Meanwhile in the capital,
In the quiet of his office, Riz sat behind a meticulously organized desk, surrounded by a sea of documents that demanded his attention.
Each piece of paper seemed to tell a different story, each requiring a thoughtful decision. As he read through the lines of text, the weight of his responsibilities pressed upon him.
Knock—
Knock—
Knock—
A series of knocks on the door roused him from his concentration.
He looked up, a mixture of curiosity and weariness in his gaze, as a member of his staff entered. "Your Majesty, there's a diplomat from Inverloch who wishes to meet you," the staff member announced.
"Inverloch?" Riz's eyebrows lifted in surprise.
The name struck a chord, reminding him of Kaelio, the imperial prince of the southern empire he had met during the recent events.
It was likely that the diplomat's visit was related to the prince's circumstances.
Riz leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming lightly on the polished surface of his desk.
The unexpected arrival of a diplomat from Inverloch had injected a certain level of intrigue into his otherwise routine day.
His thoughts raced briefly before instructing the staff member, "Send him in," A sense of anticipation tugged at him.
Shortly after, the door swung open. Riz's gaze settled on the man who entered. He scanned the diplomat from top to bottom.
It was clear from his demeanour that this was no ordinary envoy. The way he carried himself, with a blend of confidence and restraint, spoke of a noble lineage.
The man's attire further emphasized his status. His clothing was a symphony of fine tailoring and understated opulence, a careful blend of elegance and formality. Every detail seemed to have been meticulously chosen to reflect his background.
Dark hair, neatly combed, framed his composed face, and his piercing eyes held an attentive gleam.
With a graceful bow, the diplomat approached Riz, his movements smooth and deliberate. "Your Majesty," he addressed. "It is an honour to meet you. My name is Alexander Lucas," he introduced himself.
"Nice to meet you, Alexander. I'm King Rizieri Ryntum," Riz responded with a cordial smile. "So, what cause the empire to send you here? I know you wouldn't have come all the way from the south just to introduce yourself."
Alexander's expression turned more serious as he composed himself. "I think Your Majesty know the answer to that question," he replied. "I have come here with a purpose, a matter of great importance to both our nations."
Riz gestured for him to continue, curiosity and amusement are evident in his eyes.
Alexander continued, his tone measured. "Firstly, my primary objective is to secure the release of Prince Kaelio, along with all the Inverloch soldiers who were captured together with him. I believe this unfortunate incident has led to a misunderstanding between our nations, and I'm here to resolve the situation."
"I don't think an attempt to invade my kingdom by the late Marques Hajdu can be classified as a mere 'misunderstanding,'" Riz retorted, his tone laced with a hint of sarcasm.
Alexander's expression remained composed, his response carefully chosen. "Your Majesty, I understand that actions have consequences, and I do not intend to downplay the severity of the situation. However, invading your kingdom is not on our list of objectives. It was a selfish decision by Hector, driven by personal ambitions and a desire for recognition."
Riz leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression crossing his features. "How nice it is to simply blame the dead," he muttered under his breath. "Anyway, what's your second objective again?"
Alexander shifted slightly before he continued, "Secondly, and with equal gravity, I am here to lodge a formal complaint about the reported massacre of Inverloch soldiers by Ryntum forces. We seek answers, transparency, and justice for the lives lost."
Riz's brow furrowed in genuine confusion. "Massacre? What are you talking about?"
The diplomat's gaze met Riz's unwaveringly as he recounted the grim details.
The tale unfolded of how surrendered Inverloch soldiers, believing they were being sent home, were tragically tricked by Ryntum forces and mercilessly slaughtered instead.
The solemnity of Alexander's words filled the room, the weight of the injustice hanging heavily.
Riz's confusion only deepened, his voice edged with disbelief. "Where did you get this information from?"
"Inver," Alexander responded with a short answer.
Hearing his reply, Riz's scepticism was palpable. "I thought you guys were enemies, and now you believe their words?"
Alexander's gaze remained steady as he spoke, "When it comes to our soldiers, we take any claims seriously and conduct thorough investigations. Based on our findings, it's undeniable that Inverloch soldiers were indeed massacred."
Riz's frustration was evident in his voice. "What's your expectation from me then?"
Alexander's expression remained unwavering. "Your Majesty, what is your stance on this matter?"
Riz leaned back in his chair, a mixture of contemplation and irritation crossing his features. "Look, I won't say anything just yet. I need to investigate this situation on my own, as I don't have a clear picture of what truly happened. Moreover, the person tasked with the job is currently missing."
He continue, "And if you think logically, the number of Inverloch soldiers far outnumbered the Ryntum. Do you truly believe our soldiers could easily overpower them all?"
"True," Alexander nodded, "However, that doesn't rule out the possibility. There could have been strategic advantages or other factors at play."
Riz's eyes narrowed, a flash of frustration in his expression. "Why are you so insistent on painting us as the culprits here?"
"Because, Your Majesty," Alexander's gaze held steady, "Your kingdom is the prime suspect in this tragedy, whether you accept it or not."
"Woah, woah. Let's not jump to conclusions here. Nothing has been decided yet." He gestured for Alexander to take a seat, feeling the strain in his neck from maintaining an upward gaze.
The tension in the room was palpable. Wrong words influenced by emotion could potentially plunge both Ryntum and Inverloch into an unnecessary war.
Updat𝒆d fr𝑜m fr𝒆ewebnove(l).com