At lunch the countess Elena had asked as to eat with them again. Regaleon and I agreed thinking that talking to Count Forger and Raymond will give us some inputs in what is their business and why they are being secretive with the details.
We headed to the dining room from where we had our dinner last night. Like last night, a maid was leading the way. When we arrived Count Forger’s family was already there except for the eldest son, Raymond.
“Good afternoon, your majesties.” Count Forger greeted. “Me and my wife are happy that you could join our family for lunch.” He displays a friendly smile.
When the count was talking my eyes fall upon the second son, Arnold. He was looking down all the time with a grunt face. It looked like he was a feeling of disgust that made me curious. I took note of his odd behavior.
“It is our honor to join you and your family, Count Forger.” Regaleon replied courtly. “It is the least we can do to you our hosts.”
“His majesty is correct.” I added. “We showed up all of a sudden and unannounced would have been a burden to you. I will make sure to send token of our appreciation once we arrive in Alvannia, Countess Elena.”
“Oh, thank you so much, your majesty.” Countess Elena was surprised.
“I hope that once you feel better you could attend one of my small gatherings in the capital city. You can take your daughter with you.” I said. It would be good for your daughter to also have connections while she is entering her puberty. “Having friends while young would help when her coming of age comes. Making connections with other ladies in upper society will be useful as well, Countess Elena.”
“T-Thank you very much, empress.” Countess Elena felt humbled. “I will think about it, your majesty.”
The countess’ eyes looked away evading direct contact with me. She looked sideways and took a peek at her daughter Angelica. It felt like she was hiding something. There was something in her gaze that made me felt something is wrong with their relationship.
“Well, let us start then.” Count Forger said.
The kitchen staff started to bring the food in and set it on the table. I then noticed that the eldest son Raymond was not yet in his seat.pᴀɴᴅᴀ-ɴ0ᴠᴇʟ.ᴄᴏᴍ
“Your eldest son is not joining us?” Regaleon asked the count. He also noticed that Raymond has not yet arrived.
“Ah yes.” Count Forger replied instantly. “I apologize that I forgot to mention that my son Raymond would not be joining. He is a little busy dealing with our business.”
“Hmm, I am quite curious about your business, Count Forger.” Regaleon said while we are starting with our appetizer. “Maybe this business would contribute to the entirety of the empire.”
“I am confident that it will your majesty. It was a business that my son has painstakingly worked hard for.” Count Forger replied. “It will be Raymond who would introduce this business when he thinks that the business has stabled, your majesty. I am sure that after he had made sure that his business will take fruit then he will present it to you, your majesty.”
“I am hoping to hear it soon.” Regaleon said with a smirk.
As expected, Regaleon has experience playing with his words. It also had me convinced that he is very much interested with Count Forger and his son’s business. I am sure he had much experience in Grandcrest’s court when he was still young. As a young prince that was fighting for the throne, he had to thread carefully with officials that supports his brothers. Playing with words was one of the skills he had mastered to survive.
The lunch had gone smoothly without any incidents. I was about to finish my dessert when Regaleon asked something from the count.
“Count Forger, her majesty and I would like to take a look at the city this afternoon.” Regaleon said. “We will take a stroll in the city streets.”
“That is a good idea, your majesty.” Count Forger replied. “The problem is that I cannot accompany you because I need to join Raymond this afternoon.”
“Oh, I see.” Regaleon replied.
“Then your other son can accompany us to guide us around.” I quickly said. “Your name is Arnold, correct?” pᴀɴᴅᴀ ɴ0ᴠᴇʟ
“Y-Yes, your majesty.” Arnold stood in attention with the sudden attention on him.
“Can you guide us around the city?” I asked with a polite smile. “We will not go that far, just somewhere we can have a stroll.”
“O-Of course, your majesty.” Arnold replied respectfully. “It is my honor to guide the emperor and empress of the Astley Empire.” He bowed his head.
“Y-your majesty…” Count Forger interjected suddenly. “I think it is not a good idea to have Arnold guide you. Why don’t I call Raymond back here? I am sure he can set aside his work to guide your majesties…” He trailed on.
“Count Forger.” Regaleon called his attention.
“Y-Yes, your majesty?” Count Forger replied.
“Is he not your son as well, count?” Regaleon asked.
