Chapter 215:
TL: Etude
Catherine returned to the palace, carrying a letter as she hurried to the queens residence.
Just as she was about to enter, she saw her mother, Queen Phyllis, emerging, surrounded by several noble ladies.
The queen had just concluded a meeting with the ladies and was now personally seeing them out.
Your Highness, the Princess!
The noblewomen, upon seeing the Princess approaching, curtsied in greeting, and Catherine nodded to them in acknowledgment.
After the mother and daughter saw off the guests, they returned to the reception room in the queens residence.
Queen Phyllis asked curiously, Arent you usually at the military camp around this time? What brings you back so early today?
Catherine pulled out the letter and waved it, Ive received news from my younger sister.
The normally composed Queen Phyllis instantly displayed a mix of worry and excitement.
Catherine hastened to say, I should clarify first, Eileen is safe and sound there.
The worry on the queens face eased somewhat.
She took the letter from her daughter and read it carefully.
After reading it, the queen let out a long sigh of relief, then started to complain.
Really, a young girl should not be doing mens work.
And that Count Grayman, I feel like he has ulterior motives, maybe hes planning something for Eileen?
Catherine smiled awkwardly, as her mothers first remark seemed not only about her younger sister. The political and military affairs she was handling for her father were also mens work.
Mother, its rare for my sister to find something she enjoys doing, let her have her fun. My people report that Count Grayman is a rather upright lord, he probably wont harbor any ill intentions towards her.
A look of grievance appeared on the queens face, Shes having fun, indeed, not thinking about her mother who worries about her day and night. I really raised an ungrateful daughter. Moreover, its unseemly for princesses to be working under a rural lord, and it would be a laughing stock if word got out.
The Bay of Northwest was always considered barren by the people of the capital, and although the Graymans title wasnt low, they were still seen as rural lords.
Catherine defended her sister, Well consider it as Eileen going out to experience the lives of commoners, shes grown up after all.
The queen shook her head, She cant stay there forever, we need to find a way to bring her back soon.
Catherine looked downcast, About father you know Eileens temperament. Her leaving home without a word this time is proof. Im afraid if she comes back and father pressures her again, she might do something more extreme.
Hearing her eldest daughters words, Queen Phyllis also began to feel conflicted. She cursed Jars, Viburen, and others in her heart, blaming them for her familys separation and even involving her husband.
Sigh let her stay there a bit longer then. But you must keep a close watch on her.
Yes, I understand.
And dont let your father know.
That okay. 𝓯𝓇𝘦𝘦𝑤ℯ𝓫𝑛𝓸𝑣𝓮𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓶
Catherine didnt mention her suspicion that her father might already know about Eileens whereabouts. After chatting with the queen for a while, she bid farewell to her mother and headed towards the kings office.
On the way, she encountered Count Merlin, who managed the kingdoms intelligence system, looking hurried as if he had some urgent matter.
Lord Merlin, do you have an urgent matter?
Your Highness, I have important matters to report to His Majesty the King.
In that case, lets go together.
Yes.
Count Merlin did not hesitate, as Princess Catherine was the kings right-hand woman. During the kings illness and unconsciousness, she had directly assumed the kings responsibilities.
King Rodney XVI, looking at his stern-faced eldest daughter, felt a sense of helplessness.
Ever since Eileen had run away from home, his relationship with his family had deteriorated significantly.
Fortunately, his eldest daughter Catherine had not let her personal emotions interfere with her duties.
He was already aware that Eileen had settled in the Bay of Northwest and knew that Catherine was secretly protecting her sister. If he, as the king, didnt know even this much, he would have no right to the throne.
Initially, he wanted to immediately send someone to bring his younger daughter back, but Eileens fiery temperament made him hesitant. He regretted not understanding her better. Turning a joyful event into a tragedy would be disastrous.
Later, intelligence from the Eastern Territory made him reconsider his plans to marry her off to the Viburen family. The situation was changing, and it seemed the Viburen family had decided to side with Jars.
Marrying his daughter to them now would be like a slap in the face.
With the two largest lords of the kingdom opposing the royal family, his reign as king felt like a failure.
King Rodney XVI hesitated, wondering whether he should bring his younger daughter back and apologize to mend their relationship.
But his dignity as a king resisted this idea.
Sigh better to quell the rebellion first.
The king composed his thoughts and asked, Lord Merlin, what is it that you wish to discuss?
Count Merlin looked serious, Your Majesty, Your Highness, regarding the unusual phenomenon among the rebels at Thorn Fortress, we have a bit of a lead.
King Rodney XVI and Catherine immediately paid closer attention.
The rebels had launched an attack on Thorn Fortress, and a detailed report of the battle was sent to the capital.
The report emphasized: rebels wearing impenetrable leather armor and possessing extraordinary strength, overpowering regular soldiers like knights against peasants.
Everyone in the capital found it unbelievable, especially since the report was written by Duke Dodge, with co-signatures from Viscount Klein and Viscount Lester, the three highest-ranking commanders in the fortress.
Klein and Lester had personally fought against these rebel soldiers.
Because of these bizarre enemy soldiers, Thorn Fortress nearly fell. Luckily, Duke Dodge deployed his last resort, Hellfire, to stop the rebel onslaught.
According to the information received, it seems there is a cleric among the rebels, and after some kind of peculiar prayer ceremony, those rebel soldiers transformed.
A cleric? Arent they from the Church?
Although angry, neither the king nor the princess were surprised. The Church and the kingdom had always been at odds, and it was plausible for the Church to secretly support the rebels, but
Ive never heard of any church ritual that can turn people into that!
Catherine was highly skeptical. Had those charlatans really invoked a miracle from the Lord of Light? That seemed far-fetched.
The three continued their discussion in the room for a long time but were still clueless.
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