"Please....help me....."
My tears wouldn't stop flowing. Just why am I crying this much? I don't even want to cry this much. But I can't help it.....my mind and body feels tired and just want to cry it all out.
"Stand up....."
Argus gets on his knees and then gently helps me stand and using his thumb wipes my tears. He motions the maids to leave us alone and finally asks,
"What happened?
I sniffle, forcing myself to stop crying and in between sobs reply,
"Eros....and Lark. He took them. He hinted that he will kill them if we dig any further....what do we do now, Argus?"
"Don't worry. We do not need to investigate further as I have already found out everything."
"Then..."
"Yes, he is the one responsible for everything."
"Then what about my brothers? I went to look at his office last night but no one was there. I wanted to go check out Ryker's mines however, I did not know where they were...."
"You went there alone?"
"Well...yes. Who else was I gonna take with me? I came here first....but...."
She then decides not to say anything since seeing his face, she figured that he already knows everything.
"It won't happen again. I apologise for what happened....I really am....."
"It's fine. It's not your fault. It's not even those guards fault. They were just doing their duty."
"Rhea...."
"Tell me. How do we find my brothers?"
"Do you trust me?"
"I do....but what are you planning to do?"
"Then I'll bring your brothers to you. Until then you stay here and rest...."
He puts his hand on my forehead and adds,
"You still have a slight fever. It's better to take medicine and sleep some more."
"...how can I go and sleep so peacefully when my brothers could be getting killed right now? I will come with you."
"Please, trust me. I will bring them to you. You need to rest. There's also the trial you have to attend and for that, it's better if you're healthy. Don't you want to get back at Ryker?"
"Trial? Does this mean we are going to court?"
"Of course. We have all the evidence. Now just need to give him his punishment."
"So....I should just go to sleep for now?"
"Yes, I will go and find out the whereabouts of your brothers. Please stay at ease and take care of yourself."
He opens the door and calls for the maids. The same two maids as before came.
"These two will take care of you. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
"Are you going to the mines to look for them?"
"No, I am going to talk to my spy. He will know about everything."
"Please do inform me as soon as you find anything."
"Yes, I will. I will also notify your mother about your whereabouts."
"Thank you."
___________________
As soon as Rhea goes back to sleep, Argus sends his aide to look for Eros and Lark. Some of his knights also go along with his aide. While Argus himself goes to visit Marquis Leander Gessele, who is the Royal Head of Mining and keep's track of the whole kingdom's transactions regarding mining and every business that's related to it. The Marquis was a stern, firm man of his own strong beliefs and values. He was not much of a talker and only focused on his work. His wife died after giving birth to his only family now left, which was his daughter, Lydia Gessele. Yes, she was Rhea's best friend.
Originally the Marquis ignored and neglected his daughter since he did not know how to act around her and thus focused merely on his work. Although, this did not mean that he does not love his daughter. He cherishes his daughter and is willing to do anything for her. However, since he fails to talk to her, his daughter had never asked him for anything. But she did talk to him happily and cheerfully whenever they met and seeing her smiling so brightly made him happy since it was the only thing he cared about.
When Argus reached the Gessele Estate, he was still in awe to see the astonishing clear lakes and multiple waterfalls here and there followed by tiny streams. The mansion was located at the state of Isla also known as the land of water, named after it's beautiful lakes, streams and waterfalls that were in various shades of blue and turquoise and reflected the starry sky at night. He was taken straight to the Marquis's office where he was met with a tall man, even though he looked younger than his age yet when observed carefully wrinkles and all his experience could be seen. His hair had become grey over the years matching the colour of his eyes.
They sit in front of each other and before long, the servants come in serving tea and refreshments.
"What brings you here, my Duke?"
"Ryker Cash. I presume you have heard of that name before?"
"I am familiar."
"In a good way or a bad way?"
"Neither. We have never interacted with each other before."
