<strong>Chapter 69 – Faith</strong><strong>in</strong><strong>the</strong><strong>Monarch</strong><strong>(2)</strong>


    “Everyone, please leave,” she ordered, and the servants bowed. Everyone left the room except Marianne and Eugene. She then exined the situation to Marianne.


    “I don’t know if the maids will think me weird about this. But I overreacted like it was my first time seeing it.”


    “Do not worry, Your Grace,” Marianne said, smiling softly when Eugene frowned. “I must make sure a word of this would not spread. His Highness works tirelessly for all of us; thest thing his subordinates must do is to gossip about their Queen.”


    Eugene nodded.


    Marianne continued, “The King would surely be back just before sunset to be with you.”


    “Just to be with me? May I ask what you are insinuating?”


    Marianne hesitated a little before speaking carefully, “Since you’ve been ill, Your Grace, the King always goes out before sunrise andes back at sunset. Before, he rarely stayed in the castle, working even at night.”


    “I thought he only works in his study all day long…”


    A shake of her head, Marianne smiled, “He used to work during the night as well, Your Grace. But…”


    “….”


    Eugene looked down and stared at the recently emptied tea ss she had been fumbling with her hands. Her ears felt burning.


    It seems that during this activity period, there will be long working hours until night. But he had <em>always</em>e to her room every night though.


    “Your Grace, this might be impudent of me, but if I may speak freely… It’s really good to see both of you getting along nicely. Please forgive the King whenever hemits a mistake—though I’m not saying that you should always forgive him… He is just not good at expressing his feelings.”


    Marianne’s voice wavered a little as she spoke. As Eugene looked up, she saw Marianne’s face, with bloodshot eyes.


    She was moved by Marianne’s genuine concern for the King. She had presumed that the King has aplicated family background. But since Marianne stood by his side, he has not gone astray and grew up well.


    Having this conversation, Eugene somehow felt envious of the King. If someone like Marianne had stood with her since she was young, she imagined that her life would not be difficult.


    “Marianne,” she called out softly and the Baroness looked up at her, “I know the King is a good man.” she said with a gentle smile, and Marianne returned her with a beaming smile herself. “Yes, he is truly kind with a gentle heart.” she finished, and Marianne pulled away from her with a confused look upon her face.


    <em>Kind</em><em>and</em><em>gentle-hearted?</em>


    No matter how hard he tried to show that, those words never did suit him. It also wasn’t one she’d associate with him, despite knowing the king the most.


    “The King himself will be touring me aroundter.” Marianne quipped, and Eugene blinked.


    “Really? The King himself?”


    Marianne found her lips curling up to an amused smile. She thought that the couple are eventually bing like a real couple. She felt like she’d been relieved with such a heavy burden.


    “I will be preparing for your tour outsideter,” she said, giving Eugene onest smile and patted her knees softly.


    Marianne’s thoughts drifted back towards her yesterday’s visit with the king. He looked like he wanted to speak to her about something important, to tell her why he wishes for everyone’s attention.


    Marianne’s lips curled up ever so slightly, hardly noticeable to those around her.


    “Can I send the Chambein over today?” Eugene inquired, which only made some of the people chuckle in amusement at her eagerness. Marianne shook her head in response.


    “Perhaps tomorrow, My Queen,” she said


    The weather today was appropriate for touring around the market. It wasn’t too hot, and the wind was gently blowing around cool air. Perhaps this will be one of those moments that could further improve their rtionship and bring the married couple closer together.


    A stepping stone for their rtionship. One where they can learn to work together to ovee whatever hardships life would throw their way.


    For now, all Marianne could do was to ensure there would be a warm bath for the queenter tonight.


    * * *


    The ck leopard that was carrying the king ran across the walls. It seemed to soar through the air as it leaped in long distances.


    There was misty blue energy surrounding the king’s body as he rode on top of Abu. Once an average person climbs on Abu’s back, he would not be able to endure a minute and would be forced to back off.


    The shouting of the soldiers could not be heard even as they approached the wall. Rows and rows of soldiers were lined up. Their eyes were burning with hidden valor as they waited patiently and silently for the re to burst once more.


    It was a useless warning. Kasser only climbed up the walls once while riding Abu. The King’s facial expression hardened as he reached the top of the wall and looked out to the desert.


    The sand of the yellow desert stretched out as far as the eyes could see. And not too far, yet not too close to them either, there the king spotted them.


    There were ck dots scattered across the sands, moving in synchronicity, running at high speeds directly towards them. At that distance, the Larks almost looked like an army of ants.


    He couldn’t estimate precisely how many they were headed towards them, but he was certain it was no less than an army’s worth.


    “Your Highness.”


    Lester approached his side. There was a grim look in her eyes, like a warrior who’s seen the end of the battle.


    “It’s ss yellow.” she told the king, which made Kasser frown. A ss yellow meant they were up against Ant Larks. These types ofrks weren’t that dangerous and were just about the size of arge dog. Warriors can even hunt them down, but would usually take a pair of ordinary soldiers to take them down.


    But the tricky part in fighting against them was not their strength. Ant Larks didn’t have much in terms ofbat prowess, but what theycked in strength, they more than made up for it in <em>numbers.</em>


    “Raise the green re.”


    “Yes, Your Highness.”


    Lester turned around and raised his hand, waving. After a while, the soldiers fired the green re, which exploded in the sky. Then another green re went off.


    The series of green res will serve as a good warning to the people of the city. Women and children, the elderly, and the sick will hide in their shelters. All business transactions are suspended, and stores closed.


    The strong young men will stop what they are doing and will only build defenses throughout the capital. Every house will have its spear and bow. Officials will quickly distribute weapons with oil applied to it.


    “I’ll go down and provoke it. Lester, you takemand here.”


    “The opponents want a time fight. When a warrior gets hurt in a war like this, the damage will be serious. If the first line of defense breaks, raise the green re again. If the second line of defense breaks, raise the red re. ”


    “Yes, Your highness.”


    “Let’s go, Abu.” He told his trusted steed and lowered his body until he was lying t on his chest against Abu’s back.


    The ck leopard leaped off the wall and towards the desert. The King steadfastly ran towards the colony of antrks, equipped with nothing but his sword and courage.


    Lester watched in her post; her fists clenched tightly as the sides as she waited in anxious anticipation. It could end up brutally; it looked impossible to win.


    But she trusted his king, and so she has faith.


    ???


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