37: Revision

I am currently resting in the room I'm occupying here in the Silk Palace, the trees are either bare or with reddish orange or yellowish green leaves as the season of fall continues to spread and envelope the whole continent of Eos.

I looked at the door when it opened and one of the handmaids assigned to me went in and bowed before me before speaking.

"My lady, the Baron Tariq wishes to have an audience with you." The handmaid said

"I see, I'll meet him in the gazebo then," I said and she left

I looked at the paper I'm writing on and acted as if I accidentally spilled the water on it, washing off the ink that hasn't dried yet and I faked a gasp.

"Please clean it off as I talk to the baron." I said and

The other maids placed a white fur coat over my off-shoulder dress before I went out of the room. I went to the garden and I saw the Baron Tariq seated on the chair in the gazebo.

"Baron Tariq," I said and he stood up and slightly bowed his head

"Thank you for granting me with an audience, my lady." He said and I sat on the chair across him

"You may leave us." I dismissed the servants waiting for us

"For what purpose do you wish to see me?" I asked him

"I wish to ask something regarding the plan." He said and I looked at him seriously

"What is it that?" I asked

"Do you must involve the children?" he asked

"I understand where you might be coming from, Baron, they are still young children and are innocent with regards to the political conflicts, and they are related to the pieces of this game nevertheless." I said

"You think this is a game?" he asked

"Is life not a game, Baron Tariq? One moment the cards are in your favor and the next the dice says that the opponent can move more spaces that you do." I said

"Don't worry, l won't be hurting them physically, no harm is to come to them." I added with a smile

I am not as heartless as Katrina, I do not wish any harm to come to the children, both the young prince and Ezra's son. However, I cannot say that the same thing goes to the other faction as Katrina could bear to hurt and even endanger my life just to give the throne to her daughter, what more if it's the young prince who came from Astrae's enemy; Arcadia.

"I see, pardon for my impoliteness." He said and I nodded

"I understand your worries, it's only natural for someone to feel worried when it comes to involving children, young children to be precise." I said

"Thank you for granting this audience, my lady." He said and stood up

"Will you be heading to fulfill the king's task to you?" I asked

"Yes, I will be going ahead." He said and I nodded

"Have a safe trip, Tariq." I saw him hide a smile before leaving

"'Have a safe trip, Tariq.' I see you've grown quite acquainted with my cousin, your majesty." The King of Holland said the moment he arrived

I looked at him and I noticed that his knights stopped by the entrance of the garden and did not follow him to the gazebo.

"Have I? I do not know, your majesty." I replied and took a sip on the tea

"What is his purpose of coming by here before heading to fulfill his task?" he asked and sat on the chair across me

"He asked me if I were certain in involving the children." I said and the side of his lips rose

"Speaking of children, I have a question of my own." He said

"Go on, I'd like to hear your question." I said and took a sip on the tea before placing it back on the saucer

"I've been wondering about what is your relation to the king of your kingdom's enemy? I still could not decipher how such relation is made." He said and I smirked

"Before I was crowned queen, I had been not just my kingdom's princess but his as well, and he was my king before he was crowned king." I answered

"Then, the young prince, wouldn't he be a liability of yours as well?" he asked

"Regarding the young prince's existence, he is not a liability, instead he might actually turn out to flip the table to our favor more." I said and he looked confused

"I could not comprehend to your statement, your majesty." He said and I chuckled

"I did not give birth to the young prince if that's what you're thinking and the king and I were never lovers nor were we ever romantically involved." I said

"Perhaps, your relationship is based on alliance alone?" he asked

"No such thing had crossed my mind on our first meeting, we were in each other's throats actually," I chuckled upon reminiscing how we both tried to kill each other the first time we met

He saved me but upon learning that we came from the royal family of our enemy, we had tried to eliminate each other.

"But as days passed by we had learned to coexist and become friends, then the plan of deteriorating the feud that had become a tradition was made." I added

"Then this plan of building alliance with Arcadia had been made upon your younger days?" he asked and I nodded

"Indeed, it used to merely be the plan. Build an alliance, work together, a simple plan made by an innocent child's mind." I answered

"However, that did not land exactly in the favor of everyone in position, especially the dowager Queen Katrina's." I shook my head

"How is it going with the preparation of the army?" I changed the topic

"The preparations had been made, we only need your signal." He said and I nodded

"How about the knights from Arcadia, have they arrived?" I asked

"According to the King Zachary's letter, they are already on their way, they have chosen the route that does not pass by Arcadia." He answered and I nodded

Good, passing through Astrae to reach Holland will remove the element of surprise in the upcoming war to reclaim what is rightfully ours.

"What about the general who will lead the army, who have you chosen to play that part?" I asked

"I think that you should choose him, your majesty." He said

"However, I do not know the capabilities of your generals, King Skylark." I said and he nodded

"I have considered that, Queen Patrice. I just do not know who is fit to play the part." He said

"Then choose your strongest general, choose the most trustworthy of them all." I said

"I suppose that is the better choice." He said

"Also, King of Holland, I did some revision to the original plan." I said taking his attention

"Then, let's talk about it in private." He said and I nodded

We stood up and left the gazebo, I can feel the stares of the servants of the Silk Palace and their king and I walk alongside each other.

"How do you find the Silk Palace if I may ask?" he asked

"The Silk Palace is a rather peculiar and enchanting palace, King Skylark, I may have to add that the garden is still beautiful despite the fall of autumn." I answered

"It is the most beautiful garden in the palace so it is to be expected." He said and I looked at him in amusement

"It is? Then perhaps, the former resident of this Palace must've been quite pleased." I said and I saw how his expression changed

Hmm… I see… so that's it.

When we reached his study, his knights stayed outside the door and I discussed with him the changes I made with the original plan, I didn't change much and the revision I made wouldn't do much difference with the flow of the original plan, perhaps it might just trigger our enemies.

"I see, have you discussed this to the King of Arcadia as well?" he asked

"I am yet to discuss it to him on his next visit." I said and he nodded

"Wouldn't this need his approval? Half of the army comes from his kingdom after all." He said and I nodded

"That is indeed true, that is why I will discuss it to him as soon as he comes to visit again." I said

"I will go ahead, King Skylark." I stood up and curtsied a little before exiting the study