The sound of the grand clock echoed in the room. The room was so quiet that even if you drop a needle, you could still hear it regardless of how small it is. I didn't how this situation suddenly occurred when I was still receiving reports about the preparation from Michael. I winced as I glared back at the Unwanted Guest who suddenly barged in here without prior notice, his Golden hair and golden eyes that signifies his position to anyone. He was quietly sitting down without touching anything and looked rather displeased with everything.
I couldn't take it anymore as I initiated to ask first, "What brings you to the Duchy of Frostine without prior notice, your highness the Crown Prince." He finally looked straight towards me with his unchanging face.
He is actually the Crown Prince of the Eldiria Empire. Crown Prince Stefan Alexander Abel Del Eldiria. And also, my soon fiancé. I grimace from such a thought as the Duke also hasn't approved of the engagement yet, to which I'm overjoyed. The Emperor can't do anything if the Duke didn't agree because if he ever landed on a bad side to the Duke of Frostine the whole boarder of the East will be left alone without a guard.
And why is it the East and not the North you ask? That's simple, it's because the whole territory of the North is protected and ONLY governed by the Duchy of Frostine ever since the Empire of Eldiria was still just a small kingdom. It is also not recommended to attack us because the Frostine Family are also called The Guardians of Eternal Winter because hidden deep in the mountains is a large doorway that is only controlled by and only the Frostine.
If we wish to set Eternal Winter because of rage, we could do so without affecting our territory. If we wish to let out the guard dogs and beasts inside the door, we will. In short, messing with the Duchy of Frostine is a big NO NO.
With that thought, I finally calmed down. "I was ordered by the Emperor to visit the Dukedom of Frostine because of the unapproved message he has sent." He replied,
I crossed my legs and arms. "You're not here just because of that." I said as he looked at me again and sighed,
"By what do you mean?" I smiled, "you're here because his majesty asked you to meet me. The Lady of house Frostine." He didn't answer and silence means yes.
"I'm afraid that the engagement his majesty presented to my Father is not going to happen. My father isn't very happy to see the letter. He was angry to the point of neglecting the Eastern boarders for a month because of that." I explained as I got a reaction from him, his expression turned bitter as I took a sip from the tea and grabbed some Madeline's.
"The Empire should know not to anger my father because the consequences are really not going to work in your favor. And I already knew you have a person in your heart and do not desire such marriage with me." I answered as he glared at me when I mentioned the person.
"What does the lady know? You're always locked up in your room and didn't even made a public debut in the capital. Yet you know of my affairs, did you plant a spy on me?" He accused me,
I laughed and shaked my head, "Your Highness, I may have spent the last 15 years locked up but I still have eyes and ears. I'm not even interested in you in any way your highness. Or do you think the servants of the Duchy wouldn't pay attention to news, trends and scandals in the capital?" He looked away as I rang the bell.
Veronica soon entered the door and bowed, "Your orders, my lady?" I looked at the Prince and ordered Veronica,
"Please prepare a room for his highness and treat him with respect. The Prince has decided to stay until Father comes back from the war." I said as Veronica bowed and left to prepare his room.
"It's better to talk about the matters with my Father, your highness. Please stay here until he comes back. And before you both talk about the engagement, I do not wish to be engaged to someone like you. Your highness." I said and stood up from my seat,
"You already have someone in your heart, while I want to succeed my position as the only heir of the Frostine Family. I do not wish to be tied up into something troublesome such as the affairs of the Imperial family. And please be prepared by sudden tremors in the house, it's not an earthquake. It comes from the torture chamber below us." I informed him as his expression didn't change and nodded in response.
"When will the Duke return?" He asked.
I placed a finger on my chin and calculate the exact time they will return, "Hmm..If I'm correct, they're currently now preparing for combat. Calculating the time they clash and how long it would take is easy, our swords are not for show. And of course, normally they would get here in 5 days, but I think my father would want to return as soon as possible so..about 2 and a half days." The Crown Prince looked confused,
"The Kingdom of Rieze, they might be a small Kingdom but I wouldn't think that a war would only last a few hours." I grinned as his response.
"Normally, that is the case. But it seems like Father is eager to end things rather quickly." The sudden knock on the door cutoff our conversation, "My lady, It's Fabian. I have something to report."
I looked at the Prince, but he displayed an uninterested look and I shrugged it off. "Come in."
I ordered and he entered the room, he didn't look messy I think he cleaned himself first before going in here.
"What is it Fabian?" He looked uncertain and glanced at the Prince, I sighed
"Don't worry about him. He won't leak useless information." Fabian only nodded and sighed, "The Lieutenant General requested for your presence, Michael also wanted to see you."
He said as I placed a hand on my forehead, "Why didn't Father stop them from this? Am I the Supreme Commander? Why don't they all discuss is with the REAL Supreme Commander?" I asked, Fabian laughed lifelessly. "My lady, His Grace also asked for you." I looked at him like he was joking.
"Father? His grace? The Duke? Looking for me?" I said as I pointed at myself, Fabian nodded as I sighed and looked at the Prince.
"I'm sorry, Your highness. I'm afraid our talk will be postponed now. Please rest and enjoy your stay. And your highness, Do not enter any room as you please. My father will be angry." I said as I walked towards the door with Fabian following close behind, I saw Veronica outside
"Veronica, Please lead his highness to his room. I currently have another unwanted business to attend." I ordered as Veronica smiled like she was consoling me.
I appreciate the concern, but the people who gave me a headache are currently waiting for me.
