Capítulo 4: Chapter-4 The Birthday Ball

Rante is having a serious situation with its security issues. In the past few months Prince Nicholas has caught a few slave trafficking gangs. Ciaran was given the work of managing the new recruits which he is not happy about according to him this is the most boring work in the castle. The country is finally increasing its military power which is taking more time than normal. The country people were not used to having more militia influence in the country. But the king had to agree on increasing the people in military due to the recent attacks around the borders and distant villages. Svero is getting overworked it was not possible to use them too much. Recently they were sent to Amanacer as the trail for the bandit attacks lead there. Louis was very stressed to send them so far away on a festival day like today. He looked at the replay for the application for aid from the Empire. It was a rejection as usual. The empire is not interested in sending any support. He did not accept the invitation from the empire for a long time. The last time he went to a sudden council was to regret helping in new conquest to increase the empire he did not like the unnecessary increase his expenditure. His none support in this conquest earned him displeasure. Louis did not expect that this will come to bite him in such a way. The excuse was not even made well. For a while now the other kingdoms are having a competition to prove themselves better in the ruling and supporting the empire. What made it worse was that empire now has an elder princess and only a younger prince.

She has too many suitors seeking her hand in marriage to find a way to the throne. Nicholas was also mentioned to be tried out as one of the suitor. However Nicholas was not interested in the empirical throne let alone to have a marriage to the empress. It seems like there is still some peaceful days left for Rante. The security issue is still bothering him. A knock came on the door it was Fredrich, “Your highness it is time for lunch with the Queen and the Princess.” He nodded and stood up discarding the letter in his hands, “Will Prince Nicholas join us?” Fredrich shook his head, “I am informed he will be late to come back to the castle. But he will be here for the princess birthday ball.” He walked out of the office walking slowly to the dining hall. “Ask Nicholas to meet me as soon as he arrives to the castle.” ‘This boy is working too hard I don’t want him to feel burdened too much.’ The Prince took on too many responsibilities after just arriving to the castle. It is true that he made some good changes around the kingdom. Due to his involvement Rante was getting better in security.

The walk to the dining hall was short he was greeted by a few of the staffs in the entry. He peaked inside Rosaline was sitting on a chair close to her Mother Regina. They were discussing something cheerful as the princess kept on giggling with answer. This child when she was born stole his heart. He never thought he could welcome another Queen let alone sire another child, but this mother daughter just ended up winning his heart. He still could not figure out how this managed to happen. Fredrich announced his arrival breaking the conversation between the mother and daughter. They stood up to greet him. Rosaline climbed down from the chair and hugged him. Louis bends down to take her up into his lap. “Are you excited about today?” She nodded her head with sparkles in her eyes, “Yes father I am really excited. Will there be cake?” he chuckled at her question. “A really big one as you like.” She laughed as her father put her back to her chair. “Thank you Father.” Regina shook her head this child is too informal in front of everyone. “You must remember to be in your proper behavior my princess. There will be important guests in the ball today.” Rosaline looked at her with a question look and nodded her head in agreement looking determined to perfume well. “Let her be as she wants my Queen one can be a child for once in their life after all.” Louis intervened in the middle of the conversation smiling at his daughter. The food was served their conversation went towards the arrangement of the party for the time being the lack of enough security went out of his mind. Fredrich cleared his throat to enter the hall with a message. “Your highness it is from the prince he might be late to return.” Louis nodded accepting the paper. “It seems they caught another trail for the recent events, he promised to be here before the party ends.” Rosaline pouted her face, “Big brother won’t be at my birthday party?” The Queen patted her head, “The prince has a lot of responsibility to handle he will he here soon you must put on a smile to welcome him Rosaline.” She nodded with a smile.

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A few hours later:

The rest of the day went by with the preparation of the banquet. There were a lot of preparations the Queens palace was the busiest of all. The staff felt overworked but they were smiling. Even the chef did not utter a single complain against the event this time. The princess on the other hand was getting fitted in her banquet dress in the Queens chambers. The room is filled with different dress small size to an elder size. Regina decided to be fitted in the dress along with her daughter. The color and dress style was chosen beforehand the tailor came to fit the princess in her dress. She was chosen on a rose red dress and white frills. “I love the red dress she giggled looking at her mother.” Regina sighed and warned her daughter to stay still not to move. The tailor pinned at places after a few twist here and there and finally with a little bit on extra ribbons. The dress was finally ready. She started jumping around the room as soon as she was dressed. Light weight jewelry was chosen for the princess. The queen on the other hand was adorned into a light cream color dress to match the uniform of the king.