“… Y-Yes, your majesty.” Count Forger had a pause before replying.
“Then he also grew up here in Tarmac before he went to his boarding school.” Regaleon said. “He should also have an idea of the city he grew up in.”
“O-Of course, your majesty.” Count Forger cannot refute Regaleon’s words.
“And he is already a young adult capable to be independent.” Regaleon said. “Are you confident that you can guide us well in the city, Arnold?” He asked the second son. ρꪖꪕᦔꪖꪕꪫꪣꫀ ꪶ
“Yes, your majesty.” Arnold replied confidently. “I grew up knowing the streets of Tarmac like the back of my hand.”
“You will be our guide then.” Regaleon said. “Do you have any other objections, Count Forger?” He took a stance of superiority.
“N-None your majesty.” Count Forger replied feeling little at the presence of Regaleon.
“It is settled then.” I clapped my hand and politely smiled to defuse the heavy mood. “We will be getting ready then, Arnold.”
“Yes, your majesty.” Arnold replied with a proud smile. “I will be waiting for you and his majesty in the foyer.”
“That sounds good.” I replied.
“I will order my knights to escort you in your afternoon stroll.” Count Forger offered.
“There is no need, Count Forger.” Regaleon replied. “My own men can guard me in a distance. I do not want to make a huge scene in the city by announcing my visit here, so I plan we go incognito. I will just ask that you lend is your carriage for the afternoon.”
“If that is your majesty’ wish.” Count Forger abided. “Butler, please prepare the carriage for his and her majesty’s trip.”
“Of course.” The butler bowed and exited the dining room.
“Thank you count.” I gave him a polite smile. “His majesty and I will go and prepare then.”
“Of course, your majesty.” Count Forger replied. “Thank you for joining us for lunch.”
We were about to exit the dining room when I heard the voice of Angelica.
“Mother I want to join them too.” Angelica said.
“The emperor and empress did not invite you, so no.” Countess Elena replied.
“But I want to go.” Angelica sounded frustrated. “I want to, I want to, I want to!” She was throwing a tantrum.
“You cannot go now sweetheart.” Count Forger said with a sweet tone.
“Hmp, but I want to go.” Angelica said. “If I said I want to go then I want to go.”
“This is your fault for spoiling and indulging your daughter’s every whim.” Countess Elena said with an irritated tone.
“Watch your tone Elena.” Count Forger scolded in a hushed voice. “Sweetheart, you cannot come with them. Why don’t I buy whatever you want in return? After your brother’s recent trade, I can buy you anything that you want.”
“Really father? Anything?” Angelica asked with a joyous tone.
“Yes, sweetheart.” Count Forger said.
**
pᴀɴᴅᴀ-ɴ0ᴠᴇʟ Regaleon and I changed into clothes more suitable in taking an afternoon stroll. We headed to the foyer of the Forger with Regaleon escorting me as a gentleman that he is.
“Thank you for backing me up about Arnold.” I said to Regaleon.
“Well I had a feeling you had a reason for wanting the second son of Count Forger to guide us in our outing.” Regaleon replied. “And I am sur you also thought of the reason why I suggested an afternoon troll.”
“Yes, I also have a thought. “I giggled. “You wanted to survey the city, correct?”
“That is correct.” Regaleon replied. “I want to see the current standing of Tarmac City. And that is also the reason why I decline for Raymond to guide us, but I am surprised why you asked the second son Arnold to.
“I fell that Arnold is different from his father and brother.” I said. “It is just a feeling and I wish that my hunch is correct. I am surprised that you agreed to it.”
“Well, I trust your judgement in people.” Regaleon smiled. “It has never let us down until now.”
“You praise me too much.” I giggled. “What if I get it wrong? Will you be mad at me?”
“Hmm, probably.” Regaleon had a playful smile. “But I can think of a way that you can make up for it.”
“I bet you are thinking of something naughty.” I side glanced at him while we were walking with a smile. “But kidding aside, I hope my hunch is in point.”
“Do not worry, my love.” Regaleon replied. “I can solve it if ever he is not like what you think he is.”
We arrived at the foyer and saw Arnold waiting as he had said.
“Your majesties.” Arnold greeted with a bow. “The carriage is ready and waiting outside.”
“Thank you, Arnold.” Regaleon replied. “Let us get going then.”
