17 An Enemy enters the Palace (3)
The palace remained peaceful and quiet for a few days after the two former ladies-in-waiting were replaced and thrown in the dungeon and it made Elizabeth relax for a bit.
Elizabeth was relaxing by the garden with her grandmother when Edward and Ethan came running to them.
"A Vucaea envoy arrived in the palace," Ethan reported.
Hearing who arrived, Aleksandra stopped her rocking chair.
Vucaea has been Taskia's mortal enemies even from centuries ago. How dare the Riku palace invite such an enemy into their realm.
She stood up gently.
"I'd like to see this envoy, you are talking about," she said as she walked quietly towards the court.
"I didn't know my father was friends with the Vucaea demons," Edward explained.
Elizabeth, who was silently reading a book on a bench stood up and faced Edward.
"Just so you know, Eddie, your father has warmly welcomed an enemy of 18 kingdoms and this country ... is not yet ready for a war," Elizabeth said as she passed by Edward and Ethan and followed her grandmother.
The two women entered the Court of Royals and went directly to their throne.
"Your Grace, Edward ... please meet the Vucaea envoy," the Emperor proudly said as he introduced the people in front of them.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I am well aware who they are. Welcome to Vetrai, Enemy of 18 kingdoms," Aleksandra said.
The Empress know the guests are enemies and her husband welcoming them like they are some close alliance made her extremely nervous.
"Well, that is one special greeting from the Queen Mother of Taskia. Let me introduce myself first properly, Your Grace. My name is Duncan Channel. I am extremely pleased to see the Queen Mother and her granddaughter together," the head of the envoy said as he mockingly bowed to them.
"What is your purpose here?" Aleksandra asked.
"We are here for an alliance," Duncan coolly said.
"PREPOSTEROUS! Philippe, you very well know that forging an alliance with these scumbags means you become the enemy of the most powerful 18 kingdoms. And your country is in short of everything," Aleksandra said.
"We don't have to worry, we have the Crown Princess and the Magus now," the Emperor said, talking like he was in some sort of spell.
"My king, are you ill? Why are you talking like this?" the Empress finally asked and stood up.
The Emperor, hearing what his wife said, was enraged.
"HOW DARE YOU QUESTION ME? YOU ARE JUST A QUEEN! NOTHING ELSE!" the Emperor roared at his wife.
The Empress was surprised at how her husband reacted to her. Ever since they became rulers of this peaceful country, he had never raised his voice to her. He would always speak in a calm manner and his decisions were firm and were always for the goodness and peacefulness of the entire kingdom. But he is different now, his actions were like of a madman.
A MAD KING? The people would not want a mad king to rule over them.
"You have gone mad, Philippe!" Aleksandra exclaimed.
But before the Emperor could retaliate, Alik and Frostbone arrived.
"Frostbone!" Elizabeth exclaimed in happiness.
"Your Grace, I heard you needed our help. I have come to offer my service to you," Frostbone said as he bowed to the Princess.
"HOW DARE YOU NOT BOW IN FRONT OF ME! I AM THE EMPEROR! SEIZE HIM AT ONCE!" the Emperor roared.
He was completely enraged at how the Magus did not bow to him. It seemed like he completely forgot that the Magus never acknowledges someone unless they forge an alliance with them.
The guards did not dare budge from their posts, afraid to anger a Magus.
"YOU IMBECILES! SEIZE HIM!" the Emperor roared again.
The Magus felt like the Emperor was under a spell so he muttered a small spell and made the Emperor go into a coma state.
"YOUR MAJESTY! WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM!?" the Empress screamed as she rushed to catch her husband.
"He is under a spell. This kind of spell is hard to counter so I decided to put him into a deep sleep first. He must drink a tonic that will cure him. But this drink is very hard to make, it will be done in a few weeks," Frostbone said without even bowing to the Empress.
"SEIZE THOSE ENVOYS!" the Empress screamed.
Before the soldiers could even take a step, Aleksandra stepped up.
"Place them under strict house arrest in this palace. Place them in the highest tower you have," Aleksandra suggested.
"Yes, yes. Do it now!" the Empress cried.
Olzan was already kneeling beside his father.
"If you imprison us, expect a huge battalion invading Vetrai tomorrow early morning!" Duncan shouted before he was taken by the soldiers.
"What should we do?" the Empress cried.
"Hush now, Natasha. You are the mother of Vetrai, you have to be strong. First, you have to make a decision on who will rule the kingdom," Aleksandra said. "Take your father to his bedroom and come back after. Natasha, you stay with your husband," she added.
After the Emperor was placed in his bedroom, they held the meeting inside.
"What should we do?" Natasha cried.
"Let your son and my Elizabeth handle this situation. This will be a perfect test for them," Aleksandra said as she silently sipped her tea.
"A test? And at the expense of the entire kingdom?" Natasha cried.
"Yes. There is no better than this. In fact, this will only motivate them to pass this test," Aleksandra said calmly.
"But ... what if they fail? What will become of our people? our country?" Natasha asked.
"Oh no, I am very confident they will succeed. I have every confidence for my granddaughter, what about you to your son?" Aleksandra said as she looked at Natasha.
Natasha looked at Edward who was standing beside Elizabeth, holding her hands while his head was lowered.
She looked at her son. Her son who she loved so much and spoiled so much has grown up now.
"Edward, raise your head. You are a prince, and now the temporary Emperor. As an Emperor for the meantime, never lower your head," Natasha said as she wiped away her tears.
Aleksandra smiled victoriously.
"Then, let's arrange the marriage later this evening, shall we? An Emperor cannot rule without an Empress by her side, am I right, Natasha?" Aleksandra suggested.
Natasha agreed to her quickly which made Aleksandra smile secretly.
