Upon entering the grand dining area, I found myself enveloped in an atmosphere of exquisite elegance. The table was adorned with the finest china and silverware, a feast fit for royalty. Duke Glenmore and his family eagerly awaited my arrival, their expressions a mix of anticipation and curiosity.
As we settled down, engaging in polite conversation, Duchess Seraphina Nightshade Glenmore leaned in and spoke softly, her words laced with admiration, "Your Majesty, I must confess, your reputation precedes you. We have heard tales of your wisdom and strength."
I graciously smiled, acknowledging her words. "The honor is truly mine, Duchess Glenmore. It is a delight to be in the esteemed presence of your family."
The Duke's mischievous son, Caussius Nightshade Glenmore, interjected, his voice tinged with curiosity, "Indeed, Your Majesty, we have eagerly anticipated your visit. The tales of your prowess have ignited a buzz among the nobility."
Chuckling, I playfully pointed at Stalworth. "If it's the tale of how I triumphed over the previous king and his army, then credit goes to my loyal friend and Royal Guard, Stalworth."
Stalworth blushed, trying to hide his shyness. "Ahem... please, Your Majesty, do not attribute it all to me. It was your valor that secured the victory."
Amidst the lighthearted banter, I couldn't resist teasing Stalworth further. Taking a sip of the Duke's served wine, I spoke in a gentle tone, "That may be true, but I would have never reached such heights without your unwavering support, my friend. If it weren't for Stalworth and his remarkable strength, I, Sorcarius GoldenHart, would not be sitting here, savoring this delightful meal." I shared a warm smile with Stalworth, taking another sip of wine, and his eyes glistened with gratitude.
Aria, sitting beside Stalworth, handed him a handkerchief. "Here, Sir Stalworth, you can use this to dry your tears." Laughter filled the room as Stalworth clumsily wiped away his tears.
Caussius, brimming with curiosity, turned to me and asked, "Is Sir Stalworth truly as formidable as they say?"
I smiled, ready to regale them with tales of Stalworth's exceptional prowess. "Indeed, he may not admit it, but Stalworth is the mightiest beast folk in the Kingdom of Zephyrion. He surpasses even his late father in achievements and strength. Stalworth's power transcends conventional measures; he defies the very logic of strength among Beast Folks."
The Duke's family listened attentively as I recounted more legendary feats of Stalworth, captivating them with awe and admiration, all while relishing our lavish meal.
"Your Majesty, how are you feeling now?" the Duke inquired softly, genuine concern etched on his face.
"I am well, Duke Glenmore. I apologize for causing you to worry after your gracious invitation as esteemed guest." The Duke breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing that I was in good health.
"Your Majesty, please, there's no need for apologies. You are a dear friend to my brother-in-law, the King of Eldorium, and I cannot help but feel concerned for your well-being," the Duke replied with a warm smile.
"Your Majesty, if you would honor us by staying the night and resting at our mansion, it would put my mind at ease, knowing you have fully recovered before your departure."
Considering our need to uncover the truth behind Aurelianne's condition, staying the night at the Glenmore mansion seemed a prudent choice. I glanced at Stalworth, and with a nod of agreement, I replied to the Duke, "Very well, Duke Glenmore. I accept your gracious offer and shall stay the night. Thank you for extending your hospitality to us." The Duke beamed with satisfaction as we concluded our meal, and Stalworth and I made our way to our designated guest rooms.
As we entered our quarters, a familiar voice echoed in the room. Swiftly, I grabbed the intruder's hand and pinned them to the ground, only to realize it was my brother, Alistair.
"You're twenty years too young to successfully sneak up on me, my brother. I sensed your aura as soon as I entered the room," I chuckled, releasing my grip and letting him go.
"You've ruined all the fun, my King," Alistair pouted, taking a seat on the sofa.
Stalworth, ever the vigilant guardian, burst into the room, positioning himself in front of me, ready to defend. When he noticed Alistair's presence, he scolded him, "You, brat! When will you stop with these antics..." Stalworth's voice trailed off as he rushed toward Alistair, playfully smacking him on the head.
"Ouch! That hurt, you stupid guard. Can't you learn to hold back?" Alistair winced, raising his voice in protest.
"You two never change," I chuckled, observing their familiar bickering.
Stalworth, a disciplined and serious individual, seldom indulged in leisure activities while fulfilling his duties. Alistair, on the other hand, embodied a contrasting nature. Although he never neglected his responsibilities, he reveled in mischief. Alistair delighted in teasing others, and Stalworth, with his serious demeanor, became his preferred target. It would do them good to learn from each other.
