CHAPTER 3 - III -
Now, Amaranth was a kingdom at the plains southwest of the Holy Palatial Gardens, just to the western borders of the Duchy of Savoy. I’ve read in history books that it was one of the great powers locked in an eternal struggle in the past against the kingdom of Nerfes, the Empire of Chersea, and the Confederation of the East (kingdoms of Colveente, Calabria, and three other eastern kingdoms).
While Nerfes was renowned for its military excellence, Amaranth was a legend with its wealth, boasting an economy on par with that of the Empire of Chersea. There were a lot of mercenary companies thriving in this place, and the kingdom’s army had its roots from being hired blades in the past.
And it was interesting to note that the guilds here also employ ‘private guards’ to ensure that their interests would be secured. It’s just another word for ‘private armies’, so I guess you get the idea of their purpose.
Maddie was also getting uncomfortable the more we get close to the Amaranthine capital. I could tell it from her face, though she uttered nothing.
The convoy halted suddenly. Before we realized it, our group had already reached the city gates, closed and fortified in anticipation of the nobility’s armies. However, we were delayed not because the Amaranthine militia was about to conduct a security check; it’s more like the royals of the kingdom came out to welcome us.
The Marquise of Monfort was the first one to get down from our carriage, holding the door open for Her Holiness as she alighted from it. I followed behind, though not too close, for I didn’t want anyone else to suspect that something was going on between us.
This is a political-diplomatic mission. The last thing that we need to have are rumors that might jeopardize our purpose.
I think the Marquise of Monfort and her paladins could be trusted, and Maddie—through Lily—specifically instructed the kitchen head maid and Eris to remain silent about everything going on at the Holy Palatial Gardens. So, unless someone among us had a loose tongue, our goal here would be accomplished nicely.
“We thank you for coming over to our kingdom, Your Holiness!” a middle-aged lady appeared at the head of an armed contingent of impressive-looking knights and soldiers just outside the city gates. The Margrave was holding the reins of her horse, and once they saw Maddie, they all bowed before her.
“It’s been a while, Queen Jocasta!” the Saint acknowledge them and flashed her usual smile, “Please forgive me for arriving just now, but I made haste once the news of the situation here reached my ears.”
“Oh please, don’t apologize!” the queen pleaded, “It’s us who should be ashamed. We even took your precious time.”
“Well, it’s all fine.” Maddie then went straight to the point, “Anyway, Your Majesty, can you give me the picture of the entire situation?”
“Ah, for that, I guess my son could give you the information you need!”
“Mother!”
“!!!”
Our attention then turned to the Amaranthine princess at our party, Jessica. She was running towards the queen, and the moment they saw each other, the old lady stretched out her hand to meet her daughter. The soldiers behind the queen stood at attention once the princess came into their view.
“It’s alright, Jessica! We’re also surprised by the events.” I heard the queen tell her, “How are you? Your father would be happy to see you again in these trying times.”
“Your Majesty!” it was Lily, following Jessica, who also gave her respects before the Queen.
“Welcome to our kingdom, Princess of Nerfes.” the royal consort greeted. I couldn’t miss the difference in greetings between Maddie and Lily; is this because of Lily’s reputation in Amaranth as the Iron Princess before?
“Ah! On another hand, mother, did you prepare the accommodation fit for Her Holiness?” Jessica asked.
“Oh, yes!” the Queen fished out a group of keys from her chest (how did she do that?), “These are the keys to the Red Diamond Palace, a royal chateau located to the northwest of the city boundaries. It’s a small place, but I think it’s good for Her Holiness to stay. It’s pretty secured, and, we’ve already posted a company of our most trusted knights to guard the area.”
“That’d be good, Your Majesty,” Maddie commented.
“Your Holiness, to whom shall I give the keys?”
The Saint turned to her head maid, “Lily?”
The Queen handed over the keys to Lily, and though it’s quite fast, her eyes gave off a sense of dread as Her Holiness’ servant came near her.
It looks like Lily’s infamous around here…
Maddie then continued, “Shall we head to the Crown Prince? I want to talk to him about the situation.”
“Ah, yes!” Queen Jocasta was brought back to her senses, “Please head this way!”
