19: Interfere

I woke up really early, the sun haven't rise yet but I already had taken a bath. I'm not using the King's bedroom, it's been left vacant ever since Katrina left the palace, though I rather have it vacant than have a traitor living with me and could harm me anytime. It gave me peace of mind and helps me feel at least at ease that no one's going to hurt me.

I went out of my room and went to the garden near my room, Dame Therese and an unfamiliar male knight followed after me.

When I arrived at the garden, I smiled when I saw the flowers, I haven't visited this garden these past months but I knew that the flowers had blossomed.

"Good morning, your majesty," I turned around and I saw Dame Maia and the royal messenger

"Good morning," I replied and they bowed before me, I signaled them to rise

"What is it?" I asked

"Another letter has arrived, your majesty." The royal messenger said and handed me an envelope

I took it carefully and looked at the seal, the royal seal of Arcadia.

"From Arcadia…" I said

"Thank you." I told the royal messenger and he bowed before leaving

I looked at Dame Maia after the royal messenger left.

"How is the progress with the letters going, Dame Maia?" I asked her

"They had been able to recreate half of the letters, your majesty." She answered

"Bring it to my study as soon as it's finished." I ordered

"Yes, your majesty." She said and bowed before leaving

I opened the envelope and carefully flapped it open.

|#4

Greetings to the Astraeian Queen, Queen Patrice,

This is my fourth letter, we've seen each other yesterday at an unexpected and unfavorable circumstance, I'd like to formally set a meeting to discuss the action we'll take regarding the damages that had been received by both of our kingdoms from a mutual enemy.

In two days' time, unless we do not receive a favorable reply, my men and I will pay a visit to Astrae to discuss with the Queen Patrice personally.

King Zachary Iverone Ruiz Olivier Arcadia

King of Arcadia

I folded the letter again and placed it inside the envelope again. The sun had risen and it's warm rays hit my skin delicately.

I walked inside and left the garden with the two knights following behind me. I went to the dining hall and sat on the chair.

Looking at the long table with less than a dozen of chairs from both sides, this table should only be used during ceremonies and celebrations. It feels empty.

The servants began placing different delicacies in front of me and I only took the plate of steak and ate it alongside a vegetable salad then I drank the wine on my goblet.

After eating, I left the dining hall and went to the King's study. I took a paper and the royal seal of Astrae and began writing my reply to the king of Arcadia.

|#1

Greetings to you, King Zachary of Arcadia,

I have received your third and fourth letter, however, the first and second letters you have sent were not able to arrive safely. Regarding the alliance that you have mentioned in your third letter, I am very delighted to acknowledge your favorable reply, I appreciate that you, the king of Arcadia, shares the same idea that I have.

About your request to personally discuss the solution to eradicate the infestation that had damaged both Astrae and Arcadia, I think it is a good opportunity to show our subjects that we can really work together in an alliance that favors both Arcadia and Astrae. If it wouldn't be too much for you, I'd bring three of my council members and you shall bring three of yours as well.

I hope this letter arrives safely and you are able to receive it.

Queen Patrice Avery Mae Jillianne Astrae

Queen of Astrae

I fold the letter and placed it inside an envelope then sealed it with the royal seal of Astrae.

"Dame Therese," I called her

"Yes, your majesty?" she asked

"Deliver this personally to Arcadia, it contains crucial and important matters that the King of Arcadia must receive." I told her

"Yes, your majesty." She said and accepted the letter

She bowed before leaving the room. I was about to begin reading the papers on my table again when someone knocked on the door. I signaled the knight to open the door.

"Your majesty," a knight said

"The Viscount of Winches and his wife have arrived and are waiting for you in the receiving area." He said

"I see, I'll head there now." I said and I stood up

I went out of the King's study and went to the receiving area. The receiving area is a smaller room compared to the ballroom and Council room, however, it's big enough to receive about fifteen guests, and I personally prefer to eat my meal there that the dining hall.

