Thes travel to the castle was a mere blurry memory for Vincent. All he could think was of Azolla with the lingering fear of his own kingdom's doom as he made haste toward the Castle. He had no proof of such news. All but that letter, which was now in the authority's hand, and his Queen's ruby crest he carried with his official identification.

Before he knew it, the soldiers escorted him to the castle grounds. 

"The king can not delay any further the matter. You have been ordered to have an audience with the King himself this afternoon." 

Vincent nodded as the royal courtier announced his Majesty's command.

"Please refresh yourself in your quarters. Matthew will escort you." 

"Pretty hostile greeting for the man of a foreign kingdom. Trespasser, as we can say it.."

The guards behind Vincent gossip as he made his way toward the quarters led by Matthew. 

Vincent freshened up in the bath and as he walked out a new attire sat at the end of his bed folded neatly. 

As he began to put those clothes on his eyes fell upon something and he sighs. Grabbing that very thing hidden perfectly at the belt of his new trousers and looking at the door intently. 

A knock rang on the door as he expected. 

"You have been called for a quick supper Sir." said a young maiden. 

He wasted no time in putting on his things and grabbing his belongings before walking out. The halls were quiet, and people stood at the corners amused at him. 

As he sat at the table the maid gives him soup and bread while the soldiers stared at him. He picked up the spoon noticing its shiny surface and blinked at the soup once before stirring it.

He could see them looking at him. He didn't train half his life in vain. Vincent's skills were enough to see men behind his back look at him and whisper. But he ignored them. 

"Do you have nothing to do other than a stare!" 

A voice boomed through the area and everyone's whispers suddenly stopped as they sat straight. Vincent lifted his gaze to an older man who walked towards him and stared down at him. 

"I apologize for my men digging their gazes into you." He said giving a side eye to all. 

"I am General Kent. I am responsible for your actions now." He introduced himself. 

So he was sent to keep an eye on me.  Vincent thought. 

With a stern gaze on his soup, Vincent spoke with a straight and strong voice, "There is no need for the apology." 

"Oh, so you do not mind my men keeping their eye on you." 

"If our kingdom had a trespasser I am sure we would be on alert too." He explained and the general laughed. 

"What was your position?" 

"A royal messenger of the inner court to his Majesty the King and .." 

May he rest in peace.

Princess Rose flashes against his eyes and he sighs.

"A personal guard to her Highness The princess." 

"I see...well have your supper and I will be your escort to the inner court." The general said before leaving. 

Vincent stared at his back until he disappeared into the halls and then at the soup. A little wind gushed across the area and the smell hit his nose. It smelled good but sweet or minty. Something very familiar but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. 

A light realization dawned upon him and sighs yet again grabbing the piece of bread and chewing on it but not touching the soup. His eyes snap up to shock a soldier sitting adjacent to him and he jerked his face down almost as if he was caught red-handed. 

Vincent held down his disappointment as he chewed on his bread before the general walked back to him and gestured for him to get ready. 

He wasn't nervous, it was either get help or be killed. And if he died trying to help the kingdom, he would be proud of himself too. But something about death caused a stir in the pit of his stomach. He didn't fear death he fear the consequences of it. He worried for Azolla. He worried he the future of his kingdom. He had promised the Queen and he had desperation. 

"This way." Said the booming stern voice of General Kent. 

Vincent noticed the glooming eyes of all as he made his way toward the court. There sat the king talking with the man he saw when he first entered the kingdom. Sir John. 

Vincent bowed in respect after he and General Kent Hault before the King. 

"Sir, if we may. We would like to do a quick search. Just in case." 

Vincent saw the King raise an eyebrow at the absurd request but before he knew it two soldiers were patting down his new garments. General Kent looked at the two in question as Vincent was given new attire, there was no possible way he could carry a weapon after being stripped of his own clothing. 

However the Soldiers searched him thoroughly, one of them pats down on the belt and his eyes crease in frustration as he glances at the other suddenly it seemed like he was searching for an obvious weapon rather than doing a pat down for caution. 

Vincent sighed are they both touched around his trousers and he moved his arms jerking it forward pulling a silver dagger out from his sleeve and holding it between his two fingers staring at the soldiers as it dangled in his hand. 

"Are you searching for this?" 

The soldiers with a wide eye stepped back and looked at someone within the courtiers. 

"Sir, this dagger was hidden in my waist belt. I noticed it while I was given these garments by your maid." Vincent said handing the dagger to General Kent. 

"And as a matter of fact, the soup was laced with drugs to induce extreme sleep. I suppose someone from your court does not wish for me to speak." 

The court stayed quiet as General Knet stared at the dagger. 

