Lucia

Chapter Two

II. The Continuation

Contrary to Reivemour, Wrandolf displayed festivity all throughout the year. The people's patience and enthusiasm are easily observed in preparing and performing such a tedious living. My impression, in most ways if not in any way, was not of antipathy. It is not that I naturally disliked color and joy. In fact, they were amusing to me at times. However, it does not practice practicality nor efficiency. No matter how appealing it would appear, I would refuse to have Reivemour's resources be blatantly misspent.

The abundance Wrandolf had showed face in every corner.

"Here o' young lads! Only those with remarkable strengths shall pass through this great 'a challenge!"

"Young ladies, such beauty deserves a flower just as impressive!"

"Here o', here o'! The future is not forever unseen!"

The merchants lined up their stalls at the busy streets, voices booming to catch attention in a pool of folks enjoying the dayspring.

Colorful banners connected tall lamp posts on the roads, blooming flowers designed the walls and stalls in bright colors, and the busy street was filled with smiling people, faces sparkling under the bright sun. The children's soft, candid laughter was sure to lift up the mood.

Despite my initial disagreement, the king does an impressive charge in maintaining the contentment of his subjects. A good king, he is.

But he failed to recognize the assassination of my brother.

However, I cannot blame the king. For all I know, my brother must not have used his given name. The king would not be informed if the kingdom was unaware of my brother's true identity.

I was proud to discover that he traveled to represent our kingdom as the first prince, but it all happened so easily. He was not one to get swayed by a few scolding. The authenticity of his decision was prone to even little ambivalence, but I simply dismissed its doubtfulness.

It did not help that I was not aware of his alias. No one in the kingdom knew of it. No one aside from a trusted few, and even though I know of his trust in me, I also knew his distaste in the idea of his younger brother following his trail. Thus, I did not pry when he refused to reveal it to me, even if I wished to.

It turns out that I should have, for the loyalty of his subordinates is starting to irritate me. Each would pronounce the same vow not to apprise any individual of any subject my brother would speak of regarding the matter. The interrogation ended in vain. There were almost no traces of his misfortune.

It is as if it had happened naturally.

"We wait until nightfall, your royal highness," the head knight announced outside the door of my carriage.

A few hours will pass before time.

I stepped outside the carriage, the head knight bowing before me.  

A few people curiously glanced at the action.

"For a head knight your judgement is rather rash. Observe," looking up, the head knight instantly realized the effect of his actions. Apologizing, he stood straight.

I stepped forward, carefully looking around, "Why is there a need to await nightfall?"

"For discretion, but we shall commence with a signal from your royal highness."

"Make haste as I will."

"Then I shall accompany you, your royal highness."

"Refer to me as you usually would, Sebastienne," the head knight stopped in contemplation before nodding in compliance, "do not keep up an act that would simply cause burdensome suspicion."

"I shall hereon," he paused, "Rogue Kinslye."

There was a small smirk pulling at the end of his lips as I nodded in acknowledgement. I paid no attention as I walked off, Sebastienne following my tracks.

The rest of our company stayed guard as per my instructions. They shall partake at nightfall. I have considered and understood Sebastienne's concern with discretion.

I followed Sebastienne. He was the one who directly took part in a discourse with the ladies days back.

"They said he was last seen in a lodge with a woman. That woman was the one who had slaughtered the prince out of jealousy," Sebastienne explained, "This is closely related to the initial speculation of the king's cabinet."

As part of Sebastienne's words and in search of evidence, we visited the famous lodgings in the kingdom.

"Are you certain that we must visit only the famous lodgings?"

With confidence, Sebastienne nodded, "I have already tasked a few to investigate the lodgings in Wrandolf even before we have arrived."

It was not unusual for Sebastienne to prepare beforehand. The task is not easily prone to dubiousness for it precedes our stay in Wrandolf.

I nodded in recognition as we visited each of those he had listed.

