"Yeah," Riz nodded, "I hope for the same. At least, if it gonna happen, let it happen far from us."
Both of them chuckled, sharing a moment of lightheartedness amid the weighty discussions of diplomacy.
They knew all too well that human nature and conflict often went hand in hand, no matter how much they desired peace and friendship between their nations.
"Is there anything else you would like to say?" Riz inquired, his expression growing more serious.
Audrey nodded, her demeanour reflecting a mix of concern and sincerity. "Yes, it's about Lady Reina, Your Majesty. I met her when I was in the north. Well, I kinda expected that."
Riz's face tightened with worry. "Does she do well?" he asked, his concern evident.
"Most of the time, I guess," Audrey replied thoughtfully.
She proceeded to tell the story of her interactions with Lady Reina and her son, Young Prince Benjamin, during her stay in the north.
"Lady Reina seemed to be well-received by the people in the palace," Audrey explained. "They treated her with respect and kindness, and she appeared to be comfortable and content in her role as a Barlia's Princess. At least, from my observation."
Riz listened attentively, absorbing every detail Audrey shared. He was relieved to hear that his sister was being treated well and accepted by the people of Barlia. It brought him comfort to know that she had found a sense of belonging and happiness in her new home.
"I see," Riz said, his tone softened with relief. "If that's the case, I can push back my plan for a few more years and focus more on impending matters."
"Plan?" Audrey asked, unaware of Riz's inner thoughts.
"A plan delivers a slap on Barlia for what they had done to her." He said, "I never forget Audrey, I never forget. Be it days, months, or years, her incident is akin to a dirt smeared on the Ryntum's name. How could I forget it?"
"I-I see," Audrey stammered in front of the menacing gaze of her king.
It appears to her that there are volatile emotions under his usual calm and nonchalant face.
"Continue, Audrey. I want to hear about them from you," he instructed.
The conversation continued as per Riz's order. Audrey admitted that she didn't know much about the relationship between Lady Reina and Prince Baldwin.
During her diplomatic visit, she had not witnessed many interactions between them, and she didn't want to assume anything about their dynamic.
Riz listened attentively, his expression thoughtful as Audrey shared her observations about Lady Reina and Prince Baldwin.
Though he had some knowledge of their relationship from his agent, he valued the additional perspective provided by Audrey.
He made a mental note to inquire further about their situation to ensure his sister's well-being and happiness.
"Did Reina ever mention anything about coming back to the south?" Riz asked, curiosity tingeing his voice.
"No, not even once," Audrey confirmed. "However, she did give me something to pass on to you." Audrey reached into her bag and retrieved a stack of neatly sealed envelopes, carefully placing them in front of the king.
"These are from Lady Reina to both you and her mother," she explained. "She asked me to deliver them personally."
Riz's expression softened as he took the stack of envelopes. They were a connection to his sister, a tangible reminder of her existence amidst their separation.
"Thank you, Audrey," Riz said sincerely, appreciating the thoughtfulness of his sister. "I'll make sure to read them later."
Audrey nodded, "You're welcome, Your Majesty."
As she turned to leave, a sudden thought crossed her mind, prompting her to pause. "Oh, one more thing, Your Majesty..."
"What is it?" Riz asked, curious about the sudden pause in Audrey's movement.
"I know this information may be meaningless, but on my way back to the south, I happened to encounter someone called Duke Percival Klover in the palace," Audrey explained. "I thought I should mention this to you, just in case it holds any significance."
"Duke Percival Klover?" Riz's brow furrowed in thought. The name seemed to ring a bell, but he couldn't quite place it. "Well, thank you for the information. I'll have someone look into it."
Audrey nodded, satisfied that she had fulfilled her duty in passing along the information. "You're welcome, Your Majesty. If there's nothing else, I shall take my leave."
Riz nodded in dismissal, but not without expressing his gratitude once more. "Thank you for your service, Audrey. Your efforts in representing Ryntum have been commendable."
With a final bow of respect, Audrey turned and left the king's office.
After the door of his office shut, Riz's curiosity was piqued by the stack of envelopes Audrey had given him. He reached for the topmost letter, which was addressed to him in elegant handwriting. With a careful tug, he opened the envelope and unfolded the letter inside.
The words on the paper were penned by his sister, Lady Reina. As he read through the heartfelt message, a warm smile crossed Riz's face.
ραndαsnοvεl.cοm She expressed her love and concern for their mother and her hope for a brighter future for Riz's kingdom, Ryntum. She also shared stories of her son, Prince Benjamin, and his mischievous antics, bringing a touch of joy to Riz's heart.
As he read on, Reina's words reassured him of her well-being and urged him not to take any hasty actions. She reminded him to understand the weight of his responsibilities as a ruler and keep it in his mind.
Impulsive actions could lead to unintended consequences.
Knowing the full military capability of Ryntum from Audrey's stories, Reina didn't want her brother to march into the north with an army in any situation.
"Wow, she really believes I would do that?" Riz said aloud, chuckling softly to himself. "My sister, you need to correct the way you see me. I will not be rushed when it comes to your case. Be patient and wait until Ryntum got its footing on the north."
Folding the letter gently, Riz placed it in a special drawer reserved for important documents and keepsakes.
He had read all the letters addressed to him, and now the rest belonged to his stepmother. He will give them to her later when he returns to the mansion.
Turning his attention back to his duties, Riz knew there were more matters to attend.
The peace treaty with Barlia was a significant achievement, but there were still countless things that demanded his attention.
But, Riz decided to set aside the more pressing matters for a while.
He is not in the mood to stress himself right now. And so, he pondered about what he could do aside from the boring government office without moving out of his office.
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