"Liar! You deceiving man! He had a dagger hidden in his sleeve your highness! with the fear of being found he blames your subjects!? I humbly ask you to be a judge for this miserable trespasser." said one man standing between the man subjects. 

"If he carries a weapon, he is an enemy." 

The king stayed quiet, his head propped up on his hand as he watched the drama unfound. 

"I must say, he would be a great trespasser if he could steal a dagger with our title crest on it." General Kent spoke as the others fell silent. 

"He must've stolen it!" 

"Of course-" Vincent whispered. 

The king glanced at Sir john who seemed utterly confused and taken aback. He stepped back and leaned down towards the king. 

"Forgive me your Majesty but I had that man search from top to bottom, there was no such dagger with him. Only his identification and a royal crest. All his clothes were taken from him." 

The king smirked looking at General Kent who certainly gave Sir John a look. 

"Does this court think of me as a fool?" The king spoke. 

All bowed their heads in fear as Vincent stood before the king completely disappointed in those men. 

"Pray to tell me why you say your soup was poisoned?" The king asked amused at that young man. 

"I am a royal guard who has trained all his life, your Majesty. I know a trap when I see one." Vincent stated and to his shock, the king laughed. 

The silence of the court was overwhelming as the king shook his head and pat his legs as he chuckled. 

"I will leave this matter for you to investigate General Kent." 

General Kent smiled at the king. 

"But Sire! He might just be a deceiving trespasser!" Said one of the subjects. 

"And you will be the one man who General Kent questions." The king said as he stood up and walked towards the library as the man stood in shock and fear while Sir John gestured for Vincent to walk behind them. 

"Now then, I apologize for the treatment my court gave. Let us discuss the real problem here." 

The king sat at his desk as Vincent was advised to stand before him while Sir John picked up two letters and opened them reading them before passing them to the king. We stayed silent for a minute till the King spoke again. 

"King Edmund, he is the next in line for the throne. Why do your kingdom's people oppose this." 

Vincent looked up to the king who was busy reading another letter. And suddenly the king's posture changed. He kept down the letter and looked at Vincent. 

"Explain." 

It took a while for Vincent to talk about the horrifying events that occurred. His voice would weaken as he talked about the royal family but he got himself together. 

"And what relation do you have with the royal family for you to run for seeking help for their sake? A man of such intelligence would surely be given a better position under the new king's regime." 

"I do not see him as our King. He killed King Aurthr and Queen. Sacrificed our princess the true heir of the throne. I promised the Queen I would seek justice for the future of our kingdom. King Arthur and your Majesty had differences. But you are the only kingdom who could help us." 

The king sighs. 

"I signed a treaty to never meddle in other kingdom's affairs. Unless the action brings ill fate upon other kingdoms, we cannot help you." 

Vincent bowed his head in disappointment. 

"But-" 

He snapped his head up in anticipation as the king stared at the letter.

"If King Edmund plans on burning the forest, it concerns us as well." 

Vincent sighs in happiness, "That means you could help us?" 

"Help? no. But breaking the treaty of the forbidden forest will cause distress among all the kingdoms, I suppose we could make the new king submit under the treaty's promise." 

Vincent glanced at Sir john who nodded. 

"Killing a king is enough of a sin there is, but breaking a treaty and putting my kingdom's land under a threat is greater than a sin. It means war." 

"So, there will be war?" Vincent asked. 

"I do not want to declare a war and have KIng Edmund prepare those weak villagers for a fight-" The king murmured. 

"Perhaps we could arrange a meeting." Sir john said. 

"A meeting cannot do much good Sir. " Said General Kent who walked in the door and bowed to the King. Behind him stood two soldiers. 

"These were the two men I had to send to assess the situation. It seemed that King Edmund plans on burning the forest down and getting rid of all royals who were in line for the throne. They say he has gone crazy for power, do they not?" he turned to the two soldiers. 

The two sigh in sorrow. 

"A war will destroy the kingdom. We want to simply take the King down for breaking a treaty, However, if we send our troops to negotiate I am afraid the king will have them imprisoned or worse killed. He shows no desire to make new negotiations with any other kingdoms."  Sir John stated. 

"Then from under the table, it is. Start sending petitions to other kingdoms for these actions and their approval. After this, I shall take the initiative to bring King Edmund down." 

Vincent smiled bowing to the king, "Thankyou you your Majesty. For your help and for believing in us." 

"I never believe in outsiders Vincent-" The king stated standing up and looking out his window before dismissing others. 

"I had my men confirm your news before letting you set your foot in my court. But now, there stays one small issue." 

Vincent frowned.

"Who will take the throne if the only eligible man is too be stripped off that title?"