Marquis Neill's Advice

Once she was done with the documents she was supposed to review, Amelia exchanged a few words with Adviser Damian before she left the office. At the thought that she was going to leave the palace ground in secret, Amelia was suddenly excited.

At this time, Amelia suddenly wondered if this was why people wanted to do something they were forbidden to do—due to excitement. Though she had both the Adviser and Commander's permission this time, Amelia was still very thrilled.

She was on her way towards her palace when she saw Marquis Neill stood next to the flower bushes. Judging from his body language, Amelia could tell that the elderly man was waiting for her. Taking a deep breath, Amelia braced herself of what was about to come and walked over to the Marquis.

"Your Highness," the Marquis of Hemi greeted and bowed.

"Maquis Neill," Amelia nodded. "You may rise."

The Marquis thank the Princess before he rose. Then, he watched the Princess with a smile on his face without saying anything.

Facing the creepy way that the Marquis was staring at her, Amelia took a deep breath and took a step to leave the place. Just as she had taken the first step, the Marquis had decided to speak.

"I was shocked to learn you decided to pardon the young Lord of House of Cashore for his crime."

Amelia stopped immediately and turned around to look at Marquis.

"Enlighten me, Your Highness. Actually... I am curious to know why you didn't sentence the young lord from the house of Cashore to death for his crime." Marquis Neill continued. "You could have punished him to send us a warning for going against your decision to take over the King's place, or as part of revenge because of the way we treated you. But you did not."

"My decision to take over the throne as the King's substitute has nothing to do with Lord Benedict's crime," Amelia said. "Moreover, what's wrong with demoting him and sending him over to an impoverished area to let him work hard to pay back the money he had stolen?"

Marquis Neill chuckled at her answer. "Was this kind of punishment is your idea? Or was it the adviser's idea?"

"I decided to have Lord Benedict demoted as his punishment," she said. "The adviser did his job to advise me when I need his advice. He did not make any decision for me if that was what was you were asking."

Maquis Neill suddenly burst into a hearty laugh. "I thought so. I never thought that adviser Damian would be bold enough to make a decision such as this. He was someone who would prefer to follow the book."

Amelia watched the elderly man and frowned as she wondered what was his intention. At this time, Amelia was worried that Marquis Neill was looking for a reason to blame Damian for her incompetence.

If the Marquis or the nobles decided to do something to pull Damian away from her, Amelia did not know how she would survive the palace.

"But, Your Highness, aren't you afraid that the nobles were going to take that punishment as an insult? The Viscount Giddon from the house of Cashore might think that you were trying to humiliate him this way."

The Princess swallowed. She had not thought of it that way. She knew how the old Viscount Giddon was influential among the other nobles even though he had retired from the political scenes for a long time.

Amelia had wanted to win the Viscount's support. However, if the Viscount decided to go against her, there's no telling how much longer can she hold on to protect the throne.

Amelia pursed her lips into a thin line. She knew very well that Marquis Neill wanted to play a game with her to disturb her mind.

She knew how much the Marquis did not like her. He was against her stepping in as the King's substitute, and he was always the first to criticize her during their meeting. Because of this, Amelia had refused to give the elderly man the satisfaction of knowing how shaken she was at hearing his words.

"I watched how Viscount Giddon worked alongside my late father during his reign," Amelia said, feigning her confidence. "I know that the Viscount Giddon was someone who viewed honor highly. His family was important to him, but he would rather not let his son continue to do his mistake. Because of this, I think that the Viscount would rather have his son demoted rather than watching his son die."

Maquis Neill laughed at her answer.

Hearing the Marquis continuos laugh was starting to get on her nerve. "I'm sorry. But there's nothing funny about that," Amelia said. She took a step forward, ready to leave. "Now, if you excuse me."

Maquis Neill chuckled. "I've heard that the Viscount Giddon Cashore was delighted that you decided not to sentence his son to death. There were rumors among the nobles that he had gathered his people to ask them to show support to your reigning."

Her pace halted at the news. Amelia wondered if Marquis Neill was telling her the truth. If the nobles began to show her their support, then, that was good news.

"I guess I was wrong about you, princess," he shook his head slowly. "You're much smarter than I thought you are."

Amelia flinched as she wondered if Marquis Neill was trying to be sarcastic. She turned around to face him. "Are you mocking me?"

Marquis Neill bowed. A small smile curled on his lips when he looked up. "Pardon me, Your Highness. That wasn't my intention at all. In fact, I'm complimenting you."

Amelia scoffed inwardly. "A Compliment?"

Maquis Neill nodded. "I thought you would succumb to the nobles' demand to have you stepped down by now. But you're still here. I can see now why your brother decided to have you as his substitute. You are quite... persistent. But, a word of advice, Your Highness," Maquis Neill said. "Now that you have gained a few supporters, your enemy will not go easy on you. If I were you, I'd be careful with the people around me."