Lord Guillermo, my sincere apologies.” Linley said apologetically.
“It’s fine. Get some rest. Your body is what’s important.” Guillermo reminded him yet again, before leaving the room along with his Vicars.
Just as Clayde and Ransome walked through the gate to Linley’s manor, they heard a voice call out from behind them.
“Your Majesty. Your Majesty.”
Clayde turned around questioningly, only to see Merritt quickly jump out from a carriage. “Your Majesty.”
“Merritt, you came as well?” Clayde chuckled, coming to a stop as he looked at Merrit.
Merritt ran to Clayde. Respectfully, he said, “Lord Linley’s been injured. How could I not come? Your Majesty, how could you go inside with just Ransome? It isn’t safe!” Merritt hurriedly said.
When a ruler paid a visit to one of his subject’s, usually he would bring all of his guards directly inside as well.
The first reason was to protect the safety of the ruler. The second was to display the ruler’s authority and power.
“No need. I’m just checking up on Linley. No need to raise the flag high and all that.” Clayde chuckled. “Much less, within the city of Fenlai, who is capable of posing a threat to me, hrm?”
Clayde’s self-confidence wasn’t without merit.
First of all, Clayde wasn’t worried about most combatants of the ninth rank. The only type of person which Clayde truly feared was a Saint-level combatant, but would a Saint-level combatant come to assassinate him, a king? What’s more, this was Fenlai City, the Holy Capital of the Radiant Church!
Who would dare to act rashly within the confines of the Radiant Church’s headquarters?
“Right, right. Your servant was being too cautious.” Merritt hurriedly said.
“Let’s go. We can go inside together.” Clayde entered along with Merritt and Ransome.
“Your Majesty, Linley is currently recuperating within the private courtyard in the east wing. Allow me to guide the way.” Escorted by the pretty attendant, Clayde, Merritt, and Ransome began to head towards Linley’s resting area. But halfway there…
Clayde and the other two saw Guillermo and his two Vicars.
“Lord Guillermo.” Clayde, Merritt, and Ransome simultaneously paid their respects.
“Clayde, you came as well.” Guillermo nodded. “This internal injury of Linley’s seems to be a heavy one. Just now, he was coughing. When you go to see him, don’t waste too much time. Just see how he is doing, then allow him to rest.”
“Understood.” Clayde nodded.
“Then I’ll leave now.” Guillermo nodded as well, then led his two Vicars out and left.
Clayde went with Merritt and Ransome to Linley’s chambers.
Guillermo’s departure had let Linley to let out a sigh of relief. But before he had a chance to take a breather, a female attendant came running in to make a report.
“Lord Linley. His Majesty and the Right Premier have arrived.” The female attendant hurriedly reported.
“He’s here?”
Linley’s eyes lit up.
“I’ve waited so long. He finally came.” Linley couldn’t repress the excitement in his heart. “You can go now.” Linley immediately ordered the attendant to leave, and then he calmly stood up, quietly awaiting Clayde’s arrival.
Just a few seconds later, Linley heard the sound of footsteps.
“Linley.” Clayde’s voice rang out as soon as he entered the room. In three quick steps, he arrived by Linley’s side. In a very caring voice, he said, “Linley, your face looks terrible. Quick, sit down and rest. Have a good rest.”
Linley was pressed down to his seat by Clayde.
“Lord Linley.” Merritt was very courteous to Linley as well.
“Thank you, your Majesty. Thank you, Lord Merritt.” Linley said with a rather weak voice.
But the excitement in Linley’s heart was beginning to swell. In the past, after learning of his father’s death, Linley had instructed Hillman to take his clan’s heirloom, the warblade ‘Slaughterer’, to the O’Brien Empire. At that time, he had already made up his mind that the risk of death would not be enough to sway his decision to gain revenge.
Father. Mother!
His father’s death was linked to Clayde as well. If it hadn’t been for Clayde ordering Patterson to abduct his mother, how would his father have died in an attempt to gain revenge? And of course, his mother’s disappearance was Clayde’s doing.
“Your Majesty. I’m fine. I’ve just suffered some internal injuries, and won’t be able to train battle-qi for a while. I can still carry out my normal, day-to-day activities.” Linley said with a smile.
“That’s good. That’s good.” Clayde revealed a hint of a smile as well.
“Lord Merritt, you came as well.” Linley suddenly ‘remembered’ something, and exclaimed happily, “Right! I haven’t had the chance to drink the flagon of fine wine that you gifted to me last time, Lord Merritt. Since both you and his Majesty have arrived today, let’s have a little drink.”
As he spoke, Linley headed to the liquor cabinet next to him.
“No need. Linley, you’ve been injured. You can’t drink any alcohol.” Clayde advised him.
“It’s fine. My wound is just a light one. And a little bit of wine is good to get one’s veins active.” As he spoke, Linley plucked out four wineglasses, along with a bottle of red wine. “Ransome, you should sit as well. At my home, there’s no need to stand on so much ceremony.”
Linley knew a great deal about Ransome.
As Clayde’s personal bodyguard, he was an extremely powerful person as well. Although Linley couldn’t clearly determine his power, Linley was certain that he was at least a combatant of the seventh rank, or perhaps even of the eighth rank.
“No need. I don’t drink alcohol.” Ransome shook his head in refusal.
As his Majesty’s personal attendant, he had to maintain his wakefulness at all times.
“Linley, Ransome never drinks alcohol. No need to invite him to drink.” Clayde shook his head towards Linley. “Linley, when Lord Guillermo saw me just now, he said you were coughing hard. He wanted you to have a good rest. It’s best that we don’t drink.”
Not drink?
Nobody but Linley knew this, but the Bloodrupture poison had already been mixed in with this wine. If Clayde didn’t drink, how would he be poisoned?
“No worries. Lord Guillermo is overly concerned about my welfare.” Smiling, Linley poured everyone a glass of wine. “Your Majesty. This wine is exceptionally delightful. Lord Merritt, come. Let’s all have a toast.” Linley raised his own glass.
Clayde and Merritt had no choice but to raise their glasses as well.
A light ringing sound as their cups touched. And then Clayde, Merritt, and Linley each drank the wine.
“Paaah!”
Linley suddenly began to cough violently again, spitting out all the wine from his mouth. The coughing Linley’s face turned a sickly red color again.
“Linley, I told you not to drink wine. You just had to drink.” Clayde said in dissatisfaction. He hurriedly went over to help Linley.
“I’m fine.” Linley smiled and reached out to stop Clayde.
Suddenly. Linley stared at Clayde. In a solemn voice, he said, “Your Majesty. There is a very important matter which I would like to discuss with you, your Majesty.”
“A very important matter?” Seeing the expression on Linley’s face, Clayde felt confused.