Moments after Raven's arrival at the castle, he was guided by a guard directly to Milo's chambers. The king couldn't risk having him meet his mother first, after all, if he did, that would ruin their plans to manipulate Maria. Even the fact that Raven was back had been known to Milo for a while, but given his mother's eccentricity, he'd given it every effort to keep that fact away from her.
"At the start, I hid the news of your arrival simply because I know how excited my sister can be about meeting the hero, and now that you've changed places with that warrior, she'd been nagging everyone to take her to see you, " explaining his situation to Raven, Milo stood before him with Viola standing by his side.
"But if Tia knew or even Maria, either one of them, the news would've gotten to the other's ears, and that would've been utter chaos."
'Astute as always, huh? No wonder Maria's afraid of him taking over.' Holding no grudge nor animosity towards Milo, Raven was impressed not just by what he'd revealed but by the way he was conducting his business as Royalty.
"Before anything," glancing up and down Milo's well-kempt clothes before moving onto Viola's shimmering opal dress with gemstones, he felt for once–in the true presence of royalty. Getting up from the chair he'd been provided as a show of respect, he nodded at Mio's lover before turning back to him.
"I've noticed more guards at the lower city, and it sounds like you've laxed taxes on farmers, hawkers and even street vendors. Nothing of the sort ever happened when your father ruled, how you even managed to convince the noblemen is beyond me, but I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you've done in such a short time."
The faintest of smiles climbed up the duo's lips, it was the first time they'd been recognized for their work. All the queen and the council did was complain about their policies, simply because it didn't suit their interest but rather the interest of the public.
"Sir Markus deserves some of the credit, without his blade we would've had a coup on our hands, but–no matter, I'll relay your thanks to him, but for now, please sit down and hear our request," taking them up on their offer, Raven quickly settled down, and it wasn't long before he was told everything that had happened in the castle while he was gone.
"Anything?" Raven asked, his voice rugged as it can be.
Although a bit taken back after hearing him questioning the limit, Milo remained steadfast and nodded back at Raven.
"Yes, anything as long as she's alive–I don't care what you do," no stranger to the mage sleeping with the whore, he didn't care if he even fucked in public so she couldn't show her face to anyone.
"You suspect a coup?" Tilting his head sideways, Raven's curiosity was apparent.
Still wary of the mage, Milo took a gulp and responded.
"Markus is out to investigate the family, he will more than likely kill them if there's enough proof of their imminent betrayal," piling every bit of information together, finally since last night a devilish smirk flashes across his face.
"And you said the very same family's son is going to marry your sister soon?" Milo nodded in response while Viola slowly approached him from behind. "Then how about we turn the wedding into an event that nobody can forget–one that would ensure no other fool tries to step up to you? At least not the corrupt piece of shits."
"Wh-what are you talking about?" Milo stuttered unsure what Raven had in mind, but his answer was simple, yet effective no matter the situation.
"No mercy, Milo for those parasitic leeches would have none for you." And although harsher than he liked, Milo couldn't disagree–even though deep down he felt like he should. But that remained a part of his personality, benevolent and kind, to a fault that would lead to his death if not for Markus and now even the new hero.