The Union

The merchant looked at Lucia and then eyed the guards behind her "Three gold coins. It"s made of pure Abicut silk, fresh from Northern Tulosa. You"re so lucky I still have one left. The others were already sold" The mechant said.

Lucia doesn"t know whether to laugh or cry. Abicut silk? Who was he kidding? It was not even close to abicut silk. Lucia knew how real abicut silk felt like. She grew up in the most extravagant palace in the world so things of luxury were not strange to her. The merchant must have thought that she was just some naïve and rich n.o.ble.

"Twenty silver coins. That"s the best I can do. This is not Abicut silk, this is c.o.o.n silk. Abicut silk is soft and shiny. This is nothing compared to Abicut. Also Abicut silk comes from eastern Tulosa, not the north" Lucia smiled

The merchant frowned. He then put his hand on the tunic and caressed silk. "You"re right" he said with an unfriendly tone. "I must have made a mistake. Twenty silvers then" he opened his palms and demanded the money.

Lucia handed the merchant twenty silver coins. She then took the tunic and gave it to Sylvie. Tulosan people are not violent, but they can be very greedy, she thought.

With her guards standing by her side, Lucia walked around the city. Nirvana was in a jovial mood. Tim"s shocking victory was the topic of every discussion. Everywhere, people talked about Tim"s exploits, in the pubs, in the market, in the streets and even in public restrooms. They all hailed Timothy as the savior of Castonia. Even the bards were already singing praises to Timothy just a week after the Battle of Knightsend.

Some people say that the Prince made an elaborate plan and tricked the Tulosans. Others say that the Prince himself led the cavalry and dismantled the Tulosans with one charge. There were even those who believed that Prince Timothy turned into a lion and bit General Sigurd"s head off. The people only know that Prince Timothy utterly destroyed the Tulosans with mininal casualties. Clear details of the battle were yet to arrive.

But Lucia already knew. Tim sent her a letter a few days ago. It was several pages long and reading it took her nearly an hour. Half of the letter detailed the entire battle while the other half was a love letter.

Lucia blushed. She remembered what was written in the letter. Tim promised her courtship and he delivered masterfully. Lucia couldn"t sleep that night after she read the letter. Timothy"s sweet words reverberated through her mind and heart. Timothy doesn"t really need to court her because she already likes him. But Tim seems to enjoy making her heart flutter. Lucia can"t wait to see him again.

"Sylvie, go back to the palace first. I still need to do something" Lucia ordered her a.s.sistant.

"But your Highness, I need to accompany you at all times." Sylvie protested. She confusedly looked at Lucia.

"Not at all times, Sylvie" She smiled. Unlike before they left Tulosa, Sylvie was now tailing her at all times. Even if she didn"t call for Sylvie, her a.s.sistant would just pop out of nowhere.

Sylvie lowered her head "Okay, but please hurry. It"s my duty to serve you"

Lucia didn"t reply and just nodded. She and Sylvie parted ways.

Lucia then went to Escanor. For the past month, Escanor and his brother had been building connections among the merchants in Nirvana and Solon and they were good at it. n.o.body suspected them and their connections provided Lucia with fresh news from the Western Region.

"It"s an honor to have you again Princess Lucia" Escanor knelt and bowed.

"Rise Escanor" she gestured for Escanor to stand up. "It is I who should be honored. You and your brother have been of great help"

"It brings me joy that our efforts were recognized" Escanor smiled and stood up. He then went to his stash and rummaged for something. After a while he produced a jar filled with leaves "First cla.s.s Calgarian tea. I traded two horses for this" he said proudly and took two cups. He then prepared two cups of tea and offered one to Lucia.

"Thank you" Lucia said as she drank the tea. It was refreshing. It was her first time drinking Calgarian tea because Calgari and Tulosa still don"t have a formal trade agreement. Also, Vanadis had its own tea products.

