A Fallen Knight-Lost art of Necromancy

Chapter 130: Wedding Invitation

Knock Knock

One of the guards knocked on the door. Soon Severus was escorted inside a big room. Well, the study of King Marquis was spectacular. Spacious and elegant. The walls were painted sober red which was not as bright as cherry but was not also dull. It gave the vibes of an elderly man. Those two burly men bowed in front of the table as they announced Severus' presence. 

"Your majesty we brought that priest here"

The king Marquis was seated on his study table while his head was buried in a bunch of documents. Well, he was a king, so work was unavoidable. He slowly lifted his head and examined the intruder. 

Both the guards stiffened when they were gazed at by him. Even Severus was intimidated by him. Although it wasn't his first-time meeting with him still, he felt restless. It was as if he could see through him. His anxiety was written all over his face. Well, it was good actually. A local priest cannot remain calm in face of such pressure.

Can he?

Marquis flicked his robe as he casually took down his gold-rimmed glasses. He gestured his finger, and those two burly men left the study. Now it was only Marquis and Severus. With his eyes that were deep like the ocean, he scrutinized him from head to toe. Severus felt naked under his stare nevertheless he maintained his calm. It was so difficult that it was suffocating. 

Marquis exhaled loudly as he propped his head on his right palm and dropped the pen. He smiled cheekily as he greeted him. "Welcome back" 

Severus stunned for a moment. He had never seen Marquis ever smiled so for him this situation felt surreal. It took him some time to come out from his stupor. 

"Sorry? Welcome back? We are meeting for the first time your majesty" Severus quickly calmed down as his back was dripped with sweat. It was the second time he evaded that man's trick.

This cheeky old bastard.

"Ah! My apologies Mister. You look so similar to him. For a moment I was feeling like I was seeing him in front of me. Such nostalgia."

"Him?" He questioned curiously.

What a sad joke! 

Faking in front of me. I never knew you had no love for me. Such a heartbreaking moment. Severus lamented.

Although he saw this coming and he thought he was prepared for it. Nothing could hurt him now but when it actually happened in reality, it still pained him. The heart which seemed to be dead started aching suddenly. A sudden existential crisis hit him like a huge wave but Severus reminded himself to be calm. This was not the correct time to lose himself to despair or else he will be drowned forever in it.

He ignored Marquis gaze and pulled a courteous smile.

"He was my adopted son. He was a good kid who excelled in everything. Alas! He died. Someone assassinated him" Marquis pretended to lament. Severus inwardly commend him for pulling such a lovable fatherly act. If not for him experiencing everything by hams; if he was sure he would have fallen for such an act. 

What a disgrace!

"Oh! My condolences" Severus replied curtly. 

"Hmmm. Let us not talk about him or else I would be sad again. I called you here to personally thank you for protecting the main palace and Rivera kingdom from that beast attack. I was not there when my kingdom was under attack thus, I was scared and it's all thanks to you that no one was harmed. I and Rivera kingdom are grateful for your kind act" Marquis thanked him.

Severus did not know what to say. "Ah! It was nothing. I was just passing by and saw some ruckus happening here thus I helped. Not a big deal"

"You are so humble. I am amazed. I have heard you are a priest from the mountains. Well, Rivera kingdom will always be in debt so feel free to ask for any help from us. We would be glad."

Severus quickly shook his head in denial." Thanks, but no thanks, King Marquis. I do not mean to sound big, but I like to solve my problems myself. Maybe another time"

Marquis nodded his head in understanding. "What a great way of living." He parsed him.

"You embarrass me, your majesty" Severus too chuckled lightly. 

"Well, I think you met with everyone. Maverick is my child and Melanie is his fianc. I am thinking of arranging their marriage ceremony as soon as I can. It is too tiring to be a king and my old bones are screaming for rest now. Here, accept the invitation." With this Maquis handed him a red card. Severus hesitated a little but, in the end, accepted it. He could exactly guess what it was and thus did not bother to open it but Maverick took it otherwise. For him, Severus act of not opening the envelope signifies his repressed feeling for Melanie. His grin spread widely reaching his eyes. Suddenly he felt happy.

"I as the current king of Rivera Kingdom personally invite you to be the esteemed guest of ours in my son's wedding ceremony. It will be held after 15 days according to the prosperous date. Till then enjoy the stay in our palace and bless my childrens"

"....."

For real?

I am not really a saint.

He mumbled to himself. 

Damn, he is doing this purposely. 

Severus accepted the invitation as he bowed slightly showing his compliance. "Very well your majesty"

Marquis laughed loudly.

HAHAHAH.

"I knew that you would not let me down."

As if I can deny a king. Severus snickered inside his heart. 

Marquis asked him to have a take with him, but Severus denied it and left the room. Marquis too did not force him and they both bid each other good night. 

After Severus left the room, a man who looked no more than in his 30's came out from his hiding. He was swearing a maroon, red gown which was hooded. Half of his face was covered with a red cap and only his lips were visible. He had a defined jaw and tight lips. You can tell that he was a beauty even without seeing a hush full face. There were several women inside his palace that fell for this man, but this man showed no interest in any of them. Marquis even wondered whether he was a person who swung the other way but never bothered to ask. This matter does not concern him so why would he waste his time.

"So, is he the one or are we wrong?" Marquis asked grimly.

The man leisurely took a seat opposite to Marquis and fiddled with a red rubix cube completely ignoring him. 

Such disrespect!

If it were anyone else Marquis would have ordered execution for them, but this man was excused time and time again. There were several times he had helped him to cover up for his black deeds. If not for him, he would have died long ago. He himself did not know what the reason was he had saved him but who cares. Marquis was a fickle person. If he was willing to help him Marquis didn't care for reasons. 

The man busied himself in the cube for a long time and when finally, it ended he just placed it back on his table and uttered what Marquis wanted to hear. "He is the same and the one we are looking for"

As soon as the red-robed man said this Marquis felt as if he was the happiest person on the earth. 

Such wonderful news!

"Oh no! I never knew it was all true. He is really her kid and even possessed black art. I do not think he is aware of his talent but that makes it better. I can manipulate him according to my wishes. Finally! Finally, I will discover the long-lost art of necromancy and will become immortal. I would revive that bitch again and will make love to her until she dies and then revive her again. That damn bitch cheated on me. I swear I will make her pay."

Marquis was so engrossed in his wild imagination that he became totally oblivious of his surroundings. In his happiness, he didn't see the clenched fist of the red robed man. A terrifying aura floated inside the room for a second, but it disappeared as soon as it came. Marquis delta gush of cold air against him but because he was so into his happiness he didn't give in much thought. The red-robed man abruptly stood up. "I am leaving. I need to prepare everything for the day" He took his leave and disappeared from the room in an instance.

"..."

Was he asking me or telling me?

Well, who cares as long as I can find that long lost art of necromancy? 

Maverick smiled maniacally. If anyone else saw his expression, then he would be terrified to death. A menacing expression was worn by him on his face. There was something in him which made him look like a demon. Although he looked like a human but the vibes that were coming from him were no ordinary.