Ch 26: The Kingdom of Vincol

“The path of a princess”

A regal couple lay on the bed, doctors and priests were around. They tried their best, utilized many healing, and remove curse spells. Yet, the dark cloud upon the royal couple’s forehead continues to persist, their coma-like state allowed them to sleep peacefully. Princess Kalo could only stand there, watching the king and queen sleep peacefully. General Selis, her uncle, had already left to attend to other issues. Only Princess Kalo’s maid Lilianne stood beside her with a worried look.

Lillianne: “Princess…”

Kalo: “It’s fine… I was only checking with my mother and father. It’s unfortunate that Prime Minister Jacob Lanert, in the end, did not confess or know about the type of poison that the merchants gave him.”

Lillianne: “How could this have happened…”

Lilianne began to tear up slightly, her thoughts regarding the princess’s determination. Who decided to carry on the weight of the kingdom, the one who decided to stand on top of the throne where danger is apparent on both the surface and the dark. An 18-year-old girl, who should’ve been betrothed to another, a girl who should’ve been studying, and a girl who should’ve been behind the king’s protection. However, because of her status as the prophetic mage, she had more power, she had the freedom to escape the regular path of a princess. She was allowed the freedom to choose her own partner. All of it was fine until the king fell. Lilianne knew the princess chose this path for herself, due to her love of the kingdom. Yet, Lilianne also knew that the princess only did this, due to a vision she saw in the future. Now the princess that she adored and loved as her own child was now at the forefront of politics, power, and assassination. However, the princess decided to go through with this. At the risk of her own life, then Lillianne should also support her princess without fear.

***************

“Here are reports of the territories, and the state of their farmlands. It would seem Duke Thim’s nobles are in the majority failing to meet their territory requirements, in turn, dependent on Duke Godfrey’s production surpluses as well as Duke Marmaduke's. Although, Duke Marmaduke will not be able to provide any exports due to his duties on the borders.”

A young man with glasses gave the reports to the maid, Lillianne. Kalo continued to work on another paperwork as she suddenly posed a question.

Kalo: “Lan Runeheart… what do you think of the current situation?”

Lan: “Currently, the logistic department is in shambles. The prime minister is missing and the personnel who were with him also disappeared. Therefore, having a newly hired help or someone to temporarily replace the prime minister would be suitable.”

Kalo only smiled a bit, something that caught Lan off guard. For him, it felt as if the tired beauty gave light to all around her, uplifting and relaxing. Yet, she carried a weight that no one could see.

Kalo: “I’m sure, that you aren’t dumb. I can see it in your face when you try and talk your way out of things… you have notable experience, you have the capabilities as well as the personality and standings to perform your job. However, your family is not able to push you through that ceiling… the one called status.”

Lan: “I… I am aware of that, your highness.”

Kalo: “How many people are under you?”

Lan: “15 people if we are to count only the ones who can work independently without help.”

Kalo: “The prime minister’s workforce was at least 50 people, recruited some people to supply that workforce and refer to the investigation department. This letter will explain everything when you find a suitable place to read it.”

Lillianne walked forward and handed Lan a letter, there were no royal marks. Lan immediately knew there was something behind this.

Lan: “So be it.”

Lan placed his heart to his chest and walked away from the office. Closing the door behind him with consideration.

Lilianne: “Why him?”

Kalo: “Why not? Someone stuck on the outside edges of the creases of the brick adhesive will eventually turn dark, moldy, and decrepit. However, the extra adhesive glue that we pick up from the brick before it sets in is still pure, strong, and is easier to stick to other formations of the bricks when building a castle wall… in other words, he still has an untamed mind. It’s only a matter of how well he does it and if the foundation he built will fall or stand tall. As a princess, I need people who will follow me and are not of old remnants of past fame and power. For now, my uncle’s reputation still precedes the noble’s capability, leaving them distraught, confused, and even powerless to do anything against my uncle’s reputation. However, once my uncle leaves this castle. They will be free to exercise their powers here, politically strapping me to the throne, and ultimately a sitting duck. Therefore, once I have my own personal followers who have chosen to wholeheartedly follow me. I will have a form of privacy and wield the power of influence, this will also be from the results of my charm as a leader.”

