The Invitation

Hearing his father, Caius answered, "I will leave after Clair's marriage."

"Why don't you visit Southern Region? After Clair's marriage, winter will start to get harsher, you are vulnerable to cold. Is it necessary to visit Northern Region in winter?"

"I want to visit our estate before getting married. I haven't been there for such a long time. After getting married I might not get a chance to visit there again." Caius said with a bitter sweet smile.

Looking at his son's expression, Kasper couldn't say anything. He smiled and left the library.

Caius continued studying his book.

Caius remained in the library for the rest of the day. A servant came to him and said, "Young Master, it is time to have dinner. Marchioness has requested for all to be present."

Caius looked outside the window. It was pitch black. However, the library was lightened by the magic stones and was still bright as a sunny day.

"Okay, I got it." Caius responded with a smile in his face.

He placed a bookmark on the page he was reading. He stood up and placed the book back in the shelf.

After placing the book, he went to the dining hall.

When Caius reached at the dining hall, all the members were already sitting in their respective seats.

When Viviana saw Caius, she spoke first, "Sit down. I have something to discuss with you."

Caius felt that the atmosphere was quite serious. Without uttering any word, he sat down.

"Lewis Family has sent an invitation for marriage ceremony." Viviana spoke while looking at Caius.

Caius had already expected that Clair would send an invitation within a week.

After all, he had already reached twenty and winter was still about a month away to fully arrive. Although he had planned to get married in winter previously, he couldn't wait anymore. He laughed inside his head.

Viviana continued, "The ceremony is after three days. You will attend, won't you?"

Sending invitations before three days of marriage is not a good etiquette. However, he could hear Clair urging to get married as soon as possible. Since he was willing to wait five days after turning twenty, it could be considered an achievement of itself.

"Yes, I will attend." Caius said with a smile in his face.

Valeria looked at Caius and said, "Are you leaving next week?"

"I will leave as soon as the ceremony is over. I want to reach there before snow starts to block the road."

Kasper was silent. He knew how his son couldn't tolerate cold. Northern Region was quite cold all round the year. However, during winter it was especially cold.

White snow used to layer about everything in the Northern Region during winter. It was too cold for one to handle.

Although Norton Family was based in Northern Region, Kasper didn't really live there for a long time.

He lived first ten years of his life there.After joining the academy he visited there a few times. He lived in the capital in House of Flores after getting married. Since then he had only visited there twice. Once after getting married and once with all his family.

In estate of Norton Family which now belonged to Kasper Flores except some servants no one was there.

He was uneasy about sending his son there alone. Although Northern Region is relatively safer than any other regions of the empire, the region was too cold for Caius.

Kasper didn't want his son to be alone in winter without his family by his side. He didn't want his son to fight against the cold that he was most scared of alone and away from home.

Although cold wasn't a big sickness that could threaten one's life, Caius had been suffering from cold severely every year. He would faint and had a very tough time every year. His family was scared that he would be in pain every winter.

"I will prepare the things you will need in the journey especially in the road. Once you reach there, the servants will help you get adjust. You don't have to worry about it. Make sure to pack everything else you need. Make sure to pack warm clothes. Vivi, also prepare some knights for Caius."

"Okay father."Viviana answered him.

Valeria looked at her son. "Caiu! Right now we really can't reject the empress. But I am sure....."

Caius was thinking he should pack some warm clothes. Hearing her mother's word, he interrupted her. "No mother, I will marry the empress. After what happened in the graduation banquet, it isn't easy to reject her. And I am not too sad with how things are going on."

Valeria couldn't say anymore.

After the dinner, all of them were slowly leaving.

Valeria asked Caius to follow her to her study.

After reaching the study, Valeria sat down in her chair. Caius was standing and looking at his mother.

Valeria looked at her son. "Caiu, Vivi will send some knights to your side before the journey. You will be safe during the journey. However, I am afraid something might happen when you reach there. Although the estate belongs to your father and the servant are loyal to your father, we can't always be too sure. "

Caius was listening to his mother. He also felt that he had become the center of discussion of the high society with the identity of soon-to-be-Emperor Consort. It was possible that someone might try to harm him.

Valeria continued,"To ensure your safety, I will send two knights from Thorn Army to your side. They will be with you all the time. And also, you should have one personal servant by your side now. They will greet you tomorrow."

Thorn Army was one of the secret army of the Flores Family. Although it was secret from other nobles, every crowned successor of the royal family would be informed about their existence after their coronation.

Every knight of the Thorn Army was skilled and they had their own reputation in the House of Flores since generations.

Caius was thankful for Valeria's thoughtfulness.

Caius flashed a bright smile and said, "Thank you mother."

"It is my duty as your mother to protect you. You are my dearest son, I will make sure to protect you till I am alive..." Valeria's eyes were teary.

She never expected to dispatch someone from Thorn Army for her son's protection. She hoped that something like that would never happen.

She felt like she wasn't able to protect his son truly but she would never allow any more harm to cast a shadow around him.