Rosie's Games

Chapter 227: The Invitation

Lonyth

The Duke of Lonyth sat, almost unmoving, as he listened to the monotonous reports of the other court members, who were babbling about the upcoming coronation. It was exhausting to say the least. All Duke Moller cared about right now was for the event to happen so they could end as many people as possible, as quickly as possible.

"Do we have the current total number of people from Cirid?" Duke Moller asked. "I heard that some nobles from Cirid have sought our help. I believe we should talk about this. We cannot embarrass the new King by ignoring those in need, can we?"

"The Duke is right," one of the court officials chimed in. "According to the guards, we are receiving hundreds of people every day and there are now at least four thousand people from Cirid who are either inside or outside the city. We managed to secure food and some basic shelter for them. They are currently staying outside of the gates, but we need to build some shelter for them to last through the winter."

"Four thousand isn't exactly a lot," the Duke said. "Don't we have shelters available in our territories? Why don't we take them in after the coronation? We could provide jobs for everyone. I am certain that the rest of them will also leave for Wugari and to the South," Duke Moller continued. Naturally, he could not show his glee about the number of refugees.

Four thousand might not sound like a lot, but some people had already gone to Wugari to seek shelter, while others decided to go to the South. Four thousand people should be enough for now. One Wugari fell, it would be a different story.

The Duke could only celebrate his victory in silence.

However, his expression changed when he spotted one of the Prince's men walking toward him. This was supposed to be a meeting for the court officials. He warned the prince about this. Why was he sending people to talk to him?

"Your Grace" the knight bowed before he whispered. "Duke Lucas Rothley is with the Crown Prince. He said no one else knows about the Duke."

Duke Moller's face darkened. He got up abruptly.

"Is something the matter, Your Grace?"

"No, please excuse me. The Crown Prince wants to see me."

With that, he immediately ran outside of the meeting room and made his way into the Crown Prince's study where the Duke of Wugari was sitting, enjoying a glass of wine while smiling at the Prince.

"Your Grace" Duke Moller said. He thought that the Prince was already dead so he rushed here thinking that this was the Duke of Wugari's retaliation.

"Ah, I am glad you were able to join us, Duke Moller. How have you been? You have lost some weight."

"I" Duke Moller gathered his composure. He reminded himself that this was the Duke of Wugari, the one responsible for killing Baron Teri. Even if he had no physical proof, Duke Moller was certain that this was Duke Rothley who killed the Baron. "I have been well. Baron Teri however, suffered a gruesome fate."

"Who?"

"Baron Ehem" Duke Moller walked towards the small living room inside the Prince's study. He sat opposite Lucas and just next to the Crown Prince. "It seems that the Duke has been traveling a lot these days."

"I have," Duke Lucas said. "That must be the reason why I missed the invite to this grand coronation."

Duke Moller's lips thinned. He did invite Duke Lucas, but it was only for show. He did not expect the man to show up here and dare to show himself to them. What gave him the courage?

"Well, the coronation is tomorrow. A room will be prepared for you and you will be seated next to the Crown Prince during the event."

"He is?" Crown Prince Baltazar seemed surprised. "Oh, right. I forgot about the arrangement."

"Well, it would be an honor to sit right next to the new King of Lonyth." Lucas held his wine glass up and tilted it towards the prince and Duke Moller. "Unfortunately, my gifts will probably arrive tomorrow. I hope you don't mind. I am merely here to give you my sincerest congratulations."

They clicked their glasses together and continued talking about superficial things, each of them was wary of the other.

Meanwhile, Rosalind was already on her way to the King's room.

"This is pretty convenient," Magda noted as they approached the large wooden door with intricate golden carvings. This was where the King was staying.

"I did not know that His Grace was acquainted with a sorceress and a powerful one at that," Magda added. In the short time that she had known the woman, Rosalind discovered that Magda has been working with Lucas for years. She was a swordswoman who seemed to act coldly toward everyone including the Duke.

"Can we just walk through the door?" Magda asked.

"No. We are going to wait." Rosalind answered. Unfortunately, she could not walk through walls. All she could do was wait for someone to open the door and use that opportunity to go inside the bedroom.

After a few minutes of standing by the door, a maid arrived with a physician. Rosalind and Magda immediately used this opportunity to slip inside the room.

"The King does not have long," the old man said after he examined the King's pulse. "Inform the princess that the King will die in a few hours. His body can no longer take it."

Hearing this, Rosalind frowned. She did not know it was already this bad. Her gaze met Magda's who looked morose, angry even.

"Can you heal him?" she asked.

"I can," Rosalind said. The moment the physician left with the maid, she immediately started healing his body from the poison. First, she needed to heal his internal organs so he could withstand the onslaught of the poison.

"Why are you standing behind me?" Turning around, Rosalind asked. She did not feel comfortable knowing that someone, a dangerous swordswoman, was directly standing behind her.

"His Grace said that you might faint after the treatment. He instructed me to stand directly behind you," Magda answered without batting an eyelid.

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