"Yeah, I am quite puzzled as well." Sessa affirmed.
"The maid was taken to the dungeon for further interrogation but that very day they found her in prison with her throat slit." Kiv provided.
Sessa pondered. "She had confessed that second prince was the mastermind so why was she still killed?"
"Unless someone wanted to take out the second prince in order to contend with you." Nimo revealed.
"Who could that be?" Kiv said puzzled, this was the main reason why he had left Allon. He had no interest in the constant power tussle, Kiv just wanted to live his life to the fullest.
"Who else but the rightful owner to the throne?" Sessa realised.
"The first prince."
•°•
The first prince sat in his study with his long hair half shading his eyes, his dark robe flowed at his feet. He was handsome in an eerie way and carried a threatening posture.
"Your highness." His personal guard Belio saluted immediately he entered the study.
"Go ahead."
"The attempted assassination failed to take place."
"And?"
"The second prince came back to Allon in the company of the Crown Prince."
Tif Tressor sighed. "Its seems like I underestimated Toban. Well there is always a next time."
State of Neo, Yelloa Palace
Gracefulness was protrayed in everything Princess Milla Corllie did, from the way she bent down, to the way her hands moved as she dressed the herb she was attending to with a scissors in her hands. She was nicknamed porcelain of Neo because of her gentleness.
Princess Milla was the only daughter of King Ropal Corllie of State of Neo, she was awfully pampered and had great responsibilities on her shoulders. Everyone knew where to find Princess Milla when searching for her, her glass house was very special to her, there she took care of varieties of plants. Both poisonous plants and medicinal herbs.
"Your Highness." One of her personal maids Giti drew her attention.
"Yes." Princess Milla answered softly.
"I heard that Crown Prince of Panirut was attacked by assassins." Giti informed.
The Princess paused. "Really?"
"Yes."
Princess Milla continued with her business. "Such is the danger attached to the throne." Giti stared at her young mistress whose delicate face was clouded with a distant look, wondering what the princess was thinking about.
"Your Highness."
"Speak no more of what you heard."
"Yes."
Princess Milla used to dream of a fairytalelike life when she was little...but as she grew up, she had to face reality. Even though her parents had never said anything, she was smart and she knew why they never accepted many qualified men who came to seek for her hand in marriage.
The king and the queen where hoping for her to get married to the Crown Prince of Panirut in other fortify their alliance. She was but a chess piece for both kingdoms.
•°•
Sessa wrote a letter to Franagan to come and see him at Solitude Tower. A knock echoed on the door.
"Come in."
Franagan stepped in.
"Your Highness you asked for me." Franagan had been promoted to the head of all royal guards so he didn't get to see Sessa often because of his numerous duties.
"Yes. I want you to carry out a secret investigation on my attack, I need someone I can trust to carry it out." Sessa had been thinking for a while, he couldn't just let the sleeping dog lie. He wanted to know who his enemies and friends were.
"I will do that right away."
"Thank you. And remember...do it secretly, I do not wish to alert the enemy."
"Yes Your Highness."
The following day, the Crown Prince in the company of Nimo set off to Craynon Palace to attended the royal court.
After the courtiers had kowtowed before the king, the court session began.
"Crown Prince, you were give a task to carry out. How was it?" King Sessa asked drawing the court's attention to the issue.
Sessa stepped forward. "Your Majesty, the situation in Kunly Village, the village carried by flood was terrible. Many houses were lost rendering many villagers homeless, lots of lives were lost making orphans, widows and widowers. The famine was harsh and the people had to rely on foods from trash, the supplies we sent I'm afriad are not enough. I hope that Your Majesty will look into this."
"Of course, Minister of Revenue and Minister of National affairs." His Majesty called.
"Your Majesty." They chorused.
"I hope that the both of you will work together and see to this issue."
"Yes."
"Your Majesty. I have a memorial." Camin Selburn said and came forward, he was the Grand Duke of Panirut and also Nimo's father.
The king signalled for the document the Grand Duke wrote to be brought to him. After reading the document, the king smiled a little.
"Grand Duke it seems we both think alike. General Rondor Selburn has been at the borders for so long, it's time for him to return home. Leemack read the royal edict."
Leemack held forward a yellow scroll and read from it. "General Selburn has brought great merit to Panirut, he defeated the enemies and successfully secured our borders. He is thereby called back to the capital with the Redhulk army and given Tolei Palace as his reward. End of decree."
The court dismissed and Sessa began to return to Solitude Tower, he looked at Nimo and saw her sulking at the corner of the carriage.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"Nothing."
"Follow the carriage of the Grand Duke, we shall pay him a visit today." Sessa called out to the carriage driver. Nimo casted an astond look at him.
"What?" She managed to murmur.
"I'm paying your father a visit." Sessa knew she wanted to see her father but she kept using her position as his guard to give herself a believable excuse.
"You don't have to feel sorry for me Your Highness."
"What has this got to do with you? What? Are you saying that I can't visit my soon to be subordinate as a Crown Prince?"
Nimo gave a gratifying laugh. "Thank you."
The carriage of the Grand Duke came to a stop at the entrance of Revel Manor and the Crown Prince's carriage followed suit. The two parties both came down from their carriages.
"Greeting, Your Highness." Camin Selburn said bowing a little.
"Grand Duke." Sessa payed his respect
"To what do I owe this rare...pleasant surprise?"
Sessa look down a little, it was quite true that this...indeed was a rare visit, he rarely left Solitude Tower to go visit people.
"I think you might be quite worried about your daughter due to the recent mayhem we faced."
Camin looked at his daughter, she has grown up, he taught.
"Your Highness, please." He invited, gesturing with his hands for them to go in.