Chapter 195: Head Count
"Your Highness?" Dominic called.
"I’m good. Viscount Boscom is safe." Alexis replied.
There were bodies all over the room, and far too many of them in finery. The murder of dozens of foreign Royals and higher Nobles would not go over well, and Dominic didn’t know what was going to happen now.
Would they place the blame all on Prince Kaizon? Would they join the war against Dagos? Realistically, the majority of the country didn’t have anything worth taking, and it would cost them more than they would get back.
But would any of them be willing to support Viscount Boscom?
If he couldn’t provide effective security for formal events, could he be trusted as a Monarch? But there might be more happening in the city than they knew about.
Princess Alexis moved between the bodies, healing those who were still breathing, as did a few other Noble Ladies who had chosen the path of a Priestess. It didn’t appear that there were any other Paladins in the room, but they were uncommon outside Cygnia.
Haggard looking Royal Guards ran in a few minutes later, both survivors of the detachments sent by other nations, and the Dagos Royal Guard members who had been stationed elsewhere in the Castle.
"General, the threat appears to be neutralized. There is no sign of Kaizon in his quarters, or anywhere else in the Palace. However, the Cygnia Army has sent a cavalry regiment into the city." A Guard General announced.
Prince Alex frowned and shook his head. "There hasn’t been any action within the city, and nobody has attempted to leave. If he was in the Palace, he should still be here somewhere."
The Viscount and the new Duke Albroles shared a grim look.
"I think that I know where he has gone. Beneath us, there is an ancient dungeon and escape tunnel system, in case the city and the Palace were besieged. The Duke has already dispatched soldiers to the exit, and we will send another to hunt him down from this side." Viscount Boscom declared.
The Second Prince nodded. "I will join the team, Prince Nathan of Chip will join me, as he is also an accomplished Battle Mage. Even if the coward has a small army with him, we will take care of it. Now, lead the way, there is no time to waste.
Sister, stay here with the others. I won’t be long."
The young Duke of Albroles led the two mages out of the room, and a group of his guards formed behind them, running through the halls.
Viscount Boscom gave the Princess a tired smile and ran a hand through his greying hair.
"You know, I thought that he was seriously going to contend for the throne, not attempt to murder everyone who might support me instead. But I do believe that we can take this as a sign of his abdication, and move ahead with the Coronation ceremony.
The sooner that we can do it, and get the other nations to recognize it, the better." He decided.
Dominic nodded in understanding, but the Princess frowned. The Prince’s actions were like a small child throwing a tantrum. He had realized that he couldn’t have the Throne, and now he was trying to burn everything to the ground so that nobody else could have it either.
That was not the logic of someone who was considered a contender for the throne, even as a Puppet King.
There might be another party involved, making him look worse than he was.
Alexis addressed the Viscount in a quiet tone. "I think that might not be as easy as you hoped, with the number of dead here today. We all know what happened, but how many of the Monarchs sitting at home are going to believe the official story when you have to tell them that their children and senior Nobles were killed at the first dinner of the succession gathering?
Until Prince Kaizon is found and publicly shamed into a confession, your position is shaky.
Worse, I am not certain that even my father will believe the official reports.
If he doesn’t then the ceasefire is going to end in the most violent way possible, and those Nobles who are gathered here to support you will likely be forced home to defend their cities."
Boscom nodded stiffly. "You have a good point, Princess. I should be working on assuring everyone that we’re working to assure their safety. However, with most of the army under the control of Prince Kaizon, that might not be easily done."
He was about to turn away when a thought came to him.
"Might we hire your Natural Sons Regiment for security, Princess Alexis? As the sons of Noblemen, they may be familiar faces to the guests, and at the very least, their loyalties will not be in question."
Alexis took a moment to consider the wisdom of that, then nodded. "I will make an announcement to the room now, and then call for the Regiment to come inside the Palace and secure the area while Dagos works to identify the rest of the assassins."
After all, they were already on their way in, and her communication gem was flashing constantly as the drivers sent messages to the Regiment, who were already in the city.
The head table, which had been left empty for the dinner, as no Monarch was chosen yet, was on a raised stage at the front of the room, putting the King and his invited guests above the rest of the Nobles, in both a literal and a metaphorical sense.
Normally, the Duke would dine there, but in this situation, it had been deemed best not to, as he had no aspirations to the throne.
Dominic led Princess Alexis to the stage, then whistled to stop all the nervous chatter.
Princess Alexis curtsied politely and addressed the Nobles.
"After today’s incident, the Heir Apparent to the throne of Dagos has requested the assistance of Cygnia to ensure the safety of his guests. For this purpose, the five hundred soldiers of the Natural Sons’ Regiment will be entering the city to secure the palace.
They will not be interfering in the political affairs of Dagos beyond security measures, but those who have lost their security retinue may request a personal guard from the Natural Sons.
Rest assured, every man in the Regiment is Noble born, suitable to the role as a personal guard even for Royalty.
We do not wish to fully occupy the city at this time, so the majority of the army will remain on station outside the city limits.
I will personally assist with the funeral arrangements for those who fell here today, as I travel with a number of spare storage devices, so bodies may be preserved if funeral rites will be performed at home.
Prince Nathan of Chip and Prince Alex of Cygnia are hunting the coward Prince who orchestrated the attacks today, and it is Cygnia’s wish that everyone considers staying while the succession of Dagos is sorted.
Questionable legitimacy of the Dagos King is not in our interest." She explained.