35: Baron
I stopped on my tracks when I heard some maids talking about my arrival. I've been here for two days now, in the past two nights I dined with the king which lead to rumors spreading in the palace that I am the future queen of Holland. I do not appreciate the thought as I am already contented with being the Queen of Astrae and I do not have plans to get married yet.
"She looks beautiful, no wonder the king was enticed by her."
"Don't you think that her arrival is weird."
"Yeah, no one knew she arrived."
"My lady," the bowed down frantically
"Do you need anything?" one of them asked
"I'd like to stroll around." I said
"We will accompany you, my lady." They said and I nodded
"You have a beautiful skin, my lady." One of them complimented
"Thank you." I said
We went to the garden and a knight approached us and bowed before me.
"His majesty wish to inform you that your presence is expected at lunchtime." He said
"I see, tell his majesty that I will be there." I replied and he bowed before leaving
I decided to have tea in a gazebo near the Silk Palace, three maids were left to accompany me while the other two left to prepare the tea and snacks.
"Do you wish to read anything, my lady?" one of the three asked
"No, I'd like to take my time and appreciate the beauty of the garden." I answered
I continued to look at the beautiful flowers, some are already losing their petals as the fall season had begun, the summer season has ended the night before and it's now the start of the fall season and soon enough it'll be the start of the snow season. I can feel the glance that the maids have been stealing from time to time.
"Do you wish to ask me anything? I can sense your hesitation." I said calmly
"My lady," they bowed their heads
"It's alright, I won't bite, is there anything you wish to ask me?" I asked and they remained looking on the ground so I looked away
"Are you…" I looked at them when one of them spoke
"Are you in a relationship with his highness, my lady?" one of them asked
"No, we are merely working together." I answered and the maids arrived and placed the teapot and the cake in front of me
"Is there anything else you wish to ask?" I asked while holding the teacup
"None, my lady." They answered shaking their heads
"I see…" I said and sipped on my tea
I enjoyed the peaceful scenery of the leaves falling down and the flowers bowing down as I drink tea and eat cake, some habits cannot be removed so I couldn't help but act upon my royal etiquette lessons. After drinking a cup of tea and finishing the cake, I decided to ask for a book, it took them a while before they returned with several books. I chose the thinnest book as I do not wish to be engrossed too much into reading and forget that I am to meet with the king for lunch.
I assume that they have arrived from Arcadia and are currently meeting with the King of Holland. I wonder how their conversation is going, well I guess there's nothing to worry as they're both professional in terms of working with their titles on.
"Is it already lunchtime?" I asked one of the maids and closed the book I've finished
"It's not yet lunchtime, my lady." One of them answered
"I see, well then, I'd rather be early than be impolitely late." I said and stood up
I went back inside the Palace with the maids quietly following behind me. While we're walking along the hallway a familiar figure took my attention so I stopped walking and turned to the maids.
"Who is that man?" I asked them and looked at the familiar man again
"That is the Baron's only son, my lady, the former queen's nephew." The maid answered
"The Baron's only son, does he always personally deliver goods here?" I asked
"No, the Baron Tariq rarely comes to visit." One of them answered
"I see." I said and continued walking
So, he's actually a baron? I didn't suspect because he looked simple but I guess he's better at disguising than I am.
"Vielle? What are you doing here?" he looked surprised when he saw me
His question triggered the curiosity of the maids and servants who heard him.
"You know the lady Vielle, Baron Tariq?" the head maid of the Silk Palace asked
"Lady Vielle?" he asked
"What a coincidence to meet you here, Baron Tariq." I said and he looked at me in surprise
Three knights approached us, it seems that it's almost close to lunchtime.
"Lady Vielle, Baron Tariq," they bowed down after acknowledging our presence
"Is it close to lunchtime already?" I asked them
"Yes, my lady, his majesty requests your presence in their meeting." He answered
"I see," I nodded and looked at Tariq before speaking, "I'll be going ahead then, Baron Tariq." I said and walked pass him
"Wait, Lady…" I stopped when he held my arm
"What is it?" I asked him
"Baron Tariq, his majesty requests your presence as well." They said and I removed Baron Tariq's hand from my arm
"Let's not make the king wait." I said and walked ahead
We went to a beautiful greenhouse, I saw the king Skylark along with King Zachary and my knights and his knights. Dame Maia and Sir Charles bowed upon seeing me, the knights Zairo had brought along bowed their heads as well
"Rise," I said and Sir Charles pulled a chair for me to sit on the chair across Zairo
"Baron Tariq," King Skylark acknowledged his presence
"Greetings, King of Holland." He bowed down
"What had brought you here?" the king of Holland asked him
"I personally delivered the materials you had requested for the Silk Palace." He answered and I can feel Zairo's gaze
"I see, thank you for your effort." King Skylark said
"I assume you've met the lady seated across the King of Arcadia." He motioned me
"Is it alright for a baron of your kingdom to know her identity, King Skylark?" Zairo asked him seriously while looking at me
"He is my cousin and my eyes in the cities of Astrae." King Skylark nodded
"Then, he is the one who helped her enter the kingdom." Zairo said and looked at me
"Yes, he is." I answered
"Would you like to join us for lunch, cousin?" King Skylark asked him
"Thank you for the honor, your majesty." Baron Tariq answered and a knight pulled a chair for him a seat apart from Zairo
"Oh, I have forgotten the introduction. These are my knights, Sir Cristobal and Sir Monte, they will lead the army." Zairo introduced after we started eating
"How about them? Who are they?" King Skylark asked motioning my knights
"They are my personal knights, King Skylark, Dame Maia and Sir Charles." I answered after I finished chewing my food
"This is Baron Tariq, my cousin and eyes in Astrae, he can provide the information we need regarding the state of the Kingdom." King Skylark introduced
"It's a pleasure to meet the man who had helped my queen." Zairo said and I almost rolled my eyes because of how he addressed me while facing Tariq
"Your majesties, may I speak?" Sir Monte asked for permission
"Yes, you may, what is it?" I replied and continued slicing the food
"We are missing someone, King Zachary." Sir Monte said and I looked at Zairo
Someone? Who else could he bring to… oh.
"Did you bring the young prince with you?" I asked and I looked at the knights
"You did bring him." I said shaking my head and continued eating
"I assume this young prince has a part to play in this meeting?" King Skylark asked us
"No, he doesn't, but he has a part to play in the plan." Zairo answered
"Dame Maia, look for the young prince then bring him here." I ordered Dame Maia
"Yes, your majesty." She said and bowed before leaving
"What is all this talk about plan?" Baron Tariq asked
"We are here to talk about overthrowing the current ruler of Astrae, the former Lady Trinity." Zairo answered
"Are you planning on working together to claim Astrae?" Baron Tariq asked
"No, we'll be helping the rightful ruler to reclaim it." They answered
"Can we first finish eating before we continue this talk about overthrowing rulers and retaliation?" I asked them
"As you wish," they answered and we continued eating
Thankfully, the lunch went well, indeed they did postpone the discussion regarding the overthrowing, it's not that I wish to finish the food first but the fact that someone might overhear us and it may reach Ezra and Katrina's ear, I would not like that.