Chapter 24: Conveying the message
Odalis had come inside the study as usual to clean it when she had heard the door open and her husband dragged Eleanor with him while Killian followed them silently. She wondered what had happened for the old Duke to be infuriated with his own kids. She wanted to find out more. So, she hid herself in a place that was not that easily visible while she could hear everything from where she was.
This was one of her hiding places in the study and she had used it to eavesdrop on her husband to find out more about her son, Calix. But the problem was, Duke Zale never spoke about him with anybody. And after a lot of trials, she was sure that other than her husband, nobody in the mansion knew where her son was. Not even Eleanor or Killian. So, she gave up trying to find out, but the hiding place was still intact. Odalis used it occasionally to find out what her husband was up to, just like now.
The woman had heard all that had taken place inside the four walls and her mind was unsettled now. She knew the village of Ambra her husband was talking about as that was where she was born. Her parents had later moved to the kingdom capital when she was ten and had settled there since then. But what was more unnerving was how wicked the man was to conspire against the royal family. She chided herself for marrying such a man. But it was not her fault too.
Odalis came from a poor family and her parents had wedded her off to an aristocrat even though the man had two kids. All they wanted was money and they had got it as they wished. Not once had they asked their daughter of her wishes and thought about her happiness. Even now, they had never visited her after marriage and this was what hurt Odalis the most.
Over the years, she had come to terms with it and had forgotten about her parents. She had concentrated on taking revenge, destroying the Duke's family, and find her dear son. Now that there was a threat to the king's family, she had to convey this message to him before it was too late.
This time, she didn't use the same trick she had used last time as there were a lot of people going in and around the mansion. She did not want to rise suspicions. However, conveying the message was also important and she could not wait until night when she could be alone. Odalis made up her mind and she took careful steps from the study, keeping a watch around her.
It was not a problem for her to leave the mansion as she usually did whenever she had to go shopping. So, it did not come as a surprise that she was leaving at this time of the day. Nobody gave her attention until she reached the mansion doors where the guard bowed at her in respect. "Do you want me to arrange a carriage, Lady Odalis?" He was the only one in the entire mansion who treated the lady with respect.
The guard had been working for the Duke for a long time and he knew the truth about his children. He had seen it with his own eyes when they had poisoned their own food and had blamed it on the poor lady. However, he was helpless. He was bound by a promise and an order from King Alastair. So, he could do nothing to help the kind lady to clear her name. He could only watch silently how she was being treated in her home.
The guard had no idea why the king had forbidden him to help the woman. But he trusted the man and still followed his words as the king had promised him: 'The Duke's family would get their retribution and Lady Odalis would be the one to take revenge. Until then, do bear with it.'
"No. I will be taking the local carriage." Odalis did not want to alert the Duke or his children by using the Zale's personal carriage. She smiled at the guard who returned it with a bow before she started walking out. However, she did not miss what the guards around her were speaking.
"Why do you give respect to that woman?" She heard one of them ask.
"Because she deserves it." The guard answered and this made her smile. It was very rare to hear someone speak this way. Everybody respected her only because she was the Duke's wife, not because she deserved it. Odalis did not hear the mocking words the other guards had spoken about her as she had already made it to the gate.
She knew that a local carriage would pass by the mansion at this time of the day and she hoped that it would do today too. And to her happiness, the carriage arrived and stopped right in front of her.
"Where to, my Lady?" The coachman asked politely seeing the dress she was wearing. She seemed to be well off with her expensive dress and jewelry that adorned her body. He wondered why she was using a local carriage instead of a personal one. But he did not dwell much into it.
"To the market," Odalis answered and got inside. There were two other women inside and from the looks of it, they too seemed to be traveling to the market too.
The coachman closed the door and pulled the reins before the carriage took off towards the market. She knew it would only raise suspicions if she went to the palace directly from her house. So, she decided to take change coaches at the market where she could find a lot of other coaches that headed in the direction of the castle.
She somehow made it to the castle after some time and requested permission from the knight guards to meet King Alastair as soon as possible. At first, the knight guard observed her with narrowed eyes. He was not sure of her identity and the lady had come unannounced. So, neither he nor the other guards knew what to do.
Even lady Odalis was in a dilemma on seeing the guards hesitate. To her relief, she saw Kenneth riding on his horse just in time and she waved at him trying to gain his attention. "Sir Kenneth," She called out loud and clear and the man turned to her immediately, his eyes widening on seeing who it was.
Kenneth got off his horse and handed over the reins to one of the guards while he went to the lady who looked pitiful with the way she was waiting outside. "Lady Odalis." He bowed at her and not waiting another second, he led her inside. He did not ask her the purpose of her visit nor did he offer her any kind words.
He led her directly to the king who at that moment was in the back garden with his mother. They were taking a leisure stroll when Kenneth arrived with the lady beside him. "Ah Kenneth, my favorite man," Alastair exclaimed but went silent when he noticed Lady Odalis next to him.
The woman bowed before the king and his mother, "King Alastair, Queen Daphne, I apologize for coming here unannounced." She said politely. Her face was calm, devoid of any expression, but Alastair could sense her wariness and her anxiety.
"Lady Odalis, to what do I owe the pleasure of meeting you?" He came straight to the point after seeing how nervous the woman looked. However, instead of answering him, Odalis looked at Kenneth who had stepped behind her and allowed her to meet the king and his mother. She was not worried about the Queen's presence as it was a matter related to her safety. But she was not sure about Kenneth.
Alastair chuckled at her gaze before he gave her the reply. "Don't worry, Lady Odalis. He is a trusted man of mine."
"I apologize, my King. The matter I have come here to convey is quite important. So, I could not help be wary of him." Odalis then turned to stare at Kenneth and gave him a small bow. "I apologize for my behavior." Her action stunned both Kenneth and Daphne, but not Alastair. The man knew how kind and gentle the Duke's wife was, completely opposite to him.
"Not a problem, Lady. I understand." Kenneth replied, his expression still not wavering although his mind was still in shock.
"If we are done with the apologies, now can we hear what the Lady is here to tell us?" Alastair intervened.
"Yes, my Lord. My Lord, the Duke has decided to attack King Ragnor and Queen Daphne once they move out of the castle. There is a potential threat to their lives." Although her words were horrifying, it did not surprise Alastair much. He had expected something like this from the wicked Duke. However, that was not the case with Daphne.
"What do mean? Why does the Duke want to kill us?" She demanded, her eyes blazing with fury.
"My Queen..." Odalis started only to be interrupted by Alastair.
"How does he want to kill my parents?" Odalis looked back and forth between Daphne and the young king, not knowing whom to answer first.
"Mother, I'll explain the situation to you later. Now, Lady Odalis, if you may?"
"The Duke has decided to seek the help of a witch."
"A witch, you say? Does he know anybody?"
"I am not sure about it, my King. But the Duke and his son were preparing to leave for the village Ambra tomorrow to search for one."
Her answer made Alastair to go into thoughts for some time. Nobody spoke a word, each having their own things running in their mind. After a long time, Alastair broke the silence. "Anything else, Lady Odalis?"
"No my King. That is all I know."
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone