Eternity With You

22. Planning

Meanwhile, Duke Seymour traveled towards the castle, bearing the harsh weather and the cold night. Just like everyone else, he too had been stunned to know that the King had finally found a Queen for himself. And soon, it turned to joy. He was one of the few people who knew who the King was and what kind of a man he was. Unlike how the subjects of Vlei portrayed him to be, he was not a devil or a vicious man. He was a kind man who looked after the entire kingdom secretly.

But what made him a devil was that he was not a human. It was his identity that made him a monster, and Seymour knew that King Kieran did not mind being called a devil by his own people. He preferred to be the King who the people feared so that they would never cross him, rather than a King who was kind and gentle towards them, lest they should try to take advantage of him.

There were already many people who were vying for his throne, and it would only be easier for them if he turned less devilish. So, the man remained a monster to everyone, including the Duke who respected him as well as dreaded him at the same time.

"I was waiting for you," Kieran commented as soon as Seymour entered the courtroom. There was not one speck of light inside the room, and Seymour had a hard time finding his way inside. He could only rely on his touch to feel the way around him.

"Your Majesty, I am unable to see anything. Would you mind..." He did not even have to continue when the torches in the courtroom lit up at once, filling it with light.

The King was seated on his throne as Seymour had always seen, and he was holding a chalice in his hand. And as to what the chalice held, Seymour knew clearly. He watched the powerful man before him take a sip and run his tongue over his teeth before he licked his lips in delight. His red eyes were gleaming in joy, and Seymour understood the reason for it.

King Kieran was happy. His long-awaited wish finally got fulfilled today. He finally found his Queen. He finally got the woman he had once lost years ago.

"Your Majesty, congratulations on finding your Queen." Seymour did not forget to wish him, and Kieran smiled at his words. Seymour was one of the few people who accepted who he was, not judging him and loathing him for his identity. Also, he was loyal not only to the throne but to him as well. Not once did he think of going against him or his orders, and Kieran was glad that he had him in his Council of Ministry.

"I see that only a few people were happy at me finding my Queen. Say, Seymour, is it that bad that I found my Queen?" Kieran swirled the liquid in the chalice slowly before he took another sip again. He closed his eyes, relishing his drink to his heart's content.

"No, Your Majesty. It is not. It is actually a matter to celebrate." Seymour replied immediately, his expression completely honest and genuine.

"Do you know Seymour why I trust you this much?" Kieran started, deviating from their initial conversation. "You are true to your words. Never have I found you hide your thoughts, and everything you speak is the truth. I am quite fortunate to have you as my minister." Kieran did not hold back from praising the man, and Seymour did not know what to say other than to thank him.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you for finding me capable and worthy."

"Now, let us get back to the reason why the people are not happy about me finding my Queen. Why do you think so? Is it because of the prophecy?"

Kieran waited for Seymour to answer. But all he got was silence, and that said it. "So, it is about the prophecy." He emptied the contents of the chalice before he placed it on the table and got up. "Humans sure know how to be scared of matters that do not even concern them." He let out a sardonic laugh that sent chills down Seymour's spine. Though he was certain that the King would do nothing to him, that he would never harm him, he was still terrified of him and nothing he said or did could stop him from fearing him.

"Who is our Queen, Your Majesty? Do I know the Lady?" Seymour tried to change the topic of conversation, and there was a visible sparkle in the King's eyes as he spoke about the Queen. He was exhilarated just to think of his Queen, and Seymour now realized who could control the man who held the highest authority in the kingdom of Vlei.

"I am not sure if you do. I only saw her today at the ceremony. I am yet to find out who she is." Kieran had only focused on the girl and her alone as she had taken his heart away at the first glance. The moment his eyes met hers, his cold heart started beating again. The woman he had lost years ago was standing before him, and for the first time in years, Kieran had felt joy and solace.

"Then, what would you like to do now, Your Majesty? How are we going to find the Lady? Our kingdom is large, and it would be impossible to find her here." Seymour stated in worry, and Kieran thought about it with his eyes narrowed.

"Why don't we organize a ball and invite all the women who are of agreeable age for marriage? I can find her easily there." Kieran suggested, and Seymour thought about it before he rejected the idea immediately.

"No, Your Majesty. We cannot only invite those families that have young ladies. It would portray a bad impression of you in other people's minds."

"Duke Seymour, do you think I care about other people's opinions?" Kieran did not allow the man to continue and smiled satirically. It was true that he had stopped caring about what other people thought about him long ago.

"Did you see if she was seated or was she standing in the crowd during the ceremony, Your Majesty?" Seymour tried to narrow down the search, and Kieran finally realized what he was trying to say.

"At one time during the ceremony, she was seated. Why do you ask?"

"If she was seated during the ceremony, then the Lady belongs to an aristocratic family. We can arrange a ball for the aristocratic families, and Your Majesty can use this opportunity to find out more about the Lady." Seymour suggested, and Kieran gave him an appreciative nod.

"I am impressed, Duke Seymour. You are a smart man. Please start with the preparations for the ball. It will be held right the next day the Mid Autumn Festival ends. And," Kieran turned to face the man who was waiting for his instructions. "I want you to look over the arrangements yourself. Make no mistakes, Seymour. Make no mistakes, for I do not tolerate them. I have finally got my love back, I cannot allow her to leave me again."