Chapter 399: : The Letter
Chapter 399: : The Letter
"Let's get inside first. It's not good to talk about this outside."
I immediately sat up straight when I heard what Father said. I want to run away and rush inside my room, but my curiosity is taking hold of me. I want to know the reason why his majesty called my Father at this time of the night.
Father's eyes widened for a few seconds when he saw me sitting on the sofa. He probably didn't expect he would see me tonight. After all, I have been avoiding them for days now.
He stares at me for a few seconds before he looks at Mother, who is guiding him to sit on one of the sofas.
"My dear, can you tell us what his majesty's purpose in calling you tonight? Is there something wrong?" Mother asked in a worried tone.
I understand her, though. Everyone knows how the Vrawyth Kingdom is in a difficult situation right now. The peace treaty between the Aeslaerean Kingdom and the Vrawyth Kingdom ended already. That means, any time of the day, the Aeslaerean Kingdom can launch an attack on the Vrawyth Kingdom.
And even if we're the strongest Kingdom among the seven Kingdoms, we might not be able to protect ourselves if the Ouqeaseon Kingdom and the Stozeterra Kingdom join forces with the Aeslaerean Kingdom.
Father heaves a sigh and leans his back on the sofa. The three of us, Mother, Brother Pascal, and I, just stare at Father with worry.
That expression means a lot, and even if he doesn't say anything, we already know that something bad has happened.
I feel my hand tremble a little. I don't remember writing anything like this. So, I don't understand what bad things could happen.
"My dear? Please say something. You are making all of us nervous here." Mother probably couldn't control the anxiousness she felt that her voice sounded shaky.
Father stares at Mother for a few seconds before he sits up straight. "His majesty receives a letter tonight."
A letter? What is the content of this letter that made his majesty call Father at this time of the night?
My eyes widened when I realized something. Don't tell me...
"A letter? Uncle, may we know where this letter came from? I'm sure his majesty will not ask for you if this is something so simple."
Father looks at Brother Pascal and shakes his head. "I wasn't the only one who was called by his majesty. Every noble who had a position in the Monarchy were called by his majesty."
Mother gasped loudly, and I felt my whole body becomes rigid when I heard what Father said. Even if Father still hasn't explained things to us, the three of us already know that the Vrawyth Kingdom is in a dangerous situation.
The King wouldn't ask for every noble working in the monarchy for nothing. And I think I already know the reason for that.
"My dear, what happened? Are we..." Mother pauses and stares at Father with horror. "Are we going to war now?"
I slumped my body on the sofa. I feel like my whole energy was sucked out of my body. Even if Father still hasn't confirmed anything, I already know the answer.
The war is starting. It also means that I cannot avoid that future that is waiting for me.
Father shakes his head. "No, we are not."
All of us heaved a sigh of relief when we heard what Father said. However, the relief is short- lived because of what Father said after.
"Not for now."
Mother gasped in horror. She then holds Father's arm. "My dear, what do you mean? Don't tell me.."
Father stares at Mother and nods his head. "Yes, soon war will come to the Vrawyth Kingdom." He then laughs bitterly. "No matter how much we avoid it, we still need to face it."
My nightmare is finally coming into life. The war will soon arrive, and many people will die because of this.
I look at Father and Brother Pascal. His Majesty will soon release an order that all Vrawyth families need to send their sons and Fathers to the war. It means Father and Brother Pascal will need to go to war.
I'm not worried about Father because I know he will be safe, but Brother Pascal is different. He isn't supposed to live in this world, but for some unknown reason, he is existing. If the war comes, there's a big possibility that he will die in that war.
Just like what happened to Sheena, the daughter of Ruler Laird. She ends up disappearing into this world because she doesn't exist in the second version of the novel.
I feel my hand trembles. I want to say something, but I know I can't do that. They cannot know what I know.
"Uncle, can you please explain in detail what happened? Why did his majesty call for you, and what do you mean by the Vrawyth Kingdom will be in war soon?"
Father takes a deep breath and looks at Brother Pascal. "His Majesty call us because a letter from the Aeslaerean Kingdom arrived tonight. They already know that we are making our own swords that are on par with the swords being sold in the Stozeterra Kingdom. They are threatening us that if we don't send them a thousand high quality swords and shields, they will tell everyone about our secret."
My eyes widen, and I immediately turn my head at Father, who looks devastated right now.
What? They want the Vrawyth Kingdom to produce swords for them? And if we don't comply, our secret will be exposed. If the other Kingdoms and Cities know about this, the Vrawyth Kingdom will incur hate from the public. There is only one source of high quality swords in this world, and that is the Stozeterra Kingdom. If they know that we are hiding this fact. I'm sure everyone will hate us.
But how do they know that secret? His Majesty and I were both careful when we did that deal. So, how come the Aeslaerean Kingdom knows about that...
