Chapter 21
Solaris lay at the very centre of the Kingdom of Eldoria, a few hundred miles away from Solmire. The city was situated in the middle of a lush valley, encircled by the source of the golden river Aelion. Villages sprawled out like slums at the city's border, contrasting with the city, which reeked of affluence. With golden towers in every curve and a large golden orb sitting snugly at the top of the largest fountain, it also seemed to flow out of the golden river.
Solaris was bustling with people who came as though on a pilgrimage and those who stood in line waiting for their turn to fetch from the Aelion river. One noticeable thing about Solaris was the absence of guards, except those guarding the city gates. However, the people within walked and behaved as if they were in sacred land—so sacred that they couldn't even sneeze without offering a ram as a sacrifice for forgiveness.
At the gates of Solaris, the line seemed stagnant as it had not moved for over an hour, thus giving rise to murmurs among the passionate worshippers.
"Woman, I said it's four suns for you and your daughter. It's either you give it or return it to her," a guard snarled, pushing the woman out of the line so others could come. The people in line didn't see anything wrong with the guard, and some even began to throw abuse and insults at the woman.
"Please, I am begging you! She will die if you don't let me fetch some of Aelion's water for her to drink!" The woman knelt on the ground; her dress was tattered and her face smeared with grime. She held onto the guard's leg and sobbed at his feet. The guard looked disgusted at the sight and jerked his leg forcefully, making the woman, along with her daughter, fall to the ground.
"Is that why you disguised yourself to come and trick me? The Sun strike me dead if I let you enter!" he angrily spat at the woman, who was sobbing incessantly while rocking her daughter, who seemed to be having spasms at regular intervals.
A carriage, dragged by four beautiful beasts and lavishly decorated, rolled through the streets. Minos sat in it with a calm expression—until he noticed the carriage stop. The coachman got down and reported to him.
"My Lord, there is a commotion at the gate. I am going to check what is going on."
Minos nodded and watched the coachman leave. Because of the wood separating his section from the coachman, he couldn't see what was going on; nevertheless, his imagination and experience told him what it was.
He was never a religious man and would never be. Why? Because he couldn't understand why he should pray to someone or something whom no one knows if it—or she or he—is actually there to help him in his affairs, when he himself has not been able to fix it, all because he has a superpower. He shook his head at the absurdity of the thought. However, he realized one thing quickly after he became High Steward, which was some decades ago—religion is something crucial needed in controlling the masses, just like how Liu was controlling them.
"Pathetic fools," he muttered under his breath. His coachman soon arrived and told him that he had settled it, boarding the carriage and rolling it onto the gravelled grounds.
"Misers as well," he observed as he stared at the gravelled road. He could see the beautiful 'holy' city sprawled there as they got near.
The guards all stood upright and saluted his carriage, but before the carriage could enter, he saw a woman shedding tears while rocking a little girl in her arms—possibly her daughter. However, the little girl was not making any movements, but before he could continue his analysis, the carriage sped onto the streets of Solaris.
The streets were wide and clean, a feat the capital had not even accomplished—but it had to be expected; after all, this was the basilica for the entire kingdom. Golden towers rose as they sped past them. The city was well organized and neatly navigated too. On the side, he saw a line of people before the golden orb.
"What was that commotion earlier?" He tapped the window before him to attract the coachman's attention.
"My Lord, it was a woman wailing for her dead daughter and blaming the guards for not allowing her entry," the coachman summarised the entire story.
Minos nodded his head, putting two and two together; he instantly realized that the woman was probably the one who was rocking her daughter earlier.
"Why didn't they allow her to enter? Isn't it supposed to be free?" Minos asked, a frown on his countenance.
His coachman gave a tight smile while looking ahead at the road. How could he tell his boss that the rules were almost non-existent in the sacred land?
"Apparently there is an entry fee," his coachman muttered, but Minos managed to hear it.
