Chapter 72: Snow(4)

"A-alexia...?"

The group then looked towards the bed where the father and daughter duo were and saw Alexia sitting up on the bed. Alexia then stared at Luke, who is looking back at her. Alexia then started to get down on the bed. When she tried to stand up, her body started to shake violently, it's been too long since she went out of the bed. Two years exactly, she's been in pain and bedridden for two years already. It is a miracle that she still holds on to her life when all she feel everyday is shaking in pain in bed.

Luke looked at Alexia with nervousness. What a strong woman she is. She's been in pain for two years but has the will to already stand up than resting. What a monster.

Then looked gasped when he remembered what Alexia was known for. There's a reason why she's so loved by her people. She is one of the rare female swordsmasters in this continent, the sharp cold beauty of the north.

Berg tried to support her but Alexia refused. Berg looked at her with worry.

"Alexia? Aren't you pushing yourself too much?"

Alexia smiled and shakes her head.

"I wanted to personally walk towards my savior."

Luke frowned. He was about to stand up but Liam and Spencer pushed him back down. Luke looked at them with shock.

"Wait! I need to stand up!"

"Sit down."

"But, the princess-"

"Brother, rest, you'll just cough up blood again."

"But I am really fine!"

Spencer and Liam didn't listened to him which made Luke annoyed. He then looked at Alexia who is slowly walking towards him with shaking legs. After a while of slow walking, Alexia finally arrived in front of Luke, who is heavily guarded by Spencer and Liam. Alexia then slowly bowed towards him while lifting her skirt up.

"Thank you very much for saving me. If you weren't here, I would've died from pain."

"Ah, no, don't mention it. I just did what I have to do."

Luke smiled towards Alexia. Luke then looked towards Berg, who is also looking at him.

"Your majesty, I want to talk alone with you."

Berg nodded. He then started to order the maids to take care of Alexia. Luke can finally stand up and followed behind Berg, who is walking towards his office. Liam and the others followed behind him. When they reached the room, Luke turned around to his group.

"You all go and rest. Julius, why don't you go have some chat time with your mother? It's been a while since you two saw each other."

The group nodded and went towards the guests rooms. The maids of the castle are guiding them.

· Dad! I'll stay with you!

Luke nodded secretly and went inside the room with Berg. The maids then handed tea onto the table and left. Luke sat on the opposite couch where Berg is sitting. Berg started to speak with sincere gratitude.

"Thank you, so much."

Luke sips some of his tea and spoke with a smile.

"I shouldn't be the one you are thanking, your highness, you should thank my witch friend."

Berg's brows twitched at the word 'witch'. He then asked in a serious tone.

"Are you sent by the empire?"

Luke saw Berg's cold stare. He really hates the empire, Luke then thought.

'He must've assumed that the empire sent me to heal his daughter. If the empire really heals his daughter, the Thea kingdom needs to follow Arram empire's command because they have no choice, they are indebted to them.'

But luckily, the asshole empire didn't knew about Zorst potion yet. That potion is only passed onto few chosen witches and no human or outsider knows about it.... Except for Luke, the reader of course.

Luke smiled at Berg who is glaring daggers at him.

"No sir, I am from Reece kingdom."

Berg then asked in shock.

"Reece? What is a witch doing in Reece then?"

Luke's face turned serious. He then started to explain the abuse the witches received in the empire behind the scenes. He also explained how his witch friend, Bell, couldn't take the abuse anymore and ran away.

After hearing the story, Berg was disgusted at the empire. His hate for the empire grew even more. Luke then spoke while observing his reactions.

"Bell is currently safe with us, but he is still being pursued by the empire as we speak. Luckily, I met him on the woods while traveling, and that's how we became friends and told his story to me. He also heard about the princess of the Thea kingdom being extremely ill so he wanted to help. Unfortunately, he can't come personally because he is still being pursued so it is still dangerous to walk outside."

Luke smiled while managing to pull out last second lies. He needed to lie in order to not make the king question him even more. Imagine if he told Berg what he really did to get Bell, then he needs to narrate his whole plan to him which Luke doesn't want to do.

Berg sat back on his chair and massaged his head.

"...I see. It seems like the empire is more dirtier than I thought."

"Yes and that's why we need your assistance to take down the empire. Don't worry, you can help us in the shadows or for small things. We are not forcing you."

Berg looked at Luke. Now that he knew that Luke was not the one who technically healed his daughter, he just started to look at him like a casual neighbor than being a hero. But he couldn't deny the fact that he coughed up blood earlier just to help his daughter ease her pain. He then started to ask what's been in his mind for some time.

