Vol.4 Ch.236 Trying to Deescalate Things

Vol.4 Ch.236 Trying to Deescalate Things

The vibrant chaos unfolding in the garden drew a crowd, capturing the attention of nearly everyone present. One group emerged from the stately Parliamentary Chamber of the West Wing, bustling with essential figures such as Duval, Alaric, Johan, Nathaniel, Sebastian, William, Eamon, Thaddeus, and Lord Gawain, their expressions a mix of intrigue and concern. Alongside them were Zane and the imposing Terenthiel, flanked by General Douglas and his devoted Royal Knights, each clad in gleaming armor that reflected the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves.

In contrast, another faction comprised of Rya's Friends came from the Royal Quarters of the Palace. Yuliana led the way, followed closely by Nieren, Tayna, Percy, Dalia, Gretchen, and several other dedicated servants. Their crisp and neat uniforms stood in stark contrast to the disarray surrounding them.

Positioned on the perimeter, a throng of palace guards kept a watchful eye, their disciplined demeanor maintaining a semblance of order amidst the unfolding scene. Among them was Duchess Leandra, who lurked in the shadows at the back of the crowd, her heart racing. She camouflaged herself among the guards and onlookers, desperately hoping to remain unseen after her meticulously devised plan to pilfer Rianna's exquisite jewelry crumbled in an unexpected turn of events. The atmosphere was thick with tension and anticipation as whispers and gasps weaved through the gathering, and everyone was looking at the Dark Elf, who was shielding the Crown Prince.

Rya cautiously peeked from behind Quinus, who stood protectively in front of her, sword drawn and poised with intent. His grip tightened around the hilt as he aimed the blade at Sir Darius. Despite the fatal blows he received just moments ago, Sir Darius’s wounds had miraculously healed, leaving no trace of the injuries he had suffered. However, his armor, battered and dented, was lagging behind in the recovery, the chipped metal glinting ominously in the light as it slowly began to mend itself, conveying a sense of urgency and uncertainty in the tense atmosphere.

Terenthiel's eyes went wide as he caught sight of the Dark Elf clinging tightly to Quinus' backside, a mix of disbelief and rage flashing across his face.

"An unholy being! We must purge her," Terenthiel yelled as he drew his sword.

General Douglas sprang into action, his instincts sharp as a blade. "Men! Protect the future Queen of Fiafyr!" he thundered, his voice piercing the tension in the air. With unwavering resolve, he stepped boldly between Prince Terenthiel and his men, ready to defend what was at stake. The weight of his command echoed in the hearts of his soldiers, igniting a fierce determination to uphold their duty.

As the Paladin regained his composure, he reached for his sword, determination blazing in his eyes. But before he could draw it, Quinus was faster, his blade glinting ominously as it pressed against Darius' neck.

"You'll pay for killing my knights," Terenthiel said angrily at the Dark Elf.

"Oh?... I like to see you try," Rya said with a smirk.

Terenthiel clenched his jaw, a low growl rumbling from deep within his chest. Dark anger flickered in his eyes like a storm brewing on the horizon.

"Enough!... Another word from anyone else, and I will throw you all in jail. Is that clear," Duval said in a commanding voice once again.

Everyone was quiet. Alaric watched the whole thing and wasn't happy to see how much more powerful his nephew had become. Worst of all, the toothless lion had become an apex predator in Agon.

In Alaric's eyes, Quinus is a shadow of the weak-hearted boy he once was, the boy who, just five years ago, devoted himself to helping the commoners of Fiafyr. Back then, he was known for his quirky engineering projects that often puzzled the townsfolk but were marvels that rivaled the dwarf's technology, and his gentle nature meant he would shy away from any confrontation, preferring diplomacy over conflict. Now, however, the Crown Prince has transformed into a formidable Maja Warrior—an unprecedented force within the kingdoms of man. Quinus has displayed remarkable strength and resilience, no longer the timid child, proving himself capable of standing his ground against even the mightiest opponents, including a holy paladin, as if he had always been destined for greatness. Alaric finds himself torn between the memory of his timid nephew and the formidable warrior he has grown into. Quinus' surprising transformation complicates Alaric's plans, making it increasingly difficult to imagine a way to rid himself of the young man who has become a force to be reckoned with.

Viscount William comes walking up to Alaric and whispers, "Seems your nephew has a similar type to your brother."

"Yes... Annoyingly, he does..." Alaric whispered back.

"I got your back in there, my Lord," Johan said.

"I'll join the party. I don't know much about politics, but I'll watch the exits and help with distractions," Percy said.

"Count me in. I'm getting tired of the Prime Minister's antics. And if there's someone to put him in his place... It's Lady Rya and you, my Lord," Sir George said.

Tayna, Nieren, and Douglas just nodded and waited for the others.

Quinus nodded, "Alright... Let's go to my father's study... It's the best place to prepare... Lord Gawain, lead the way."

"As you wish, your Highness... Follow me," Gawain said as he led everyone back to the palace.

The only ones left in the garden were Duke Alaric, Viscount William, Duchess Leandra, Princess Hilda, and a few servants who were whispering to themselves.

"Hmm... Who should we side with during the meeting... Duval or your nephew?" William asked Alaric.

