"I am deeply sorry for your loss, your highness." Grand Duke Delroy Huxley remarked in a sympathetic tone. His face was contorted with deep dejection. His eyes were empty with heartache. "I too feel the loss of my beloved brother, His Majesty Raziel. May their souls rest in peace with the God Drakonis." He continued, praying sincerely. Walking side by side in the majestic palace garden. "True love is divine; death immortalizes it. At least they can still walk together, holding hands towards the real eternity."
The funeral was peaceful, solemn, and serene yesterday. Ares was quite relieved, even though the Golden Order allies—the Vonstein and the Morgenstern couple—could not stay at the palace for a long time. They had urgent matters in their respective countries; Ares could not take up their time unilaterally.
Some of the nobles had asked Ares to hold a last tribute banquet, but Ares refused firmly. "Yes, you must be feeling that grief too, just like me, Grand Duke."
"Why did you reject the idea of the nobility holding a banquet of last respects?" asked the Grand Duke cautiously.
"You mean a party to celebrate my parents' passing? They've gone mad." Ares replied tersely. "What would I do that for? There's no point."
Ares was enjoying the air in the palace courtyard; Arthur kept his distance, following behind. Ares had been in a bad mood lately.
"I know how you feel." Grand Duke Delroy smiled knowingly. "I've always been proud of everything you've done. From the time you were a child, I was fortunate to be able to help care for you. Keep it that way. I'm sure you'll make a wise emperor."
Ares' hair fluttered in the breeze coming from the ocean, his eyes gazing up at the clear sky. Ares was astonished when a maple leaf fell into his hand. Staring at the bright red maple leaf in his hand, Ares' shady eyes were broken.
V, where are you right now? I've done a lot of searching but haven't found any results. I promise, I'll find you soon. I can hear your breath and voice...
"Thank you so much, Grand Duke." Ares remarked coldly. "You gave me a pleasant childhood back then. For not neglecting me."
How stupefying that sentence was to Arthur Saint and Grand Duke Delroy. They had never heard such words coming from Ares in their entire lives. This was the first time Ares had expressed such a stunning thing.
Arthur was so overwhelmed that his face turned white.
Grand Duke Delroy smiled with relief. "It has been a pleasure to witness your surprising transformation of late. I am relieved and thrilled to see you now."
Ares smiled slightly, walking back towards the northern palace. "How is the news from the regions of Stonegate and Raven's Hollow? The problem of vampire and werewolf infestations in some parts of the village. Have you taken care of it?"
"Our damage losses are around the infrastructure. The injuries that can still be saved, and the village's main source of livelihood is severely damaged, your highness." Delroy interjected apologetically.
"About that, no need to worry; I will contact Sellia to ask the sorcerer mage for help to rebuild."
"The problem is that the number of vampire and werewolf raids has been increasing lately." Delroy added, unable to hide the look of anxiety on his face. "The most troubling are the hybrids; they are the most destructive and slaughter anything ferociously. They are tough to stop."
Ares didn't expect that the situation would be so severe. Their enemies invaded from the outer territories first. Well then, "Arthur?"
"Yes, Your Majesty?" Arthur snapped his thumbs, took out a magic pocketbook, and was ready to record Ares' orders.
"While awaiting the arrival of envoys from Sellia to Stonegate and Raven's Hollow. Send Kalzarin and Valzareth to both villages. Also bring food stocks, healer potions, and medicines. Prepare dragon defenders for the region, as these villages have unique natural characteristics; send Drake to Stonegate and Coatyl to Raven's Hollow."
"Okay." Arthur nodded swiftly. "Anything else, your majesty?"
"Further action after the reports from Kalzarin and Valzareth are gathered. Order them to depart today. Announce to Watchers to be on alert at perimeter points. Their job is full surveillance."
Arthur turned the magic pocketbook into a roll of magic parchment; the three parchments containing Ares' marker official orders he sent into the hands of the head of Kalzarin's army, Valzareth, and the Watcher using the teleportation gate. "Done."
"Thank you, your highness." Delroy breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm grateful to have your great help."
