Chapter 82: The Grand Army I

I opened my eyes to the sounds of birds chirping. The summer sun rose early this morning. The hot temperature continued to harass me every day.

As I slowly came to my feet, a throbbing headache started. Must be from the wine I had last night.

After going to the library, we came back after dark. Sounds boring to spend an entire day at the library. But we found really interesting books. It was a relaxing way to wind down from two months of gruelling work.

"It's morning already…?" Amelia slowly opened her eyes and woke up.

"Yes, wake up now," I told her while changing into bath robes.

This was around the time I woke up. Felix should come by soon.

Not long after, a knocking came on my door. Three knocks as usual.

"Come in," My morning voice sounded.

Felix entered the room and gave me a pleasant smile. "Ready for today?" He asked me in a mellow voice.

"Just need a cold bath first," I told him with a smile.

He chuckled and entered the room. "I'll be on it then," He said before walking into the bathroom.

As Felix prepared the bath, I sat on a chair while propping my head on the circular table. A bowl of fresh fruit was on the table. A craving for fruits grew in my starving stomach as I stared at the ripe and clean fruits.

Amelia jumped on the table and clawed out a few grapes from the bowl. It made me tempted to grab a few for myself.

I couldn't handle the temptations any longer and caved in.

"When is the ceremony?" Amelia asked while chewing down the last few grapes.

"At noon," I answered. "Alexander is leaving right after that too."

"By train?" She asked with glittering eyes.

"Yes, by train," I answered.

The carriages were made in different class order. For obvious reasons. The lowest is at the back while the highest class cabin is in front. There's a special carriage specifically made for royalty. Designed for one sole purpose, to transport Alexander and me back and forth.

Felix came out of the bathroom while putting on his white gloves. He gives me a nod and a smile before swiftly leaving the room.

Amelia hopped off the table and rushed into the bathroom, ready to take a bath and get ready for the day.

ALEXANDER'S POV

A letter came in the mail. At first, I thought it was for Artorius. But it was for me. Only after being told who it was I realised it was for me.

I sat in the living room with my hands covering my nose. The letter lay before me on a table, staring back at me with a cold and menacing stare.

It was from Olivia, Lady Iris' daughter. I have no clue what she wrote, but I'm too afraid to open it.

Vincent walked into the living room and saw me stare at it with nervous eyes. He had just woken up and was in a jolly mood.

"Good morning, Alexander," He greeted me while walking over. "Who's this from?"

"Olivia," I answered under my breath.

"Ooh~" He sounded. "Sounds like someone's in love,"

"No one's in love!" I growled. "If I am to be married, it will be for personal gain. Not some romantic story of a princess and a count."

"Woah, easy there," Vincent said as he sat down. "Open it and see what it says."

The last letter I sent her had something to do with our relationship going forward. Before this, she had hinted that she wanted to pursue it.

Now the question was… will she?

I take a deep sigh before picking up the letter. The familiar smell of home wafted into my nose. It had a memorable scent as well. The memorable scent of the party when she clung to me.

"Take it easy, open it slowly," Vincent said softly, trying to calm my rushing heartbeat.

Without thinking further, I tore open the seal and took the letter out. It was neatly written with handwriting that was recognizable at first glance.

"Dear Alexander. I hope this letter gets to you quickly. After that one fateful night at the castle, I haven't stopped thinking about you. You've been very busy these past few months and I wish I could've talked more with you. But it seems you have much greater work to do.

But, if you ever have time. I want you to come over to the capital of our kingdom. It's not every day that you visit it, do you?" I want to spend some time with you. Just me and you. Alone with no one to stop us. It will be interesting, no?

Love, Olivia."

Artorius walked into the room as I finished reading it. He greeted me with a smile and a good morning, but I was having the opposite of that.

"A letter? From who?" Artorius asked as he took a seat on his armchair.

"Olivia…" I whispered.

"Any good news?" He asked while leaning closer, curious about the letter.

"The news… is good…"

He bent over and looked at the letter with keen interest. Before I could react, he snatched it from my hand. Both he and his fox bond began to read through the letter with curiosity.

