric welcomed him like he always did.
"Welcome to Grand Marshal's Mansion, General.
His grace is waiting for you in his study."
"Where are other people ,Mr. Eric?"
"They already left. I will also leave with my master."
General couldn't help but think this is a funarel. Those eyes of Eric told him everything .
" Lead the way."
"My pleasure."
General Martin saw Grand Marshal behind that oak table that the head of the Riensworth family inherits from former head.
"Long time no see ,General. How do you do?"
"I' m doing fine."
"Good to know. Please have a seat. I'll answer your question."
"Grand Marshal, why did you do that?"
"Haha...haa..Why did I do that? General, do you remember ,Arthur?"
Whenever General hears this name he cann't help but feel sad. He tried to keep his face expressionless but he failed.
"You don't have to struggle, general.I know what he means to you."
"But why did you betray his majesty? You are his uncle."
"I'm Arthur's uncle as well. At first I hated him for his origin but the day he jumped to save my son from lion's cage I regarded him as my own son."
General martin could very well remember that day. Back Then, Henry called his cousin ,Robert to play with him. Then Henry asked him to dance for him. They were both young then. But Henry was very cunning even from that age. He ordered his attendent to throw him into lion's cage taking advantage of his refusal to dance. Because, Robert was third in line to the throne. But when Arthur knew about it he jumped in the cage without hesitation to save him. General could still remember the day very clearly.
But still general felt angered."If so, where were you when he was framed? Where were you when he was killed?"
Grand Marshal looked through the window ,"I know you blame me for not arriving in time. But we all fell into his trap then. Arthur died a painful death. I still cann't forgive myself. I have done all these things to avenge him so that I can met his eyes when we meet next. But general ,What are you doing? You are serving that person with so much loyalty. Have you forgotten the past and moved on?"
General couldn't controll him anymore.He punched the table,"I haven't. I want to avenge him more than anyone. But what you've done will hurt him more. You brought a war upon us. He would never want anything bad to this empire. Also why do think I am serving him so loyaly?"
"Why?"
"His little sister, Liliana. "
"His little sister?"
"Yes. He had a little sister. When she was born with black hair, she was sent to the salve hub. Only few people know about it. If Arthur hadn't told me this when he was dying I wouldn't have known this. It's a secret of royal family. The royal didn't disclose it to anyone to avoaid the disgrace.Henry knows this because he became crown prince after Arthur died.And then he took advantage of this to tie me. Arthur told me to protect her before he died. Now before you avenge him you will get his only one sister killed."
Grand Marshal sat on his chair, looking completely destroyed." What have I done? What have I done?"
" We cann't avenge him without saving liliana. Now if Henry dies, Liliana will die before that. Grand Marshal, give me the plan of army. We have to win this war."
Grand Marshal grabbed his hair in desparity, "Who knows when we really can avenge him? Hahaa...hahaaha..I was so close to my goal still ..."
Grand marshal opened a secret cabinet in the wall and brought out some paper."Here is the army planning. Also the information about my interction with them. With this you will win this war judging your capability."
"Thank you ,Grand Marshal."
"I have a favour to ask you, General."
"What?"
"Let me end this game here. I wanted to avenge my son and Arthur. But I failed. I am ashamed to face myself now. I feel worthless now. Henry will order you to kill me sooner or later or might have already done. I would be really ashamed to be killed by him. Let me die with honor,general."
"I understand your feelings. Although he ordered me to kill you I will do yo the favour considering our past. Go ahead."
"Thank you ,General."
Grand marshal prepared two drink. One poisoned and another red wine. He offered one to the general." Would you mind ..?"
General took the glass. They both drank quietly.
"I am glad that you are with me ,in my last moment ,martin. It would be great if my son was here. Still ,I am fortunate you are with me.You were Arthur's friend. I can see my son and Arthur in you. I don't know if I should wish you hapiness. Maybe it would be the dumbest wish in this empire. So I wish may God bl...ess
...yo..u , So....on"
Grand Marshal stopped talking. General understood another person who knew Arthur, died." Will everyone die like that?"
It was such a sad death. No one mourned for him. Only his pet bird screamed continously.
General stood up . "Winter!"
"Yes, sir"
"Bury him properly"
"Where is Eric?"
"He committed sucide,sir."
General took a deep breath. "Bury him properly as well.Tell everyone that they committed suicide before we came here.Then we threw them into the forest . Also arrange for Three bodies ,damaged.Two male, one female. We have to show them to the emperor."
General looked back with a sad expression on his face, Feeling abandonded.
"All of you left me one by one.That's not fair. Uncle, rest in peace."
General got out of that mansion and hovered on his horse. Today he really needs a long ,very long ride to calm his mind.Winter just looked at his master back and sighed. He needs to complete what his master ordered. This mansion felt like a haunted house. The whole empire is lifeless.
"When will this story of sadness end?"