“Your Majesty, is it the young lady from earlier?” Basil inquired, addressing Igor.
“Yes,” the king replied, his mind spinning erratically, his breath growing heavy.
Basil noticed a subtle shift in his aura.
“I never fathomed this… I… I did not anticipate that our meeting would come to pass like this…” Igor’s body trembled momentarily, but he quickly composed himself. Straightening his attire and wiping the perspiration from his palms onto his trousers, he ran his fingers through his hair.
Basil observed this scene with curious wonder. “Your Majesty, what is your connection to Count Alessin? I recall you have met him a few times at the royal court. Oh, and now that I think of it, the Countess is of royal lineage from Chrichton…”
At that moment, a realization struck Basil, causing him to abruptly clamp his mouth shut.
Oh my God! Could it be that His Majesty’s first love is the Countess’s daughter? Not Princess Helena? So he expects them to offer the Countess’s daughter instead of the princess?!
Basil’s legs weakened under the weight of this sudden revelation.
Igor glanced over his shoulder, meeting Basil’s gaze without confirming or denying his suspicions. He then turned his attention back to the window, his face filled with nervous anticipation. His expression confirmed Basil’s theory.
“My goodness, Your Majesty, what is all this… Is she here to plead for you to abandon the marriage?” Basil ventured.
Igor let out a deep sigh as he gazed out the window. He muttered softly, “I suppose so. There is no other reason for her to seek an audience with me than to make such a request.”
“Is that why, at the time, you did not explicitly ask for the princess’s name and instead used a vague description, requesting a woman of royal blood? I thought your action rather foolish back then. Who formulates official documents between two conflicting parties with such vagueness? Now I understand, but why did you go about it in this manner? If you intended to marry her, why not propose to her directly? Although she possesses royal blood, she is not of direct Chrichton lineage. Marrying her would have been acceptable.”
“Then she would have run away and hidden…” Igor replied with a tinge of bitterness.
Basil was taken aback, unable to comprehend why the young lady would flee at the mere mention of a proposal.
“Um… Your Majesty, did she borrow money from you? How much did she take?”
Igor’s face darkened, and he looked at Basil with a pitiful gaze. Basil’s heart ached at the cold response he received.
Basil cleared his throat. “So, what will you do, Your Majesty? Will you grant her request to meet with you? She waits alone in a room at the port.”
Impatience crept into the king’s countenance, a sight seldom seen by Basil. Igor had always been a brilliant young man, displaying remarkable abilities from an early age, particularly in recent years when he focused on improving the navy’s strength and ultimately emerged victorious against Chrichton.
It had been a while since Basil witnessed Igor’s vulnerability, and he wouldn’t miss this opportunity to gain some leverage.
“In that case, we can refuse. I will go to their messenger immediately and…”
“Silence,” Igor interjected, his voice low but commanding.
The king conveyed a message to the noblewoman’s messenger, instructing them to bring her aboard the ship. He agreed to her request for a private audience with him.
Once the messenger departed, Basil spoke up again. “Well, this is also a good outcome. Weren’t you upset that you never had the chance to meet the young lady when you were a child? Perhaps you can seize this opportunity to explain…”
“Do not tell her,” Igor cut in sharply.
“Pardon?” Basil was bewildered.
Igor approached Basil, enunciating each word deliberately. “You must never tell her that I went to see her that day.”
“Am I not supposed to?”
A brilliant idea sparked in Basil’s mind.
Why don’t I seize this opportunity to end my association with him and escape? I can no longer endure his cruelty. Over the past few years, I have grown weary from excessive work… Oh… I just long for rest.
“In that case, if I were to reveal the truth, it would spell the end for both of us, wouldn’t it? Would you dismiss me from your service?” Basil asked, a glimmer of defiance in his eyes.
“No,” Igor replied grimly, “because I would kill you myself.”
Basil’s expression morphed into one of astonishment. His plan had backfired, leaving him threatened with murder. Goosebumps coursed through his body at the realization.
