Chapter 155: Do You Like Him?
"No such place?" Ivan halted in his steps as he casted a bemusing gaze at Abdiel, his eyebrows drawn in perplexity, but Abdiel nodded his head in silent affirmation before patting his nephew’s back. Ivan really wanted to focus his attention on the new Ministers and Courtiers, he wanted to return to his little lamb soon, but as always, he can’t seem to get even the tiniest of breaks as one problem or the other keeps popping like parched peas. Not to mention, but he wasn’t mentally prepared to deal with all this stress.
"The cartographer is waiting in the study, we’ll head there first before leaving." Abdiel gestured for Ivan to take the route that led to the study room first. Although his visage held a bit of impatience, though tempered with curiosity, Ivan had no choice but to meet the cartographer who can explain in proper detail the enigmatic news he was hearing.
Upon arriving at his study, he found the aged cartographer rising to his feet, his quill poised over a detailed map spread across the table. Ivan came to stand opposite the table, and the cartographer lowered his gaze respectfully before saying, "My apologies for the delay, Your Majesty, I was informed that you had somewhere urgent to be but I can assure you that this is just as important. I have made a discovery of great interest, one that may perplex even a vampire King of your wisdom, but that is if you choose to hear me out first."
Listening to the subtle words of the cartographer, Ivan glanced at Abdiel’s way, but there was a brief exchange of intrigue between the two of them before he leaned closer, eyes returning to the map on the table.
"Speak." He commanded, his voice echoing through the room. If he was going to delay his meeting with the new Courtiers, it might as well be something worth listening to.
The cartographer, who felt relieved at his granted permission, took a deep breath before proceeding to explain, "the visitors whom I was told you presently keep under your wings were hailed from the Kingdom of Carmarthen, and I was ordered to locate this domain so they can make their departure as soon as possible. However, when I examined the maps closely, I found no trace of Carmarthen’s existence. It is as if the kingdom has suddenly vanished from the realm of known lands." He cryptically disclosed his theories considering what he had found, also allowing the vampire King to take a look at the map himself.
"Are you certain?" Ivan’s eyebrows furrowed, a mixture of curiosity and concern flickering across his features. "The accuracy of our maps has never faltered, are you sure you went through the maps thoroughly?"
The cartographer nodded, his voice filled with conviction as he said, "I assure you, your Majesty, I have double-checked the records and cross-referenced countless sources. Yet, there is no mention of Carmarthen, not even a whisper in the annals of history." The cartographer appeared just as perplexed by the strange discovery, and there was an instant silence that enveloped the room as Ivan contemplated the revelation, his piercing eyes not shifting from the map as he went through it.
His mind suddenly raced with questions and possibilities that seemed far-fetched to him, whilst he couldn’t help but wonder; How could an entire Kingdom vanish without a trace? Was it a trick? A ruse orchestrated by his enemies? Or was there something more mysterious at play? But at the same time, he had seen the insignia of this Carmarthen, every angle of it was valid and unlikely to be forged, even if it happens to be forged, he would know from the quality alone.