"Then are you aware of his reputation and all he has done?"
"What's your point?"
"I am planning to register a case against him. However, I am aware that some of the jury and court are also with him. For this, I need you to present my case."
"I am not a lawyer, Duke Argus."
"By presenting my case you know exactly what I'm referring to."
"You want me to write a letter of confirmation as proof of all the illegal dealings Mr. Cash has done?"
"That too. Along with your presence during the trial as a witness since you are afterall, the head of all these affairs. Even if you turn a blind eye to some things, it does not mean you are not aware of them. Am I correct?"
"Both are separate things. Even if he has done illegal things like these, I do not have the jurisdiction to punish him for his crimes."
"That is correct. However, you do have the right to provide evidence and back up the case."
"And what makes you think I will assist you?"
"Ryker Cash is not a good man. As part of the Majesty's men, shouldn't we take care of such people as it is our duty?"
"Regardless of how good of a man he is, I do not poke my nose into businesses that do not belong to me. I can only advise you that which lawyer would be best to hire however that's all it would be. I wish you good luck in your case."
The only thing left was for him to tell Argus to leave. However, since Argus, a Duke, was of higher rank than him, he could not do so. Instead he kept staring at him.
"Then would you take the case if it was a royal order?"
"Are you willing to go so far as to request the King to step in and personally order me?"
"If I have to, then so let it be."
"May I ask something? It does not make sense to me how a lowly man like Mr. Cash could have offended you. Why are you after him?"
"True. That rat can never bother me. But, he did bother one of mine. And you know very well, how possessive I can be. I don't like anyone hurting my people. I doubt anyone like that. Aren't you the same as well?"
"One of yours?"
The Marquis raise his brow in surprise and curiosity since as far as he and everyone else knows the Duke has no one else left in his family. Therefore who might he be referring to?
"So what is your decision, Marquis?"
"I...."
The Marquis was about to reply when the door flings open and in comes Lydia, rushing to her father.
"Father, you have to take the case. Please!"
Surprised Argus and the Marquis both blink in confusion.
"It seems your daughter has a habit of eves-dropping."
Argus commented but his remark was ignored since the Marquis was more surprised about what his daughter was doing here and why was she so interested in the case. Is she acquainted with the Duke?
"Why?"
"Because it's for my friend."
"Friend?"
The Marquis looks at Argus and adds,
"The Duke?"
"Oh no!"
Both Argus and Lydia respond at the same time.
"Not the Duke, father. You know I have only got one friend, Rhea. It's her case. Rhea is the one acquainted with the Duke. You know about Rhea's situation, right? Then please help her. Please. I have never asked for you anything in life.....but please...."
"I got it, my dear. I will do it."
The Marquis retorted, surprised to see his daughter ask for something for the first time in his life and he wasn't going to refuse it. He was also curious what relation Lady Rhea had with Duke Argus, but he knew better that it's useless to meddle in other's affairs. Besides, a good thing came out of it. His daughter finally asked him for something.
"Yes, thank you father! You're the best!
Lydia hugs her father in excitement and gives the a courtesy nod to Argus and then leaves.
"Now then, let's start. Shall we?"
Argus stated to which the Marquis nodded in agreement. They wrote an application to the royal court which went directly to the supreme head. Within two hours, a notice was sent to Ryker Cash.
Ryker who became rich only by stealing's other's money was devastated. All his life he would give loans to others and then make them lose their money and in return for his payment, he would additionally ask for something else in return either a coal mine or a sapphire mine. Moreover, he would intentionally keep on increasing the interest on the loan so that the other party would never ever leave his debt. Before all of this, he would illegally smuggle goods and sell them on a double price.
Seeing the letter, he angrily smashes his table side lamp on the floor. One of his men who stood next to him gets startled by this. Ryker turns to him and angrily orders,
"Kill those brats. It's useless now. What good are people who won't listen. Now they will understand what it means to disobey me."