32 War Has Begun

The King's heavy steps echoed across the hallways. His face was enough proof to tell the people he didn't have a good morning. His tea was cold, breakfast was served late and the news of his nephew angered him even more.

"Good morning, your highness."

A castle staff holding pages of paper approached, handing him the document "Your Highness, there is a problem with the—"

"Is that about my daughter?"

The lady staff shook her head and bent down in shame, "No, your highness but—"

"Then don't discuss it in front of me if it doesn't have anything to do with the investigation. Hand that paper work to the queen. I have no time for useless matters."

"O…okay, your highness," she curtsied and went on her way, the panic evident in her face.

The King continued to move along the hallway and ignored the people stopping by to say their greetings. Keeping a good image with his constituents wasn't the first of his priority right now.

The Cabin doors slammed open when King Averardus entered. The King's Court jolted upright to meet His Highness and were about to say their greetings when they sensed the King didn't have the mood to say any pleasantries. They stood still, watching as he was approaching his seat in front.

It was Monday so the royal council was obligated to conduct a meeting for the affairs in and out of the Palace.

Usually, there are 12 members of the King's Court—Chief Advisor, Master of Coins and Trade, Chief of Army, Grand Admiral, Lord Inquisitor, Lord Mediziner, Lord Justiciar, Grand Panetier, Master of Hunt, Master of Horse, Keeper of the Seal and Royal Diplomat. But today, the King limited the council to six only as there seemed to be more important matters to discuss with.

"My deepest condolences, your highness," Lord Geruntius Farnham, the Chief Advisor, said and bowed before him.

The King ignored his words and went to his seat in the table, calm and steady as if he never heard the Lord.

The dark circles beneath the King's eyes were very difficult to ignore. You could see he was just as uneasy on the inside as he was composed on the outside. From the woodlands to the bombing to the death of his nephew, the world never seemed to give the King enough break for his position.

But his emotions were as opaque as a thick metal. Though his physique told a lot about his condition, his closest confidants couldn't even read what's on his mind at the moment.

King Averardus clasped his hands and rested it under his chin, observing his court that was just waiting for a go signal to speak. He didn't mind nevertheless. He could stay there for a day without talking and they would still be there waiting for his dismissal before leaving.

"We are very sorry to hear about the news, Your Highness," Lord Farnham said.

"I don't need your words," his mouth pressed into a thin line. You couldn't tell whether he's mourning or just plainly apathetic with what's happening, "Your condolences won't bring back my nephew."

The atmosphere got heavier with every word he said. The King's Court looked at each other, wondering if the other should talk first or not but the look on their eyes told them it was a bad idea. They just let the King spend his time thinking, strategizing, if ever he was.

The warm weather outside and the rays of sunshine entering the humungous glass windows didn't seem to affect the ambience inside as the King and his court only sat there like shores along the beach waiting for the tidal wave to come.

A large thump resounded on the Cabin as Lord Agere, the Master of Coins and Trade, pulled his dense ledger from his bag and placed on the table. The King looked at him. Not knowing what to say, an apology was the only thing he could muster.

The door banged open as Lord Sewell entered, "I apologize for being late. There was a…"

He paused when he noticed the awkward silence. It lingered in the air, thick and heavy, like a blanket, "Okay…" Lord Sewell said and moved towards the table and took the first chair to the left of the King.

He looked back and forth between the King's Court members and for a while, nobody said anything. Lord Farnham, who was sitting opposite to him, cleared his throat as if telling him to settle down.

The clock on the wall and the castle staffs rushing across the halls with their regular errands were the only sounds they could hear.

One Lord coughed that took their attention but they immediately tore their eyes from him, directing it to the King, looking like they were having the longest staring contest of their lives.

Several seconds have already passed and no one seemed to have any plans of speaking.

"Okay," King Averardus finally broke the silence, his voice timid and emotionless.

"Commander Marquesse, were there any progress of the search party?" he asked.

Commander Elil Marquesse, the Chief of Army, bowed his head in shame, "The squadron found nothing in the Boucherre Forest, Your Highness. We tried to..."

"Found nothing?" his voice rose, "I gave you a week to search for them and now you are here to tell me you found nothing?"

"I apologize but..."

"Stop apologizing!" his voice roared in the four corners of the room. "Words mean nothing if you don't act upon it."

"We tried to scout up the Lord and his men but there were no signs of movement or life inside the forest. The tracks just disappeared," the commander explained more clearly.

The King's Court only raised a suspicious brow.

'Is the commander crazy?'

'Why is he speaking such nonsense things?"

'That must be insane.'

'Who would believe him?'

The looks on their faces were obvious enough to tell what they were thinking. Then again, the commander was already too old to do his normal duties. Who is to tell he is still thinking logically and not giving in to the consequences of old age?

"That's absurd," he said in a mocking tone. The King refused to believe his explanation. Only a madman would actually think of it as true.

"I am saying the truth, your highness," his voice was now full of authority. He may be old but he knew he was still fit for the position. For how many decades, he has served the family without failure; he wouldn't let it happen now just because they refuse to believe his claims.

"I will give you a chance to prove it. Find out what is happening in that forest. I don't care how you do it, I need answers as soon as possible," the King said.

"Thank you, your highness," he replied.

First, his daughter's gone, even if it was irrefutably King Maximillian's doing. And now his nephew is missing too.

Allyria was still nowhere to be found according to the Cesparian King. He expected they would find her sooner but it took longer than usual.

He regretted his decision at first but like what his comrade said, there wasn't any easier choice. The stakes are getting high the more they let her into this world. Something had to be done. King Maximillian already sailed to Cesparia a day ago so he left a few of his guards to do the work while he's away. As much as he didn't want to leave his son, he still had a country to lead.

"As for the others, I have a task for you," he faced the rest of his council members. Everyone in the King's court leaned in, anticipating what he has to say.

"Lord Blacke," the King called for the Grand Admiral's attention, "Get the ship ready on the morrow and prepare to set sail for Satzer Neico. Lord Sewell will be the country's new diplomat."

"Noted, your highness."

The King turned to Lord Ysembert Earlst, the Lord Inquisitor, also known for being the Master of Whisperers and a spy, "Gather information about these rebels. Another country might be supporting their cause, find out about it."

"And Lord Algere," he said to the Master of Coins, "Audit the gold entering the palace. We need enough resources."

"May I know what the gold is for, your highness?" the Lord asked.

"We are going to war."