The Courtesan

Chapter 56

Third Person's POV

Miriam was in a bit of a dilemma. No, that was downplaying it. In her humble house, there were two incredibly angry men going at each other’s throat; verbally of course.

“Your highness, shouldn’t you be carrying out your responsibilities and planning for war right now? Why are you here?”

“I could say the same thing to you, Duke Erik.”

“Whatever do you mean by that? I am not an irresponsible man. As of this moment, my subordinates are compiling the last of his majesty’s order.”

“Shouldn’t you be supervising them?”

“My subordinates are so capable that I could sleep for a week and the duchy would run well. I heard that your troops have wreaked havoc having only been in Fort Gracia for a week.”

That one seemed to hit a nerve as the prince actually raised a hand. Duke Erik wasn’t weak and was ready to go all out too. However, Miriam had a trusty subordinate at hand that was adept at dealing with such cases.

“Is coming to fight at other people’s houses your hobby?!” Geraldine nagged. She looked ladylike, as always but the aura she exuded was enough to stop them both.

“I apologize for my conduct,” they grudgingly said at the same time.

“You have caused my lady no small amount of distress. Just what did you both come to do here?”

“I heard my brother was here and have come to retrieve him and his nurse.”

“And what would you do after that? Cart them off to the battlefield?” Erik rudely interrupted. Both Geraldine and Kron glared at him.

“The prince should stay in the palace, especially during such a troubling time…”

“I agree. However, until a new nurse is found for his highness, he would have no choice than to remain here.”

“... Excuse me?” they said once again, at the same time.

“What do you mean new nurse?”

“It is exactly as you heard it, Lord Erik. Prince Miyon is sick and needs a nurse. He is being treated by our doctor so he can’t recklessly be moved. This is your responsibility since you’ve kindly offered to come take him, your highness.”

“Where is Elayne?” Prince Kron asked, outright.

“Miss Greycastle has returned to her home. Her family member came back for her. Since the kingdom is going to war soon, they had no choice but to leave early. She expressed regret that she wasn’t able to take care of Prince Miyon longer.”

The ladies got some satisfaction from watching their eyes widen. Lady Miriam sipped her tea in satisfaction, hoping everything would go smoothly from there.

“Did she tell you where she was going?” Erik asked.

“Even if she did, why should I tell you?”

“Because… I’m her friend!”

“Pfft! If you were truly friends, you should’ve received a letter from her informing you about her departure. You must be shocked. How pitiful. Perhaps you should pray to the gods that you get to meet her in the future.”

Geraldine was provoking Erik. It was so blatant but he still fell for it. However he wanted to react, he bore in mind that his opponent was a commander. It was a fight he could never win.

“So, your highness, what shall we do about Prince Miyon?”

Despite not knowing Elayne was Princess Ariana, two powerful men were drawn to her like a moth to flame. Even without her power, she managed to make two men who would go out of their way to avoid each other constantly interact and even try to fight each other.

Neither Miriam nor Geraldine liked that. They didn’t like the way the two viewed her like some property to be owned.

“Your highness?”

“I will return later. Please take good care of him for now.”

After saying that, he left the estate. The duke left too, this time without saying a word. Amaya who was standing at the corner came out with a sigh.

“This is why I cannot stand men. They replace their brain for their egos too many times,” she complained.

“I hope someone would kill our dearest highness on the battlefield.”

“Oi, bonehead. That’s treason.”

“Who can hear me here? Even if they can, they have no evidence.”

{Is the general going to participate in the war?}

“Father? I don’t think so. Like the others, he’s waiting to see the results of King Mival’s efforts.”

{Don’t you think the King is going to hold the fact that they’re not intervening over their heads?}

“... You’re right. Should I ask my father to participate?”

{It’s better to tell him to send some troops. I am also sending support on my end to the king.}

“I’ll send a letter right away!”

She truly did leave right away, going to her room. Amaya drew closer and sat on the sofa in front of Miriam.

{Is there a problem?}

“Are you going to participate in the war, my lady?”

Miriam hesitated before signing her answer.

{If the situation calls for it, I will.}

“You’re already prepared for it?”

{I am. I am uneasy about the whole thing so we have to be prepared just in case.}

“My lady it is not my place to say this but you have to cherish your life just a bit more. Just because you have an heir doesn’t mean you can throw away your life. Not for King Mival’s ideals and certainly not for Princess Ariana.”

{I know you are concerned about me but it is my duty to defend my territory.}

“It is also your duty to preserve your life and future.”

Miriam smiled, touched by Amaya’s concern. The woman who initially came into their duchy as an eccentric doctor slowly morphed into a close aide and an even closer friend.

{I wouldn’t mind leaving the duchy to you.}

“My lady! What are you saying?!”

{I am not able to speak.}

“My lady, this is no time for jokes! Seriously, you give me a fright every single time. I’ll accompany you to the battlefield if you ever decide to leave.”

{Who would take care of the duchy then?}

“Don’t worry about that. As long as I can preserve your life, then the duchy will be yours for as long as you want it.”

{I feel like I haven’t said this enough but thank you.}

“It’s nothing. Come on, my lady, we have much to prepare.”

{Yes. The time is already at hand.}

In about two weeks, the first set of foot soldiers arrived at the gates of Uramuth. It was the beginning of a long war which came to be known in the future as the war of the gods.