In a luxuriously beautiful room, two men and three women could be seen with various worried faces.
The two middle aged men looked almost identical as if they were twins.
They both had short red hair, red eyes, and muscular bodies showing their good health.
One of them, presumably a bit older than two, had a mustache rather than his slightly younger counterpart with no facial hair.
The three females were all equally beautiful despite their frowning faces.
One of the women with tears rolling down her face looked like an exact replica of Scarlet with only her age and the shade of her red hair color differentiating the two.
The other two women looked like a pair of mother and daughter with their similar violet hair, violet eyes, and similar white knee length dress.
Ever since they had received a short but worrying letter from Thomas the merchant, they had all been worried for the past two days.
The letter only stated that he found his young miss within Gaia Forest and that they would be traveling together.
However, after Ern had dipped the letter in the Royal Family's specially made solution more words appeared on the scroll stating what his young miss had gone through while within the Dragon Empire and after leaving.
Not even caring about their official duties, and letting their subordinates handle their affairs.
Knock Knock
After Ern opened the door, a middle aged man with a head full of blonde hair, brown eyes, and a sturdy bulky body that couldn't be hidden despite the armor he wore came in with an ecstatic face before bowing to the older, mustached brother, "Balthazar greets His Majesty the King, Her Highness the Q-"
"General Balthazar, have you received more news from Sir Thomas?" The teary eyed woman asked hastily upon seeing Great General Balthazar's joyous mood.
With his head still lowered, Balthazar said, "Grand Duchess, I have not received any news from Sir Thomas; however, I have received even better news." still wearing a joyous smile.
When they saw General Balthazar's smile they had thought he had received a letter from Thomas since he was the one who had brought news of Scarlet's situation first.
However, after his initial statement, their hopes were dashed.
As for the 'better news'?
What could be better than news about Scarlet's well being?
With her hopes dashed, the Grand Duchess didn't ask what the better news even was.
Balthazar understood from the way the Royal Family and Grand Ducal family reacted that they misunderstood, so with the same joyous smile he said, "I received news from Mrs. Cecilia that one of her subordinates spotted Sir Thomas' carriage entering from the southern gates."
"WHAT!"
The previously sorrowful family reacted immediately as they asked question after question to General Balthazar.
"How is my daughter?"
"Is my big sister with Uncle Thomas?"
"What is Scarlet's condition?"
"Has the curse been removed?"
Being bombarded with a question after another Balthazar didn't know to whom he should answer.
"Everyone, give General Balthazar some time to answer your questions. How do you expect him to answer if you do not give him ample time?" Ern said helping the Great General out after seeing his expression.
After everyone quieted, Ern said, "General, has Cecilia mentioned my daughter's condition?"
Finally, after clearing his throat, Balthazar replied, "Grand Duke please forgive me for being unable to provide the answer to which you seek. Ms. Cecilia only mentioned that her subordinate had spotted Sir Thomas's caravan entering from the Southern gates. As for the young miss's health, I was not informed."
"Brother, let's go and welcome Scarlet as for the curse, I have already informed the royal physician he is on standby." The older version of the Grand Duke said while patting his younger brother on the shoulder.
"Once big sister is cured, father, we must make everyone who is involved pay." The violet haired girl said with determination. Ever since she heard her big sister was harmed, she had felt just as much sorrow as her Aunt Lynn. She had even tried to secretly sneak out of her home to go to her big sister's side, but before she could even sneak out she was found out and reprimanded.
"Once Cecelia and her team have uncovered the truth, no matter who they are or what faction they belong to, I will make them pay for harming my niece." The King said with the same amount of determination as his daughter before exiting the door to welcome his niece. Despite Scarlet being his niece he treated her just like his own daughter Violet and for her to suffer in such a way made him who normally liked peace want to start a bloody war. If his niece had not been blessed with Divine Eyes of Purification then… just the thought boiled his blood causing his normal looking teeth to become much sharper.