"But, aren't you butting into other people's business too much? Even though you and Bell were friends, it is not enough reason for you to go against the empire."

Luke smiled at Berg. But his eyes weren't smiling at all.

"Oh no, the empire also did a lots of things to our kingdom that we couldn't just turn a blind eye to."

Berg then felt chills down his spine again when he saw Luke's cold eyes. He seemed to be angry about something. Just what did the empire did to him?

Luke then started to tell Berg about his investigations about the empire and the slave trade. This made Berg's face turn stoic. He didn't like all the things he heard at all. He then clenched his fists and mumbled in a dark tone.

"Turning innocent children as withered souls? Ha! Are they mad?!"

Now Berg is really angry. He couldn't believe it. At first, he only hated the empire because of it's arrogance and a wimp of king that became the Duke's puppet but now? The evil deeds that Luke shared to him is enough reason to obliterate the empire. Such a sinful place should not exist!

"Good thing that we managed to save the slaves on time, or else, lots of people will perish and die."

Berg looked straight at Luke's cold face. He now understood why this young man is so eager to take down the empire. He then stretched his hands towards Luke.

"Alright then, we, Thea kingdom, will help you as much as we can."

Luke smiled and accepted his hand.

"I am looking forward with cooperating with you, your majesty."

Berg smiled and took out something from his pocket. He then put it on the table.

Clang!

"This is...?"

"Please take it, it may not be much but take it. You deserve it."

Luke looked at the large pouch of gold and jewels in front of him. He then looked at Berg with shock.

"Oh no! I can't take this!"

Berg smiled and pushed the money towards Luke.

"Take it, I insist."

Luke made a face that says 'Oh well, what can I do?'. He then picked up the pouch with a hesitant face.

"W-well, if your majesty says so."

'Sweet! Free money! Wooo hooooo!'

Luke is jumping in joy inside while calmly putting his money on his coat's pocket. He then spoke in a joyful voice.

"I'll be sure to share this with Bell."

Berg then laughed.

"Hahaha! You truly are a kind hearted man as Eleanor described!"

"A-ah no, I am not that kind hearted....."

Nash then protested.

· That's not true! You are so kind that you deserve all the treasures in the world!

Luke ignored Nash's blabbering and focused on what will Berg say next because his face looks happy.

"We will throw a feast! No, a celebration! I'll invite all the kingdoms in this continent to celebrate my daughter's recovery!"

Luke looked at Berg blankly. He then asked Berg who is grinning ear to ear in front of him.

"Every... kingdom on the continent? You mean the empire will be invited too?"

Berg smiled mischievously. This made Luke have a bad feeling.

"Actually, the empire attempted so many times to cure my daughter but none of them succeeded. I want to see the look on that arrogant Duke's face when he sees that someone else already healed my daughter than them! Ahahaha!"

"Ahaha.... Haha..."

Luke laughed dryly. He then stood up with urgency. He doesn't know why, but he felt he needed to get out from this room as soon as possible.

"T-then, I will get going.... Enjoy your party-"

"Wait."

Luke flinched and felt Berg's hand on his shoulder. He then heard Berg's joyful voice.

"You are invited too! This party won't be completed without you!"

Luke turned around and looked at Berg nervously.

"I-I don't think.... I am cut out to be part of a noble and important party... I am just a lowly noble after all...."

"Baah! What nonsense! You are not lowly at all! Don't you worry! If anyone tries to make fun of you, I'll handle them."

Luke then laughed dryly, again.

"Ahaha... Isn't that too much work for his majesty? You should focus on your daughter since it's a special day for her."

"No! You need to be there!"

Luke wanted to cry. His plan was just to get here secretly and leave after grabbing the God of Darkness's priestess. Why does things always not end his way?

Luke sighed and forcibly smiled.

"O-okay then.... If your majesty says so."

'I'll just sneak out while they're not looking.'

Berg smiled and patted Luke's shoulder with joy.

"Ahaha! That's the spirit! Then, the party will be held next month! It will be a grand party! Be sure to attend it!"

"I-I will..."

"Hahahaha!"

Luke then bid goodbye to Berg and went outside the room. He then sighed.

'Ah.... That drained my energy.'

Just from that interaction he felt like he became much older. He then sighed and tries to cheer himself up.

'On the bright side, I got money!'

Luke patted his pocket where the pouch full of money is contained. He then walked through the hallways. His steps were light.

'Now then, shall we go meet the God of Darkness's priestess? Yulia?'