Artorius put the letter down and crossed his arms. Leaning back on his chair and closing his eyes.

"Hmm, seems like we can proceed," He said with a wise look to him.

Felix stood behind him and started to giggle to himself. Vincent and I were rather puzzled. What did he have in mind?

"What do you mean?" I asked him, desperate for answers.

"Get yourself married. We're going on an adventure afterwards."

My jaw dropped and my heart sank. Artorius was not requesting it anymore. He was demanding it.

All my life, I thought I would not get married till a ripe age. When I'm the count and I've become older. It would make more sense that way.

But now I was put on the spot. If I got married now, I would possibly end up in a relationship that I hate. But at the same time, I could hold the power of a duke.

"W-wait! Let's re-evaluate this!" I exclaimed.

"What's there to re-evaluate?" Artorius rebutted. "It's clear. She wants to pursue a closer relationship."

"B-but! Listen will you!" I became flustered. "I'm still young! There's no way I'm going to get married before I hit my twenties!"

"Do you want adventure or not?" Artorius shot me a menacing glare.

I bit my lip and calmed my nerves. The decision was difficult to make but it might be necessary.

"...Well, if you say there's a light at the end of the tunnel. A fruit for labour. I'm ready to do whatever it takes,"

A not-so-reassuring smile breaks from his lips. I agreed reluctantly but it was worth it. Maybe it will not be all that bad after all.

"Good! Now let's have breakfast before going to the ceremony," Artorius said while getting back up.

Amelia jumped onto his shoulder and clung on peacefully as he walked away. So carefree and casual about everything.

Something about him makes me hate him. But I cannot deny it. He's someone I look up to.

But still, with no other choice. I followed behind him into the dining hall. Keeping the letter back inside my pocket but without the envelope.

The summer heat is perfect here. It's not too harsh but the temperature is not too low. At home, it would be too humid due to the lush trees and forests.

"When will you be leaving?" Artorius asked me as we entered the dining hall.

"Hmm, I think I'll catch the evening train," I replied.

Artorius chuckled softly. "Hah, makes me proud when you say that," He said as he turned around.

"Why's that?" I asked him. "We both made the project but it seems like you're the most prideful about it,"

'Oh, nothing. Just the way you say it makes me feel… nostalgic,"

I couldn't tell what was nostalgic about it. But he seemed to be in a relaxed mood. Better not ruin it now.

We took our seats around the table and waited for the rest of the people to come. The rest? Vincent's family.

It didn't take long for them to arrive. They came soon after we sat down. Rushing to the dining hall as they had classes early in the morning.

"Good morning, your majesty!" Vincent's son exclaimed as he took his seat in a hurry.

"Good morning, Arnold," Artorius greeted him while reading the newspaper.

"Good morning, your majesty!" This time Vincent's daughter greeted him.

"Good morning,"

They both took their seats opposite to me and quickly looked around for food. Which came soon after they sat down.

Their mother, Miss Wikes, also prepared them for their classes in a hurry. She took her seat but ate with grace and care. Unlike her goblin children who plowed through their food as soon as it arrived.

"Eat slowly!" Their mother exclaimed. "Have some dignity when eating at the table!"

"So-sorry!" Arnold sounded through his chewing.

"No talking while chewing," Vincent said calmly, eating his food.

He sat next to me and was in no rush. Though he had to rush to work as well today.

Vincent was given work with Wilkins. Artorius is a genius at splitting work between the three of us. But in the end, he does all the inside work for us.

Artorius spent more time reading the news than eating his breakfast. His sunny side up became cold by the time he picked up his fork.

"Prepare my military uniform. Yours too," Artorius turned to Felix. "We're heading out as soon as I'm done,"

"As you say," Felix bowed and quickly scurried away.

"Wearing your uniform? Damn, should've brought mine," I said sarcastically.

Artorius understood the sarcasm and chuckled softly. "It's not like you won't stand out with your height, pale skin and pointy ears,"

He knew how to criticise you well.

The brother and sister quickly finished their meal and bolted away. The two were quite close, as far as my observation went. Vincent's entire family is tight-knit.