"The Queen Avery has arrived." They both stood up upon my arrival

"Greetings to the glistening moonlight of the Astrae kingdom." The Viscount and his wife bowed

"Rise," I said and sat on the chair across them

"Thank you for giving us your time, your majesty." His wife said

"What does the Viscount of Winches and his wife like to discuss about?" I asked

"Your majesty, we'd like to ask for your permission to take part in your project." The Viscount said

"Which project would you like to take part in?" I asked

"We'd like to fund the school you built for the commoners." His wife said

"For what purpose?" I asked and they seem taken aback

"You see, I don't see any reason for the Viscount of Winches and his wife to fund a school built for commoners." I said straightly

"Yes, that's true…" his wife trailed off

"Then can we perhaps, partner with the school regarding their uniforms?" The Viscount of Winches doesn't seem to give up that easily

"A partnership instead of funding, is that it?" I asked and he nodded

"I'll think about it and for the meantime, I'd like to receive a formal proposal about this partnership you're planning." I said

"Of course, your majesty, I shall send it to you soon." He said

"Is that all?" I asked

"Yes, your majesty." He replied and I stood up

"Thank you for your time, your majesty." His wife said and they bowed

"Glory to the glistening moonlight of Astrae kingdom." The Viscount said and I went out of the receiving area

Arcadia is nearly three hours away in carriage, however it might only take two and half hours to reach the nearest border of Arcadia if one is to ride a quick horse.

I went back to the King's study, I've cleared my work for the next two weeks, I'll be able to have some time to personally visit and see the progress of the project I've assigned to Knight Stephen.

I took a book from the bookshelf and went to the chair to sit. I opened the first page and a drawing fell.

It's a drawing of a man wearing what seems to be a crown on his head and a little kid wearing a tiara, I think it was me who drew it when I was younger and I gave it to my father. I don't know when exactly though, it's either drawn when I was four or when I was five.

My train of thoughts was interrupted by a knock on the door. The knight opened it and I saw Lord Valdez, Lord Mares and Mr. Marco standing.

"Greetings, your majesty." They greeted and bowed

"Greetings, council members, you may rise." I said and they stood up

They approached my table and the knight closed the door.

"What is the purpose of this sudden visit?" I asked

"It had come to our knowledge that you sent one of your personal guards to deliver a message to Arcadia." Mr. Marco said seriously

"Yes, I sent Dame Therese to personally deliver my response to the Arcadian King's letter." I answered

"Why is that, your majesty?" Lord Valdez asked

"You see, I have discovered that several letters from other kingdoms have failed to be delivered to me, I fear that if it were to happen with my response to the other kingdoms' letters, it might affect our ties with them badly." I replied

"But why Arcadia?" Mr. Marco asked

"I only received their king's third letter, it's about the alliance I offered to their king, and he is looking forward to the alliance as well however, I did not receive the two that were sent before that." I answered

"Are you saying that there's someone interfering with the communication between Astrae and the other kingdoms?" Lord Mares asked

"I did not say that, Lord Mares, but that is what is currently happening." I said seriously

"What are the proofs, your majesty?" Mr. Marco asked and somebody knocked

"I apologize for interrupting, your majesty." Dame Maia arrived

"What is it, Dame Maia?" I asked

"Your majesty, these are the letter we were able to retrieve and fix, the others were hopeless cases as apart from being shred, they had been burned to ashes." Dame Maia answered and placed four envelopes on my table

"Thank you very much, Dame Maia." I said and she bowed before returning to her post

"You were asking for proofs, weren't you, Mr. Marco?" I asked him

"These and my knight's words are my proofs, Mr. Marco." I said

"Pardon for my imprudence, your majesty." He said and I smiled

"I understand, after all, acting while relying on mere words is really not a good thing to do." I said

"Also, I'd like to inform the three of you that the king of Arcadia sent a letter of permission to come here to personally discuss the alliance and the solution to the massacre that had happened in the villages near our borders in two days' time." I said

"You agreed to that, your majesty?" Lord Valdez asked

"Yes, along with the condition that three of my council members and three of his will attend as well." I said

"And you are referring to the three of us who will attend in the meeting with you?" Lord Mares asked and I nodded

"Yes, as the three of you hold the three highest positions in the council." I answered

"We'll look forward to it then, your majesty, and thank you for the honor." Lord Valdez said and I nodded

"We'll be taking our leave then, your majesty." Mr. Marco said and I nodded

Lord Arthur Valdez, the highest council member, Lord Darius Mares, the most influential council member, and Mr. Ezekiel Marco, the most influential with the representatives, the three of them are the best council members to influence and win over in forming an alliance with Arcadia. With the three of them favoring my opinion, it won't take long before the whole council and the whole kingdom will accept Arcadia as an ally and not as an enemy.