The Maad Doctor [The Maad Series #1]

|9| The Founding Families.

The Founding Families ruled Hervana–a country in the Lalei continent. It contained four cities; Sin City, Virtue City, Shipwreck City, and Desert City. While they were the prime rulers in the country, a duke and duchess each oversaw two cities. Lady Camilla controlled Sin City and Virtue City. Lord Blubolls led Shipwreck City and Desert City.

After Lady Camilla regained consciousness, the leaders of the Founding Families summoned her to their castle. She hadn't gotten the chance to apologize to Stella for fainting, but she told herself she would later.

Now, she stood in front of two gigantic guards clad in steel armor. They had a sword strapped to their waists and a shield on their backs. "Ahem!" Lady Camilla cleared her throat. The guards stepped away from the large wooden door behind them. Even though she liked how battle-ready they were, she preferred the ones she employed. They dressed like gentlemen and used rayguns to combat her enemies. The rayguns were adequate compared to the swords and shields these guards used.

But your guards failed to defend Stella.

She didn't want to think about that now. If she did, she wouldn't be able to face the Founding Families. To them, crying was a weakness. And she had the disadvantage of being a woman and an outsider. She didn't want to give them more reasons into thinking she was unqualified for the duchess role.

After this, I will ravage through Sin City and find those that ruined my auction.

A stray tear ran down her cheek, and she stroked it off. She had found it challenging to smother the bitter flames of her guilt. If she hadn't agreed to Michael's insistence on using Sin City rats as servants, none of this would have happened.

She suppressed her pent-up anger and put on an artificial smile. She didn't want one leader of the Founding Families seeing her at her lowest. But it would be hard since she had on the bloodied dress from last night.

"Open," she said.

One of them knocked on the door, and it opened, revealing a long purple carpet that went all the way to the throne. The room was grand enough to fit five hundred people. But now, seeing it empty, Lady Camilla guessed it could hold more than that.

Massive arched windows allowed the sun's light to brighten the room. And between them were tapestries. Each tapestry documented the journey of an ancestor of the Founding Families.

Brice Gunnar, Aden Wong, Sadie Mantosh, and Ara El Roudi. These were the founders of Hervana and the first members of the Founding Families.

Lady Camilla reached the throne and felt the power emanating from it. It was fashioned from ivory, covered in gold, and had a customized red velvet cushion. It also had rubies, emeralds, and other precious stones bought from Mine City. They were leaders in mineral production worldwide.

Beside the throne were three silver chairs of similar size and shape. One was to the right of the throne, while the others were on its left. Only one out of the four could sit on the golden throne and be the rightful ruler: The King.

The scent of honey filled the room, and Lady Camilla turned to its source. "My King." She bowed as King Solomon walked up the silver steps around the throne. He was the head of the Mantosh Founding Family and the King of Hervana. He had dark skin, green eyes, a chiseled jawline, a thick gray beard, and stood at an imposing six-foot-seven. Stella had once described him as a silver fox. Lady Camilla hadn't disagreed. At sixty-nine, he was the oldest and wisest of the four leaders.

"Camilla, it is delightful to see you again." King Solomon walked to Lady Camilla, grabbed her hand, and kissed it.

Butterflies ran up and down Lady Camilla's stomach. "Excuse me for how I am dress–"