Chapter 78
KING TITUS STOOD ON THE RAISED PLATFORM, ready to address the guests. Queen Monika and Princess Aurora were standing behind him. They looked as merry as he did.
There were many people standing around. The men who were participating in the Hunt stood on the left, the spectators to the right.
"It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to this year's Winter Hunt," Titus announced. "We are honored to have many guests from neighboring countries this year. I hope that you enjoy this tradition of ours that we have maintained for hundreds of years."
"I'm surprised he remembers this tradition and not the one where the king must be a pureblood," Henry whispered to Daniel.
"I also hope that this will be the first step to developing relations with our neighbors, for the prosperity of all," the king continued. "May the Gods protect you and send preys your way. Let the Winter Hunt begin." Titus raised a wine glass in the air before the guest mirrored his action.
"Let the show begin," Daniel uttered.
The crowd started to disperse as the participants made their last preparations. The ladies headed to the tent specially prepared for them. It had comfortable seating and extravagantly decorated tables, filled with different kinds of foods and drinks. They were to wait for the men of their family to return from the hunt.
As the ladies took their seats, Princess Aurora entered the tent. Everyone bowed and greeted her before she sat at the head of one of the tables. Her little puppets, Viscountess Rohas and Lady Jepli, followed her closely.
"Have you noticed?" Viscountess Rohas uttered, pretending to whisper but loud enough for the ladies sitting close by to hear. "The Duchess of Salicera is not present."
"I am sure the duchess is still mourning her son, Cassandra," Princess Aurora said with a smirk. "She did not even respond to the invitation to my ball, which I decided to forgive her for, since she is going through hard times."
"Actually," Lady Jepli jumped at the opportunity. "I heard that she left the duke with another man."
"Oh my goodness, impossible." Cassandra's eyes were wide.
"I have heard it directly from someone who saw it happen." Lady Jepli shrugged.
"It seems crazy rumors are spreading again." Florence could not keep silent any longer, even as the marquise pleaded that she did. "I wonder how much free time these despicable people who start these rumors have on their hands. They even try to defame a woman who has lost her child only a few weeks ago. They are truly the lowest." Florence pushed to her feet. "Excuse me, Your Highness, it's quite suffocating in this tent, I think I need some air."
She bowed and walked away, leaving the three women staring with wide eyes and open mouths.
'Those three really get on my nerves.'
"What are you doing here?" Florence almost jumped. "You need to go back inside," Henry told her.
"I just needed some air," Florence explained.
"This is no time for some air, go back inside." His voice was harsh, as usual.
'Of course, he does not even care enough to ask me why I needed air.'
A miserable smile drew itself on her face. "I wonder how you would feel if something were to happen to me," she whispered.
"Pardon me?"
"Nothing, I'm going back inside."
Henry watched her until she entered the tent. He heard every word she whispered, for some reason they bothered him, but he pushed the thought away. This was not the day for any distractions.
He hurried to the next envoy. "Your Grace," he called the Duke of the North, Luka Werner. He was from the small country of Aachen. "My apologies for my rudeness, my name is Henry from House Flock, may I have a word with you in private?"
"Lead the way," Luka said after a brief moment of silence.
Henry explained the situation to him. "We would like to ensure all our guests' safety as this is an internal issue and we do not wish for it to affect Malorenia's relations with other countries."
"I see, so that's what's happening." The duke nodded at Henry. "Where should we go, then?"
"Our knights will guide you to a nearby castle where all envoys and foreign guests will be protected. Of course, anyone who wishes to travel back to their country is free to do so, and we can make the necessary arrangements."
"This is quite interesting." Luka smiled. "Then I shall leave for the castle with my men."
"I will arrange for that right away, Your Grace." Henry bowed. "Thank you for your understanding."
After sending the duke away, Henry hurried to report to Daniel. He found him pacing in his tent.
"The Duke of the North has just left. All the other guests have been escorted away."
"Great work, Henry," Daniel said. "Victor has also reported that most barons have already been arrested and only a handful are left."
"One thing left to do then," Henry uttered.
The duke nodded at his friend before he walked out of the tent.
"Victor," he called. "Are we ready?"
"Yes, Your Grace." Victor bowed. "Knights," he roared.
Men started pouring from every direction and forming perfectly straight rows. Their silver armors gleaming under the midday sun.
The knights followed Daniel who led them to where the king had given his speech. He and the queen were still enjoying their wine while sitting on their thrones. Titus pushed to his feet as soon as he heard the knights marching.
"Guards," he called.
Royal Knights rushed to form a circle around him and the queen. Soon enough, more knights arrived and stood close by, ready to attack or defend, whatever the orders were.
"Your Majesty." Daniel nodded.
"What is the meaning of this?" Titus' face was red and he was shaking with rage. "Have you forgotten our conversation, Duke?"
"On the contrary, I remember every bit of it."
"Then what the hell are you doing?"
"I really wish I didn't have to do this, but unfortunately you are not fit to be king anymore."
"Have you gone mad?" the king spat.
"A man who does not follow the law, who puts his personal interests before the country's, who conspires with the barons who seek to destroy the values of our country. A man who kills people who disagree or oppose him, is not fit to be the king of our Malorenia, Titus Albrecht."