Chapter 162: Unexpected Guest
In the royal castle of Evardin, Vincent was sitting at the king’s office and massaging his temples. He had such a long day. From reading the court officials’ files, hours long of court etings, and responding to council reports... all of it drained him. He didn’t know being a king was so tiring. Why did he even think it would be fun?
"Tell
I don’t have appointnts left this afternoon," Vincent said to Matthias who gave him the glass of blood he requested. "I want to rest."
Matthias straightened his back. For a mont, he contemplated whether to tell Vincent the bad news because the lord seed to be not in a good mood. He still said it regardless, "I’m afraid there is one more appointnt you need to attend on behalf of His Majesty, milord."
The blood in Vincent’s mouth suddenly tasted bitter. He raised an annoyed brow at Matthias who seed as stressed as he was. "And what is it?"
"An unexpected guest ca to see you..."
"From the council? Court?"
"No."
"So it is an acquaintance of Alec? If the guest is not from the court or council, is it a friendly visit then?" Vincent sighed, "Have I not told you to not accept visitors with no official business with the king?"
Before Matthias could clear Vincent’s thoughts, the servant outside inford, "Your Majesty! Lady Amber from the Supre House is here to seek audience with you!"
The glass of blood almost slipped from Vincent’s hand. Wide-eyed, his gaze went to Matthias with a look of betrayal. Matthias could only offer a ’good luck’ look before stepping back slowly.
’What on earth is Amber doing here?’ Vincent muttered curses at the back of his mind when the double doors of the king’s office opened.
Amber glided inside in a full-sleeved dark red dress. His blond hair was tied in a neat bun and had a choker necklace with a drop of ruby. Her face was grim as she walked with grace toward Vincent’s table.
When the vampiress’ sea-green eyes fell on him, Vincent could no longer continue drinking the glass of blood in his hand. Of all people, why did she turn out to be the visitor? Vincent knew Amber was the kind whose were eyes sharper than most. After all, from a young age she was honed to be the next leader of the Supre House, succeeding her father, Lord Eleazar.
"King Alec," Amber curtsied. Once glance and Matthias was quick to walk out of the room.
Matthias silently hoped Vincent wouldn’t make any mistake that would catch the lady’s attention.
Vincent leaned back on his chair and maintained a straight face. He knew Alec well and believed he could easily pull off his character, but Amber was a stingy woman who often noticed small details of the things she sets her eyes on, which worried him.
"Lady Amber, to what do I owe this pleasure?" Vincent asked, imitating Alec’s usual low and cold voice. His lips did not twitch one bit. Alec seldomly smiles to most people and he was trying his best to act as grim as him.
Amber walked to the large sofa. She sat in a relaxed posture and crossed her legs. Her elbow was on the armrest while her fingers were tapping on her knee. She looked around and said, "I have never been in the king’s office of Evardin. But I never thought it would be you sitting in the king’s chair when I got the chance."
Why was she talking so casually? Vincent wondered. He had t Amber a few tis before but she always went straight to business. But the way she talked right now... it was like she knew Alec on a personal level. He didn’t hear anything about Alec being well-acquainted with Amber. But when did that man ever tell him things without being asked?
Vincent’s eyes narrowed a bit. He didn’t know how to act around Amber because he had no idea what Alec’s relationship was with the lady. But with how Alec seed head-over-heels in love with his wife, Vincent believed that all other won were irrelevant to him, so he should just treat Amber like how Alec treats everybody else.
"What business do you have for ? For you to go here yourself, I assu it must be important," Vincent said and pretended to be reading one of the papers on the table.
"Yes, I am here on behalf of the Supre House. But I also ca to pay you a visit. It has been quite a while since the last ti we had a chat."
So there must really be sothing, huh?
"The number of black mages has been rising in Evardin recently. You have the most numbered of cases these past months and not only that. Deranged humans erged first in your land, so Father sent
to ask about what exactly is happening here."
Vincent was briefed by Matthias about the duties of the King he was required to do while pretending as Alec, but he was only inford about so things which didn’t include thorough information about the rise of deranged humans. He was dealing with his own work in Acheron so he didn’t bother prying on other land’s problems.
"The council is investigating it. I am still figuring it out," Vincent had no other option but to choose the safest answer. It wasn’t completely a lie, though. From what he heard, a rebellion was rising in Evardin. But the problem was he didn’t know the complete details.
"I see..." Amber then said, "Once you have the answers, send
a missive so we can talk about it. The Supre House is willing to lend a hand if necessary. It would be a big problem if the corruption of humans would spread to other lands. Our hands are full enough with the troubles the black mages are making."
"Thank you for the offer. I give you my word, I will inform you once I got enough information about the deranged humans," said Vincent in a dismissive tone. He was almost on the verge of asking the woman to leave, but how could he, a chivalrous gentleman, do that?
"I will look forward to that."
When Amber stood from the sofa and walked towards the door, Vincent sighed in relief.
But just before Amber could twist the doorknob, a small dagger traveled in the air with the speed of light which Vincent caught with his two fingers just an inch away from his face.
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