"It seems the two of you remain as close as ever," I remarked, smirking at their banter.
"Please, my King, don't tease me. I can never get along with this... this...," Stalworth and Alistair exclaimed in unison, before bursting into laughter.
"But are you truly so different?" I smirked, suggesting they had more in common than they realized.
They quickly retorted, "Absolutely!" in unison once more, before resuming their playful banter.
"Now, my King, why did you summon me so abruptly?" Alistair inquired, his curiosity shining through.
I proceeded to reveal every detail that Elysia had shared about Aurelianne, igniting a flame of fury within Alistair.
"They dare treat Lady Aurelianne in such a manner? These humans never learn. I will eliminate them all," Alistair reacted impulsively, prompting me to intervene.
"Temper your rage, Alistair, just as I advised Stalworth. Before taking any action, both of you must grasp the full extent of the situation," I cautioned, quelling Alistair's impulsiveness.
"We have recently allied with the Human Kingdom, and we cannot indiscriminately slaughter the nobles of Eldorium. The Duke himself is the Queen's brother. We must gather evidence and ascertain the truth before confronting him."
Alistair nodded, his anger subsiding. "I will begin gathering information and report back to you as swiftly as possible, my King."
After bidding farewell, Alistair departed to collect information and investigate the matter at hand.
"Your Majesty, with your permission, I can gather information from the servants," Stalworth proposed, seeking approval.
"No, Stalworth. We must ensure that no suspicion falls upon us," I calmly halted Stalworth's intentions.
"But..." Stalworth looked at me with a worried expression, clearly uneasy with the decision.
"My friend, I have another task for you. Will you hear me out?" I smiled, attempting to allay his concerns.
"Your Majesty, I would do anything for you. Please tell me what you need," Stalworth's eyes gleamed with unwavering loyalty and dedication.
"Train the Duke's son, Caussius. You are a true warrior and can assess his character through combat. Additionally, we need to keep the Duke's family occupied. If they inquire about my absence, inform them that I feel unwell and will join them directly at dinner."
"If that is your wish, Your Majesty, then I shall fulfill it," Stalworth bid me farewell and left the room to engage Caussius in a sparring match.
Now, it was up to me to gather information on my own. Though confined to my quarters, I could seek the assistance of nearby spirits. As Elysia had mentioned earlier, I was favored by the Spirit Queen of Nature, Veridiana.
Veridiana, the illustrious Spirit Queen of Nature, had blessed me and bestowed her favor upon me. It was one reason why the previous King had relentlessly pursued my demise. Few comprehended the significance of being favored by a Spirit Queen or King.
This blessing granted me the power to accomplish remarkable feats, as well as command the loyalty of low-ranking spirits. In times of need, I could call upon these spirits for assistance. Though of humble rank, they possessed enough power to best several well-trained knights. Focusing on my mana, I began summoning the spirits residing in the vicinity.
After an hour of intense concentration, my body became infused with the aura of nature, mirroring the radiance of the Spirit Queen herself. Within minutes, I sensed the presence of spirits around me, confirming the success of my summoning.
Telepathically, I commanded the spirits to stealthily explore the premises, seeking out anything peculiar or ominous. As they dispersed, I reclined and rested, conserving my energy. Hours passed, and suddenly, a gentle knock resounded at my door.
"Your Majesty, may I enter?" Stalworth's concerned voice reached my ears. "Please, Stalworth," I replied, granting him entry. He entered the room, settling onto the sofa with a warm smile.
"Your Majesty, how are you feeling now?" Stalworth inquired, genuine concern etched on his face.
I hesitated for a moment, locking eyes with Stalworth, and then unleashed a cry of rage, "Who are you?" The room fell into a tense silence as Stalworth looked at me, confused by my sudden outburst.
"Your Majesty, it's me—your Royal Guard and dear friend. Are you all right?" Stalworth cautiously approached me, his voice brimming with worry.
"Halt! Answer me. Who are you?" I shouted again, intensifying my nature's aura, making it harder for Stalworth to draw near.
"Ahh... so you've discovered my true identity," Stalworth muttered, an evil grin spreading across his face. His once pure white aura transformed into a thick, malevolent black, resembling that of the Duke's family.
Fortunately, my prior channeling of nature's aura shielded me from the malevolence radiating from Stalworth. Otherwise, I might have succumbed to suffocation or unconsciousness.