"Tell me, Fabian. What really happened that they all suddenly wanted to see me?" Fabian laughed nervously before answering me,
" Uhm..My lady. One of the officers had a slipped of tongue. Someone asked where you are and someone answered that you're currently having tea with his highness." Fabian said as he recalled the scene.
"Michael, why are you so insisting on her lady's presence so much? " Fabian asked frustratingly to Michael who's floating behind Lieutenant General Valerian.
We were discussing the strategy and possible plan if the original plan didn't work. "Why don't you just tell me where my lady is? So I can just teleport there quickly? " Michael asked or whined. Fabian sighed
"Excuse me? Do you know where my lady is currently at? The chef wanted to ask something about the menu." A maid asked, when a newly arrived officer made a slip of tongue, "The Lady? Isn't she currently with the Crown Prince?" When he informed, the whole room was silent.
Michael stopped floating and flip the orb to reveal the expression of the Supreme Commander, or the Duke. Everyone was cursing in there heads.
The confused officer looked around and as if he remembered something important, he clasped his hand on his mouth as the others glare at him. Poor officer, he will have nightmares now. "Where is my daughter?" The room was in complete silence and didn't dare to look at the Duke who is currently raging mad.
"Why did that bastard suddenly showed up? Is it to meet and persuade my daughter to marry him?" His grace began to question is as no one talked.
Then suddenly, the officer who caused the incident talked, "Uhm..Good afternoon, your grace. May I request to speak on the behalf of the Princess?" The Duke stopped questioning and looked at the officer.
"Very well, let's see what you have to say." He said as the officer bowed,
"Thank you, your grace. Please don't worry your grace about the Crown Prince and the Princess. The Princess dislikes the Crown Prince because he came here without prior notice. And please trust the Princess, I believe she will not be swayed by him." He informed the Duke as he nodded his head.
"Very well, Fabian. Call Anniza here." He ordered as Fabian bowed, "Yes sir." As he went out and now in this situation.
I held my head as I think I will suffer from a headache from The Duke and the Crown Prince. I sighed and thanked Fabian for recalling the events.
"I will use this opportunity to discuss the plan and talk to Michael. We won't know when he will suddenly decide to sleep." I said as Fabian laughed quietly.
"Don't worry, my lady. Michael was insisting on seeing you earlier and so does the Lieutenant General."
Yeah, yeah. I know that. Why are there so many people looking for me.
We soon saw the large doors of the main office, but the cold silence in the hallway is very disturbing as Fabian took the initiative to open the doors. I took a deep breath before I entered the silent room as the various looks of the officers came to greet me.
When I entered, they all bowed and greeted me. "Good afternoon, My lady." And remained standing still.
I fought off the urge to held my head as I felt that their sudden change of behavior is caused by the person currently sitting silently and observing from the orb. The last time I saw him, he only wore a white shirt but now he's wearing his full set uniform. His uniform is the same color as his eyes, silver buttons adorned it and a silver brooch on his left, while the insignia of our house are on his right.
The uniform has a blue belt that resembles my eye color and his cuffs buttons are the same shade of black as our mothers hair. "Good afternoon, your grace." I greet him as he was silent for a second before nodding his head.
"How are you Anniza?" He asked.
"I'm fine, your grace." Again, he was silent before asking again.
"It seems like someone has entered the mansion uninvited, normally the punishment would be a complete van for that. Did he gave you a hard time?" I smiled at his straightforwardness.
"Someone his league won't shake me. He is currently inside our territory and that only means that our words are absolute. He won't do something that would endanger the whole continent." I said as I continued to smile, The Duke nodded while Valerian was grinning behind him.
"It seems that his father had gone senile, asking his own son to visit his supposed fiancee when I was conveniently away for the time being." He inquired, I nodded and answered,
"Don't worry, he doesn't have any intentions on doing so. He currently has a lover in the capital. It seems like the King doesn't recognize their relationship." He nodded,
"How dare he come to our domain while already in a relationship with someone. I see that he is as shameless as his father." He said as Valerian tried to hold his laughter.
"Your words are true." I said and laughed quietly.
"But, I do think there's nothing more to discuss about the surprise attack later? Unless Michael doesn't want his treats or is there something wrong?" I asked, and Michael quickly flew over the screen.
"I'm gonna help them. So keep your promise." He said as I nodded, Valerian was obviously surprised as the Duke looked at Michael before me.
"Is there anything you want Anniza?" He asked me.
I already knew what I'm gonna ask, "Do you promise to grant anything?" He nodded without hesitation,
"Anything you want. Be it a prized jewel, a land, The Empire or the Entire continent." He answered, I laughed as I panicked in my head.
'I don't want anything Grand and pain in the head wish!!!'
I looked at him, "Then, I want the officers in the main office to have a 2 weeks vacation. But of course, they will have to form groups so that the main office won't become deserted." I explained.
The Duke listened and after waiting for 5 minutes, he approved.
"Very well, I shall grant that wish. But what is your wish, Anniza?" He asked me again, I was confused.
"What do you ever mean by that?" I asked as he relaxed in his chair,
"I asked for your wish for yourself. Not a wish to someone." He explained.
I felt my eyes widened because of it, I looked at Fabian as he smiled at me. As if he was saying that it's okay to receive something.
"I'm sorry. But I currently don't have something I want." I said after pondering my thoughts.
The Duke looked at me before nodding, "Very well. I'll ask again when I return, I hope that you will have an answer."
He said as we bid our goodbyes and ended the communication.
Until he comes back, 3 days left to think.
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