The Meetings with the Prince
~
Crown Prince Rayzenn's Personal Office,
The Western Wing of the Imperial Castle,
Capital City of Tronder,
Kingdom of Velicia,
Fair Morning,
The Ninth Day of the Month of November,
Thirty Third Year of the Reign of King Jesse Crestings
It had been about an hour of complete and unpleasant interrogation, before Knight Erion was allowed to leave the private office of the Crown Prince. He was frustrated greatly, for the man had been a beast with him, scavenging for information about all the knights who were posted on duty and notes on their incompetency to defend the Village of Drift Combe.
At the end, Prince Rayzenn had surveyed Knight Erion's spheres of duty, which had involved matters from the enlistment of the knights, the postings of patrol, the maintenance of discipline and various others.
The heir to the throne had shortened them considerably, bringing them down solely to the enlistment and training of new knights. He had mentioned that the knights in his command could be posted for patrol only for the day and were not allowed in participating in any other duties.
The Prince had further sentenced that the men should be subject to rigorous training and such other engaging activity during the time they wouldn't be posted on duty.
It was a great deal of demotion for him and his men, considering they were in charge of the West Wing, encompassing the main force of Knighthood under Prince Rayzenn's province.
Presently, they were only given to patrol the villages, and not during the time of need. Erion was infuriated, for he had not counted his slackness during the advent of the wolf beasts to affect his knighthood as brutally as it had.
The man knew that it was more of his remark about possibly being the vigilante that had thrown the Prince off. And since they had not addressed the issue of the hound rampage for months, they were finally given the punishment.
As he walked out the Imperial Castle, Erion wondered how he would face the shame of admitting that his post was considerably stripped of him. Just then, striding down the stairway, he saw Miss Charlene's carriage outside, as she descended down the vehicle gracefully, with a train of hand maidens following her.
There was a feeling of anxiety constricting his stomach at the thought of the Prince having an eye on her, for she looked absolutely gorgeous.
He wanted to go over and greet her, in order to appear like they were closely affiliated, so the prince could assume he was in a relationship with her and would be disinterested, or at least mildly hesitant.
But Erion did not want to speak with Charlene and have her ask him how his interrogation went. He did not want her to know how deeply and embarrassingly he had been de-promoted.
Thus, he held back, watching her attractive confidence shining in her stride while she mounted the stairway of the Central Halls of the Imperial Castle, he noticed another carriage driven in and he knew that it distinctly belonged to the Estate of Duke Lemiron.
There was a passion of vengeance that surged inside him as he watched the vehicle halt by the Western Wing and Duke Cryspus Lemiron stepped out, looking elegant and opulent.
Knight Erion felt a burning feeling churn his stomach, for did not know what would happen or whether the man was there because he was pursuing Charlene secretly. And so, he needed to stay and see that the damsel was safe.
Taking steps back, the man decided to be about, as though he was trying to find necessary reports before leaving.
~
Prince Rayzenn was still in absolute frustration after the meeting with Knight Erion. It had been a difficult enough night after deciding to give up on Amelia. Further, the work mounting up on his office was insurmountable.
He knew that his aunt, the Regent Queen was diverting a larger amount of work to his share in order to keep him cooped up and think of the future of the Castle and thereby comply with marriage.
Otherwise, he would simply be off and away on various outdoor duties or training with his knights, like potential war was the most imperial aspect of the Kingdom.
Just then, there was a knock on the door and a young lad entered to report, "Your Majesty, Duke Cryspus Lemiron is here to meet you."
"Yes, have him enter", the Prince answered, wondering if the Castle had requested parchments for drafting the new tribute laws.
In a few moments, the man walked into the private office, flipping the scarlet locks of hair off his forehead as he greeted the prince, "Good morning, Sire. What a fine day to meet you straight in the start"
Prince Rayzenn gave him a tight and courteous smile, before nodding, "Yes, indeed. Please have a seat."
Succumbing to the royal man's bid, the Duke sat across the large table and began unfolding the contents of his purpose to meet him, "So, I heard you were meeting Charlene?"
"Who said that to you?" Prince Rayzenn asked, raising a brow.
"Well, it's word on the street, Sire", the man said, shrugging his shoulders.
"I did visit Duke Walterus on matter of business, yes", the Prince said, looking down at the document he had been perusing.
"Well, did you see the girl?" the guest probed.
"She was present at his office during the meeting", Rayzenn replied.
"I just wanted to warn you, if you have intentions of marrying her, please do reconsider. I have been there and I know it is not a good decision, your Highness", the man said, as though he was the wiser.
"Provided I come to that decision, yes, I will consider your opinion", the dark haired royal nodded.
"Did you know why I had originally broken my engagement with her?" the Duke asked, as though he was most concerned.
"I reckon that is what you are here to tell me?" The Prince raised a brow as his eyes met his guest's.