Oh my God!
A sense of profound betrayal washed over Basil. How had he managed to raise this spoiled, wretched, and obstinate child all these years? He had defended him against the fearsome Queen, nearly meeting his demise while keeping his secrets under lock and key. And now, the king was threatening him? Ungrateful! Basil clicked his tongue. He should never have nurtured this useless, dark-haired beast.
“Mr. Basil, the envoy from Chrichton has arrived,” a voice announced.
Basil gazed out at the deep blue sea. A small boat was approaching, carrying a woman with long silver hair and porcelain skin.
What is the connection between the two of them? he pondered, tilting his head in contemplation.
He had faithfully followed Igor since the boy’s childhood. However, no significant interaction had taken place between them, aside from their brief encounter in the palace years ago.
Then, a sudden recollection struck Basil. Not long ago, Igor had undertaken intensive renovations at the queen’s palace. The king’s loyal servants rejoiced, believing that he was preparing to marry. Some even speculated that Igor held an interest in men. He had acquired copious amounts of silk and jewelry, far more than necessary. Basil wondered if Igor had developed an inexplicably peculiar hobby during that time.
But it was all for the silver-haired woman…
Oh… That madman!!
Basil groaned, tugging at his hair. He could scarcely believe that the king had long harbored intentions to marry and live with her, even before they had met. The man was insane—no, all royalty was insane! Who knows what goes on in their minds.
He drowned himself in a torrent of curses and agony, but quickly regained his calm composure when the noblewoman arrived. He sympathized with the unfortunate woman captured by that lunatic.
“Welcome, Lady Rihannan,” Basil greeted her.
Rihannan turned her gaze towards him, her icy-blue eyes gleaming with intensity.
Basil marveled at her radiant beauty. She had grown into a remarkable woman, he thought. As a child, she had been like a delicate doll, but now her beauty surpassed all imagination. She was a celestial being of the sun and the moon. Even the stars seemed to retreat behind the tender cushion of her lips. She possessed an enchanting allure that defied description.
“I am Basil, your humble servant. You may address me as Basil, my lady. Come, allow me to guide you. Please, follow me.” Basil’s voice conveyed humility and gentleness. He sought to leave a favorable impression on Rihannan, for she might soon become the queen. Perhaps he could win her favor… and abandon that wretched brat to serve the goddess instead.
Rihannan nodded silently and followed Basil.
As they walked in silence, Basil suddenly noticed her gaze fixed upon him.
Basil offered a charming smile. “Is there something on my face?”
Rihannan averted her eyes. “I apologize… It was rude of me. It’s just that you have a familiar face… one that resembles someone I once knew…”
Basil chuckled. “No, I have an ordinary countenance common to Arundell. Ha-ha… I’m sure you are quite familiar with it, Lady Rihannan.”
“Yes, that is true…” Rihannan’s lips closed, and she remained silent.
While guiding her to the king’s quarters, Basil did his utmost to ease her nerves by regaling her with stories. Deep down, he sympathized with her plight, knowing full well that her partner would be the insufferable tyrant. Basil hoped to make her stay as comfortable as possible.
They eventually arrived at the cabin’s door. Basil held it open and spoke courteously, “Here is Igor, the King of Arundell. He awaits you inside. Please, step in, Lady Rihannan.”
The door swung open slowly.
As the room’s interior gradually came into view, Rihannan took a deep breath.
She had made up her mind. She would show no weakness. Fortunately, he only knew of their few encounters as children and nothing more. If she displayed excessive fear or hatred, he would grow suspicious of her behavior.
Rihannan bit her lip. This mission was crucial. She needed to change his mind, to make him choose her—Rihannan—over the princess. Otherwise… the Crown Prince would take Dimitri’s life… he would die a wretched death before claiming the throne.
With resolve in her heart, she lifted her head and stepped forward.
The room was sparsely furnished, with a window offering a view of the vast blue sea and a large desk to one side. And beside the desk stood a man with black hair and deep purple eyes.
