Princess of Victory - Guardians of Forewood [1]

Chapter 31: Problems

Day 28of the Fourth Month, Year 1016 - morning

The Royal Palace, Capital City of Naveland

LUZ came back the next morning, entering Victoria's study with a huff. "You left me behind!" She accused as she sat down in front of her.

Victoria was amused. "I was kidnapped."

Luz paused. "Right. But still, you didn't come back to Dustor afterwards," she snorted. "What were you thinking?"

"Did Alize tell you everything?" She went to stand up, but dull pain shot up her thighs, making her wince. She sat back down. She was still not fully recovered. Even under the Beth's daily treatment, the quiet ache still crept in once in a while. Inwardly, she began to wonder if Beth healed her slowly on purpose—to teach her a lesson.

"Damn right she did!" Luz didn't notice her wince in her anger, and she slammed the table. "Your Highness, what were you thinking? Oh right, you must not be thinking, at all!"

Victoria sighed. "I know. I'm sorry I made you worry."

Luz paused again. "Who are you and what have you done to my friend?"

Victoria laughed. "Come on. Now tell me what happened in Dustor after I got kidnapped."

"Well," Luz took a deep breath and began, "Your guards, Captain Lewis and the others, woke up yelling at each other that you're missing, that even Ethan and I found out about it. We were setting off to find you, but General Adefine stopped us and said you were safe."

Victoria nodded. "That must be because Dev sent the message already."

Luz sighed. "You really made us worry, you know."

"I know, I'm sorry. What's the war situation like over there?"

"Ah?" Luz frowned. "The Crimson Corps arrived to help and we managed to push the enemy back. Do you expect it otherwise?"

Victoria looked towards Luz. "You haven't been told about an elite army that attacked Corps' base?"

"What? Where do they come from?" Alize frowned. "Such an important news, why have we not heard of it?"

"I suspect one of the influential family is rebelling," Victoria frowned. "It's truly not good, but I didn't want everyone to panic and cause the situation to worsen. I guess the General think the same and didn't spread it out."

"Well, that is a wise decision," Luz said. "If we get attacked from inside and outside..."

"I know. Which is why I'm telling you now." She looked at her aide. "I already had some people collect information about them."

Luz blinked. "You did?"

Victoria sighed inwardly. Dealing with Blades took a lot of her personal allowance, but she had no other choice. She could barely trust anyone right now—even if she did, she couldn't trust them to not get killed by Arachnids in the middle. Perhaps she needed to start a business to cover her expense.

Luz didn't know about Blades, though, and Victoria didn't intend to tell her. She trusted her aides, but the thing about Blades was that they were secret. The more people knew about them, the riskier it was. The last time with Dev was because he clearly knew more about Forewood's underworld. Yes, that was why. There were no other reasons.

"Don't worry. I need your help with another thing."

Luz looked curious, but she didn't ask any further. "Of course. What is it?"

"Did you investigate about Trina Grant?"

"Ah," Luz shook her head. "It was a shame, a shame. Marquis Grant's business went bankrupt, his standing almost fell, and he also got sick. That's probably why Trina did what she did."