𝐌𝐘 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐓

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐘-𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐄

꧁꧂

     Making a full round of Denril, the King's funeral procession finally made it back to the palace within three hours, the final step then being to bury the coffin in the royal crypt. That part, however, was only overseen by the royal family and the priest.

    As such, most of the servants were given a day off due to this, (Y/N) being included in that small percentile. Walking back to her room, she immediately collapsed onto her bed, weary from having walked all day. Another factor that added to her tired muscles was having to hold down a man that had started spitting out a slew of curses—unhappy with the previous King. Groaning into her pillow, she merely kicked off her shoes before curling under the covers. As her eyelids fluttered shut, trying to clear her mind from the day, one thing that did strike her as odd was how she hadn't seen Banco at the funeral, knowing that he was most definitely an avid supporter of the King.

    Shrugging it off, she soon fell asleep.

    As she dreamed unknown things in her mind's unconscious realm, Adrian stood within the Carmella family's crypt—the Kings and Queens and Princes and Princess' before them all buried there. He now faced his Father's empty grave that his coffin had yet to be lowered in to. While his Father was truly a magnificent man, he wasn't close to him.

    He shared no familial love.

Merely a cold and reserved respect.

And as he stood with his Mother and Sister, both who shed tears, he said a silent prayer and goodbye to the late King before watching his coffin be lowered after the priest said a final word in honor of him. In one swift motion, the lid of the King's grave closed, entrapping him in his crypt for the remainder of time. Watching this, Adrian knew he had to do the same to Queen Jannali, sweeping out of the room in a gusto that surprised both Delana and Seraph.

    I will be crowned King...

    It's earlier than I would have liked, as I truly wanted to save my Father so he could further educate me in ways to help bring prosperity and peace to this kingdom...

    But it can't be helped.

I want to avenge him, though.

I will avenge him, no matter the cost, as this was a direct attack to my country and kingdom.

    And I will not allow that.

    "Advisor Oman..." Adrian greeted the man upon seeing him standing just outside the crypt, his stoic expression never faltering. "I am glad that you are here as I've been informed that my coronation is in two weeks time. There are a few important problems that I would like to be solved before then, and I believe that it needs your attention.

"Of course, sire," Basile placed his hand to his chest as he bowed in understanding.

    The two continued walking through the garden away from where the crypt lay into the Eastern side of the palace, the path they were currently on having gaping archways that gave view to said garden. However, Adrian instead led Basile into the meeting room where Adrian had discussed plans to retrieving the ingredient Huelda Forla—a time seeming so long ago to him.

    "I'm sure you're already aware that there is a high probability that we have a spy in our midst, correct?" Adrian questioned as he began rolling out a map of his kingdom and others.

    "Yes, you've informed me of your thoughts on such an idea, and now..." Basile trailed off, pushing his glasses up his nose as he exhaled. "And now with the assassination of our past King, such thoughts are only confirmed."

    "Precisely," he nodded, picking up an ink quill before writing on the map.

    "What is it that you are doing, Your Highness?"

    "I'm re-visualizing the motion of attack that Chalar played on us," he replied, x-ing out certain spots of the castle as he did so, numbering what he did as well in terms of proper procedural steps. "If you think about it, knowing their plan of attack and how they carried it out could very well be a key factor in finding out who this traitor is."

    "I already have an idea as to who it might be," Basile pointed out, making Adrian's hand still as his amber hues drilled into his own.

    "Enlighten me then, Advisor Oman."

    "(M/N)(L/N)."

    Adrian's eyes widened at the name.

    The two stared at each other for what seemed like hours when in reality it was only minutes, Adrian's fingers twitching from the absurdity of the statement Basile just spout. He knew that (Y/N) couldn't be a spy—no, he believed it with his very soul. Finally, Basile broke eye contact with Adrian with a small exhale of breath, having had a feeling that the Prince would react like that when he was already so close to (Y/N) and felt so strongly about her.

    "From the way that you're acting, I can only assume that you don't believe me?" Basile spoke after a moment more of silence.

    "I don't," Adrian replied coldly.

"(L/N) has been suspicious from the start, Your Highness," Basile spoke with an air of authority and wisdom, almost speaking to Adrian as if he were a child. "He is a newer servant, but has quickly gained access to your—and the royal family's—personal accessories. I've never seen a servant advance in rank as quickly as he did, no matter how great their experience is."

    "I trust him," Adrian snapped back, Basile grimacing at his words.

    "I do not."

    "I am the Prince, you listen to me, and if I say we trust him, then we trust him."

    "But, sire—-"

    "Advisor Oman!" Adrian yelled, slamming his fist against the table and cutting him off abruptly, almost making him flinch, however able to mask the surprise well. "(M/N) is a valuable necessity that I need and will not live without. If he is not by my side, I will personally hold you responsible."

    Basile's eyes narrowed.

    "Am I making myself clear?"

    "...crystal."

꧁꧂