"It pains me to say it... But we need to side with Duval... Having the crown prince's ire focused on Duval could help hide our plans... But don't speak as freely as we used to... The Elves' ears can hear from a far distance," Alaric whispered.

"Hmm... Yes, that would be wise," William said.

"What about the Princess? Everyone seems to have abandoned her..." Leandra asked.

Alaric and William looked over and saw Hilda lost in thought as she stood by the fountain.

"It seems that Duval has forgotten the most important part of his plans... All the better for us... Work your magic, my love... She will be a good backup plan if things go awry," Alaric said with a wicked smile.

"Well... I should get to work," Leandra said as she made her way to the young princess.

"Good luck," William whispered as Leandra walked past him.

"Leandra, make sure she’s brought to the West Wing," Alaric murmured, his voice low and conspiratorial. "I want my nephew to feel her presence in that meeting. He needs to realize exactly what a treasure he’s letting slip through his fingers."

Leandra turned toward her husband, "I plan on making her the most popular girl in the court... Don't you worry, my love."

"That's why I married you," Alaric said as he watched his wife head toward the young princess.

Alaric then looked at his best friend and smirked, "Let's go, William... We need to figure out what my nephew is going to do next."

"Lead the way, Alaric," William said as he followed the Duke.

The Duke and Viscount left the Garden and headed back to the Parliamentary Chamber before the meeting was going to resume.

Meanwhile, Leandra gracefully approached the young princess, her heart filled with concern. She lowered herself into a respectful curtsy, the fabric of her gown sweeping gently across the ground. “My, are you alright, young miss?” she inquired, her voice soft yet filled with genuine warmth. The princess, with her delicate features and an expression that seemed both troubled and regal, looked up at Leandra, seeking comfort in her kindness.

Hilda was brought out of her thoughts and looked surprised, "Huh? Oh!... I'm sorry... I was just thinking..."

"Don't worry about it. I was just worried for you. You've been here for quite some time, and your escorts seem to have forgotten about you... I'm Duchess Leandra Revelia... The wife of Duke Alaric Revelia, Your Highness," Leandra said with a sweet tone.

"Oh! I'm Princess Hilda Stoneworthh... I'm sorry for my absent-mindedness... Everything has happened so fast that I'm struggling to take it all in," Hilda said.

"I understand completely... No one knew a dark elf had gotten her dirty paws on our Crown Prince until now," Leandra said.

Hilda looked confused, "No one knew? But the Prime Minister seemed to know everything..."

"If he knew, then he kept it from the other noble families... My husband only received an emergency letter from the Prime Minister just this morning... He must have found out about the dark elf and was trying to rid her before you found out... This is most dreadful indeed... You are a much better woman for the Prince... The Dark Elf must have placed a spell on him or worse... Our kingdom might be in peril if something isn't done," Leandra said with concern in her tone.

Hilda was shocked, "A spell?!... You think this dark elf has put a spell on the Crown Prince?!"

"Oh yes... I'm surprised you haven't figured it out yourself... Did you see how she smiled after the prince came in to 'save' her... She acted like she was in trouble, but how could she go toe to toe with a valiant paladin without even getting hurt... Something is very wrong here, and it needs to be corrected. My husband and his friends are planning on how to save the Prince... But we are unsure of how the Dark Elf has taken control of the Prince and his friends," Leandra said with an overly worried look.

Hilda had a determined look in her eyes, "She is a monster... She killed two of the holy orders knights without breaking a sweat... And Sir Darius would have been killed as well if the Gods' divine intervention didn't happen... I saw that same look in her eyes as well... It was the same eyes that my half-sister had to get me in trouble when I was younger. That Dark Elf has placed a spell on the Crown Prince. She has to be stopped."

"Yes. It seems she has... And the Crown Prince needs a true hero to save him... I believe you are the one to save my nephew from his destructive path... He has to be unaware of his situation," Leandra said as she offered her arm, "Please. Come with me, Princess Hilda. You are our only hope."

"Yes! I'll save the Prince," Hilda said as she hooked arms with the Duchess.

"Good! We need to join the emergency meeting, huh? Why'd you stop, your Highness?" Leandra said with a curious tone.

"We aren't allowed into the chamber... Prince Terenthiel said women weren't allowed inside. Only the men could go inside," Hilda said.

Leandra shook her head, "Well, it seems that the Prince of the Holy Alliance has been misinformed. It's fine if women are inside the chamber as long as the royal family isn't discussing anything regarding the army or Kingdom secrets. And we know that dark elf will be in their... Sometimes, to confront a woman, you have to send a woman to do the job."

Hilda nodded, "Okay. As long as we won't be in trouble."

Hilda gracefully trailed behind the Duchess as they approached the grand entrance of the palace, its towering doors intricately carved with regal motifs. Once inside, they wandered through the lavish hallways adorned with gilded mirrors and opulent tapestries, each step echoing softly against the polished marble floors. After a short journey, they arrived at the imposing council room. With a flourish, Leandra pushed open the heavy door, revealing a spacious chamber filled with an air of solemnity. The guards stationed at attention nodded respectfully, their armor gleaming in the soft light, as the two dignified women stepped into the room.