Chapter 439 Border City (2)
Count Forger"s personnel and family were lined up outside to greet our arrival. For an impromptu visit, they were giving us a warm welcome.
"This is my family your majesty." Count Forger started to introduce them one by one. "This is my wife, Elena."
"It is my honor to meet you in person, your majesties Emperor Regaleon and Empress Alicia." Elena replied with a generic smile.
The countess was of the same age bracket as the count. I host parties for the wives of n.o.bles that work for my husband. It was my way to know more about my husband"s subordinates and their families, but Countess Forger had always declined my invitations stating her poor health and the long journey from Tarmac to the capital city.
"It is pleasure to finally meet you, Countess Forger." I greeted back. "How is your health now a days? I hope all is well."
"I…um… I am doing quite well, your majesty." Elena replied shyly.
Looking at her I was convinced that her health was not really good. She looked quite pale and a little thinner than expected of women her age. I saw a portrait of her when she was younger. She was a beautiful young lady back then, with wavy auburn hair and green eyes. But now I see her, I cannot see even a glimpse of her younger self.
"This is my eldest son, Raymond." Count Forger introduced.
"Greetings to the sun and the moon of the Astley Empire." Raymond greeted courtly.
Seeing him, he was a young man in his early twenties. He was a spitting image of his father, a younger version of him. Light brown hair brown eyes.
"My son has been my a.s.sistant here in governing the city." Count Forger said. "He is a very reliable young man. He graduated in Grandcrest Royal Academy with flying colors. He is a promising young talent your majesty and I am very proud of him." He patted Raymond"s shoulder full of pride towards his son.
"Hmm, I see." Regaleon replied plainly.
The count"s eldest son was just a few years younger than Regaleon. Seeing how the count is praising his son, I bet he is trying to praise his way in my husbands most trusted subordinates which are only a handful of n.o.bles in the empire. Those that are in my husband"s inner circle are the ones he trusts the most in handling the empire"s matters, not to mention the money that are being moved around for different kinds of purposes. It is not easy to get into my husband"s inner circle because of he makes sure that corruption is at a minimum if not nonexistent.
"This is my second son Arnold. He is on vacation from boarding school." Count Forger explained.
Count Forger"s introduction with his second son was very brief compared from his eldest. His eldest has taken his education in the Grandcrest Royal Academy while the second is in an unnamed boarding school. It just shows who his favorite is.
"Greetings to the sun and the moon of the Astley Empire." Arnold greeted. He has the looks of his mother, wavy auburn hair and green eyes. If he is still in school, he may be in his teens. He looked like eighteen years old at least, with his manly appearance.
"This here is my youngest, my Angelica." Count Forger introduced.
"I greet the sun and the moon of the Astley Empire." Angelica curtsied cutely.
The youngest looked like eleven or twelve years old and had the features of her father as well, long brown hair and eyes.
"I am sorry for the poor welcome your majesties." Count Forger said to us. "We were not prepared with your sudden visit."
"It is fine count." Regaleon replied. "It is also our fault to visit on such short notice. All we need is a place to stay for at least two nights before crossing the border."
"We apologize for the sudden visit count and countess." I added. "We just need some place to rest after camping out for some nights now. We still have many days of voyage ahead of us to the capital of Alvannia."
"Oh, please your majesty the empress, there is no need to apologize." Count Forger said. "It is my duty to host the sun and moon of our empire and their envoy." He smiled courtly.
"Elena, please show his and her majesties to their quarters." The count said to his wife. "I am sure they need a good rest before dinner is served."
"Of course." The countess replied to her husband. "Please follow me your majesties. I will show you the way to your quarters. The butler can show your envoy to their quarters to rest."
"Thank you, countess." I replied.
Counted Elena then showed us the way into their manor. Inside was filled with beautiful paintings, vases from countries in the east and other decorations.
"Your manor"s decorations are quite impressive." Regaleon said in pa.s.sing while looking around.
