(#50) Cousin

"My Lady, I have something important to report," Belle said.

"What is it?" I asked as I walked towards the Imperial Hall.

"Your cousin has arrived," Belle said.

"Finally! He arrived. I was about to think that he was assassinated on his way here." I said.

"But won't it take a really long time for people from the outskirt Avalon, to reach the Central Avalon?" Belle asked.

The Outskirt Avalon is a place that is excluded from the Avalon Empire. That piece of land was won by the former King when he fought in the battle of Tapi.

The land is fertile and has a countryside atmosphere. It is not as fashionable as the Central Avalon, but anyone living there can have a peaceful life.

And the one who takes care of that land was a governor, appointed by the King himself, during that time. Presently, his son is taking care of that land.

And coincidentally, my cousin, Albert Walshaw, belongs to the family of the governor who maintains that land.

So this, made the society completely believe that my Father will choose him as the heir, in order to claim power in the Outskirts.

"It will. But it will only take a bit more than a month. And right, two months have already finished." I said.

"Then My Lady, you mean that..." Belle asked.

"I think, he enjoyed the trip to Central Avalon leisurely," I said.

"How can you make that conclusion?" Belle asked.

"The court officials had already known of the news of Albert coming. Obviously, those old trolls will not waste this opportunity and shower him in blessings." I said.

"For their future foothold in the Assembly." Belle completed.

"Exactly." I agreed.

"Goodness!" Belle exclaimed.

"So, where will we be meeting my cousin?" I asked.

"It is said that he will make his entrance at the Imperial Hall," Belle said.

"Then I guess, we will only be seeing him then," I said.

We then entered the Imperial Hall.

"Where were you?" Father asked.

"Am I late?" I asked.

"You were late considering the fact that you left from the Household early," Father said.

"I left the Household early for these some matters, and that is why I am late, considering the fact that I left the Household early," I said and sat beside my Father.

"No wonder the ancestors said, too much blessing is a curse," Father said and I smiled.

"All hail the Emperor!"

We all then got up from our seats and greeted the Emperor.

"ALL HAIL THE EMPEROR." We all greeted together.

The Emperor got near to his seat.

"Alright. May everyone be seated." The king said and sat down, followed by all of the Ministers.

"Many mishaps have happened in these past two months. But together, we endured all of it. So today, I will give you all a present." The King said and everyone started to whisper among themselves.

"Present? Father, you knew about this?" I asked Father.

Father kept quiet.

"Alright. I won't ask any more questions." I said.

"Before that, we will welcome, a distant relative of our Royal Advisor. Given name, Albert, from the family of Walshaw." The King said and the doors opened.

Albert walked in.

He indeed looked like nothing of Father, but he had a great resemblance to the Governor of the Exterior.

Albert walked and then kneeled in front of the King.

"Greetings to your Highness, the Sun of the Avalon Empire," Albert said.

"Yes. Rise." The King said and Albert stood straight.

"May I know the reasons for your visit this time, Young Sir Walshaw?" The King asked.

"Behind my trip, there are two reasons. A political, and a personal one." Albert said.

"Alright, then. Please let us hear both of those reasons." The King said.

"Yes, Your Highness," Albert said and bowed.

"The political reason is that the Governor wishes for you to see the over-all 50-year accomplishment that was agreed upon since the war of Tapi. I have submitted the record." Albert said.

The eunuch then handed over the records and the King looked through it.

"Good. Everything seems to be going fine at the Exterior, ain't it, lad?" Father asked Albert.

"Yes, Your Highness. Everything has been going on quite peacefully, contrary to the time, before the war. The Governor asked me to express not only his but the whole Exterior's happiness on this matter." Albert said.

"Alright. About your personal matters?" The King asked.

"Yes. About that, this trip is also for giving my greetings to my relatives, His Excellency Sir Aesther, and his daughter, Lady Anastasia." He said and bowed towards us.

"Please. We are a family. Don't be so courteous." Father said and helped him stand straight.

"I only recently came to know that I have such relatives. So I hope that you wouldn't blame, Lord Aesther." Albert said.

"I dare not do that. After all, I was also only aware of your presence, when you came to know of mine." Father said.

"Alright. What was the first surprise you offered before the arrival of Sir Walshaw?" Sir Barron, clearly annoyed by this family reunion.

And I just swallowed a snort.

Father then guided Albert near to his seat, and he stood beside him.

"Yes. The most important part of today's meeting- No, one of the most important parts of today's meeting." The King said.

Goodness, how many things will be announced in the Imperial Hall today?

"Your Highness, what all will be announced today?" Count Damiel asked.

"Two very important news." The King said.

"Do I know any of it?" I asked Father.

"The first one. Not the second. Now don't ask any more questions." Father said and I nodded.

Everyone in the Hall was quiet. So quiet that everyone's breathing could be heard clearly.

"Today, I will announce...

The identity of the First Prince." The King said.

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Special Note For Readers

First of all, thanks a lot for your continuous support since the start. I owe you, people, a lot.

And second, is a personal favor, for me that is.

I have watched a lot of dramas, that I am seriously lacking good ones. So I want you people to recommend it.

Just a piece of extra information. I prefer historic dramas with a strong female lead, like Legend of Fuyao, Eternal Love (without the in the beginning) Ashes of Love, etc.

It can be both c and k dramas.

And I would also love it if you guys can recommend animes and mangas.

So, till next time,

je t'aime 💕💕

Last updated on 05-11-2020