Lilianne: “Understood… Celes, you’re no longer the young princess that I knew. You’re strong, smart, and careful, however. I would like you to find someone who can protect your back when you focus on the front. As you climb, there will be more enemies, some more ruthless than others.

Kalo: “Uncle Selis will send a guard that has the capabilities of protecting me, I trust in Uncle’s judgment. He should be coming in today.

***********************

The smell of Chamomile tea slowly swam around the room that Kalo was in. After having a light lunch, she calmly looked out of the, all too familiar window that peered off onto the castle gardens, the sturdy castle walls, and eventually to the large city filled with commoners, nobles, and the sense of adventure… whether it’d be good or not.

*Knock Knock*

Lililanne opened the door and a young man with dark brown short hair came inside. He gave a letter to Lillianne, after Kalo checked over the stamp she looked at him. The knight kneeled down and placed his hand on his heart as he greeted Kalo.

Zen: “Knight Zen at your service, I was sent by General Selis to be your guard from henceforth.

Kalo: “I see a person who is around my age… uncle. How old are you?”

Zen: “This subject is 20 years old.”

Kalo’s eyes narrowed as she carefully inspected the guard. Darkish brown short hair, his armor had gaps and is considered to be light armor. The leather paddings allowed for the armor to be muffled out when moving. No clanging or any sort of noise should be let out.

(Armor of choice in the office setting is fine… Short hair is appreciated by a guard, everything of the basics is fine.)

Her eyes slowly inspected Zen’s eyes. His eyes were closed, his muscles were relaxed, however, his posture was proper. A shorthanded sword was at his side, with a leather sheath. There were a couple of throwing knives on his belt and he had a pouch of some sort on the side of him.

(Well equipped for close quarter combat and mid-range combat. Uncle really did think of everything.)

Kalo: “What are your accomplishments?”

Zen: “I have none that I could call my own. I have trained under General Selis and his personal guard.

Kalo closed her eyes as she listened to Zen. White orbs continued to flow from Zen’s mouth, and eventually, one small black orb flowed out.

(He lied about his origin… the practiced mannerism and the lack of fluidity are probably from the slums. However, Uncle Selis picked him out of everyone… perhaps one day he will tell me how he came from the slums to General Selis’ hand.)

Kalo: “I see, Lillianne give Zen my schedule, and also hand him a map of the castle interiors. How long will it take you to familiarize yourself with these new surroundings?”

Zen: “Two days should be enough if I'm able to freely traverse the castle interiors.”

Kalo: “Ok, Lillianne hands him a noble’s pass badge. Zen wear the pass badge in this pouch.”

Lillianne handed a silver pouch that was meant to hold onto a badge that is shaped like a small flat piece of wood. Zen took the pouch and strapped the pouch to his arm, finally inserting the badge into the socket.

Zen left the room with courtesy, his face serious as he left.

Lillianne: “Quite charming of a young adult.”

Kalo: “Of course, Uncle Selis took care of him with care”

Kalo started to sign some documents as her eyes slowly skimmed through the document and eventually moved to the next document.

*********************

Kalo: “News of the kingdom of Lanners just came in. They’re preparing for a grand war. There have already been reports of them harassing the pioneer villages near the wilderness as well as conscripting troops.

Lillianne: “For what reasons are the people trying to do this?”

Kalo: “Money, greed, pride… there are many reasons that they may take. However, the ruthless attacks on the nearby kingdom’s pioneer villages are clearly provoking an allied war against the Kingdom of Lanners.”

Lillianne: “I don’t believe we’ve had any rooted hatred between the two kingdoms.”

