Book 19: Chapter 28
The servant bowed. The owner of the back was gazing outside the window. With a smile, the servant suggested, “Your Highness, you should rest more. Your coronation is coming up soon. If you look out of sorts, people will laugh at you.”
The owner of the back was thin and frail. After witnessing Ikana and Abner being affectionate with each other last time, Vera vomited up blood upon returning to her nation, and then she was bed ridden. She almost succumbed to her illness. Although she had recovered, the weakness and physical pain lingered. It also reinforced her strong determination. She might’ve been weak, but she had the determination and will to clear her path. She came to where she was in spite of virtually the entire nation opposing her. She wasn’t afraid of being tied down with thorns even if she had to walk alone.
The constant rain falling on the stone road was annoying and deprived Vera of peace. The flickering flames’ peril was akin to her mire. Vera knew she was doing something nobody would dare to, and she was aware of how extreme her actions were. She most certainly was cognizant of how much scheming and ambitions were involved, but she continued to blaze a trail. There was still hope with Abner. Ikana couldn’t have children. She received confirmation of that from a maid. A consort who couldn’t have children was disqualified. The imperial family’s lineage had to continue. Vera, herself, was a complete woman. Since that was the type of woman Abner liked, that meant she and Ikana were on equal playing grounds.
“There’s still no news from there, correct?”
“Mm, according to our intel, Ikana has also sent King Troy a private letter. There has been no response, though. In saying that, mm, how shall I put it? King Troy’s navy has started something. We do not know what he is thinking.”
Vera irritably turned around and asked her servant, “No, I am not talking about Troy but there.”
The servant lingered for a moment then shook his head: “Yes, that is how it is. There has been no news. Perhaps the ship sunk on the way. Ikana would never allow us to send people over. Though she does not control this area of our waters, she could bribe some pirates, including our concern that has always existed. I think they were, perhaps, silenced on the way; otherwise, news would have come from King Troy already.”
Vera didn’t reply. Instead, she continued gazing the window. She picked up a glass of red wine with her beautiful hand in a long white glove. She then hesitated for a moment before pouring her glass out. The red carpet rapidly absorbed the red wine, leaving a dark red mark comparable to blood. She shook her head: “I can’t drink. Bring a calming drink. I hope there is still some. Since I haven’t seen his corpse, he must still be working hard to complete his mission. He has never let me down, and I’m sure he won’t this time, either.”
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