Crowns of Heritage

Chapter 86-False Alarm (4)

(NASHI'S P.O.V)

When I returned to the villa, I walked inside of the villa and went to look for Sylvester. I wanted to tell him about Prince Marshall's surveillance on the dukedom and my decision to accept the engagement; that our father had set up for me and one of the neutral party member's daughters, Lady Chloé.

I heard someone call out to me and looked over and noticed Asiana rushing towards me.

“Asiana”, I said, while walking towards her, I haven't seen her since the tea party incident.

She suddenly grabbed ahold of my hand as she approached me.

“Nashi, I need to move Sylvester to one of the private villas”, she whispered to me.

Before I could speak, she held up one of her hands and gestured her head.

I nodded and we walked up the stairs towards my office.

When we entered the office room, Asiana explained to me that situation and told me Sylvester was injured.

I remembered the bad feeling I had when I first heard the sirens. Without a second thought, I walked over to the desk and wrote down one of the private villas that Sylvester owned.

“Take him to his villa, he can recover there for the time being. I'll try to make an excuse for him in case he can't make it to the debutante”, I said and sighed.

Asiana nodded her head.

“I'll come to visit him in two days, I'm sure we are still being monitored. I don't want to give up his current location”, I said.

Asiana nodded her head again and left out of the office. I sat down in the chair and leaned my head backwards and sighed.

(NATALIE'S P.O.V)

My father and I followed behind some of the Winter knights through the forest. After the sirens went off, it only rang for a few minutes, which caused confusion between the knights. We traveled through the forest for two hours until we reached the western border.

When we made it to the hill that overlooked the village near the border, we noticed immediately that the border hadn't been attacked.

“Was it a false alarm or an attack on a different region?”I heard one of the knights, whose name was Sir Vero, asked another knight.

“Let's head to the border, we will gather more information after speaking with the guardsman”, another knight said.

While the knights agreed amongst themselves, my father and I approached them with our horses.

“We have to meet up with some of our clan members”, my father said while facing Sir Vero.

Sir Vero nodded his head.

We rode down the hill into the village, the knights continued to ride towards the border while my father and I went our separate ways towards the local tavern where we were meeting up with some of the clan members.

After placing the horses in the nearby stable, we walked into the tavern. As we entered the tavern, I suddenly heard my name being called and noticed multiple people rushing towards me.

“Captain!!” I heard them say as they engulfed me in a hug.

“I can't breathe”, I yelled as they almost suffocated me with their hugs.

I suddenly heard a familiar voice, “Natalie”, I heard someone say and looked over. I realized it was Saul, my former squad member. I looked around and noticed that everyone who had hugged me was once my former squad members. My former squad members consisted of ten people, but only three were here. Saul Blairsville and his wife Josie Blairsville, Axel Henrico, Na'mah's husband who married into the main Henrico Clan.

After the emotional reunion with my squad members, we sat down and I told them everything that happened from the time I left for my mission until now.

“What's the plan, should we stay in this kingdom or return to the Kalpana kingdom, Chief?”Saul asked my father. “ The rest of the squad is still in the Kalpana Kingdom,” he added.

I looked over at my father, who looked to be deep in thought.

“I want you three to stay in this kingdom and work with Natalie and I. We have some people to investigate for the time being.”, my father said and looked over at Axel, who had short black hair and blue eyes and was very muscular. “You and Saul, will follow me to the Central region, there's a nobleman I need to kidnap and bring back to the castle. Josie will return to the castle with Natalie for now”, he added.

Saul and Axel nodded their heads.

After we continued to discuss our plans, Josie and I left out of the tavern while my father, Axel and Saul remained in the tavern.

“I still can't believe you're married to Prince Moises and have princesses”, Josie said, as we walked over to the stables. Josie was shorter than me, and had long dark ruby red hair and grayish-blue eyes.

We chuckled amongst ourselves, as we climbed onto the horses.

