123 Leopolds Decision (1/2)

Leopold's tent was cold. The thick fabric and the numerous furs that line the the inner walls couldn't stop the chilly wind from penetrating to the inside the tent and into his old bones.

A sudden itch pricked his throat and he coughed. It was a hard and painful cough with stubborn phlegm.

Rupert, who was sitting beside his bed, supported his head and offered a cup of water. Leopold grabbed the cup and drank. The itch slowly eased but he was still left gasping in the end.

”I'm getting old” Leopold said as he handed the cup back to Rupert

”You are. The weather is also bad for your health. And yet you refuse to eat breakfast.” Rupert said

Leopold looked at the food placed on top of the table. Old smelly cheese. Cold bread with spots he hoped are not molds. It wasn't appetizing.

He shook his head. ”I'm not hungry. You can have it”

”You need to eat Your Majesty. Please” Rupert maintained his stance.

The two of them stared at each other, neither side wanted to give in.

But after seeing that Rupert's eyelids were already twitching, Leopold laughed. Rupert's serious face was just too funny.

But his laughter soon turned into a fitting cough. Leopold clutched his chest. Rupert again offered him water to calm his throat.

Leopold took a deep breath. He opened his palm towards Rupert ”Fine, you win. Give me the plate”

Rupert gave him the plate filled with stinky cheese. ”You seem happy today. Is it because of what happened last night?”

Leopold took a bite of the cheese first before answering. ”Of course. Last night was a terrific event. Lucia is now Queen. When I first met her, I knew that she was talented. But I never expected that she would someday become a monarch. She and Timothy are a good match.”

”Yes. But should you be happy about Lucia's coronation? Lucia Vanadis supports Timothy. We are at war with them. Their romance will be your end.”

”Shhhhh. It is blasphemy to mention love and war in the same breath Rupert. Do not taint the pureness of love by the evils of war.” Leopold said while smiling. ”By the way Rupert, have you ever fallen in love before? Oh wait... If I remember correctly, you have a wife. How is she?”

”I had. But I divorced her a long time ago”

”Why?” Leopold asked.

”She had an affair” Rupert said with pursed lips.

”A shame” Leopold shook his head and put a chunk of cheese into his mouth. ”But doing that to a royal guard is dangerous. Tell me, what kind of man had the audacity to steal a royal guard's wife?”

Rupert's smile was bitter. He looked intently at Leopold ”Another royal guard”

Leopold stopped eating as he realized the identity of the arse who stole Rupert's wife. There was only one royal guard who was shameless enough to steal other people's wives.

”So the same kind of man who had the audacity to steal a King's wife huh? That mushroom-lover really is an arse.”

Rupert laughed. ”Yeah. He's been dead for decades and yet his dark deeds are still being discussed by us.”

Leopold lifted the cup filled with water and acted as if it was wine. ”Cheers to the dark deeds of that arse”

”I thought you would be more bitter Your Majesty”

”I am bitter. But like what you said, that arse has been dead for decades. All we can do now is to honor his memory by mocking it. We shall mock his memory Rupert. We shall mock it night and day until his memory is reduced to dog vomit”

Rupert grinned. He grabbed another cup, filled it with water and raised it. ”Aye to that”

The tent flapped and Braun entered in haste. Rupert rose, putting his hand on the hilt of his sword.

”Baron Braun” Rupert said in an annoyed tone ”It is bad manners to enter His Majesty's tent just like that.”

”It is” Leopold smiled and looked at the Baron. ”But Braun seems to have urgent news. What is it now Braun? Timothy is attacking? Desertion? Mutiny? Rebellion? Tell me”

Braun stepped forward. His old waistcoat made him look dull. ”Oh you won't believe what just happened Your Majesty”

**********

It was true- Leopold couldn't believe it. He couldn't believe that people with such level of shamelessness exist in this world. The three men sitting in front of him were the personification of dishonesty.

”No” Leopold declared, slamming his fist on the table. He pointed at their faces ”After what you did to Timothy, you expect me to accept you into my camp!? You dare propose an alliance!? I am not stupid. I cannot trust you. Get out of my sight. Now!”

The three flinched including Skall who was beside him. Leopold's anger was blazing. How could they abandon their ally just like that? How could they do that to Timothy?

Magistrate Chen raised his hand to calm Qilo, Sachi and Skall. ”We would ask you to reconsider King Leopold. Because if you won't accept us, then we will go to the Tulosans instead”

Leopold sprang forward and grabbed Chen's clothes ”You dare help invaders! How could you”

Skall, Qilo and Sachi all rose and tried to separate them.

”We are desperate!” Chen shouted while being collared by Leopold ”I've seen it King Leopold. He is a threat to the peace of all nations. They are a threat! He and Lucia both. We also don't want to join the Tulosans. But we would if you don't accept us. So what's it going to be King Leopold?”

Leopold slowly released Chen. He sat down again. He needed to make a decision.