Minos nodded, but he was not going to do anything about it. After all, it wasn't under his jurisdiction. The kingdom had given the church autonomy to rule its own city, so who was he to meddle?
They soon reached the largest golden tower of all. It was also the prayer point for many. He saw many kneeling in front of the golden orb and seriously muttering their wishes.
Crossing to the final floor of the eight-storey tower, he finally reached the Archbishop's apartment, which also served as his office. Knocking boldly on the door, he opened it at once and saw something that might greatly shock the congregation outside.
The office was a mess—wine bottles lying around, dresses strewn on the floor, and two scarcely dressed ladies smooching the cheeks of the Archbishop. Liu was caught off guard when the door opened, and he shoved the women aside, revealing that his robes were probably among the dumped clothes on the floor, as he was in nothing but a singlet and some shorts.
"You should've waited for me to let you in. You've spoiled the fun," Liu complained, his eyes burning ferociously with lust. The two women quickly covered their bodies before leaving, but not before they each got a smack on the butt.
Liu smirked lewdly as he stared at their retreating figures. "They have got great stamina, can you—"
Minos held his hand up, gesturing that he didn't want to hear more. He was not shocked since he knew beneath the sanctimonious facade, the Archbishop was a fraud—one who only knew how to splurge money on wine and women.
"You are no fun!" Liu pouted. Seeing a man his age act this way, Minos couldn't help but shake his head.
He looked around and took his seat on a sofa that was spared from being a dumping site for clothes.
"Let me get someone to clean this up. Guards—"
"Stop, I'm not going to take long here. I've got places to be," Minos stated, sitting in a straight posture.
"Then can we continue?" Liu said, but Minos glared at him. Liu raised a brow, and Minos gestured to his exposed body before he grudgingly took a white robe off a hanger and wore it.
"Happy now? Can we start?" he questioned.
"The time is getting nearer; we need to spread the rumor," Minos said crisply, putting one leg over the other.
Liu frowned, as if suddenly realizing the importance of the meeting. "I thought we were to wait for another year or two. This rumor could destabilize the entire kingdom—especially if Kaelthor gets to hear of it."
Minos looked at him as though he were stupid. "And you think I didn't know?" he inquired. "One stupid man sped it up—the Prince's poisoning. If we don't take action now, it might get too late."
Liu nodded. He had heard about the Prince's 'accident,' but since he wasn't really friendly with the Prince, he decided to take his precious time visiting, not knowing that the poisoning had caused a shift in plans.
"Also, the Iskarian brat has been a dangerous variable. It's like he is on the King's side. He alone can destroy our plan," Minos growled. Thinking about Veyron made him sick in the head.
"Then do something about him—assassinate him or something."
When Minos heard it, he couldn't help but scoff. "Are you a fool? Do you want the entire Northern continent on our heads? Why don't you think?" He scoffed once more, and Liu raised his hand in surrender.
"Is that all?" Liu asked. By this time, Minos desperately wished to change his facial structure so badly.
Can't believe I'm related to this douchebag! he exclaimed internally.
After a few minutes of calming himself, he said, "The Princess—she seems to be changing, so we have to change our plan for her. She's becoming more aware and has started to ask questions."
He rubbed his temples when he remembered the insane amount of questions she had asked about financial transactions.
"So what will it be?" Liu asked. Minos shrugged in response.
Then his expression grew serious. "What about Evelina's cure?"
Liu shifted in his seat uncomfortably. His silence betrayed his answer. Minos slapped the armrest hard, his eyes turning bloody red.
"Celestria has threatened to take her away if I do not find a cure. I don't want to lose my last family. Do something if you want to have your freaking genitalia in place!" he yelled, stepping out of the room and slamming the door shut.
While all these were ongoing, Veyron and his retinue stepped out of a carriage, stepping onto a whole new land. Veyron looked around and nodded, satisfied. Bentley, meanwhile stretched like never before, reeling in the two day journey they had taken to reach the kingdom northern Eldoria.
"Lord Veyron, the King is awaiting your presence."