On the other side the king was sitting in front of a wooden box kept on his table. The box had the Monique house emblem on it. Duke Pritelli insisted to present this to the princess. Rosaline already is the owner of the states and property of the house of Monique. After the late queen is the only one chosen for being the heir of the house. A lot of the house supporters were against the decision, but the duke made it clear that there is no one else he would rather give the title to. This was a precious heirloom he wished to pass on. Louis opened the box. It was a simple silver chain with a small silver medal like flat locket. It has a purple ribbon tied up on the top. It had the engraving of the house on the front and the princess name engraved on the back. “Little Rosaline”. The king was confused, if things were read properly Nicholas is supposed to receive the support but somehow it was given to Rosaline instead. In Rante the princess does not get any title rather a title of their own Duke Pritelli insisted to leave the title of Monique to the princess as soon as he saw her for the first time on his nieces lap.

He smiled at the box called the butler, “Pass this to the princess it is from the Duke Monique. Tell her to wear it in the ball.” Fredrich took the box and left bowing. He took the shortest path way to the Queens chambers. He knocked on the door. Maria escorted him into the chambers. He bowed to the Queen to pass the box to the maid. “His Highness passed this for the Princess to wear in the ball.” Regina opened the box to see the necklace inside. She smiled, ‘So he finally decided to choose an heir for the house.’ “Rosaline please come over here.” The princess ran to her mother. Regina stood up and put the necklace on her. Rosaline was curious she took the locket and opened it, “It has my name on it, and it’s pretty.” She patted her head. “Remember to never lose it and make sure to keep it away from others eyes.” She tucked the necklace underneath her collars. “It will be our secret okay princess?” Rosaline nodded her head, “Yes mother I will.” Regina looked around the room “It is almost time for the ball to start” she motioned Maria to come forward. “Please escort her to the ball. She will be entering first.”

Almost all the guests arrived for the ball. The hall is decorated with flowers and ribbons. The guest includes dukes and duchess with their children all dressed up for the ball some even went to the dance floor to dance in the music played by the orchestra. Rosaline held onto the hands of Maria, she felt nervous and excited both together. The floor was shining with the bright lights. A few of the young guest came to greet her. She was nervous at first but a slight push from Maria built her confidence up. She moved around the ball room with her some of the ladies came over to make greeting while bringing their children over to greet her. Rosalina was excited she was curious to see so many new faces of her age. Soon the welcoming horn was blown with the announcement of the entry of the King and the Queen. King Louis escorted Regina and his daughter to the thrones in the middle. “Thank you everyone for your presence in this ball. Please enjoy yourselves.” He settled down on his high seat beside him the queen sat with their daughter on a two-seater which was golden in color with cream colored cushions. A few moments later the king and queen decided to lead in the dance Rosaline was excused to roam around the hall, but she did not move away too much cause she was waiting for her dance with the king.

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Miles away in the east corner of Rante their waited a prince impatiently to ambush the people inside the line of carriage. He was counting time in his head. The faster this mission ends the earlier he can leave for the castle. Aldrich offered to lead this ambush himself but Nicholas wanted to get this done. They hid behind the houses and roofs at the dead end. Two figures climbed down the carriage hooded. They quickly walked in the empty looking house. Ciaran nodded to the others and walked close to the hut with one of the knights. Both of them pulled their dark black hood to cover their face, sword on their belt ready to be used. The knight knocked once but no answer. One tap on the door opened it. Inside it was dark and empty. They walked in a little bit further to survey inside the house. Ciaran could smell something pungent. ‘It is oil and there is a burning smell.’ He pulled his partners hand screaming, “It is a trap everyone, move away.” In a few seconds he screamed there was a huge blast they somehow managed to escape the blast but he fell on the ground with the impact in a wrong way something clicked on his arm. ‘I must have broken it.’ He kept his eyes closed a heat wave passed flashing on his cheek.

Nicholas barely had time to move with his group when his happened. When he came to his senses he watched the house burn in red and orange flames a few screams were accompanied with it some of the villagers were running towards them from the main street. He ran quickly towards his friend and helped him up to a sitting position. “Ciaran are you alright?” He watched his friend move in a slowly and shook his head. “I am fine but I think my arm is dislocated.” He had scratch marks on his cheek. “This was a trap if all of us went in to ambush together we might have been blown away. Someone must have rattled us out.” Nicholas gritted his teeth looking at his failure. It was an embarrassment to him. One of the knights quickly ran towards them, “Your Majesty, we have to return to the castle immediately. Sir Svero just sent a message. They are going to attack the castle.” Nicholas looked at the raven sitting on his shoulder. He looked at Ciaran for a moment, “Go I will be right behind you.” He quickly ran towards his horse and pulled the reigns a large handful group of knights behind him. ‘How could he not see this? How could he fall for this trap?’ “Aldrich sent the message to Rafael; He should ride first to the castle.” He prayed hard that they return to the castle before anything worse starts.

