Duke Walmart stared at Alex who needed the shoulders of his aids to support himself from falling down.
His right arm had been bandaged which seemed to be severely injured.
The faces of the soldiers also didn't look so well.
There were many scratches and bruises on their bodies and exhaustion was quite evident on their faces.
They looked as if they had gone through hell.
Duke Walmart bowed his head and said"Honourable King of Nevan, we heard that Nevan's newly named Leonhart's expeditionary forces would be travelling through here, so I and most of the minister along with other nobles have come here to welcome you."
"There may have been slight conflicts between Bright and Nevan in the past but all those things are in the past now. As you know there is a saying that there is neither eternal friendship nor eternal enemies. We are willing to become the closest aid of Leonhart's kingdom." Duke Walmart spoke with a humble tone.
Alex waved his head and was about to speak but he coughed violently and was out of breath and it seemed that his wounds had opened up.
"Take Alex inside and treat him. I will take things from here."
Everyone heard a sharp crisp voice followed by the descent of a woman who looked like an absolute fairy from heaven.
Anyone who saw her gulped their saliva and they even skipped a beat for a moment.
Following her, another woman descended whose beauty rivalled the other though she wore a veil it wasn't able to make others avert their gaze rather it drew their attention wanting to see the face under the veil.
COUGH...COUGH.
"Catherine, take things here and also be careful," Alex whispered into her ears as he was carried onto the carriage.
Catherine stepped forward with elegance under the numerous gazes with an indifferent expression and spoke.
"Nice to meet you, Duke Walmart!"
"The pleasure is mine, Queen Catherine."
Catherine nodded and asked them the reason for stopping them.
"Your Highness, we have heard about the unfortunate incidents which you all have suffered at the border of Bright. I can assure you that our Kingdom had no hand in such a heinous deed still we are aware of mistakes which had led to such incidents"
"Because of our carelessness, your men and soldiers have been grievously wounded."
"So, we wanted to beg you for an apology. We ask you to stay at our place and recover a bit before continuing your travel. Moreover, we have prepared some sincere gifts for you all." Duke Walmart spoke with a pleading expression expressing his guilt.
Catherine, who carefully observed him, raised her brows and spoke coldly"Duke Walmart thanks for your kind intention but don't you think that your side is still lacking in sincerity."
"Huh! What do you mean?" Duke Walmart asked with a dumbfounded expression.
"Since it was the negligence of your Kingdom shouldn't such a gesture be offered by the members of royal families?" Catherine asked with a faint smile on her lips.
"Your Highness sorry for such rude behaviour but there had been an unfortunate situation that's why I have to make such an offer in place of His Majesty." Duke Walmart confided and started to explain the situation.
"The First Prince had lost his honour after losing a battle against the Prince of Regan and had lost his senses followed by a series of crises, His Majesty had collapsed recently due to which there is an atmosphere of chaos."
"The Second Prince has been running around trying to take over the situation while suppressing the rebels who are aiming for the throne and has been quite busy."
"Even though he is quite busy. He had promised to visit here today. So, we sincerely asked you to accept our offer."
Catherine pondered for a moment and looked at the soldiers who stared at her with pitiful eyes and finally nodded.
Duke Walmart smiled warmly and shouted"Lay down my orders, prepare the welcoming ceremony for King Alex. We are going to host a banquet at my mansion today. Let the whole Dukedom celebrate their presence and show the world how well we treat the guests."
"His Highness, please follow us."Duke Walmart spoke while sticking closely to Catherine.
The expedition forces followed them closely while the Ministers that were present out there flattered Catherine and Christina to their heart's content singing their praises.
Although Catherine was indifferent to all of it and didn't put them into her ears, Christina was slightly annoyed with all those people buttering her up.
Unlike Catherine who was quite used to it, Christina was not resistant to it, moreover, if someone dared to do this in the army, she would make sure to teach him a lesson and in Nevan, only a person who wishes to seek to die had clouded his senses would behave like this.
Duke Walmart who was speaking quite gracefully asked" Lady Christina, as far as I know, you don't seem to be wearing a veil."
"It's because of the unfortunate incident that I have to wear a veil," Christina muttered with a sorrowful voice.
"Ohhh!What unfortunate incident could that be, Lady Christina?"
"Would it be possible to share the pain with us?" Duke Walmart spoke with a warm smile.
"Of course, it's okay to refuse if it is a personal matter."
Christina shook her head and lifted her veil.
The people around her who saw the scene waiting for the moment to see her face suddenly froze like statues.
Everyone felt a sharp pain in their chest seeing her face and felt as if they were struck by thunder.
Although one can say that her face was beautiful but it used to be as it was riddled with grievous scars now.
"Lady Christina, what happened to your face?"
"Who can dare to commit such an evil deed?"
The people around her started to mutter in an angered voice and it was genuine anger as they wondered who was that cruel bastard who inflicted such damage on a flower.
"I got the scars during the war with Amidon. It was when the King of Amidon attacked us." Christina muttered, staring at the people all around her.
"You don't need to pity me. I will ask the priest to get rid of it when I reach Zenith. So, please don't mind me. "
"Even though she said this, no one was in the mood to chat as their mood have been spoiled after seeing such a devastation
