The Guests II

Azure's POV

"So your father wants the Cynthia's to stay in the palace momentarily during their meeting with you." Lance pinched his chin reading the letter I received.

The Cynthias have high legislative duties and quite the number too. They are superior members of the local commerce commission and are the most notable political powerhouses in the local kingdom.

If they reached out to the imperial palace because of the ongoing dispute, then they seek either absolution or demand from the highest monarchs. Though it's confusing...

There is a high possibility that that is the case but I can only conclude so little. They reached out to me, not to my father. But I still don't know much, maybe they laid out a letter to him without notice and I simply mistook this as my situation.

"If they tailor this dispute into something more eye-catching then I'm sure your father will consider some of their demands."

"What makes matters worse is they are a fairly powerful faction that can if given authority, rival the local monarchy. The position they chose is a bit dangerous but to their benefit, it will somehow work." Lance placed the paper down and his concerned eyes were fixed at my deprived state.

"There's many conclusions and scenarios to consider."

"We can't do as much. We'll just have to wait for their arrival. Of course, it's guaranteed that I'll meet them. It will be that time I'll ask the questions." I replied.

"Even so, keep your guard high up. History speaks a lot about Cacious, never let your mind open to him even just for a second." I added.

"Of course your majesty."

The Lord of the Cynthias, Count Cacious, is an outstanding fellow. Having to govern a very good piece of agriculture as large as that of three noble houses combined. His length and wisdom have enabled him to reach out to other noble houses, making their family the largest statement in Rochileu.

His nature, a very eerie one. He would have this peculiar smile on his face. An ear-to-ear grin that means malice. He would seem very odd, his gestures to his speaking and his accent are all very alien...

"There has been quite a few accidents southward of the empire." Lance flinched then he looked at me.

"The dispute is only mild there and the count serving their fortitude is holding the ground fairly. Though the diplomatic force given by numbers to him...he will still feel overwhelmed." I massaged my temples.

In Whereana history, the counts and the noble faction are two different classes given by the empire. The title count bears more than the average baron or an earl. The hierarchy in the continent is still a bit raw but the fixed notion is that a count is the third supreme title in the government.

Given at such. The Cynthias and the other noble factions, in history, waged war against the Alchemy. The war between normality and those who are blessed shook the largest of mountains and made history tremble long before the existence of the capital city.

The noble faction suffered the most severe casualties losing over half their population. The leader and the supervisor of the alliance were my ancestors...

"Funny how they've decided this was the best time to attack especially when they know that the imperial family is in its prime this year," Lance smirked still searching for that one book.

Now, the power struggle is having its backlash. The nobles especially the Cynthias wished for kingship, to have a legitimate narrative as a monarchy of the state.

Though Whereana's definition of monarchy is still complicated, the pledge of the name highlights glory and authority which makes it the supreme denotation of an individual. Still, though, what do they need from that title?

"Your majesty?"

Narrowing down the situation, I'm keeping the conversation's ending statement while continuing to write a draft reply.

"Your grace!"

"E-Excuse me?" I said perplexed. My eyes hovered on Lance who's hand was nearing my cheek.

"I was just about to slap you." He withdraws smiling.

"I'm sorry. I give the situation a severe noting, I became oblivious. Since the dispute could connect well with history, I overlooked too much."

"You tend to overthink these types of things. Although the value of this situation ranks better than the rest, I guess it's only a normal reaction for you to overanalyze." Lance sighed.

"The Cynthias hold a very distinct place in the empire's history. Rochileu, the very first kingdom of the empire, honors the family, they recognize them as heroes..." I mumbled.

( A Few Moments Later )

I relaxed in my usual place under the Silvermoon tree. What once was a small white iron-like sapling to a marvelous tree with almost ocean blue leaves and a wrinkly bark.

There were thickets and brambles underneath the sunlight, while flowers bloomed in abundance and butterflies not far from the horizon.

The hedges groomed and with slight touches of paint may be from a groundskeeper's wagon or perhaps an artist's old attempt to capture this garden's image.

My hand then touched the grass. Same as ever as my feet have threaded these forests a thousand times more than I can remember. A garden that seemed like a castle inside a castle, a haven of my affairs...Whatever it may be, I feel in my chest that this place will always be memorable.

"Good to see you out and about your majesty." Said the ever joyous groundskeeper.

"Sir Arnold Howard. Good afternoon." I said raising a hand as he passed by pulling a wagon the size of a cow with filled barrels of weeds maybe from the week's worth of work.

Sir Arnold has been here for a while and his acquaintances are fond of him. Always carrying around an ear-to-ear smile and a wrinkled yet spirited face that everyone seeks refuge from their gloom.

Like them, I also had that person in my life. She gave me countless smiles and memories that I've cherished as a child. A playmate and an angel of sorts, she was my positive figure, and yet...she's gone.

In the hour, I felt a tingling sensation that I should be somewhere else. But still, I let the moment sink in. it's rare to have these kinds of days, so it's best to have it savored. It urged me to be nothing, it urged me not to feel anything but the freedom of one's grief.

"Please, I do remember you but, sadly, you had to go so soon before I even got to meet you wholly," I said, frowning gently.

I seemed as if I was pleading in silence as I stared blankly into the open, reminiscing for something-something that should've been here. Yes a missing link in the fields of a thousand dandelions, that's what it felt like...

I then closed my eyes.

(A kinder Azure, A young Azure sat against the tree with ice crystals for leaves and white iron for a bark. He sat there, reading a story about the old myths of nightmares he was afraid of and about as a child of cowardly nature.)

(A woman drew near to him. Azure looked at the woman and noticed who she was. Azure smiled and then he closed his book. The woman laid out his right hand and with a warm heavenly voice, she asks.)

("What shall I call you today? Prince or Azure?")

(The young Azure spoke. " The other one". With that, the woman smiled and sat down beside him. Risking her green dress and her rose grooming all for the sake of her acting son. The smile etched across her face reveled at the sight of his joy.)

That was one of the few memories. Every time I look at a flower or maybe an apple, I remember a very kind woman. Why does the pain ache even after years, how does grief fade so slowly?

Why does it fade so slowly, I want time to pass by but I'm scared of the future. I will grow and change, I will be unhappy...but the grief won't be as painful anymore.

"Time, a universal truth that brings deny. Anyone would wish they could defy it." I joked.

The bells then rang. It was the mid-afternoon bell. I got on my feet and cleaned myself up.

"..."

I scoffed and fixed my posture. With a slow pace, I made my way back inside the white palace. Unfortunately, I was not able to inform Lance where I went but after these years we've been allies, I'm sure he knows well where I've been and where I could've been.

The mid-afternoon was another scheduled study. Monarchs study theology to pay respect to the church and to know better about mannerism, religious traditions, and formalities. Through the years I've seen myself as a hybrid of a believer and the opposite.

Some prophecies were true and some ended up false.

The magic in this realm is truly confusing and its systematical purpose is even more mind-boggling. Its essence and theories are divided into many strands in theology and the imperials should understand them well.

"Best be off to the usual parlor then," I whispered.

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