"Oh… my husband likes different kinds of art such as paintings and vases." The countess replied shyly. "He likes collecting different kinds of things… even exotic ones found in the east."
The countess" words seemed to have some other meaning into them. I was about to inquire a little further, but she abruptly stopped in front of a door.
"This will be your quarters, your majesties. This is the best room suitable for you." The countess said. "The room beside this will be the prince and princess" room. They are quite close to you. I know how you feel quite anxious of children at the early age being a parent myself." She smiled kindly that I guilty to question her further about her husband"s collecting hobby.
"Thank you, Countess Forger." Regaleon said. "Then we will take a rest before dinner is served."
"Oh… oh yes." The countess replied. "We will let a maid call your majesty when dinner is served. Then please have a good rest."
"Thank you, countess." I gave my thanks and saw her bow and walked away. "Tricia, can you please take the twins to the other room so that they can rest. Please ask one of the maids here to take the twin"s dinner to their room so that they can rest early."
"Yes, your majesty." Tricia bowed.
Tricia and the other nanny took the twins from me and Regaleon"s arms. They were starting to yawn, and their eyes were quite drowsy looking indicating they are feeling sleepy.
"Tell them to deliver the food in haste so that they can eat before they sleep." I said to Tricia.
"I understand, your majesty." Tricia replied. "Then we will take our leave." She and the nanny bowed and proceeded to the room besides ours.
"Let us go inside also to get some rest, my love." Regaleon said and held my waist to usher me inside the room.
"I hope the twins get to eat before sleeping." I said. "Thewy only took each a bottle of milk a while ago."
"I am sure the count"s personnel will serve us well." Regaleon replied. "We may have not announced our arrival, but I am sure their kitchen is fully stocked, looking at the count"s hefty expenditures.
"Oh, like I thought you have thought of that as well." I said.
"Hmm, I never thought the count would have such a grand estate and expensive decorations." Regaleon replied. "With him having such humble family before him. I remember my father said that the previous count was a very humble man."
"I am also surprised that Countess Elena looked older than her age. I thought at first, she might really be sick, but I am thinking otherwise." I said. "She is too meek and looked afraid of her husband."
"You think so too?" Regaleon asked me.
"What are you planning?" I asked him.
"Hmm, I am going to let Chris look into it." Regaleon replied. "It would be good if he finds something while we are here these two nights."
"Then I will try to get something out of the countess while we are here." I said. "I believe she is afraid to speak up because of her fear of her husband."
"Then please do that." Regaleon replied. "Are you feeling tired my love?"
"Well… not in particular." I replied to his question. "Why?"
Regaleon had a playful grin in his face.
"Well, we still have an hour before dinner is prepared for us." Regaleon asked. "Maybe we could have some sweet time now that we are alone."
I was caught by surprise with Regaleon"s words, but I giggled when I caught what he meant in his words. It has been days that we were traveling, and we did not have time alone by ourselves. After the feeling of anxiousness because of the attack, I think I can at least breath a sigh of relief and have a little peaceful time with my lovable husband.
"Hmm, what do you mean by sweet time?" I asked teasingly and giggled.
"Oh, I know you know what I mean." Regaleon picked me up by surprise and carried me to bed.
"Ahh…" I yelped in surprise but giggled along the way. "I have not even washed yet."
"You can do that after." Regaleon playfully said. "You will surely sweat after what we will do." He chuckled.
"Then please be gentle, your majesty." I said with a teasing smile. "My body is a little bit sore with the seating in the carriage all day."
"Do not worry, I will give you a relaxing ma.s.sage after." Regaleon replied with a smile.
"His majesty giving me a relaxing ma.s.sage?" I said. "I think I am the luckiest woman in the entire continent."
"You are wrong." Regaleon replied. "I am the one that is the luckiest for you choosing me. I am very lucky to have you as my wife, my love."
Regaleon planted a sweet kiss on my lips, and I kissed him back. The sweet kiss turned into a pa.s.sionate one and we had our sweet time before dinner.