Kalo: “Territorial differences and nobility ruling are some of the differences we have in our kingdoms. First off, the Kingdom of Lanners is often fending off against the vast deadlands to the east of them. A single large passage between the great mountains, the valley named Erskin Hollow. Meanwhile, the other two largest kingdoms within this continent are having fruitful trade with other overseas kingdoms, peaceful and agreeable city-states who are not ravaged by fear and poverty, and do not have to spend an absorbent mountain of gold for military defense against the deadlands.”

Lillianne: “ If they have to spend to defend against the deadlands, why are they provoking more attacks from the other kingdoms? They are asking for war practically.”

Kalo: “It may be the set standard of rules of having a combined attack from both kingdoms. However, these are pioneer villages that are expected to fall. As long as they don’t settle on the land we have little care. The cost and money to support an army to face the militaristic kingdom of Lanners are not small. We also have the Kingdom of Ranilf next to us that we would have to worry about if they decided to embark on sea or travel through the land passage.

Lillianne: “Still the idea of the Lanners to desecrate our soils with a burned village is not something that I can hold my anger with.”

Kalo: “Unfortunately, it’s either we set a stronger border patrol to keep watch for a band of soldiers who are otherwise disguised as bandits. As of now, the kingdom of Lanners is mainly land-based military so the mountain pass that leads into our land will be our focal point of defense. Unfortunately, the pioneer villages outside the mountains will have to fend for themselves as they are considered to be private investments that the kingdom has not made. They should have expected the risks of building pioneer villages near the borders of other kingdoms. As a kingdom, I will not spend needless money on the defense of the pioneer villages unless it’s an army invasion.”

Lillianne: “I see…”

Kalo: “Call in a messenger”

A messenger enters the room promptly once Lillianne asks the guards.

Kalo: “Send this to the cabinet, inform the people of the pioneer village.”

Kalo hands over a letter to Lillianne. Lillianne gives the letter to the messenger who quickly gave his respect and walked out of the room with haste.

Kalo: “War… a needless one as well.”

Kalo leaned back and stared up at the ceiling, admiring the small details of the chandelier. A magical technology that erased the need for candles, and expensive consumable for nighttime activities. However, with the advancement of magic, magic storages are made available to only royalty as of now.

Kalo: “I wonder, who made such an amazing invention, magic storage…”

Lillianne: “The one who sold this is part of a company is that correct?”

Kalo: “No, it was found by the adventurer guild. They found a ruin of the ancient magic kingdom, Dathia Kingdom was its name. The people were named Dathians, an ancient magus who had no shortage of spiritual eyes. Their ability to understand the flow of magic goes beyond the norms of the present society that we have. If they were still here… perhaps. No, they were the ones who caused this. They reap what they sow, regardless whether they were doing so intentionally or not.”

Kalo realized she started to think about something else and looked at the time. It was nearing the evening and she understood that she must take care of her own body to continue supporting this kingdom.

Kalo: “Lillianne.”

Seeing Kalo’s eyes gaze at the time, she already predicted what she wanted to eat. A delectable chocolate glazed fruit, specifically strawberries accompanied with the newly acquired fruit Lintburg berries, a cinnamon spicy ball made to represent the late dragon of Lintburg that dwells within the mountain domain. Stories stated that the flames of the dragon allowed the berries dwelling within the caverns to bloom without the sun’s rays. Providing a somewhat exotic taste of pure raw heat, and cinnamon.

As the plate was presented in front of Kalo. Lillianne tasted the plate first before Kalo began to scoop a delectable bite. As she munched into the bite, savoring the deep chocolate smell and the warm taste she felt as if her body had become hotter. Yet the pieces of small fresh cool strawberry dipped in iced water felt refreshing as each bite was hidden with these delights. Soft and smooth, powerful and rich, alongside the cinnamon smell that lazily filled the room.

Kalo felt as if her stress had melted away, her face turned with glee as she giggled silently to herself. Her shoulders perked up as if a chilling wind went down her spine. Lillianne simply watched Kalo with loving eyes. It was an enjoyable snack, to say the least.