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The banquet hall was filled with excited guests exchanging words with the king and the queen. Everyone was trying their best to present themselves in their best behavior in front of the royal couple. Rosaline took this chance to skip the party and sneak into the balcony. She wanted to rest her feet a little bit away from the onlookers and approaching guests to make small talk with her. One of the soldiers ran towards the hall screaming “Your majesty we are in danger.” He made his way between the guest towards the king. “Your majesty Duke Pritelli has fallen. There are soldiers marching towards the castle we are under attack.” The castle wall shook as soon as the soldier finished. “No I am too late.”Someone screamed most of the guests panicked and tried to run away from the hall as quickly as possible. Louis shoved the Queen behind him he screamed at his guards, “Quickly escort the guests away through the back gate. Give the message to the front lines closes the gate.” Louis gritted his teeth and frowned ‘how did soldiers gather here without her knowledge? Why was there not warning? ’ he could feel a mole in his cabinet. He turned to escort the Queen away but she was nowhere close to him. She was at the corner looking very frantic. Louis quickly moved towards her, “You must leave for a safer place…. “ he called Fredrich to escort her, but she held on to her husband’s hand a look of fear on her face with tears almost threatening to fall. “Rosaline we cannot find her anywhere.” His heart skipped a beat for a moment. It took him sometime to bring back his composure. “Stay close to me, do not leave. We will find her.” A selfish heart made him want to keep her close to him as he ordered to search for the princess. When Regina first came into his life he decided to ignore her. He already had an heir no need for anymore children. But Regina slowly made a space in his heart. Now he hardly wishes to part from her. He was afraid to leave her alone what if something happens to her. Another part of his head is warning him to evacuate her as soon as possible to a safe place; however his selfish heart won in this situation at this moment when everything is undecided his children not close to him. He did not wish to part from the one person he has left beside him. For a moment his heart ached again ‘Prince Nicholas is he safe?’

The castle shook again. The king’s royal guard surrounded the royal family; the gate to the throne room was sealed. Louis feared not all the guests were safely out of the castle. He entrance to the banquet hall got infiltrated. The soldiers in front of the gate fell some retreated back to get close to the King. He has too less people in front of him. A group of grey armored soldiers entered the room with stench of blood on their armor. Their swords carry an emblem on the hilt it is very much familiar. Anger grew up bubbled in his head. To think someone he supported so much would stab him in the back. The enemy soldiers came in groups. Louis himself engaged in the struggle to defend. The floor was getting bloodier with the cuts of fallen soldiers both side was losing men. Louis looked at the Queen she looked terrified she and her few ladies maid standing behind the soldiers trying to keep them safe. This movement of look on the other way made him loose his focus. Unfortunately his opponent took this chance to stab him. He hardly got to move the pressure from the sword on his stomach made him kneel on the floor. Two of his knights called on to him and pushed him back close to where they are guarded. He felt a hand hold on his right arm, “Your Majesty, Please can you hear me are you alright?” Regina had tears in her eyes. She looked extremely worried and scared. This gave him a little bit of strength back. He gave out a breath and pushed her behind him and stood up. ‘I won’t let them hurt you.’ He thought holding the place he was stab and holding the sword up panting.

“You still do not give up until everything is over, do you Louis?” The fight stopped for a while everyone had their weapon pointed at their opposition. A man walked in with green coat which had a bit of blood spots his sword open a white cloak on his shoulders. Duke Leofrick he was highly respected by the emperor also the cousin to Duke Pritelli of the house Monique. He left Rante since his methods of prosperity was not accepted here. Louis could not believe that Leofrick would point sword towards him. “To think Pritelli would give me up to support you.” He said with a cunning smile on his face. “I warned you that it will bite you back if you are not careful.” “Leofrick how could you do this? What are you hoping to get from this?” Louis shook in anger. He felt Regina held on to him tighter. “Nothing more than all you have. What right do you have to sit over there with your stature when I have more power? Now with the house of Monique is under my palms. Rante does not need you.” Greed could be seen in his face Louis thought hard ‘how did he think of doing such a thing? If only he did not let Svero or Nicholas leave for today.’ “Do you think you will get what you want doing all this?”

“Louis I already did don’t you think?” he motioned his soldiers to move forward and walked away slowly “I wish I could see your end but I have to go and report to the emperor why I was busy and was too late to save my old friend. Farewell Louis.”

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