***

Lord Morge and Lord of Merve had arrived at the Courtkruff academy and were awaiting Lucy in one of the sitting rooms. Lucy made an entrance after a while, letting Shilla stand guard at the door. They stood at her arrival and only sat when she did.

"You look well, Adrian," Lucy addressed Lord of Merve by his given name.

"Not really, the stress between the borders has caused issues with my investments. Even with the forewarning, it still ended up stressful to handle," Lord of Merve answered.

"Remember when I said I would make you and Lanster do work beneath your stations one day?" Lucy asked and Lord Morge sighed. He should have known that this was coming; it was unusual for her to call them by their given names. He just hoped it would not be dangerous.

"It will be dangerous," she said as though reading Lord Morge's mind. The two lords glanced at each other. They knew they could be considered young men as they were in their mids, full of life and courage, but they always dreaded what they could be doing the next day. Lady Wickshire always had something up her sleeves.

"King of Northern Lan would try to arrive at the capital earlier than many for the wedding. He would do this in secret if he had not already. The next queen has underestimated her enemy and has not learnt enough about him to know that. Find out where he is staying," Lucy said.

"You know who the next queen is?" Lord Morge asked.

"King Larken would never have done all this if he did not have the backing. Obviously, he had every intention of marrying another to fill the gap, but he would not be stupid enough to drag the queen out naked if the next queen was not someone Northern Lan could not contend with. That only means that woman finally made her move," Lucy said.

"What woman? The next queen?" Lord of Merve asked.

"Lady Raine, Teel family's heir," she answered.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

"It is beyond question that you should not know this, right?" Lord Morge asked with a frown. He had seen enough over the years at Lady Wickshire's side to believe in her ability, but he still did not understand how she knew some things. She never leaves this school. Does she have spies everywhere?

"I asked Jodanham to give me a list of all the people closest to the queen. It was an unnecessary list as nothing much changed since the last time I had someone do that. But I do this once in a while. I do it for everyone, at least those that interest me. I like to know who everyone is. Lady Raine; It took me time to find out about her.

They had done a good job hiding her. If the queen had not become a thorn in my side would never have paid attention to her. It was hard at first, but I finally saw the whole picture. All the scenarios I thought up, brought me to this outcome," Lucy said and the lords paused. By knowing who someone is, you can tell what they would do? Isn't that fictional?

"The king of Northern Lan has the Teel family head in his custody. She may not be in a state to move by herself. When you find out where he is staying, take her," Lucy said.

"Why?" Lord Morge asked.

"The next queen is helping out her husband-to-be because the king of Northern Lan has her mother. With this wedding, he will come to the capital with her; and though security will be tight, it can't be compared to breaking into the Northern Lan palace to take her. As long as she has her mother, Northern Lan is as good as gone," Lucy explained.

"So, we are helping her?" Lord of Merve asked.

"Such petty feuds and schemes are below me. She was going to end up getting her mother back in the end, I just want it done sooner. That way, the king of Northern Lan will be cautious to the extreme. If he is who I think he is, the height of his cautious nature should help me stall some old man on his way," Lucy said.

"I won't even ask what old man or why he should be stalled. So, when do you want this done?" Lord of Merve asked.

"Does this old man have anything to do with Walter Krain and Lady Steinhouse?" Lord Morge had to ask.

"Why do you think so?" Lord of Merve was confused at the sudden randomness of his question.

"I've been keeping an eye on Walter. He gives a token from Madame D'huile to Lady Steinhouse; a token some nobility would not be able to afford. He did this just after rumours of Lady Steinhouse having a lover started spreading," Lord Morge answered.

"You are smart, but don't bother yourself with little details. After you're done, prepare two outfits for yourselves each; this lady is sending you to bear witness to a ceremony in my stead," Lucy said.

"Two? There is only one ceremony that we are attending any time soon; the king's wedding and you will be there," Lord of Merve asked in confusion.

"There will be another more important. This one, I will officiate it myself if I have to," Lucy said.