*Knock*
*knock*
"Come in,"
The noise of a door opening was heard as footsteps approached.
"Sir, Master Cole is here. He seeks your presence," Thomas announced after bowing at King Magnus.
"What does he want?" King Magnus asked, his head concealed in the pile of books. His voice was calm.
"He proclaims he wants to meet his niece, which he heard rumors residues here,"
King Magnus paused for a moment. He lifted his eyes to Thomas before taking them back to his books. He didn't reply for a short period as he kept scribing phrases on a piece of sheet.
"And who is this... niece?"
"The Lady from Bernard's family, Sir," Thomas quickly diverted his eyes as King Magnus glared at his face. He didn't know who the little girl was to the King, but he knew she was important.
"Where is he?"
"In the reception room."
"I'll be there in a bit,"
"Yes, Sir," Thomas bent again and departed the room, leaving King Magnus deep In thought.
He walked towards the reception room and met Master Cole who had been given refreshments. He bows at him.
"He will be with you, shortly,"
"Thank you, Thomas," Master Cole said and Thomas smiled at him.
A few minutes later, A pair of heavy feet descended the stairs. His black robe and his leather-clothed feet came into view first as the sunshine wasn't radiant. It was almost sunset.
"To what do I owe this visit, Master Mason,"
Master Cole raised from his seat, facing King Magnus.
"I presume you've heard from your manservant, Magnus," Master Cole chuckled. He walked closer to take a handshake but he was unpleasantly declined.
"Please be formal, Master Mason. You're behaving as if I owe you a fortune,"
"And it's indeed a fortune, Sir, more than a fortune. And I'll like to be addressed as Cole." Master Cole said, he hates being called Mason because it's a reminder of his awful past.
"Are you complaining?" His cold eyes look into Master Cole's eyes.
"Of course not, Your Majesty, I wouldn't dare." He quickly cast his eyes down, looking everywhere but the King.
"Very promising. So what's this about? I hate repeating myself, Master Mason, that you're aware of."
"Yes... yes..." He nodded his head furiously and didn't fail to look at him one more time.
"I heard my little niece was in your custody, so I've come to take her back." Master Cole explained and his voice was firm.
King Magnus smiled a little, but his eyes were still cold since he didn't change his expression.
"And who might this be? If it's a girl named Bernard then take the door." He smiled wider as if smiling at a frightened victim, Stretching his hand towards the door.
"She's betrothed to my son, your Highness, by her mother," Master Cole declared.
"Is there enough evidence? If not, leave! I have less tolerance,"
Master Cole nodded his head and deep his hand into his pocket, pulling out a long piece of paper and handing it to him.
He looked at it and an unnoticed frown appeared on his head, which vanished immediately. On the piece were two names written boldly.
ALEXANDRA BERNARD of Bernard's family has accepted a marriage proposal from OLIVER COLE of the Cole family.
Signed; 'Bernard's family' seal and 'The Cole's seal.
DATE: Thirteenth of Februa-
"That's enough to stop your doubting, your Majesty. I'm not trying to take her now which my son would've been glad if I did, I'm letting her stay till adulthood. Maturing in the Magnus's Mansion will do a lot of promising things for her," Master Cole smiled, he looks at King Magnus.
"And don't force it, or I'll inform the council members about this." His voice rang out softly, but his eyes were blazing.
King Magnus just chuckled. His eyes held no expression nor his face.
"We'll see about that, Mason." Mason fisted his hand tightly, his fingernails piercing into his palm. He cast his eyes down again and said,
"I'll take my leave now, Your highness, have a pleasant night." He turned around and walked unhurriedly towards the door.
________
"I'll be gone for a long excursion, Thomas ready your stuff, you're coming with me." King Magnus said the next day.
"Where're you heading to, Sir?" Thomas asked. He raises his brows and shifts his gaze to Katherine, looking for answers. Katherine shook her head.
"And Katherina, do take care of Lexi, I'll try to make my trip short." He assured Katherine whose eyes were looking at Thomas.
"And we're heading East, Thomas, I'm needed there,"
"I thought it was a few weeks away? While the sudden rush, Sire?" Katherine asked.
"Change of plans I presume, I'll be back quickly. I assigned the Kingdom to Samuel, he'll look after it for me." Katherine's eyes almost popped out!
There was no way she was going to allow being commanded by Samuel.
"And it's an Order."
"Yes, Your Highness." She says. Her eyes met Thomas who was looking at her sympathetically. His eyes were ensuring everything would be fine, which is NOT! And she despised the look in Thomas's gazes.
King Magnus nodded.
"Pack your clothes quickly, we're heading off in an hour,"
Thomas nods and glances one last time at Katherine before he turns around and leaves.
_______
A/N:
This is a short chapter, I'm so sorry for that. I was sick that day. Don't worry more lengthy chapters are coming.