"Stalworth would never sit without my permission. Answer me, who are you?" I shouted once more, unleashing the full power of my nature's aura, making it increasingly difficult for Stalworth to approach.
"Ah, it seems you are favored by the Queen," Stalworth muttered, seething with anger and whimpering in pain before collapsing to the ground. The dark black aura transformed into a malevolent orb and dissipated into the air.
Panicked, I rushed to Stalworth's side, sharing some of my mana to help revive him, while pondering the nature of the dark orb that had emanated from his being.
"It appears I arrived too late," a familiar voice resonated, and a fair-skinned fairy with silver hair and vibrant crimson eyes materialized before me, radiating a luminous white aura.
"Elysia, please help. Is Stalworth all right? And what was that black orb that harmed him?" I implored Elysia, a mix of despair and sorrow in my voice.
"Do not worry, he simply depleted his mana. But since you have shared yours with him, he will soon regain consciousness," Elysia assured me, her ethereal presence soothing my troubled heart. Supporting Stalworth's arm, I guided him to the bed and gently laid him down.
"What about the black orb?" I inquired, still bewildered and concerned about its significance.
"It was the spirit serving under Morbithal, the Spirit King of Darkness," Elysia sighed, resting on my shoulder.
"But why did it appear before me as a mere orb? Am I not strong enough to perceive its true form?" I queried, seeking clarity from Elysia.
"It is not a matter of strength. Dark spirits possess cunning abilities, concealing their true forms even from high-ranking spirits like myself," Elysia explained, her gaze shifting curiously toward me.
"Your aura is nearly on par with that of a high-ranking spirit. I knew you were favored, but I did not expect your blessing to be this potent," Elysia remarked, rising and floating around me, closely inspecting my aura.
"Thanks to your aura, I was alerted to the danger lurking within," I responded, acknowledging the power bestowed upon me.
"So, you're saying I possess an aura equivalent to that of a high-ranking spirit?" I asked, my voice brimming with enthusiasm, while Elysia wore a smug smile.
"Do not let your excitement cloud your judgment. You are still not a spirit, but in terms of aura, you bear a striking resemblance to our kind. That is why you still breathe, still live," Elysia clarified.
"Ordinary individuals would struggle to even breathe in the presence of a dark spirit of such magnitude," Elysia stated firmly.
As I absorbed Elysia's explanation, curiosity swelled within me. I couldn't help but delve deeper into the enigmatic connection between the Duke's family and the dark spirit.
"Is the Duchess the mastermind behind all of this?" I inquired, seeking clarity amidst the shadowed labyrinth of uncertainty.
Elysia shook her head, her ethereal presence radiating wisdom. "No, the Duchess and her children are unwitting victims, swayed by the influence of dark spirits. They lack the blessings of darkness themselves. Unwittingly, they have become pawns in a sinister game, much like your loyal friend."
The revelation left me unsettled. The dark spirit had arrived with the Duchess but lingered upon encountering Aurelianne. Elysia's words reverberated in my mind as she continued her explanation.
"I previously mentioned my inability to establish a contract with Aurelianne. It is precisely due to the dark spirit's intervention. It has dulled her senses, rendering her unable to perceive or even sense my presence. Furthermore, it has enveloped her in perpetual sorrow and despair, extinguishing any flicker of light in her life."
Realizing that the Duchess and Caussius might not be innately malevolent, I interrupted Elysia, seeking a glimmer of hope.
"So, you're saying the Duchess and Caussius themselves are not evil?" I interjected, yearning for a ray of light amidst the encroaching darkness.
Elysia paused for a moment, contemplating my question. "I highly doubt it. The dark spirit does not attach itself to just anyone. If it has chosen to accompany the Duchess, it suggests her heart was already tainted by malice. As for her son, Caussius, his traits might have drawn the dark spirit's interest. His mischievous and arrogant nature could serve as the perfect vessel for the spirit's nefarious blessings."
The weight of the situation pressed heavily upon me, and concern for Aurelianne grew with each passing moment. The image of her ensnared in a realm of darkness and despair haunted my thoughts, intensifying my determination to free her from this malevolent influence.
"From this point forward, you must exercise caution, Sorcarius. The dark spirit harbors no desire to see Aurelianne blessed by the Spirit of Light. Though my assistance may be limited, I shall grant you my blessing, empowering you with the light's radiance when you confront it," Elysia declared, her aura radiating brilliance.
Elysia's ethereal presence shimmered with an intensity surpassing starlight as she bestowed her blessings upon me, before fading into the ephemeral realm of nothingness.