I cannot say it was a surprise not to find any traces anywhere in the list. The ladies may have heard of the prince's assassination, but surely, they would have no solid information thereon. They, too, doubted the rumors.

Night had come after the first list, and so the rest started their own searches in accordance to Sebastienne's division of work--each will explore varying areas in the kingdom in search for relevant information.

As the rest started, I was informed of another list in the event of our current state. Inns and taverns comprised the second list.

However, upon visiting each, we were once again met with the same futility.

That is until we reached the final destination.

"Good day, gentlemen. Can I be of help?" A man with evident propriety greeted upon our entrance. Workers yawned as they cleaned up tables, utensils, and windows. It was time for closing.

"If it is not too much of an inconvenience, may we have a word with the owner?"

Despite slight confusion etched on his face, the man generously replied, "Yes, it is I you search for. Let us have a seat."

He led us to a wooden table just beside a large window, signaling to one of his workers as we walked by.

Immediately after settling at a table, Sebastienne began his inquiry, confirming details he had already little idea of. The man agreed to everything, nodding every now and then.

In the middle of our discourse, the worker the man had signaled to placed a few cups of tea on our table.

The interrogation continued on. Sebastienne began asking questions most relevant to the matter. He asked of the woman who most possibly frequents an inn as such.

My brother is a reckless scum. If he didn't involve himself with too many women, this would have been a lot easier. If he wasn't so flirtatious in nature, this would have been faster.

"I am unsure, there are a lot of women who frequent the place. Do you have any more description of the woman?"

Sebastienne described the woman with as much information as he had. From her height, figure, and features, Sebastinne spoke with fine fluency.

"Maybe you are in search of Madame Marcia Marville. She fits every description you have mentioned and frequents the place more often than the rest. She likes how we serve first meals. You should come visit to try some," the man smiled.

Sebastienne asked more of the woman, "She is the second daughter of Baron Marville, well-known for his contribution in the engineering of Wrandolf's proud tower in the west-side of the palace. The tower, however, is not open to anyone. It is said that even the King does not frequent the tower if unnecessary. Our protection comes from the tower and disturbances would only hinder its development."

The man apologized for his blabbering, which Sebastienne dismissed. Sebastienned asked more of the daughter after acknowledging the magnificence of the said tower.

I remained in silent observation, processing each detail and planning the next course of actions we will take.

We finally had a solid lead. We only need to confirm her association to my brother, and I will directly show her the consequences of what she had done. I can easily cover my actions. A simple lie does not bother me, and I do not plan to waste any time.

We shall visit the Marville's at first light.

My plot against the second daughter of the Marvilles was quickly disrupted by another word from the owner, "Unfortunately, she fled the kingdom and is presumed dead due to reasons kept private. The Marvilles had been filled with gloom ever since," the owner paused in agony, "The Marvilles are a good bunch. The young one was quite a bright girl."

"I understand. All of these are very helpful to us. Thank you, good sir."

Of course, the owner had his own set of questions too. Who are we and what do we need from the second daughter of the Marvilles, he asked.

A planned lie delivered with great eloquence allowed no room for doubt. A truth with a lie, although a lie will appear like the truth. Sebastienne had answered and the owner had believed.

Her flee was not unexpected. Indeed, who would remain after an assassination? We will leave and find her some place else, for her death remains uncertain.

"We will stay for the night. I am assuming you have prepared for this circumstance," I confirmed while walking outside the last inn.

"Of course," Sebastienne and I arrived at the carriages and awaited all those who had searched extensively. None appeared with success.

Sebastienne repeated my orders, and we proceeded to the inn he had made reservations with.

The carriage felt empty as the exhaustion had finally dawned itself upon me. The sleepless nights filled with anger finally granted the fatigue that it brought.

It is no help that all effort put so far has not been heavily fruitful.

I mentally cussed as the discovery of my brother's murderer was met with a near possibility akin to a dead end and as the night had finally begun.