“Your Majesty, is it the young lady from earlier?” Basil inquired, addressing Igor.
“Yes,” the king replied, his mind spinning erratically, his breath growing heavy.
Basil noticed a subtle shift in his aura.
“I never fathomed this… I… I did not anticipate that our meeting would come to pass like this…” Igor’s body trembled momentarily, but he quickly composed himself. Straightening his attire and wiping the perspiration from his palms onto his trousers, he ran his fingers through his hair.
Basil observed this scene with curious wonder. “Your Majesty, what is your connection to Count Alessin? I recall you have met him a few times at the royal court. Oh, and now that I think of it, the Countess is of royal lineage from Chrichton…”
At that moment, a realization struck Basil, causing him to abruptly clamp his mouth shut.
Oh my God! Could it be that His Majesty’s first love is the Countess’s daughter? Not Princess Helena? So he expects them to offer the Countess’s daughter instead of the princess?!
Basil’s legs weakened under the weight of this sudden revelation.
Igor glanced over his shoulder, meeting Basil’s gaze without confirming or denying his suspicions. He then turned his attention back to the window, his face filled with nervous anticipation. His expression confirmed Basil’s theory.
“My goodness, Your Majesty, what is all this… Is she here to plead for you to abandon the marriage?” Basil ventured.
Igor let out a deep sigh as he gazed out the window. He muttered softly, “I suppose so. There is no other reason for her to seek an audience with me than to make such a request.”
“Is that why, at the time, you did not explicitly ask for the princess’s name and instead used a vague description, requesting a woman of royal blood? I thought your action rather foolish back then. Who formulates official documents between two conflicting parties with such vagueness? Now I understand, but why did you go about it in this manner? If you intended to marry her, why not propose to her directly? Although she possesses royal blood, she is not of direct Chrichton lineage. Marrying her would have been acceptable.”
“Then she would have run away and hidden…” Igor replied with a tinge of bitterness.
Basil was taken aback, unable to comprehend why the young lady would flee at the mere mention of a proposal.
“Um… Your Majesty, did she borrow money from you? How much did she take?”
Igor’s face darkened, and he looked at Basil with a pitiful gaze. Basil’s heart ached at the cold response he received.
Basil cleared his throat. “So, what will you do, Your Majesty? Will you grant her request to meet with you? She waits alone in a room at the port.”
Impatience crept into the king’s countenance, a sight seldom seen by Basil. Igor had always been a brilliant young man, displaying remarkable abilities from an early age, particularly in recent years when he focused on improving the navy’s strength and ultimately emerged victorious against Chrichton.
It had been a while since Basil witnessed Igor’s vulnerability, and he wouldn’t miss this opportunity to gain some leverage.
“In that case, we can refuse. I will go to their messenger immediately and…”
“Silence,” Igor interjected, his voice low but commanding.
The king conveyed a message to the noblewoman’s messenger, instructing them to bring her aboard the ship. He agreed to her request for a private audience with him.
Once the messenger departed, Basil spoke up again. “Well, this is also a good outcome. Weren’t you upset that you never had the chance to meet the young lady when you were a child? Perhaps you can seize this opportunity to explain…”
“Do not tell her,” Igor cut in sharply.
“Pardon?” Basil was bewildered.
Igor approached Basil, enunciating each word deliberately. “You must never tell her that I went to see her that day.”
“Am I not supposed to?”
A brilliant idea sparked in Basil’s mind.
Why don’t I seize this opportunity to end my association with him and escape? I can no longer endure his cruelty. Over the past few years, I have grown weary from excessive work… Oh… I just long for rest.
“In that case, if I were to reveal the truth, it would spell the end for both of us, wouldn’t it? Would you dismiss me from your service?” Basil asked, a glimmer of defiance in his eyes.
“No,” Igor replied grimly, “because I would kill you myself.”
Basil’s expression morphed into one of astonishment. His plan had backfired, leaving him threatened with murder. Goosebumps coursed through his body at the realization.
