Return from the North

CHAPTER 6

The week spent in the North really calmed my worried soul down – well, a little bit. The thought of the inevitable future still weighed me down but the slow execution of my countermeasures made my mind calm. 

When I came back from the North, I was greeted with my uncle and brother waiting for me by the door, each of them wearing a degree of worried expressions on their faces. Alan was obviously distraught whilst my uncle still had his usual calm expression on his face, the only thing telling his worry was the deep furrow of his brows. Word have gotten to my family that I had been ambushed and all my guards were found dead by a travelling merchant who sent word to my uncle via a hawk. It was on my fourth day in the North that I had received my uncle's and brother's alarmed letters from Lucien and I had sent back brief words of assurance that I was safe and would explain to them what happened. That obviously didn't calm them down and instead put them on edge. 

Immediately I stepped out of the carriage, Alan ran over to me and pulled me in a hug. My taller twin looked me over, voicing his worries.

"Are you okay, Lys?!" Alan gently cupped my cheeks and turned my head to the side. "You're not hurt, are you?!"

I huffed out an exasperated sigh before grabbing his forearms. "I'm fine, Alan. Thankfully, neither I nor Laura were hurt."

"Thank the gods! I was almost losing my mind when they told us that they found the bodies of the banner men who went with you." He pulled me into another bone crushing hug, making me to let out a low grunt. With another huff, I patted his back.

"Alyssa."

Alan let go of me and the two of us turned to our uncle, who looked as stoic as ever. 

Uncle gave the Northern banner men an intense stare, his eyes taking each and everyone of them in with intensity – but the men Lucien gave to me weren't bothered. Hell, they even had bored expressions on their faces. 

"I'm glad to see that you're okay. Let us go inside. We have much to discuss."

I, my twin and uncle headed off to his office and the discussion was filled with tension. I don't know why I did it but I told the two of them that we were attacked by bandits. I told them that I and Laura were lucky to escape with the help of the coachman. My uncle looked displeased at my answer, no doubt you could tell that my story had various holes in them, but he declined to ask any further. Knowing him, you'd investigate on his own but I had no issues on that. I've paid the coachman a huge sum of gold and he'd be moving away from the capital once Laura ensured that his debt was paid. The old man had come to love the North during his stay there and he had made it known to me that he'd love to move there and I plan to write a letter to be delivered to Lucien to write a letter of recommendation for the old man. I plan to get to the bottom of who planned my death and I don't want my uncle to be bothered about with my business.

In the end, uncle let the matter go, stating that he was really glad that I was okay. Alan escorted me back to my room, still angry about what I went through. I assured him that Duke Lucien had promised to find the bandits and deal with them swiftly. Well, that wasn't exactly a lie. After signing the contract, Lucien had informed me that he had been keeping in touch with the happenings of the capital and the rest of the Empire once he became the Duke of the North. He informed me that my betrothal to Luther was still not accepted by many lords who wanted their daughters to be the next Empress or by young ladies who wanted to be in my place. I had snorted in amusement, telling him that if they wanted they can come take my position any day. I told him that I was sick of Luther and his mother. Lucien had chuckled.

My uncle was introduced to the men Lucien had assigned to me for my return to the capital. It turned out the five of them were distinguished knights of the North, known for their skills and prowess. But my uncle and others didn't know that two of them were skilled in the magical arts. I'd witnessed them welding magic like it was nothing as they killed several monsters that came upon us on our journey. I didn't say anything as it wasn't my secret to tell. And besides, a secret like that was quite advantageous.

During dinner, I had regaled my brother and uncle about the North and the festival, even mentioning Lucien and how much of a gentleman he was. I told Alan that he should have seen Lucien spar – that he was the personification of a god of war. I couldn't help but blush as I remember Lucien's half naked form as he spared with his men. I hurriedly grabbed my drink and took a sip to quench my taste. Unfortunately for me, my uncle had a set of keen eyes and he noticed my flushed face. 

"I'm happy you enjoyed your stay in the North, Alyssa." My uncle said over the rim of his glass. "But do remember to not form attachments to another man. You're to be married to Crown Prince Luther and it would be a scandal if rumours have it that you're interested in another man." He gave me a stern stare.

I held myself from snorting and rolling my eyes. It was hilarious that come the next few days, my betrothal with Luther would come to an end. I'd soon began gathering evidence of his wanton ways. 

I simply replied my uncle in a respectful manner, a tensed silence blanketing all of us on the dinner table.