"You did well, Grand Duke. Report to me as soon as possible so that I can take action. Do not hesitate when you need help; the Alverton empire should be peaceful and prosperous." Ares entered the north palace; he suddenly had a severe headache and seemed to need to sit for a while in his chamber.
"The coronation is still a few days away. Aren't you taking action against those who spread rumours that you are a tyrant?" Delroy opened his opinion again. "I'm afraid it will hinder your ascension to the throne."
"Let it be; they think I am even better. See if I care." Ares paused, gazing at the Grand Duke. "Take a break, Grand Duke; I must return to my chambers now."
"Well, I'll see you at dinner, Your Highness. Rest comfortably. I take my leave."
Parting there, Ares' hand massaged his increasingly aching head.
Arthur opened the chamber door and let Ares sit down on his work chair.
Leaning his head back, Ares shut his eyes for a while. "Arthur, after the coronation is over, I will change and add some new policies."
"What is it, your majesty? Do you want me to write it down now?"
Ares stared at Arthur listlessly. This would be easy if only V was by my side now. I'll do it myself. I'll make you proud, V. "Obviously, the noble kin will get more upset, my family might more agitated to kill me. Just so you know, I'm doing this for Alverton."
"I always believe in you. Whatever you do, I'm sure you've considered it well." Arthur smiled soothingly.
Ares' fingertips gently massaged his forehead. "Thanks, Arthur. How tragic is my life, huh? Strangers can be trusted more than my own family."
"Your Majesty, you have a nosebleed!" Arthur shrieked in fright.
Ares gasped, fresh drops of blood seeping from his pointed nose, staining his royal clothes.
"Are you all right? Tell me what to do?!" Arthur grumbled in extremely panic.
Ares raised a hand, ordering Arthur to remain calm. He covered his nose with a handkerchief.
"See? The complications have already begun. I will call a doctor from Sellia to check on your condition. It's bad."
"I'm fine, Arthur. Stop it; you're overreacting. I already know the consequences." Ares grumbled, and he gave an absolute command. "Stop arguing with me about this!"
Arthur let out a long breath, feeling muddled and unsettled. He gasped as Emer Algon's telepathic voice echoed in his head.
"I found a lady who has vibrations of Silver Light's great power. She is the daughter of Count Sebastian Beaumont and Countess Tresha Beaumont. Please convey this urgent message to His Majesty, Arthur."
Silent, Arthur's heart was raging with angst at the moment. He was in a bad mood. Seeing Ares having a severe nosebleed now, Arthur blamed Lady Valeska.
He hoped Ares would never find the lady again.
Arthur bit his lip while considering everything and decided not to convey Algon's message to Ares.
***
"How's this, mom?!" Cassius growled indignantly. He crushed the wine glass in his hand until it shattered. Unwilling to imagine Ares sitting on the emperor's throne. "The coronation ceremony for the Emperor's ascension to the throne is in three days! I should be the one to fill that throne! Isn't there anything we can do to stop that?!"
All day long, Prince Cassius Fenwick was restless; he had lost his appetite. He was sick of hearing Ares' supporters calling him Emperor. His jaw hardened, and the flames of rage heated his chest.
"Why did he have to go back to Alverton?! I think the moment he left the main palace, Mother's messenger assassins could have finished him off. How glad I was when Arthur had trouble finding Ares that time." Cassius cursed again, this time throwing the vase of flowers on the table to the floor. His hands cupped his flushed face. His teeth chattered loudly in frustration.
Morgana sighed sharply; she noticed Cassius intensely while smirking wryly. Savoring the warm rosemary tea slowly. "Calm down, my son. What's wrong with you? You're usually so calm and persistent. Tantrums won't solve the problem. Keep thinking clearly. I still have ways to disrupt the coronation."
"Really? Tell me you'll succeed this time." Cassius' face paled and he smiled slyly.
"The gods are on our side this time, son." Morgana got up from the sofa, standing facing the window. "I can imagine you sitting on the Emperor's throne, presiding over this prosperous Alverton. That is our true victory! We still have a long way to go; there are many other opportunities; don't give up now, Cassius." She glanced at Cassius through strange, flashing eyes and smiled devilishly at him. "The time has come. Ares's will be dead."
***