The Vampire King's Possession
Chapter 368. The Throne Room

Chapter 368: 368. The Throne Room

It has been a week since Mauve arrived. Time flew faster than she had thought it would. Somehow she has been left to her own devices and has mostly spent her time trying to get better at horse riding.

Galath said she was making good progress but it felt like he was just being nice to her. Her rear was hurting less but the pain was not completely gone.

"Is there a specific dress you’d like to wear?"

"No, Maria. I am fine with anything."

The King had summoned her; she wondered if it was time to hear why she was here. Since she had spent most of her morning horse riding, she had needed to wash off and change out of her riding clothes.

She walked to the door of her room without hesitation, she didn’t want to keep him waiting.

Mauve winced, somehow her curiosity had died over the week but that was only because Malcolm told her what he suspected was the problem.

It also added up and put things in place. The training, the increase of guards in the palace, and the excessive guards that followed the king everywhere.

However, she still couldn’t see how it involved her. There was nothing she could do to improve the situation.

Mauve’s eyes widened as her hand grabbed the door handle. It couldn’t be that, her mind screamed as she made a realization.

Was her father trying to use her to get the vampires involved? That was just stupid. She didn’t have such power and surely he must realize that.

She pulled open the door, she should stop worrying about what this was about as it didn’t make it easier.

"Owen?" She called out in surprise as she opened the door. "You’re still here? What are you doing here?"

Owen had been the one to tell her that the king wanted her presence. However, she had not been expecting him to wait for her.

"I am here to take you to the king, princess," he replied, bowing his head low enough for her to see the top of his head.

"What? There is no need for that, I can find my way to him." She said and started walking away from him. "Just tell me where he is."

Owen rushed after her, "I am afraid I can’t do that. It is the King’s orders. He insisted that I bring you to him."

"Where is he?" Mauve asked without looking at Owen. She didn’t break stride.

"The throne room," Owen responded.

Mauve stopped immediately, "Is he busy?" She asked.

"He should be rounding up with the issues of today so even if he was busy he should be done soon."

"Okay," she said and continued walking.

She knew where the throne room was, it was right next to the drawing room and both could be accessed from each other.

Mauve wasn’t sure she had been there more than once. She picked up the pace a little as she went down the second set of stairs.

She got to the ground floor and the guards gave her a quick bow. She nodded to them and walked onto the biggest set of doors.

Mauve looked up at the doors, noticing the two guards that stood on either side of the doors. They bowed to her briefly before pushing the doors open.

She blinked, staring in. The room was a mix of red and gold. It was also pretty big, it looked significantly bigger than the dining room.

Mauve took a step forward and Owen stepped in with her. The King was sitting on his seat and there was an older man a few feet away from him.

His advisor stood behind the King with a long scroll in hand. Mauve wasn’t sure if he was reading off the scroll or right in it.

There were at least five other guards scattered around the space. Two were behind the King but there was reasonable distance between them. While the remaining three were randomly placed.

"Mauve, my daughter," he called out as soon as she walked in with Owen. The guard was still closely attached to her.

She walked to the front, closer to the throne seat. Stopping in front of him, she said, "Father," and bent her legs, bowing to him.

"How are you today, Mauve?"

"Very good," she said, standing to her full height. "Thank you for your concern."

He peered at her from where he sat down. Mauve had to keep her head raised to meet his eyes. He was dressed in ceremonial robes and had a staff in his hands.

He was obviously performing Kingly duties whenever the King was dressed like this, it meant it was pretty important.

"Wait aside, I should be with you shortly," he ordered.

"As you wish father." She bowed again and made her way to the edge of the room.

There were seats closer to the walls, she took a seat as Owen stood beside her. She looked up at him as he smiled sheepishly at her.

"Do you have to stand so close?" She asked.

His face fell, "This is too close? Does it bother you, princess?" He was already taking a step back as he asked the question.

"No, it’s fine." It didn’t matter whether he was close or far as long as he was hovering about her, it was bound to bother her.

"Sire, we would really be grateful if you could help us. The famine would be the end of us. The planting season is over and we have almost nothing to show for it. We won’t survive the coming months."

Mauve jerked her head to the front as she listened to the older man’s pleas. She frowned, except for the Nolands, she doubted there was any other place that had issues growing plants.

"It doesn’t make any sense. Your town is situated next to the river. If anyone should have an abundant harvest, it would be you lots. Coming to tell me there’s a chance of famine is almost hard to believe."

"I know it is, my King." The man said with his head bent. "But I promise you I speak nothing but the truth. For reasons unknown several of our crops have refused to germinate. We assumed it was just a minimal problem but with the harvesting period, it is pretty obvious there wouldn’t be enough food for us."

"Is that so?"

"What would you like us to do for you then?"

"We need help to survive the coming months. At least until we can figure out the problem and fix it."

"That just sounds lazy to me. You noticed you had this problem but didn’t do anything about it until it became this late."

"I know how it seems my king but we thought the problem would take care of itself and it didn’t seem to be much of a problem as some of the plants still grew. However, it is obvious their harvest wouldn’t be enough."

There was a long period of silence as the King stared at the older gentleman man. He shuffled on his legs.

"Is it just your village that has the issue?"

"Yes, my King." The man responded happily.

"Who is the Lord presiding over the area?"

"Aristocrat Cornwell Marshal, your grace."

Mauve saw the King wince and for some reason, she felt something. She wasn’t sure but it felt as though she had heard about Aristocrat before now.

"Okay. My advisor would give you instructions and a letter to your Lord."

"Thank you so much, your Grace."

Evan Grey was standing up before the man was done with his words. He was bowing as low as he possibly could but The King’s attention had moved to where Mauve was seated.

He started toward her and she stood to her feet immediately. She rushed to him before he could get to her and gave him another bow.

"How was your morning?" He asked when she reached him.

She nodded, "Pretty good."

"That’s wonderful to hear."

"I hope nothing is wrong. Owen told me you wanted to see me."

"Yes, we have urgent matters to discuss."

As he spoke he led her to a smaller door. Mauve knew immediately that the door led to the drawing room. He was likely going to have the conversation in there.

"Urgent?" She asked feigning shook. "What’s wrong?"

"Patience, Mauve. There is no reason for you to get agitated. I would have liked to keep this away from you but I am afraid that is not possible. I have tried to keep it from you as best as I can but it’s better if you knew."

Mauve frowned, she didn’t like the way this sounded. What did he want to tell her and what was he expecting her to do?

"I understand, father. I am willing to help in any way I can." She looked up at him with bright eyes. It was hard to miss the smirk he gave at her words.