Lynn listened closely to what her father, the mage, and the king planned as she squeezed her prince's hand gently. She felt the squeeze back and she smiled feeling a little more relieved.
She was not going to hide it any longer. What use is there if you cannot love? Glancing at her love, she felt her whole body relaxed as he looked back with the shine of a thousand stars.
"We would need to have distinct proof, you must know this Christian," King Alastir stated with a huff leaning over the table at the map.
The map was of the many kingdoms' placement making the castles look small like those small delicacies they serve at the ball. Images of terrain and castles look almost painted on with swift strokes of faded black and green.
"We do not," Kurt stated and paused, "I suggest getting her to come out."
"What do you mean?" the king questioned leaning back from the table.
"By using the book," the mage stated to hear the chair scrap across the floor.
"You must be out of your mind Kurt!" Christian stated out upset, "Yes she will come out of hiding, but that may be too risky."
"What other way could we do it?" Kurt questioned with a slight frown as he watched the older knight ponder.
"It is too risky," the king agreed running his hand down his beard tiredly, "The others will assume it was a ruse that I put up since they know you are the only mage living," he finished looking at Kurt.
"We know," Christian leaned over and pointed to Kingdom of Sushti and Kingdom of Naleah, "Our king are good friends with the kings there."
"And these two Kingdoms are normally neutral," Christian pointed to Kingdom of Ellestra and Kingdom of Terryland.
"That leaves Kingdom of June and Kingdom of Gantz," Christian finished and leaned back crossing his arms.
The king hummed and Lynn watched as the men in the room pondered and whispered to one another. She sighed and looked around the well decorated room. The burgundy colored curtains with gold trim lining it. The deep oak table that the older men were leaning on was sturdy under their weights. The scrolls rolled neatly into their casings lined the walls like books willing to be pulled out and read.
Her brown eyes found a picture hanging on the wall near the casing of a small wood crafted ship. She found herself smiling looking at it.
So, the king does care.
A child's drawing of the king, queen, and prince hung like a framed painting from a known painter. The signed name at the bottom right corner was a heart with the name Lynn written.
"Father," she heard the prince spoke out, "Why don't I join Sir Christian in escorting their highnesses here?" he suggested, "Then I can ask questions without it being obvious,"
"And how would you do that?" Alastir frowned waiting for his son's answer.
"By being the perfect prince," Garret smiled dazzlingly, "The princess is bound to know something."
Lynn blinked as she watched Garret and found herself laughing loudly. Catching herself, she covered her mouth with her freehand, but the giggles were leaking out of her hand.
"Even Lynn saw how preposterous you are," the king curved his lips.
"Lynn," Garret tug on their joined hands, "You were supposed to back me up," he whined sticking out his bottom lip.
"Ah," Lynn finished her laughter with a smile and bowed in apology, "Forgive me, my prince," she kissed his hand and looked at him, "But you were so preposterously handsome. I could not control myself."
Lynn watched the flush of red fill his cheeks and the tip of his ears causing her to grin.
"It seems you need to take pointers son," the king let out a hearty laugh before he sighed, "Hm, what to do."
"My king," Lynn spoke up, "I do think Prince Garret has a point. If my father and I join him, I believe we would be able to find something."
"To be honest," the king rubbed his temples. "I fear that harm will come your way."
"I have an idea, my king," Kurt spoke up, "I will send those who are leaving with a jewel encrusted with a hint of dark magic. This would lure her and she would not resist to meddle in."
"And if she attacks them? Take them as hostage?" the king questioned curious.
"She would not for the sake of her farce with King Valor or else she would've made herself known," Kurt stated knowingly.
"Are you truly certain?" the king questioned once more to be sure. What other options could they think of at such a short time?
"As much as one can be in this situation," Kurt's soft voice carried in the room and Lynn found herself worried for his health.
"Then we shall do so," the king announced and went over to his blank scrolls and rolled it out, "I shall send for all the kings to meet as the queen suggested."
"Meet where, my king," Christian questioned, and the king quirked his lips.
"Here, of course," the king picked up his writing brush, "There is a wedding to happen, so they would not question the meeting two days beforehand."
As the king dipped his brush and began to write, he found himself satisfied with the plan.
The pig will show and shall be slaughtered for all the see like the wretched beast he was.