58 Trouble’s coming Elizebeth edition (2)

The men inside the duke's office were quiet. Each of them contemplated deeply, sitting at their own seat, filling the entire sofa section. The atmosphere inside was heavy and dark. Displayed a wrong message to other vassals or servants that entered the room. Thanks to that, no one dared to disturb the duke for the time being. 

Duke entered the room after a brief walk. The suffocating feeling attacked him back as he closed the door from inside. His sons including the prince occupied the very space, leaning forward, propped their chins on each lap with various expressions. 

"Still with the gift selection?" He placed himself at the one seat sofa in the middle of the u-shape sofa's style. 

The sunlight penetrates inside the office through the massive windows around the office. The bright light heat hit their rough skins, the different color hairs fluttered messily on their head as the air-conditioner breeze circled them. 

"No." Demien raised the thin sword crafted eagle figure at the edge of the sword's holder to the duke. 

Indulf showed the magic blanket to him, Kyle kicked the box which was filled with books and Alec put down the expensive communication portal. 

"Blanket?" Duke arched his brow. 

"Magic blanket. Shield her from extreme temperature and also protect her body from any ambush. Specifically during the night when she was less expecting the danger." Explained Indulf enthusiastically. 

"Knowledge is powerful," Kyle answered the duke short without the query. 

"Excellent choice, Alec, Demien." Duke approved their choice. 

The two siblings smiled proudly at their brothers. Due to a declaration made by the king years ago, the duke had no choice but to accept the prince under his wing. As Elizebeth officially became one of the royal family, her brothers unwillingly entered the royal family as well due to the king's obsession.

Now, the kings proudly bragged to every envoy and vassal he met that he had excellent children. Of course, he was talking about the four siblings and his own child too. By putting the four siblings in the royal family, he solidified his status as the king and the duke has firmed status as the king's right hand. And because of that, the king pestered the duke to make Alec his adoptive child. 

So Duke had no choice but to accept the offer. And the so-called adoptive child sitting at the very seat in front of him, making himself comfortable and at home and the cold face, beamed when he saw him and his family. The arrangement was not quite bad, he thought. 

"Reduce the weight of the books. We don't want to burden her." Commented again when the atmosphere became sour in between the siblings. "What did I say about fighting among you?" He sighed. 

They turned their head in another direction. Didn't want to put the duke in a bad mood. The atmosphere was cleared as well. 

"Good grief." Duke leaned on the sofa. "Alec, your duchess mother is waiting for you. Get going. She's missing you." He waved the prince away to have quality time with his wife. 

They had fully accepted Alec as their own child. The love they gave was undivided though they loved Elizebeth even more. It was not a secret, at all. 

"I need to return to the palace. The king is calling me." He said bitterly. He addressed the title when he was talking about another father to the present father. Easier to distinguish the difference.

"Meet your duchess mother first." The order was final. 

"I understand, father." Alec rose and strode to him before bowing in front of him. 

"Be careful." Duke patted his head before waving him away. 

"I will." He smiled. He waved at the rest of his siblings and went to the duchess.

"Elizebeth? The girl in question?" Indulf questioned his father as soon as the prince was gone. 

"She's not here." The duke got up from his seat. "Went outside." He ambled to his work desk. 

"To her master again?" Demien asked with sullen eyes and voice though, his stoic face maintained the same. 

"Again? That child…" Kyle stood too. He picked the box on the floor. "I'm visiting the magician to reduce weight." Told him while shifting the box in his hands to regain a better grip. 

Duke nodded as he picked the thick file next to him. "... Drop by to your queen mother as well." He said after blinking for a while. 

"I'm not planning to visit the Capital today." 

"All three of you. Visit your royal parents." Ordered the duke, refused to hear any explanation.

He suffered enough thanks to the naggy king. Every single day, the king nitpicked him to send his sons over for a brief visit. He had enough. 

Demien and Kyle looked at each other. Roughly got the impression of the whole scenario. 

"We will adhere to the order." Both said at the same time as they bowed to the duke. 

"You may go." He didn't raise his head from the sons, focused on his work. 

The three of them bowed to the duke for the last time and exited from the room with a long-suffering sigh. It's not that they hated to visit the royal parents but they were too busy to do so. Maybe today's the opportunity. 

"We'll wait for you at mother's place. We'll go together with the prince." Demien gave his itinerary to Kyle. 

"Alright." Kyle nodded and went the opposite way from his two brothers. 

"We need to meet our royal parents today?" Indulf frown. The meeting was usually awkward and humiliating. King loved to parade them around the palace like they were walking exhibition. 

Demien just ruffled his hair without saying anything. Well, it's not like they could disobey their father either.

&&

"We'll follow this road?"

Max gnashed his inner cheek while thinking. The map of four kingdoms spread all over the big table at his dining table.

"What do you think?" Another voice asked. A young male. 

"Yer don't have any backup plan?" The female voice asked this time. 

"We do have a few backup roads, we supposed?" 

"We supposed? Is that a question mark behind it? Do you guys suppose to have a question mark in your own plan?" The young male bashed the other person. 

"My mas- master…" the voice stuttered. 

So suddenly, their eyes turned to a lazy Elizebeth; sprawled over the sofa, long legs that were covered by the long dress flung over the arm sofa behind them while reading her book without care of the commotion around her. 

"My Lord," Derrick called her, pleading. 

She put the book on her chest and turned to them. "What?" 

"The road." Max knocked on the table with his finger. 

"We do. Several." She took her book back and read it again. "If you see the red circle and line, you'll know what I mean." Yawned. Already throwing the princess facade away. 

They turned to the maps again and did see the circle and the line. 

"Water road? Are you sure?"

Elizebeth nodded. 

"I'm not aware you are planning the road straight to heaven." The male voice asked again, the handsome face traced the red line with his finger. "There's a huge mountain on the forest road, a perfect time to jump off the cliff. Anyhow, the road would be time-consuming and will affect our whole journey."

"That's our back up plan, Jihoon. If possible, kindly refrain from using those roads. I want to have a comfortable ride." The small voice answered him.

"Your plan to NOT use the backup plan?" Elizebeth started to get on his nerves.

Elizabeth put down her book again and looked at Jihoon. Jihoon was a nine-tail fox. The mythical beast that permanently became her aid after pledging loyalty to her. The knight oath. A normal citizen or any beastman can pledge their loyalty and the effect of the oath was the same as the knight. It is called a knight oath just because a knight was the only person who pledged loyalty, normally. 

"A handsome face, white skin like snow, black hair, smooth skin, nine-light yellow color fluffy tails, and a sneaky smile. Added with heavy sarcasm." She described Jihoon so suddenly. 

Max's mouth twitched a few times. He knew what came after so he turned around and studied the map. 

The girl; Elijah did the same too. Pretending to ask a question to Derrick and Max. 

"What do you mean?" Jihoon's heart beating fast. She couldn't believe Elizebeth at all. She never praises him in pure intention. 

Her mouth stretched, unstained smile. "Oh thee magic greenwood, Meredith beseeches thee O Lord, button one's lips, the sin of thee unholy lips, I beg for their remission." 

"Pft." The untouched party tried to not burst a laugh. 

Jihoon buttoned his mouth. His eyes drilled inside hers angrily, fisting his fingers, vibrating body. His whole body was lavished with anger. "Me. Re. Dith…" 

"Yes?" She replied cheerfully.

"Run?" 

"No." She shook her head then returned to the reading back. "I speak nothing but the truth." She shrugged. 

Jihoon rolled his eyes before smiling and masked his feelings. "You are an annoying Lord."

"I know." She smirked. Her position of the master of his could not be challenged and she knew it.