The king confidently led the way through the corridors, his head held high and his hands by his side. As he walked, the maids who had been busy with their respective duties quickly noticed his presence and immediately bowed to show their respect. They didn't dare look up until they were sure he had passed by.
Cedric suddenly stopped in his tracks, his attention drawn to a young maid with dark hair neatly pinned into a bun. Unable to see her face as she kept her gaze fixed on the floor, he observed her for a few moments before speaking up.
"where is Louise?" Cedric asked, his voice calm yet commanding.
The maid's gaze remained lowered as she replied, her voice shaky with nervousness. "I have no idea, your highness. The last time I saw her, she was busy in the kitchen, but that was hours ago."
Cedric noticed the beads of sweat trickling down the maid's forehead and sensed her unease. Before he could say anything else, his attention shifted to a woman approaching them. He walked towards her, leaving the maid momentarily relieved. As the maid finally raised her head to take a breath, she found herself face to face with Magnus, who wore a sly grin across his scarred face."Greetings," she muttered
Magnus playfully winked at the maid with his one remaining eye, causing her to squint in response before hastily averting her gaze and taking a step back. Sensing her discomfort, he let our a small chuckle but decided not to tease her any further.
Meanwhile, Cedric directed his attention towards the approaching woman, finally spotting the individual he had been searching for.
"Greetings, Your Highness," the middle-aged woman greeted with a respectful bow.
Returning the greeting, Cedric acknowledged, "Greetings to you too, Louise." With that, the older woman finally looked up, clasping her hands in front of her.
"I would like you to prepare one of the guest rooms, as we will be hosting this gentleman for the night," Cedric instructed, motioning towards Magnus.
"Yes, Your Highness," replied Louise, who held the position of Head of the servants in the royal palace. She peeked over the king's shoulder, trying to catch a glimpse of the man whose face bore a scar where his eye once was.
Magnus wore a visible smile on his features, clearly delighted by the news. "Thank you, Your Highness," he expressed gratefully.
Cedric glanced slightly over his shoulder before refocusing his attention on Louise. "Ensure he is well taken care of," he added, prompting another bow from the older woman.
"Yes, Your Highness," she affirmed, departing in the opposite direction with Magnus following closely behind.
"Magus," Cedric called out, causing Magnus to halt in his tracks. "Rest for a while. We will send you some fresh clothes and prepare a meal according to your preferences. Afterward, join us at the Royal courtroom for the gathering."
Magnus pondered to himself why he had been summoned to the courtroom. Typically, discussions held there were strictly confidential, reserved only for men of high status concerning matters of the kingdom. While Magnus understood his own importance to the realm, his role primarily revolved around creatures of the night. With a nod in acknowledgment, he continued walking.
The king, standing in his usual spot, noticed another familiar figure approaching him. It was a young woman adorned in a light green gown and expensive jewelry, her neatly braided brown hair adding to her aura of elegance. Walking with grace, she passed by the head servant who greeted her with a bow, "Greetings, milady."
The young lady responded with a subtle nod and a smile, her maid trailing closely behind. However, as her eyes fell upon Magnus, her smile vanished, replaced by a look of disgust. She stared at him, her expression conveying disdain, while Magnus himself wore a smirk on his face.
"Greetings—" Magnus began, but his words were abruptly cut short as she raised her hand towards him and continued walking. Magnus pressed his lips together tightly, swallowing his greeting. He watched as she passed him, his face now etched with a grim expression. She was nothing more than a mere acquaintance, meant to please the king and easily replaceable when he found someone else who caught his eye, like that girl from the village. Yet here he stood, the esteemed hunter and respected figure in the eyes of the people, being treated with such disrespect. With a heavy heart, Magnus resumed his walk behind the older woman.
"Your Highness," Christina greeted, her smile returning as she laid eyes on Cedric. Bowing respectfully, she inquired, "How was the mission?"
Cedric's gaze wandered unabashedly from her head to her toes and back again before he responded. "It was a successful one," he said with a hint of uncertainty. "For now."
Curiosity sparked in her eyes as she raised an eyebrow. "Does that mean-"
"Why don't we change the subject to something more delightful, Christina?" Cedric interrupted smoothly, his gaze shifting towards the maid standing behind her. It was clear that whatever they were discussing should remain private. He continued, "We could start by discussing the reason for your resplendent attire, which rivals that of a grand celebration. Perhaps there is a reason I am not aware of?" he asked, a flattered smile gracing his face.
"Oh, your majesty, I assure you my choice of attire was solely for your arrival. I hope it meets your expectations," she replied, her smile growing wider.
"You have left me in awe with your appearance. You look absolutely stunning, like a shining star that has blessed our gathering," Cedric expressed, his pleasure evident. He extended his arm towards her. "Walk with me," he suggested, and she gladly wrapped her hand around his as they continued to stroll side by side.
Meanwhile, back at the rose bush, a servant named Simon was diligently tending to the roses. As he trimmed away excess leaves and removed dead ones, his gaze fell upon a particular rose struggling to stand on a broken stem. Unlike the rest, which still maintained their vibrant colors, this rose had shrunk in size and its once brilliant hue had dulled, seemingly on the verge of withering away. The servant carefully plucked it, attempting to separate it from the others, but to his astonishment, the flower disintegrated into ash, leaving him speechless.