The Guests III

Azure's POV

I was in my usual office doing my academic papers. If I keep up my pace like this, I'll be able to finish half of my assignments then I'll have my peace.

I reveled in my head seeing as this was the least of what my teachers can give. Fortunate enough to have lesser paperwork, I'll use that same time to organize my movement.

"Your majesty, your reply has been answered." Said Lance as usual on his bright bliss.

It has been three days since I sent Cynthias a notification. Their home isn't quite far from the capital city, I'm curious as to why the letter didn't come sooner.

"So what's your plan when they arrive?" Lance asked.

"The discussion is the only thing I'll have to plan. The first moment they'll arrive they'll have themselves settled before my meeting." I replied.

"So you're just going to talk?"

"There is not much to do. I'm already versed in their family's public information. The records have shown their normality but it seems he has made an improv court, settling some of the most notable socialites at his disposal."

"Those are?" Lance then started to spin the books using his index finger.

"Still not quite sure. The information given is limited and of course, even in my royalty, the information I have to gain should be limited as well." I sighed.

"So it seems. Of course, the reason why your father might've forced their stay is maybe because of that reason. Any council made by a third party is considered prejudice of the monarch's royalty and is identified to be illegal." Lance continued to read.

"Forced their stay?" I asked.

"Right. The Cynthia's will be staying here awhile they settle for the emperor's invitation. Though it would only be at least three days long. Though, I would say forced due to their reply sent a few days ago. It read that his majesty aggressively persuaded their stay." He smiled.

"I see, but I wouldn't go as far as to say this is prejudice. After all, they are still in touch with the queen's court and there seems to be no struggle between the two forces." I paused my wiring then looked at Lance.

"Perhaps, but this was new your majesty. A few months ago so to say. Should we add that stack to enlist their charges for the pressing matter?"

"Lance, although they are the highly viewed nobles, we still can't be sure that they are the ones responsible for the rebellious acts and it is to mention that not all noble houses have good relations with that family." I sighed.

"There is something exclusive about their family that highlights their leadership over the chaos. It's just a feeling but I'm sure something is wrong with their clan." Lance immediately changed his mood.

"We'll just have to wait and see. Let's not make this matter a race against time shall we?" I said.

"With all due respect your grace, it already is." He answered firmly though sitting with a white lily above his ear.

Lips parched, I drank my water. Benched before my desk, I started to seek the bread served two hours prior before I went seeking for knowledge.

Thoughts came fast, if anyone was in a situation like this, they feel more concerned about the thirst for knowledge and I'm a man who seems for that thirst, an insufferable drive of humanity almost anyone can match.

"We'll have to wait until their arrival and seek what we can do from there," I said with my mind settled in the clouds.

"The two supreme monarchs will notice of such visit. Even they wouldn't do as much as to ignore. Quite sure that even they will have to attend some sort of meeting with that family." Lance replied beaming.

"My mother would be difficult. History is vital to her and tradition matters most to her ego. Under the circumstances mentioned, I don't think the two parties will reach an agreement." I looked at the horizon with thoughts weigh deeper by the second.

"You sure have too many doubts about your family. Have some bit of confidence in them." Lance then leaned his body on the desk. Still reading the beak he spinner around earlier.

"I do have confidence in them. They are the supreme monarchs. I trust that they will make the right decision otherwise." I answered.

"There you go again relying everything on their title and their royalty. Of course, the polish serves as a great responsibility but you shouldn't rely too much on the crown for them to do the right thing."

"Then what should I rely on?" I asked sarcastically. Scoffing as I faced the window.

"They have brains and they are adults. Burdened by responsibility and molded by time, they know their rights and wrongs and we rely on them for wisdom..."

"You've grown accustomed to the palace and its body, even so, your respect and loyalty are admirable befitting of a knight."

"I do make such a scout." He cheered.

"Anyway...They held off the Wednesday schedule due to some errors but they gave their desperate stroke to hold the gathering a day from now."

Words can spread out quickly but that's not the usual case. A letter of royalty is the first to be taken firsthand in the office table, to deem it second is very unusual.

"What exactly do you think of them now that the mistress is gone from the limelight." I shrugged that question off and answered ever so lightly.

"Based"

I could tell from his face that he wasn't satisfied with that answer. Beyond curiosity, that concern of his tends to have more of an insulting compass.

Silence. Just the very bells of silence tingling my ears each time the robins flap their wings. Knowing my silence, Lance left me for solitude. No goodbye, just a quick walk closing the door gently as though leaving the faintest vestige of disappointment at his wake.

My body trembled so little as I felt more memories coming back. The Noble house Cynthia is a very chronological name in the empire's foundation. Very formidable. through the years they served the crown under graceful favor of the church and the civil.

"Keep your head high. You will be fine somehow." I mumbled.

Paranoia is every monarch's enfeeblement. Once the mental craze encroaches even a tiny spectrum of intellectual order. An alter ego made by false nightmares will haunt you, even for a moment, you won't have the slightest grip over your reality. Perish, and the bliss fades away softly, inch by inch.

( The Day )

The day as I see it, marvelous. Such weather like any other. Where the chunks of clouds are minuscule and the star being the center of the spectrum graced the flowers well. I was then greeted by a gust of wind with the faint scent of oil and crowgrass perhaps from the fields of corn or the bounded shore local to the river.

The majesty felt tired even at the start of the brim day. He envisioned the day, he felt a bit torn from what he thought was joy and doubt. He felt a few scars open up as though the shadow of anxiety started to make him mildly delusional.

His mind floated weightless as his sweat dripped down his jawline. He saw thoughts warped by memories, entangled with sentiments long that he abandoned like a child looking at a blurred painting.

The day is upon me and I need to prepare. I felt heavy crossing the hallway. I started to tamper with my gloves distracting me from whatever it is that I need to be distracted.

Lance is probably in the office. As I asked myself once. Through distant winter gaze to the star etched diamond sky. It has crossed my mind over and over even after that time.

"Where is your normality?" Hmmm...

Time heals. Even the deepest wounds would be ashamed of time. As scars continue to heal, we change, that change imprisoned by our memories based on emotions we make and relish...

"Good morning your majesty!"

"Ah!"

Lance caught me off guard. I didn't even hear him walk up to me. To my surprise, my elbow jabbed his jaw. Distorted, he looked furiously at me fixing his slightly misplaced maxilla.

"I'm sorry! Are you alright?" I said as I went to check on my friend.

"I'm fine...But I have to admit...That was a pretty good blow, your grace." Even injured he still tried to strike flattery.

"You shouldn't just shout out to me so near when you could just speak to me from behind."

"I was calling your name across the hallway 5 times already and you still ignored me. To my mischievous joy, I decided to play a trick on you." He then smiled.

Was I that oblivious? My emotions are getting the better of me and I was deaf for one moment?

"Perhaps you need more rest, your grace." Lance finally aligned his jaw. Fixing his composure raising his eyebrows at me.

"You seem paler than usual, did something happen?" I touched my face shaking my head slightly.

"As you said, I'm tired. Rest assured I can continue, Just get me a good piece of bread and an apple to along with it."

A simple snack would make me feel a bit better I'm sure. Even at the peak of panic, the simplest apple or maybe the tasteless bread would be enough tranquilizers for emotions. Yes...Just a simple apple would do.

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