The Queen and her escorts, with Jessica in tow, led our convoy into the city on our way to the Amaranthine royal castle.
Meanwhile, back inside the carriage, Lily pulled me and the Marquise of Monfort aside. She gave us the keys and whispered, “Lady Monfort, Kuro, can I ask you two to go to the Red Diamond Palace and check it out? Though I don’t like to offend the royal family, we’re still women of Nerfes in the end. I just want to make sure about the place.”
“No problems, Head Maid!” the Marquise of Monfort grabbed me by the head, “We’ll make sure that place is A-okay for our heads to stay!”
Well, that’s a rhyme!
We planned to stop in the royal capital for two ‘long sleeps’. As we were esteemed guests of the king, the von Alberts gave us the place they called the ‘Red Diamond Palace’ to stay.
“…”
Compared to Maddie’s palace, this one was modest, both in size and furnishings. It was located a few distances away from the northwestern defensive walls and moat surrounding the city of Amaranth, since it was meant as a hunting lodge before it got upgraded to an aristocratic chateau. Her Holiness had specified in her letter (sent in advance by our party so that all arrangements would be made) that she would never accept opulence during her tour for as long as the Amaranthine people were suffering.
However, not wishing to be embarrassed, the royal house compromised by offering the Red Diamond Palace to our group.
Yep, it’s ‘simpler’ than the Holy Palatial Gardens…
“The Red Diamond is formerly owned by a vassal of the von Albert house.” the Marquise of Monfort explained to me while we inspected the place, “If I remember it right, it’s the La Vebrunes of Dawson Valley.”
The Head Maid, Lily, sent the two of us since the Marquise was an expert in military matters, while she’s confident with my ‘defensive’ skills. I didn’t know what she exactly meant by those, but I’m hoping that we never really had to apply those things in the future.
“I wonder why it’s called like that when the most prominent color I see is that of blue and gold…”
“Ah, same here as well.” the Marquise laughed, “Well, the La Vebrunes head, Count Henri, is eccentric. No one knows what or how his mind thinks. Anyway, don’t bother with those things. What’s important is that we’re quite far from the royal palace itself.”
“Oh?” I smirked, “What, looks like we got someone scared, huh?”
“Of course! Are you an idiot?” the Marquise gave me a weird stare, “It’s not a hidden fact that I’m my father’s daughter, no matter how illegitimate I am. The royal family would view me with suspicions even if I belong to the Saint’s retinue!”
“Well, true.” I shrugged. I guess the royal dudes back there couldn’t help it; this was a time of war and uncertainty. It’s normal for spies to run about and gather damning information about you, “But why did you go with Her Holiness here, instead of returning to your father’s house?”
The Marquise then grabbed my nape (in a friendly manner, of course) and messed with my hair, just to annoy me, “Look here, black-haired guy! First, Her Holiness the Saint asked if I could come. As her personal paladin and guard, loyalty to her is my priority. And second…”
I noticed the temporary pause in her voice before continuing.
“…I think I’m more useful here than in the Braunhauer lands.”
I kept silent, expecting the Marquise to further elaborate on what she just said. However, she let go of me and gave me a pat on the back.
“Come on Kuro, Her Holiness is waiting. Let’s tell her this place is good.”
“Ha? We haven’t gone around the entirety of it!” Well, honestly, we have just seen around half-percent of the entire property. I could tell that, while this was a nice place to stay in, the sheer thinness of the walls and relatively unfortified gates (though the queen said before that it was defensible) would be a headache to any defending party if their enemies decided to place it under a siege.
Plus, the location was relatively isolated, so yeah…it’s a sure-death for the defenders.
But hey, why am I thinking of such things? Wasn’t it why we’re here, to prevent the escalation of this conflict?
“That won’t be necessary.” the paladin explained, “I’m sure you also saw it; this place is a security nightmare. And you know your lover, Kuro! Her Holiness the Saint won’t be fazed by this, and would still insist on staying here. If she does, I and my girls would act accordingly.”
“Alright…” Well, if the head of the security said it’s fine, then it must be so. I’ll try to convince Maddie to reconsider, but knowing her, I guess this was a done deal already. There’d be no problems with it, right?
“…”
Damn…I think I already doomed my group by setting up that ‘flag’, eh?
