155 Trus (1/2)
The night was already raging for long when Timothy and the royal guards were able to go back to the palace. Walking in the streets of Holm at night was a different experience compared to when he was at Nirvana or Solon. It was too different.
All the buildings have illumination, glittering like fireflies in the empty darkness of the snow season. Streetlamps lined the streets. Some business establishments were even open.
As they entered the palace district of Holm, the atmosphere quickly changed. The lights and the lamps were even brighter. The guards were dressed in exquisite attires that favored style over functionality. The gate of the palace curved like a giant cake- decorated with precious stones and colored with bright hues. Timothy could only imagine the pain of seeing the beautiful gate being rammed by attackers.
And then there is the palace itself- probably the most beautiful building in the world. It stood tall and wide. It was twice the size of Nirvana's palace. Every stone was an artwork. Every pillar was carefully crafted. This wasn't his first time seeing the palace and he had been living here for the past weeks but he still felt awed.
Past the winding steps and long corridors of the palace was their room. It was Lucia's old room back when she was still the princess. Father Edmund had offered them his room actually- Lucia, after all, is the new monarch. But the two of them refused it. Lucia wanted to preserve the nostalgic feeling of sleeping on her old room and Timothy saw that Lucia's room was more secured than that of Father Edmund's.
”Is she already inside?” He asked the two guards watching the door.
”Yes Your Majesty. The Queen has retreated to your chamber early”
Timothy gave a single nod. He pushed the door and went inside. He was surprised that Lucia was still awake. She was reading a book beside a candle.
”Burning the midnight candle aren't we?”
Lucia turned around. She smiled and rose to give him a loving embrace. Timothy then heard a tiny sigh from her.
”You're late” Lucia looked at him. She was still enveloping him in her embrace.
”The training took longer than I thought”
”And how are they?”
”Slow, clumsy and green. But they will do. I will make a rooster out of them”
”And how are you? Did you run out of stamina again?” Lucia teased.
”You want to be devoured again like what happened this morning?” He pinched her nose ”You just don't know but you are hugging a predator”
Lucia giggled. She turned around and grabbed a plate from the table. There was a chunk of grilled meat and a slice of cheese in the plate.
”Have you eaten? It's already cold but still good” She handed him the plate.
”I have already eaten. Part of the training is learning to cook. Naturally I joined their little feast”
”And the food is horrid I suppose? You are a King and the consort of Vanadis. Letting your palate play with horrible tastes is almost a crime”
Timothy smiled. He looked at the food. It was a hundred times better than the burnt bread and salty stew he had earlier.
”Can't argue with that”
He sat on the chair and started eating. Lucia sat on their bed.
”Tim” She called. Timothy put down the fork and turned his head towards her ”I need your help”
”Personally or as an ally?”
”As an ally”
”Well how can Castonia be of help to Vanadis?”
It took her a while to answer. She detailed what she discovered earlier about the loans and the sudden sailing of merchant ships.
”Lucia...” Timothy frowned ”The writing is on the wall. It is apparent. Even I, know already what is happening. The loans were used to hire mercenaries. The ships were used to transport the said mercenaries. Three weeks ago, I bet those were the mercenaries hired to bolster the nobles in Eastern Castonia. Those hired five days ago are yet to show themselves. I will call the rooster here. We will secure Holm and the surrounding lands and root out whatever forces the merchants and nobles have acquired”
”Yes. But that will be too late. I believe they will strike during the grand ball. Even if they fail, at least they can embarrass the royal family”
Her theory was convincing. And it was too late like what she said. It normally would take ten days to travel from Nirvana to Holm. It would be longer now that the roads are burdened with snow.
”Then we must rally the city watch and assemble the navy. We should freeze the treasury and improve our security”