When he returned after the mourning week was over, he was still in bandages. His wife fell to her knees and both his kids hugged him tightly. As if he was a returning war veteran.

"Oh. right." Artorius spoke out as he remembered something. "I'm coming with you,"

"W-what!?" I spit out the toast I just chewed. "Why though? Why do you need to come to the Triveni Kingdom?"

"The Triveni Kingdom?" Artorius raised an eyebrow. "Who said I'm going to Triveni? I'm coming with you to the capital. I have some work there."

"Oh, I see," I said while calming my nerves

"What? Did you really want me to come to your estate?" Artorius teased me.

"N-no! Not really. But it would've been nice!"

"Hmm, well I might be going to the capital of the kingdom soon. I have to talk with Lady Iris."

"W-wait! For what reason?" My heart pounded as he mentioned her name.

"I need to talk with her about a deal. I might also be in Triveni Kingdom for a while if the deal is successful."

My eyes lit up as he told me more. It made me happy that he would be visiting more often.

"The clothes are ready," Felix said as he came back. "We can leave when you're done."

"Good timing," Artorius said as he stood up. "Do you need to change?" He turned his gaze to me and asked.

"No, I'm fine with these," I told him while finishing up the last bits of my bread.

Amelia followed Artorius as he left. She took the rest of the steak in her mouth and slowly ate it on her way.

ARTORIUS' POV

Adrenaline rushed through my body as I walked into my room, ready to be dressed in my military attire for the first time in a while.

As I entered the room, servants awaited with gentle smiles on their faces, holding different parts of the outfit in their hands.

"Let's get this over with quickly," Felix said as he closed the door behind him.

This was the first time I had seen the redesigned outfit. Instead of a red coat, I decided on black attire. It fits more with the red outlines and gold buttons.

One by one, the servants helped me wear the clothes. After wearing my black trousers, I stood in front of the mirror. They slowly put them on me as I stood with my arms spread out. Moving only when I need to.

"That outfit is rather menacing," Amelia commented while I was still being dressed.

"It's what I need," I told her. "When they see me riding into battle on a white horse and a black outfit, no armour. Fear will make them second guess themselves,"

As I put on my coat, I notice Felix smirking as I finish getting dressed. I turned around to face him. He looked quite proud.

"I like this new look," Felix said while smiling brightly.

The servants tie the lace of my shoes to a perfect fit. "Remember who designed it," I told him with a cheeky smile.

Amelia jumped down from the bed and stood in front of me, gawking at my outfit as I stood cross-armed.

"Woah… it looks so cool!" She said excitedly through telepathy.

"Let's go now," I told her back. "Can't keep Alexander waiting,"

Felix opened the door as I walked towards it. Due to my shoulder straps with five stars, it would prove difficult for her to sit on my shoulders.

The entire outfit was quite heavy. But I made sure it gave me flexibility in battle. A complete black attire with red and gold being the secondary colour. Red is the colour on the straps and the blade-like designs on the shirt.

Gold was a colour that I was quite fond of. The hue of gold made me stand out much more than I should have. However, it's not like I won't stand out with this outfit anyways.

Felix was already dressed in his military uniform. It was similar to mine, except for the lack of golden glitter. It was swapped for silver. The red was swapped for navy blue.

We came down the marble stairs and met Alexander in the foyer. His jaw, was wide open as he saw the two military attires come down from the staircase.

"When did you change the design?" Alexander questioned me excitedly.

"A few weeks ago. I didn't like the old design," I told him with a cheeky smirk.

He looked back and forth between me and Felix. Vincent stood behind him with an envious smirk on his face.

"Yours is coming soon," I told Vincent.

He chuckled softly and nodded. "Sure, I can't wait to get one,"

I continued to walk outside. The ceremony was held at the barracks right next to the palace. It won't be a long walk.

The morning sun had a lot of energy. It was blistering hot, especially in this uniform. But luckily, I made sure that it was made out of a light fabric. The only reason it felt so hot was because of the layers I wore.

"Isn't it really hot for you?" Alexander asked.

"Not at all, it's made of a lighter fabric."

"Smart." He muttered.