A sudden thought comes into my mind. I think I already know the reason why the Aeslaerean Kingdom knows about that secret. There is only one person I can think of who could spill that secret to the Aeslaerean Kingdom.
"But how come they know that? Aren't Csille, and the King were careful when they were doing the deal?" Brother Pascal stares at me. "Right, Csille?"
The three of them stare at me. I just shake my head at them. "I don't know. All I know is, I am sure that I have done my part, and no one in my employees will spill anything to anyone."
"My dear, is his majesty doubting our Csille? Is there anyone who is putting the blame on her?" Mother asks in a worried voice. I'm sure she is worried that Csille will be blamed for
what is happening.
Father stares at me for a couple of seconds before he shakes his head. "No, my dear. No one is blaming our daughter, and if there is anyone, do you think I would just let it go? I will never let our daughter takes the blame for what is happening. She only wants to help, so why would she take the blame for what is happening."
I feel my heart aches when I hear how Father trusts me. I'm sure they will be heartbroken if they know that I will be betraying the Vrawyth Kingdom in the future. The Kingdom that our ancestors have been trying to protect ever since the Lauretré family starts.
Mother clings to Father's arm. "My dear, make sure that no one will blame her, okay? We cannot let anyone push the blame on her."
Father takes Mother's hand and gently squeezes it. "Don't worry, my Countess, I promise in our beloved ancestors that I will not let anything happen to her." He looks at his time watch and shakes his head. "It's already late. Why don't we take a rest for today? Let's just continue our conversation tomorrow."
He then stands up and offers his hand to Mother to help her. I look at them and frown. I still have a lot of questions I want to ask to Father, but it looks like I need to wait for tomorrow for
that.
As much as I wanted to force Father to talk, I couldn't bear to do it after seeing the exhaustion on his face. It's already one in the morning, so it's understandable why he is tired already. Mother and Father stare at me. "My dear, you should take your rest too. Also, don't leave early tomorrow so we can talk about what will happen about the Aeslaerean's threat. Understand?"n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
I nod my head at Mother. The moment I decided to wait for Father's return, I already knew I couldn't avoid talking to them.
After seeing me nod my head, the two of them continue to walk their way to their room. While Brother Pascal stays behind. I look at him, and he stares back at me.
After a few seconds of our staring competition, he takes a deep breath. "Next time, don't do deals with the monarchy. I know you only want to help, and you don't have any other intentions. However, your kindness can also bring you misfortune." He shakes his head. "You should rest already. I will be sleeping now. I will see you tomorrow."
I stare at his back. Next time? Is there even a next time? I don't think there is.
An hour had passed, and I still couldn't sleep at all. My mind keeps thinking about what will
happen after.
Everything that is happening now is something I did not write. So, I don't know how to act or respond to the situation.
I don't even know what to expect. Should I be worried because Mother's worry can happen? That someone might blame for what is happening.
I also don't understand why would the Aeslaerean Kingdom would threaten the Vrawyth Kingdom if they could just use this as an excuse to launch an attack on us?
They could even use this to convince their allies to gang upon us. So, I don't understand why they are threatening us. What could they get from all of this?
Also, I want to know what will be his majesty's next move? Will he follow the Aeslaerean's
demand? To produce a thousand swords for them? But wouldn't that be a huge loss for the Kingdom? We still haven't gotten back from all the expenses we have made this year. Making
a thousand swords and shields will definitely empty the Kingdom's funds.
Where would his majesty get that money?
But if we don't comply with their demands, I'm sure a war will breakthrough, and the
Vrawyth Kingdom is still not prepared for that.
I get up from my bed and look outside. I still have many questions right now, and I know I
couldn't wake up my Father just to ask them about it.
But there is one person who can also answer that questions for me. Aside from Father.
I look outside of my window and heave a sigh. In the end, I couldn't stop myself from being curious. I just find myself getting dressed and sneaking out of the Lauretré residence. From our house, I hired a carriage to the Foundation. I couldn't ask the coachman to bring me straight to Mister Sewell's cabin because I could not let anyone know my connection with him. So, what I did was I just dropped by the Foundation and used my horse to get to Mister Sewell's cabin. I just covered myself with a huge cloak that covered my hair.
And without hesitation, I steer the horse to Mister Sewell's cabin. In just a few minutes, my horse stopped in front of the cabin, and I was immediately blocked by the guards. "This is a private property. Coming here without the owner's permission is against the law. Who are you? State your reason for coming here."
I take off the hood that is covering my head and stare at the guards. "Apologies for coming
here without prior notice. But may I know if Mister Sewell is here. I have something to talk to him."
I heard from one of the maids that Mister Sewell sometimes doesn't go here. But I was hoping I could see him here.
I need to know. I need to know what is really happening in the Vrawyth Kingdom. I need to know the real purpose of the Aeslaerean Kingdom for sending that letter.