Cost of the Crown (UNREVISED VERSION)

Fulvous

Three months passed and Feliz was still in the catacombs... While she was there looking for herself, Hans' letter to Madara arrived and the king got it.

"Good day Eric! I mean... Greetings your majesty, I wish to tell... Inform rather, that I am here in the Orient. How have you been? I wish to hear from you. Your brother, Hans Van Rensselaer." Eric silently read as he wiped his sweat of his forehead.

As for Hans, he did not yet receive the letter sent five months ago, but he often goes to the post office asking them if they have a letter for him. It was the new year and he though that his friend would have sent one as of now.

"Mr. Van Rensselaer, correct?" The postman asked.

"Yes?" He replied.

"We finally found a letter for you, but it was not addressed to your home address so we couldn't deliver it at the time. Thank you for waiting. Here is the letter. I figure that your brother sent it?" The postman said as he gave the letter to Hans.

"Yes, he's in a different kingdom as of now so all I could do is write to him." Hans smiled. "But before I go, I brought a basket of bread, since I thought you all wake up early to work you barely eat."

He gave the basket he brought to the postman who smiled at him. In those five months, he has made acquaintances and women started swooning over him. It was a peaceful time in the town. As he walked, he read the letter and he was shook. He never knew that the hatred Eric had for Sandra surpassed his.

He went back to the inn he was temporarily living in. He was supported by his friend and brother, Eric since getting a job in another kingdom is quite hard unless they work for the royal family. He took out his sword from the compartment under the closet and examined it closely, it has been some time since he last wielded a weapon.

"Sir Van Rensselaer, someone is looking for you on the front desk." A woman called from the outside of the room.

"Alright, I'll be there in a minute, thank you." Hans withdrew the sword and placed it back in the compartment before going to the front desk. When he arrived in the front desk, a woman was there sitting on a stool.

"Were you the one looking for me?" Hans asked with his stern accent prominent in his speech.

"Oh, yes... You are the knight from the north sent by the king... Correct?" The lady asked.

"Indeed I am, why?" He asked.

"Well, the queen asks for your presence in the castle." She said.

"Oh?" Hans asked in a sarcastic tone. "I'll be there, I just have to dress accordingly."

"I shall wait in the carriage outside." The lady informed him before he left.

He gave a nod before leaving but after a few steps, he heard the lady say, "I'm Lady Clara. You can go asking where I am later."

He continued walking after she told him her name. As he passed the people, he heard gossiping and whispering about Clara and how she killed the late King Cedric. It irritated Hans but he did not show it.

"So this was the man in the prophecy... he looks cute for a right-hand man." Clara thought as she walked out of the inn. "Skin, clear... No signs of blemishes, quite peculiar and rare for a knight. I bet he is a phenomenal knight."

Hans took a bath and he wore a blue vest over a white tunic. With slightly combed hair, he was ready to leave. He took with him a small knife that he kept in the pocket of his pants.

As he left, eyes were on him for a peculiar reason. He did not mind though. He continued until he opened the door to see a violet carriage with the royal crest on the doors.