“Let's hurry back, I can't wait to introduce you to my daughters. I'm sure you can't wait to see your son, Yeshiva as well”, I said.

(ROSEMARY'S P.O.V)

When the sirens stopped, Lucy, the head maid, prepared a guest room for the seamstress, until they found out what was going on. Mother and Grandfather Masiro left the castle to head to the western border with some of the knights.

I was sitting in the room with Yeshiva and Cena, we were discussing the plan on how to track down Prince Christian's mother.

“What are your thoughts on this matter? Yeshiva asked Cena after he explained the situation involving Prince Christian and his mother.

I watched as Cena looked to be deep in thought.

“After hearing what you just said, I think we should check out some of the local shops. I can pretend that I'm looking for a dress. The only problem is we don't know how she looks at the moment ”, Cena said, “I'm curious about the owner of the shop”, she added.

Yeshiva and I looked at each other before turning our heads back to Cena.

“When we first met the seamstress, Sage and I noticed how she kept glancing at us during the time she was here. Maybe the owner sent her after learning about Sage”, I said.

Before Cena and Yeshiva could respond someone knocked on the door. Yeshiva got up from the couch and walked over to answer it. When he opened the door, Butler Jackson and Lucy walked into the room. Lucy suddenly walked over to me.

“Princess Rosemary, we have to hurry”, she said, “The Queen has arrived, we have to greet her”, she added.

Without saying anything, I followed behind Lucy and Jackson until we made it to the stairs. I saw Duchess Mary standing at the bottom of the stairs. She smiled as I walked down the stairs, and stood beside her. I watched as all the maids and butlers suddenly lined up as the doors to the castle opened. We bowed as Queen Malaysia walked into the castle. After greeting her, Queen Malaysia and Hannah walked over to where we were standing.

“Mother”, Queen Malaysia said as she held onto Duchess Mary's hands.

Queen Malaysia looked over at me and smiled and placed her left hand on the side of my face, while her right hand still held onto one of Duchess Mary's hands.

“I finally get to meet you, my dear Rosemary”, she said, in the softest tone.

I smiled and bowed my head, “I'm happy to finally meet you as well, Your Majesty”, I said.

I heard Duchess Mary chuckled a bit before speaking, “Shall we head to the office, before you get settled into your room, my dear”, Duchess Mary said to Queen Malaysia.

Queen Malaysia nodded.

Hannah and I followed behind Duchess Mary and Queen Malaysia, who was talking amongst themselves as we walked down the hallway to the office. A part of me was feeling extremely nervous, as I walked behind them.

A few minutes later, we entered the office and walked over to the couches that sat on the right side of the room. I sat on the opposite couch across from Duchess Mary and Queen Malaysia, while Hannah stood behind Queen Malaysia and Duchess Mary.

Queen Malaysia looked over at me with a slight smile on her face.

“The debutante is in four days, do you have any concerns, my dear?”, she asked.

I nodded my head, “Yes, your Majesty, my only concern is how can I become a support for my sister, after we make our debut into high society”, I said.

Queen Malaysia's facial expressions went from soft to serious as she began to speak. “I would like for you to enter the Winter Knightage and begin your military studies” She said, “While Sage builds her reputation in the noble society, you can focus on the military with your father.” she added.

I nodded my head in agreement.

Duchess Mary was about to speak but was suddenly interrupted by the knocking on the door. After telling the person to come in, Butler Jackson walked into the office and bowed his head.

“Your Majesty, Your Grace, the Duke and the young Duchess have returned to the castle."he said.

(DUKE WINTER’S P.O.V)

After traveling for the last three hours, we finally returned to the castle. I watched as one of the guards walked over to the vehicle, while the other two guards opened the gates.

“Welcome back, your grace”, the guard said as he bowed his head.

“Sir Alan, has the Queen arrived yet?”, I asked.

“Yes your grace, Her Majesty arrived thirty minutes ago”, he said.

