Chapter 106-Preparation (6)

(MASIRO HENRICO'S P.O.V)

“Chief!” I heard my squad members shout as they walked towards Valian, Axel, Yeshiva, Jemas, and I.

Before leaving the castle earlier today, Prince Moises, Duke Winter and I had a discussion about disguising my squad members as Winter knights since the majority of all three of the factions within the kingdom will be attending the ceremony. We wanted to be on alert and watch the aristocratic faction closely.

After traveling for two hours, I decided to meet with my squad members within the hunting grounds of the forest in the western region near the town of Cassini. Since Nathan and his acquaintances had a hunting cabin that was in a secluded area. I decided to have everyone meet us here before returning to the castle.

“Chief”, I heard Blake and Simmons say as both of them walked over to where I was standing. The other six members followed behind them. The nine squad members that I brought along with me to the kingdom were the head of their households from the 12 branches of the Henrico clan. The branch families consisted of my former subordinates from my active mercenary days.

Blake and Simmons and two other members were amongst the younger generation of the clan that took over their families once the previous heads became elders.

“Where is Lexy?” I said, as I looked amongst the members and noticed one was missing.

“Chief,” Blake said, “I received a message from Lexy about an hour ago, she should be arriving soon.” Blake responded.

I nodded my head in response.

“Yeshiva, I heard you were offered a title. Why don't you let me be the captain once you establish your own knightage” Simmons asked as he walked up to Yeshiva and Josie.

Yeshiva and Simmons glared at one another since they were rivals whenever the clan went through our daily training.

A knightage, I thought.

Two days ago, when Yeshiva informed me on the offer Duke Winter had given him in order to marry Rosemary. Since it was for my granddaughter, I decided to set aside my differences for the nobility since now it involves my daughter and granddaughters.

“Yeshiva”, I called out to him.

“Yes, Chief”, he responded, as he looked over at me.

“Assemble a couple of clan members and join the Winter knightage once you receive the title. Since you'll be serving under the Dukedom, we can bring some of our clan members into the kingdom. They can serve under the Dukedom as well” I said.

Yeshiva nodded.

“Sounds interesting, I'll definitely join”, Simmons said.

Suddenly, all of our heads turned in the left direction towards the forest when we felt a presence coming towards us.

“Chief!” I heard the familiar voice yell out as she jumped down from one of the trees.

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“Lexy, where the hell have you been!” the squad members shouted as she walked over to where we were standing.

“Now that everyone is here, let's head to the Winter Dukedoms castle. We will be staying in the Winter knights quarters since the castle is expecting multiple guests who will be staying until the succession ceremony is over” I said.

“Yes, Chief!” They shouted in response.

(NATALIE'S P.O.V)

It was around 9:00 pm, When King Lincoln returned to his quarters, I followed Doctor Kinsley into his room. When we entered the room, King Lincoln was standing in front of the window. He turned towards us and suddenly said,“I see you brought one of your apprentices again, Gilbert”, he said as he glared at Doctor Kinsley and I.

Doctor Kinsley bowed his head, “Forgive me, your Majesty. My apprentices are still lacking, I figured it would be necessary for them to receive more experience, when serving you, your majesty” Doctor Kinsley said.

King Lincoln didn't say anything and continued to glare a bit.

“You have thirty minutes, then I would like to rest for a while,” he suddenly said.

Doctor Kinsley bowed again and walked towards the bed. King Lincoln started to walk towards the bed as well. Doctor Kinsley slightly turned around and gestured towards me. I walked behind him and we approached King Lincoln's bed and Doctor Kinsley proceeded to check on him.

Thirty minutes passed by quickly, as King Lincoln and Doctor Kinsley continued to bicker at one another about King Lincoln's health. At that moment, King Lincoln reminded me of Moises whenever he started bickering about something. I realized they made the same expressions when they were seriously annoyed.

Suddenly, we heard a knock on the door.

“That fool”, I heard King Lincoln say and told the person to come in.

When the door opened a saw an old man with grayish hair with a grayish mustache on his face and was dressed in noble attire.

“Doctor Kinsley, you're dismissed”, King Lincoln suddenly said.

Doctor Kinsley bowed his head and so did I. We turned around and started to walk towards the door. The old man began walking into the room. When we passed each other, he immediately caught my attention. I noticed he had the same light gold eyes as King Lincoln, when he looked over at me.

When we exited the room, Doctor Kinsley and I began to walk down the hall. When we were a few meters away from King Lincoln's room, Doctor Kinsley slightly turned towards me and suddenly said,“That's Marquess Radisson, the palace's main Chancellor and one of the King's nephews” Doctor Kinsley said, “Whenever I visit King Lincoln, he always shows up afterwards.” Doctor Kinsley suddenly added.

After Doctor Kinsley explained to me that King Lincoln's every move was constantly being watched. I suddenly understood why King Lincoln acts the way that he does.

Seeing King Lincoln personally made me realize that man is definitely not the tyrant he portrays to be, I thought to myself. Not after I witnessed him mourning his older brother for the past few hours.

While walking down the stairs, Doctor Kinsley and I made our way to the first floor when suddenly I heard someone make a sound and turned my head in the direction of the sound.

Unexpectedly, Prince Morgan was standing a few meters away with his hand covering his mouth.

(PRINCE MORGAN'S P.O.V)

I was sitting behind the desk in my office going over some last minute paperwork, Before my family and I prepared to leave the palace in the morning. With the succession ceremony being tomorrow evening and the delegation for the Avalorian Kingdom arriving a few days afterwards. The palace was busy preparing and making arrangements for the delegation's arrival.

“Darling, have you informed Princess Sage she will have to come to the palace in order to prepare for the banquet?” Sylvia asked me as she placed her hand onto my right shoulder.

“Not yet”, I replied, “With so much happening at once, I didn't have the time to inform her” I added.

“We still have a few days to prepare.” Sylvia said, “Once the ceremony is over. Baron Berrian and I will thoroughly teach Princess Sage how to host a banquet.”, Sylvia added.

I placed my hand onto the top of her hand and was about to ask her something when she suddenly started to speak, “About the tea party I attended two days ago” She said, “It has become public knowledge that Princess Sage will be hosting the banquet for the delegation. It has spread throughout the kingdom. The noblewomen that attended made some malicious remarks about Princess Sage's mother. They're wondering who the woman is and how she is supposedly a commoner who ruined Prince Moises” Sylvia added.

Hearing that the noblewomen are curious about Natalie almost made me chuckle.

Suddenly, the door to my office opened and Sir Daniel entered the room.

“Your highness”, Sir Daniel said as he walked towards the desk.

“Sir Daniel”, I said, as I looked directly at him.

“I received word that Chancellor Radisson was on his way to his majesty's room”, Sir Daniel reported.

I got up from my seat and walked around the desk. After investigating Chancellor Radisson, I found that he visits my father whenever Doctor Kinsley leaves the room or whenever the maids bring my father his refreshments.

I need to find out if he is aware of my father and mother being poisoned or gathered evidence of him being part of it, I thought as I exited the office.

After leaving my palace, I made my way to the main palace while Sir Daniel followed behind me. While walking towards the stairs, something caught my attention as I noticed Doctor Kinsley. The familiar aura that surrounded the woman who stood next to Doctor Kinsley.

I immediately started to chuckle when I realized it was Natalie in disguise.

“Your highness”, Doctor Kinsley greeted me as he bowed his head and I chuckled even more watching Natalie avert her eyes while she stood behind him.

“Doctor Kinsley, may I borrow your apprentice for a moment” I said and watched as Natalie glared at me.