"So, what brings you to my humble abode Your Highness?" Escanor asked

"Same as always" Lucia put down the cup and looked at Escanor "Information"

Escanor smiled "Then you"re in luck. I have just received a letter from my brother a few hours ago. Do you want to read it or I"ll just tell you of its contents?"

Lucia knew that the letter also contains private details. Even if Escanor doesn"t mind sharing his private conversation with his brother, Lucia doesn"t want to intrude other people"s private matters.

"Just tell about your brother"s findings" she said.

Escanor refilled Lucia"s cup before speaking "The Tulosans have retreated and left Greenwater. With the defeat of General Sigurd, they don"t have a choice. But you already know about that, don"t you? You are more interested of news about Prince Timothy" he smiled meaningfully

Lucia nodded. She doesn"t want to hide her affection towards Tim.

"Prince Timothy will soon arrive in Solon along with the Tulosan prisoners and some villagers. The people of Solon, especially the refugees, are planning to celebrate his return. Earl Mathias had also declared the day of Timothy"s arrival as a holiday. There will be a feast."

Lucia was glad that the people recognized Timothy"s success. She was proud of her future husband.

"I know this is personal, but will you also go to Solon Your Highness? Or will you just wait for the Prince"s return here in Nirvana?"

"I still don"t know Escanor. I want to meet him as soon as possible, but I still have things to do here in Nirvana" she said.

Escanor nodded and continued his report "My brother also heard of an interesting piece of news." He paused as if thinking how to put the news into words "A movement have started in Solon advocating for Prince Timothy to become the heir. I have also encountered people who have the same views here in Nirvana. Your Highness, I think this could lead to another b.l.o.o.d.y chapter"

Lucia was slightly surprised. She knew that Timothy"s victory would elevate his status, but not to this level and certainly not this fast. Timothy really knows how to gain the favor of the people.

But Escanor was right, this could lead to another war. Timothy"s brothers will not be happy about this. Lucia"s older brother was furious when the people called for her to become the heir. She knew how this kind of thing damages relations between siblings.

"Anything else?" she then asked Escanor

"I think that"s all of it Your Highness. But my brother and I will open our eyes and ears for news and rumors. You will always have the latest information." Escanor a.s.sured her

"Then I must thank you. Like what I said, you"ve been of great help to me"

"Think nothing of it, Your Highness. It"s our duty to help you"

****************************************************************************

Sylvie looked at her back and ensured that n.o.body followed her. She scanned her surroundings for a while. After she was certain the there was no one, she went on her way.

She went towards an old tower just outside the city . The tower was now covered with vegetation and its stones were crumbling.

She climbed the stairs leading to the top of the tower. One wrong move and she could fall. Nevertheless, she ran as fast as she could. Her heart was racing.

Finally, she arrived at the top. She looked towards the far end and saw a man waiting.

"You"re late" the main said

"The Princess strolled around the city again" she said "Also she ditched me again. I tried to follow her, but she lost me"

The man approached her. He was tall and muscular. His tanned skin gave a feeling of unique masculinity.

"Do you have any idea where she went?" he asked.

"No" Sylvie shook her head "I really have no idea. Maybe to her spies"

The man was silent and just looked at Sylvie. "Well, it doesn"t matter" he said after a while "I have a new task for you. This will be your most important task. This will also be the hardest one. "

"What is it? Don"t worry, I can do it" she a.s.sured him.

In response, the man grabbed a small vial from his pocket and put it on Sylvie"s hand. "This is Silver Moon. It"s tasteless so you can put it in her drink. After that, you have a couple of hours to make your escape."

Sylvie now understood what he meant by an important task. She needs to kill Lucia. "So it has come to this" she smiled widely.

"Yes, it has" the man said "After the deed, come here. I will prepare a horse and supplies for you. Flee to Wismar."

"Okay Amir" Sylvie nodded while smiling. She had waited a long time for this. "I trust your arrangements"