Oh my God!
A sense of profound betrayal washed over Basil. How had he managed to raise this spoiled, wretched, and obstinate child all these years? He had defended him against the fearsome Queen, nearly meeting his demise while keeping his secrets under lock and key. And now, the king was threatening him? Ungrateful! Basil clicked his tongue. He should never have nurtured this useless, dark-haired beast.
“Mr. Basil, the envoy from Chrichton has arrived,” a voice announced.
Basil gazed out at the deep blue sea. A small boat was approaching, carrying a woman with long silver hair and porcelain skin.
What is the connection between the two of them? he pondered, tilting his head in contemplation.
He had faithfully followed Igor since the boy’s childhood. However, no significant interaction had taken place between them, aside from their brief encounter in the palace years ago.
Then, a sudden recollection struck Basil. Not long ago, Igor had undertaken intensive renovations at the queen’s palace. The king’s loyal servants rejoiced, believing that he was preparing to marry. Some even speculated that Igor held an interest in men. He had acquired copious amounts of silk and jewelry, far more than necessary. Basil wondered if Igor had developed an inexplicably peculiar hobby during that time.
But it was all for the silver-haired woman…
Oh… That madman!!
Basil groaned, tugging at his hair. He could scarcely believe that the king had long harbored intentions to marry and live with her, even before they had met. The man was insane—no, all royalty was insane! Who knows what goes on in their minds.
He drowned himself in a torrent of curses and agony, but quickly regained his calm composure when the noblewoman arrived. He sympathized with the unfortunate woman captured by that lunatic.
“Welcome, Lady Rihannan,” Basil greeted her.
Rihannan turned her gaze towards him, her icy-blue eyes gleaming with intensity.
Basil marveled at her radiant beauty. She had grown into a remarkable woman, he thought. As a child, she had been like a delicate doll, but now her beauty surpassed all imagination. She was a celestial being of the sun and the moon. Even the stars seemed to retreat behind the tender cushion of her lips. She possessed an enchanting allure that defied description.
“I am Basil, your humble servant. You may address me as Basil, my lady. Come, allow me to guide you. Please, follow me.” Basil’s voice conveyed humility and gentleness. He sought to leave a favorable impression on Rihannan, for she might soon become the queen. Perhaps he could win her favor… and abandon that wretched brat to serve the goddess instead.
Rihannan nodded silently and followed Basil.
As they walked in silence, Basil suddenly noticed her gaze fixed upon him.
Basil offered a charming smile. “Is there something on my face?”
Rihannan averted her eyes. “I apologize… It was rude of me. It’s just that you have a familiar face… one that resembles someone I once knew…”
Basil chuckled. “No, I have an ordinary countenance common to Arundell. Ha-ha… I’m sure you are quite familiar with it, Lady Rihannan.”
“Yes, that is true…” Rihannan’s lips closed, and she remained silent.
While guiding her to the king’s quarters, Basil did his utmost to ease her nerves by regaling her with stories. Deep down, he sympathized with her plight, knowing full well that her partner would be the insufferable tyrant. Basil hoped to make her stay as comfortable as possible.
They eventually arrived at the cabin’s door. Basil held it open and spoke courteously, “Here is Igor, the King of Arundell. He awaits you inside. Please, step in, Lady Rihannan.”
The door swung open slowly.
As the room’s interior gradually came into view, Rihannan took a deep breath.
She had made up her mind. She would show no weakness. Fortunately, he only knew of their few encounters as children and nothing more. If she displayed excessive fear or hatred, he would grow suspicious of her behavior.
Rihannan bit her lip. This mission was crucial. She needed to change his mind, to make him choose her—Rihannan—over the princess. Otherwise… the Crown Prince would take Dimitri’s life… he would die a wretched death before claiming the throne.
With resolve in her heart, she lifted her head and stepped forward.
The room was sparsely furnished, with a window offering a view of the vast blue sea and a large desk to one side. And beside the desk stood a man with black hair and deep purple eyes.
