The four of them hopped into the carriage. As the carriage began to move, the escort knights cleared out the road for him. Thanks to them, the black horse-drawn carriage moves on the busy streets of the city with ease.
Inside, the Tetherswest couple is sitting opposite them. While Theodora is catching up with her mother about the wedding, her father gazes at the scenery of Bideford, marvelling at the neatly arranged buildings, factories, wide roads, schools and so forth. The trace of the modest town he once knew was nowhere to be seen and was replaced by a lively and vibrant city. He's a bit tempted to imitate Bideford in his own city, but again, the problem is cost. An agricultural duchy like his can't possibly fork out a lot of money to materialize his wish.
He expressed his thought, "I heard about the changes you made in this place from the merchants but I never expected them to be so drastic. I can see why many people want to move into this city."
Riz added, "What you see is not only limited to Bideford. Every city of mine undergoes a massive reconstruction as well. I simply don't like labyrinth-like cities. It'll be harder to implement anything new in the future."
"From what you said, this kingdom is experiencing a steady growth in population. Are you not afraid of slums emerging on the outskirts of your city?" Theodore asked with concern.
"Slums..." He has a complicated look as he mumbles that word. As a king, he is fully aware of everything that transpires in his kingdom. One of the problems he has to face is slums, a densely populated residential area inhabited by poor people flocking to the city, seeking opportunity.
Not only slums are sore in his eyes, but they also breed crime and infectious diseases. He assured the duke, "Don't worry, we are providing work and building as many low-cost houses as we can to eradicate the slums. Safe to say, construction companies in my kingdom are working non-stop to meet the demand. What about you? How's the situation there?"
Theodore leaned in his seat. He tries to search for a suitable word to describe the current affairs in Tetherswest. "Peaceful. Too peaceful to be exact. This is the first time in a while that Blande didn't raid our coast. To be honest, I am contemplating between jumping with joy or tensing out my nerves."
Blande, officially known as the United Republic of Blande is a union of seven individual republics, each with its own president.Every five years, the position of Head President will be rotated among themselves, giving opportunity for every republic to be at the highest power.
The reason why they clump together instead of existing as a separate nation is that they can't survive alone and depend on each other.
'It appears that they are getting ready...for a war. Though I had no idea about the entirety of the plan.' Riz speaks in his mind. He knows the reasons, however, he decides to conceal it from his future in-laws until the ducal couple rests from their journey.
Even though he had planned, he was nevertheless plagued by a great deal of uncertainty. Would they adhere to the strategy? How much of a change was made to the plan? Riz gave himself a faint headshake. He seems to have forgotten the most crucial concern, would they actually work together or will they all act in a 'first come, first serve' manner?
Presently, the whole situation feels like staring at a blurry black-and-white photograph. He may guess the subject of the photo but the details...it's hard to say for sure.
"What do you think, kid?" Theodore's voice snaps him back to reality.
"Hm? I'm sorry, can you repeat it one more time? I didn't catch what you were saying."
"Blande's action this time, what's your thought?" Theodore repeat his question.
Riz doesn't immediately reply but inwardly arranges his word first. In a way, he wants to give his future father-in-law a hint before dropping an actual bomb later. "I'd say they reek of suspicion. Attacking Tetherswest's coast is not only a form of harassment but a source of income for them. You can call it an economic activity at this point. I can't see they would give up easy money anytime soon. Unless...they're preparing something big."
Theodore's eyes cast a curious glance his way. "Do you know something? You definitely are...I know you love playing tricks and punching people without showing your hand."
Riz grinned as he said, "I'll tell you later when we're at the mansion."
"Tsk!" The duke clicked his tongue. He had no complaints about Riz's look, capability and status but his personality can be awful at the same time. As if he took pleasure in people's suffering.
....
The carriage passed through the gate of the mansion before climbing up Noble Hill. As they ascend, the entirety of the city becomes visible. Such a breathtaking view caused Fiona to spontaneously gasp. Nobody blames her though as she spends most of her life in a dressing city like Tetherswest.
At the top, the carriage begins to slow down before stopping. The maids already form a line on both sides, waiting for the arrival of their king and the guests.
"Welcome home, Your Majesty and Milady." Edward first greets his master before warmly welcoming the ducal couple, "It was an honour to receive the visit of the duke and duchess. I hope you will be comfortable during your stay here. We'll try our best to accommodate all of your needs and wishes."
"Thank you, Edward. We'll be in your care." The ducal couple replied with respect. A commoner he may be, Edward held a respectable position in the Ryntum household.
"Allow me to escort all of you to the dining room. We have prepared a three-course meal to celebrate your arrival. I can guarantee both of you would like it."
"Ohh! Three-course meal, you say? You make us drool, Edward." Theodore jest.
They reached the dining room in no time where Josephine is already waiting for them. After exchanging some pleasantries, the maids walk in with a serving trolley to serve the appetizer.
While enjoying the tomato bruschetta, Theodore didn't forget to ask the unanswered question about the Blande.
Riz put down his tableware. He stares at the duke before ultimately sighing. Seeing this old man can't hold his curiosity back, he doesn't mind dropping the bomb early on. Nonchalantly, Riz replied, "There's a high probability they're going to attack the south."
"Huh? What did you just say?" The duke was baffled by his statement. He squinted his eyes as he sought confirmation, "You're not joking, right? Because this is not funny, kid."
Not only Theodore but even Fiona and Josephine also freeze upon hearing his words. Only Theodora keeps her calm. Being a minister of finance and a good friend of Charlotte, she naturally knows about the utmost secrecy in this kingdom.
Getting annoyed, Riz rebuked, "Why would I make this kind of joke?"
"Why didn't you tell us beforehand?" Fiona raised her voice. For the first time, Riz gets to see the duchess angry with a panicking stricken plastered on her face. He could undoubtedly infer the cause. Her son was left at the duchy when the second North-South War could break at any moment.
"Because I don't want to alert them by telling you!!!" Riz raised his voice, not wanting to give in.
Sigh--
The atmosphere in the dining room turns for the worse. Theodora tried to calm the heated situation. She lifts up her glass and gently taps it with her silver spoon.
*Ting!* *Ting!* *Ting!*
"All of you, let's talk calmly. Mother, I know you're worried about brother's safety but there's enough time to evacuate him and our family's wealth."
Her words seem to have an effect on them. Putting their emotion aside, Riz and the ducal couple begin to wholeheartedly discuss the issue.
Theodore humped with his arm crossed, "No matter what your reason may be, I'm returning to the duchy. How could I abandon the people there."
"Just stay here, for God's sake! Do you think you can defeat them? You won't last for a week." Riz said firmly. He had a headache dealing with this stubborn old man.
Theodore was so hellbent to protect his people which he really can't understand.
What benefits would they bring to him aside from taxes?
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