80 Mother and Son 1 (1/2)
The Duke's group arrived outside the palace gates and dismounted their vehicles.
”Halt! Who dares to trespass at this hour?” A drowsy palace guard barked.
”Has this Duke's prestige fallen so low that he cannot even be recognized by a mere palace guard?” Ignis asked with a frown.
”Stop it, Ignis.” Amelia was not interested in wasting time by the front gates.
”There's no problem with letting us pass, yes?”
”Y-Y-Your Grace... Y-Yes, there is no problem. Please enter at your own pace.” The guard stuttered, before making way. He was half awake and failed to recognize them immediately.
Guarding the gate was a menial task. The palace was not frequented by guests like it once was and it is especially not the case during the wee hours. The palace guard wiped his sweats after the Duke's group entered.
”Nobles are so eccentric. Who visits at such ungodly hour? Fortunately, I didn't offend them.”
...
The courtyard was once decorated with beautiful verdure gardens and filled with fragrant floras. Nobles and commoners alike, often visit to enjoy the scenery, and fill it with life.
As the group pass through the courtyard, the verdure garden was long gone. In its place, was a cold and lifeless metallic texture, as far as the eye can see; the ground, the walls and the palace itself. There was nothing that wasn't metal.
”How is this a palace anymore? It looks more like an iron fortress.” Ignis remarked in passing.
At the other end of the courtyard lied a flight of stairs, leading to the great hall. They group made their way over quickly and found a palace maid standing at the top of the stairs, as if awaiting their arrival.
”The Queen is waiting for you inside, Your Grace.” The Palace informed her with a curtsy to show her respect to the Queen's sworn sister.
”The Queen is waiting for me?” Amelia asked doubtfully. How did Elizabeth know they were coming?
”Yes.”
”I see, thank you.”
Two palace guards holding spears in hand at the entrance, stepped away, while they opened the doors to the great hall.
Amelia took the lead to enter the great hall first. Duke Ignis and the rest were ready to follow her when the two palace guards crossed their spears and blocked them from entering.
”What's the meaning of this?” Duke Ignis was immediately displeased.
”The Queen will only be seeing the Duchess Amelia. I have orders under the Queen to lead you to your living quarters.” The palace maid said respectfully.
Amelia looked back at her husband, who wore a gloomy face and was ready to make a scene.
”Go, I will look for you later.”
Hearing his wife's words, he swallowed the words at the tips of his tongue.
”Yes, right this way.”
…
Deep inside the great hall, a big golden throne could be seen with two other seats by its side. Queen Elizabeth did not seat herself on the golden throne, but the left seat by its side.
The throne belonged to her husband and was not her place to sit. Even as the acting ruler of the kingdom, she would not sit on the throne. This was to show her respect and devotion to her husband, who still laid in vegetative state.
”Sister, how did you know I was coming?” Amelia came up and hugged Elizabeth's arm in an intimate way, showcasing their close sisterly relationship.
”I was informed ahead of time.” Elizabeth showed off a rare smile, albeit a light one.
Some life had returned to her eyes and her appearance was no longer haggard and disheveled. But one cannot be fooled by her renewed beautiful countenance and believe that their gentle Queen had returned. The cold icy aura emanating from her was enough to freeze their hearts.
”Oh? It wasn't a crazy but powerful old man shrouded in black by any chance, was it?” Amelia asked hopefully. If Elizabeth didn't know who that was, then things could be bad for Leon.
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”Crazy old man eh? You must referring to Kasif. No, it was not him, who informed me.”
Amelia heart froze at Elizabeth's answer. It wasn't!? Her thoughts were about to run amok with possibilities when Elizabeth continued.
”He sent his subordinate to inform me.”
Amelia sigh in relief. It seems the Old man serves Elizabeth. ”Don't leave me in suspense like that...”
”Since when did we have such a powerful master in the kingdom? How come I haven't heard of him before?”
”That's not why you came to see me, right? What news do you have for me?” Elizabeth didn't answer Amelia's question. Instead, she threw back a question of her own.
”Ahh… right! I have good news! Your son is alive! I've found him.”
Amelia broke the news to Elizabeth with a big smile. Whether it was something Leon agreed to or not, Amelia still had to inform her sworn sister. She cannot keep her in the dark and continue living miserably.
”What!?”
Elizabeth immediately shot up from her seat in agitation. ”Is that true!?” Where is he? Where is my son? Why isn't he with you? Are you lying to me?”