"Marquess Hadrian Melchoir's marriage with Rheannon Whitley?"
"Yes, that's true, Your Eminence. The plan is to have it held here for privacy and security reasons. There will only be a blessing not inviting many guests, only a few witnesses."
"Who will be invited?"
"His Majesty the King, Duke Colton and his son, three people from Marquess Hadrian, and two witnesses from the Palace."
High Priest Meical furrowed his brows in surprise. "That's really few people for a marquess' wedding," he commented. "Moreover, for a Rexton hero."'
"Considering the reason behind the marriage…" The messenger priest shook his head in disbelief. "I'm sorry that I said something bad."
"It's okay, son." High Priest Meical smiled. He folded his fingers on the table. "Then what about Prince Axelle?"
"According to the Palace's acknowledgment, His Highness has refused the invitation."
"Thanks for the notification," said High Priest Meical. "I'm going to start studying what to prepare for this important wedding. You can go."
"Yes, Your Eminence. I'll excuse myself."
Once alone in his room, High Priest Meical released the laugh he had been holding back.
The news just now wasn't much of a surprise since King Rexton V's secret envoy had already told him beforehand. All, except that last one.
Axelle Rexton.
The outcast prince had immense divine power, though High Priest Meical wasn't sure how much power he had now. With his great strength, he assumed that Axelle already knew what was really going on at the Beulah Temple and at the Palace, so Axelle always avoided meeting him.
Instead of fighting, just keep quiet. How typical of Axelle.
"It's true what His Majesty the King said. Prince Axelle is indeed a sweet child."
Funny and stupid situation. Whereas if Axelle wanted to, with her current strength, he could definitely take the throne. Becoming the Pope of this continent or destroying Rexton seemed like he could.
[That was why humans who were obedient to Gods never progressed. They always felt everything was too much and inappropriate for him. His life is too overshadowed by fear.]
"Hihihi. That's right."
***
The Duke Colton townhouse is a magnificent building with a beautiful back garden. The impression is fairly cheerful, in contrast to the gloomy Duchy of Colton from the stories Axelle has heard. He'd never been there himself so wasn't sure how gloomy it was. What is clear, his temporary detention room in this townhouse is definitely much better than his small dark cell in the basement of the Palace.
Axelle can't remember how. To be precise, he purposely didn't want to remember how he got here. He only remembered hugging Elias and a few others in some part of the Palace, then the next second when he opened his eyes he was already in one of the rooms of Duke Colton's townhouse.
After that, he heard quite shocking news.
"You heard right, Your Highness. Rheannon will be married off to Marquess Hadrian for the security and continuity of our beloved kingdom," said Duke Colton. "And you have an invitation as a witness."
"Where will be… the wedding ceremony?" asked Axelle.
"At Beulah Sacred Temple."
It was clear who would give the blessing. "I…"
"Will not fulfill the invitation, right?"
Axelle was stunned for a moment, then nodded slightly. "Sorry…"
"It's all right, I understand," said Duke Colton. "Your Highness' condition hasn't fully recovered either. Rest comfortably while thinking about your next move."
The next move, repeated Axelle silently. After receiving mercy for his great crime, there would be no place for Axelle. His "prince" title was not revoked, but society would no longer consider him. Not to mention Axelle's people. Once they left the Palace, they were nothing anymore. There will be no work out there for them.
"What should I actually do now?" whispered Axelle while gazing out the window of his prison room that looked directly into the garden.
"Rhea's wedding is in three days and you haven't decided anything yet?" Chas just walked into Axelle's room without permission. "In three days you will also be completely free from the Palace or any nobles."
Axelle looked at Chas' impoliteness tiredly. "My apologies, Lord Chas. If you're just here to mock, you'd better get out."
Chas whistled. "The King seems right that you're a little more daring than before–even if it's still lacking. Don't worry, I'm here to help you," he said with a crooked smile. He sat on the available sofa. "Your problem is that you never ask for help. You have servants as capable as Sir Elias and loyal knights, but instead let them live in trivial day-to-day jobs. You do that because you think it's important that you live quietly without ever asking what kind of quiet life they really want."
Because nothing is more important than their safety, those who still dare to serve and swear allegiance to him. Axelle had already lost a lot of people, so it was his duty to look after those who were left.
"But even so, you ended up being curious too," Chas continued. "You wanted to know what really happened, so you went to find and free Rhea. Unfortunately, you did it without telling anyone. I could say you were careless."
"Lord Chas already knows that my actions were reckless. Imagine if I told someone from the start, His Majesty the King would have killed everyone," said Axelle.
"Well, to hell with all that now, eh? Rhea is free and you're about to be kicked out of the royal family line–and so are your people. So what else are you afraid of?"
Axelle let out a long breath. He knew where this conversation was going. "Lord Chas, my people can't keep up with me. I'm a nobody and have nothing. There may still be a place for me out there, but not for them."
"You think you're the only traitors to King Rexton V are you?" Chas folded his arms across his chest. "Ask Elias, which nobles still support you besides the Coltons."
"What?"
"Prince Axelle." Chas' tone turned serious. "You can live in peace and quiet if you knock on the residence of the late Queen's family. Her Majesty family's reputation has deteriorated a bit because of the coup, but I'm sure Viscount Tarquin will definitely welcome you with open arms."
"But-"
Chas cut him off. "That's only if you still insist on living a quiet life. But if Your Highness still wants to know the truth, hone Your Highness' divine power. Go to the Holy City of Zion. There's an old priest you can rely on, my sister Marioline will help you while you're there." he explained. "Your Highness' people can spread out to Your Highness' supporting aristocratic territories to gather strength, information, and plans."
This is clearly a coup plot.
Can Axelle do it?
"Your Highness needs to know that the Coltons have absolutely no intention of driving you." Chas stood up from his seat, about to get out. "We're only giving a little advice and direction because Your Highness seems to have a hard time making up his mind. Of course, the agenda behind it is to save this beloved kingdom. Don't worry, we won't move if there isn't a leader who wants the throne."
"I… don't want that…"
"Prince Axelle, taking the throne isn't just about being a ruler. By having the throne and power, you can help a lot of people who have been misled and blinded out there. Isn't that what you really want to do the most?"