“Have one of the guards Inform me immediately, once Prince Moises returns to the castle no matter how late it is”, I said, in a serious tone.

Sir Alan nodded his head.

We rode through the castle grounds until we reached a certain area. Captain Capilano and Peyton got out of the vehicle and Captain Capilano handed the keys to one of the guards. I looked over at Sage who had fallen asleep.

“Sage, wake up my dear”, I said as I tapped her shoulder.

A second later, she opened her eyes and looked around. I chuckled as she groaned, and watched as the door opened. Captain Capilano and Peyton helped Sage and I out of the vehicle.

“Captain Capilano, you may return to the knight quarter's, I'm sure some of the knights left after hearing the siren. Try to find out what's going on near the border”, I said.

Captain Capilano nodded his head and bowed before walking away.

Sage, Peyton and I walked towards the castle doors.

When we approached the castle door, we were welcome by the staff as we entered. After the greeting the staff went back to their duties and only Butler Jackson and Lucy the head maid remained.

I looked over at Sage, “You can return to your room dear, your history class will resume in the morning”, I said.

Sage nodded her head and Peyton followed behind her as they walked up the stairs.

I looked over at Jackson, “Have Haley bring Sage something to eat”, I said.

“I'll have the kitchen make something light for the young Duchess, your grace”, he said, “Her Majesty and her Grace are currently inside of the office on the first floor, in the right wing of the castle”, he added before walking away.

I walked towards the right wing of the castle and made my way to the office. After a few minutes of walking through the hall, I made it to the office and entered the room. When I entered the room, I saw Mary, Malaysia, Hannah, and Rosemary sitting in the room.

“Father”,I heard Malaysia say as she stood up. I looked at her and noticed she was looking a little better than the last time I saw her.

I walked over to Malaysia and hugged her, “My dear, I'll have Doctor William and Natalie's sister Na'mah check you out in the morning.”, I said.

Malaysia nodded and looked over at Rosemary.

“Father, I want Rosemary to join the Winter Knightage”, Malaysia said.

I looked at Rosemary, who nodded her head in agreement. I smiled a little because I was already planning for her to join the knightage after her debutante.

“Rosemary, my dear, you'll start your training after the debutante”, I said, while looking directly at her.

She nodded while smiling, “Since Sage is back, I'll head back to the room, I'm sure she would love to know her dress is here”, she said.

After Rosemary excused herself, I took a seat across from Mary and Malaysia.

“Malaysia, Lincoln announced the Sage will host that delegation from the Avalorian Kingdom”, I said.

Malaysia sighed, “I have no clue what that man is thinking. His demeanor has suddenly changed and we haven't been arguing since your last visit”, she said.

I was feeling a little confused about Lincoln and I's private meeting.

“Malaysia”, I said, while looking directly at her. “Lincoln told me if Moises rebels against Marshall, he won't intervene”, I said.

Malaysia looked surprised by what I said, “What?”, she questioned and placed her hands over her face and leaned her head back while sighing “Why the hell did he exile him, if he has no intentions to interfere in a rebellion”, she said while looking frustrated.

“Sylvia and Morgan's aide Baron Berrian will be arriving in two days to teach Sage how to host a banquet. In the meantime, I need to find out what Lincoln is hiding.”, I said while looking at Mary and Malaysia.

It was quiet for a moment before Malaysia handed me an envelope.

“What is this?”, I asked.

Malaysia's facial expressions went from frustration to seriousness as she reached the envelope to me.

I looked at the envelope and noticed it was blank.

“I stole it out of Lincoln's office after we had an argument. I noticed it in one of his desk drawers. It doesn't have an address or name but it was addressed to him.”, Malaysia said.

I opened up the envelope and took out the letter that was written. There were only three words written.

“Forgive me, Lincoln”, I read out loud and looked up at Malaysia.

Malaysia looked even more frustrated than before.

I was about to say something, but was interrupted by Malaysia, when she held her hands up.

“It's Macy Livens handwriting,” Malaysia said.