Chapter 118 Old habits.
“Sir Antony.” Doris bowed her head because she wasn’t sure what else to do. The old man only laughed and she felt the heat crawl up her neck. She hadn’t yệt broken her old habits.
“No need for that, my child. It seems I’ve been in the dark about some of the matters between rogues. I woke up this morning to an empty house and village.” Sir Antony brushed his hand across one of the horses though a sad look formed along his features.
“They haven’t told you anything?” Doris asked in disbelief. “Surely you must have noticed the tension—“
“I was told it was being handled respectively, now I see that wasn’t true.” He glanced over her shoulder. She didn’t have to turn to know that William was there. Sir Antony didn’t smile, but he didn’t glare at least. “You look just like her.”
His soft tone shocked her a bit. Doris glanced back to see William clench his jaw. They all knew he meant William’s mother that used to live in this very camp. “Must be why my father hates me.”
Doris cleared her throat and took a step closer to Sir Antony. “Is there anyway you can help us? Perhaps they would see reason if you were to intervene. I know how highly they all think of you.”
“I’d first like to know what the prince is doing in my territory. I haven’t had a chance to ask him personally.” Sir Antony kept his eyes on William and Doris was starting to feel as if she was invisible again. “Didn’t you get any of my invitations for a private meeting? I was beginning to think my messenger was keeping them for himself.”.
“I did. I didn’t think they would be useful to me.” William said calmly. Doris looked at him, surprised. She didn’t know that he had been ignoring an invitation with the founder of the rogues. Doris hadn’t seen Sir Antony come out of his cabin since she arrived, she thought he was just unwell.
What did he mean that a meeting wouldn’t be useful to him? She couldn’t think of anything more useful than having the founder of rogues on your side.
Sir Antony offered a small, sad smile. “I know you are the reason my people are separated. You owe me a reason, the very least.”
“I would think you would be the one to owe me something.” William spoke as if he was disinterested in everything around him. The disrespect was plain, but Sir Antony only looked amused by William’s mood.
“William, what are you talking about? I thought you—“ William silenced Doris with a glance that could have cut her. She narrowed her eyes at him and balled her hands
into fists at her sides.
“I came to unite the rogues back with the kingdom, but not everyone is happy with the idea.” William forced out as if Doris had tortured him to say it. “I wanted peace between our lands.”
“Oh really? And how would you expect to do that?” Sir Antony asked curiously.
“Once I become king, I’ll be able to enforce peace towards the rogues. Any mistreatment won’t be tolerated under my order. All I need is the rogues agreement and support but it seems most of them won’t stand still enough to listen.”
“Once you become king? I was under the impression that your older brother is first in line.” Sir Antony tilted his head. She admired how calm and kind he sounded whenever he spoke, even when he was confused himself.
“My brother doesn’t know what’s right for the kingdom. He’s just a copy of my father, no peace or goodness will come out of his ruling. The rogues will be treated the same if he takes the crown—“ William took a deep breath. “I know how to be the king these lands deserve and I came here to prove it. I just need a chance to convince them of it.”
“I see.” Sir Antony nodded. “I’m not sure how you will get their approval, but you can certainly try.”
“Do you know if the villagers were taken to Life Pharmacy?” Doris asked.
Doris gripped on tightly to the reigns and tried her best not to fall off and make a fool of herself as she followed William up the path. It was the first time she had to steer her own horse, but she at least knew how to hold on well enough and her horse seemed to want to follow William’s.
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