King Rodrick''s expression did not change. He knew that the prince was only trying to get him angry.  "I am doing well son," he replied with a smile that did not reach the eyes.

    "of course father would be doing fine, after all, you still have two... Oh, I forgot to count myself, three sons," prince Sébastien said. He watch the king and seeing that the man was not going to reply, prince Sébastien turned serious. There was no way he came to find the king just to anger him.

    " War is coming, information I gather shows that the men from across the sea are brave fighters. We need more men. We also need to find out more about our enemies," prince Sébastien said.

    "I have asked the liberal keeper to check the books. I have also sent a message across the seven kingdoms under us to check for books and also your brothers will assemble or the able body men down to Avalo. Elliott has decided to leave the kingdom and leave in Tait with his wife. He will be our eyes there, " King Roderick informed.

    Prince Sébastien nodded his head. He was surprised by Elliott''s decision. He knew the third prince of Avalo also have eyes for the throne, so he thought that with Jeffrey out of the way, Elliott would try to win the king''s favor.

    " there was a message from Bozao, they are about to hold the ceremony of the crown prince. The royal family sent an invitation," prince Sébastien informed.

    "We do not have time for a trivial thing like such. You must assemble the men and train two times harder. Besides the invitation is just formality," King Roderick waved his hand.

    "I intend to attend," prince Sébastien said. The king secretly gritted his teeth in anger. He knew that the prince wanted to just get him angry.

    "with your permission, I will go with the princess. She told me that Bozoa royal library has a book about the people from across the sea," prince Sébastien said.

    "You have my permission," king Roderick said. He knew that his son would not listen even if he asked him not to so he decided to save his face by granting him permission to go. Moreover, if there was a person he could trust to handle things without fear it was prince Sébastien. If there was really such a book Avalo needed to get their hands on it.

    "With your permission," prince Sébastien bowed and walked away. Now that his father informed him about Elliott''s plans to leave the kingdom prince Sébastien was determined to find out why he made that decision and if he was just playing some tricks.

    Meanwhile, princess Ellen was seated in the garden. A space was created for her to relax. She was reading a book to while away her time.

    "your highness," Grater walked to the princess and bowed her head.

    "What is it?" princess Ellen asked since she could tell that the maid was here to tell her something.

    "Her highness, the Queen sent you an invitation to eat lunch with her this afternoon," Grater informed.

    "what?" princess Ellen was surprised by this message. The Queen had given her the cold shoulder since the day she stepped into the Palace. So now inviting her for lunch Prince Ellen could not help but feel suspicious.

    Although the Queen has helped her out in the Royal court, princess Ellen was aware that there was no sure thing as free lunch.

    Grater noticed the look on the princess''s face so she felt the need to comfort her. "my princess, I am sure there is nothing to worry about. Queen Magret usually invited the young wife''s in the Palace to have lunch with her from time to time," Grater said.

    "Have you ever gone to the lunch before?" princess Ellen could not help but ask. She honestly did not want to be in the Queen''s bad book. Princess Ellen knew that for Queen magret to remain seated beside the king for years she must not be as simple and kind like she appears.

    Although princess Ellen did not grow up within a house filled with many women, she could still guess that every woman married to the king will try to get the position of the Queen.

    "No, but the Queen is very kind-hearted, I am sure she will not hurt you," Grater said in a confident voice. She had not worked in the Palace for too many years but she was sure that the Queen will not hurt her unless princess Ellen went overboard and she was sure that princess Ellen would not make such a mistake.

    " I hope so, tell me, what gift do you think I can offer her," princess Ellen asked. She did not believe Grater''s one bit about the Queen being kind-hearted. What kind-hearted woman does not care for her son.

    "since it is not a special occasion. I will arrange some tea leaves to carry along. Don''t worry I will go with you," Grater said before leaving princess Ellen alone.

    Once Grater walked away, the princess also stood to her feet. She wanted to make a good impression on the Queen. Mothers-in-law are said can be a pain on a young wife''s neck.

    Ellen hurried back into her chamber. She had asked her maids to move only a few things into the prince chamber. Most of her dresses were still in her chamber.

    "Help me find the perfect dress, I would be eating lunch with Queen today," princess Ellen instructed her two maids.

    "you mean the prince Mother?" the first maid curiously asked.

    "yes," princess Ellen answered the maid.

    "Can I come with you, I want to meet the Queen I hear she is so nice and beautiful. Unlike Queen Regina," the second maid said.

    "Hey, are you not afraid to lose your head for saying such things about your Queen," the first maid was taken aback by the second maid''s words.

    "oh please, I am no longer afraid of her, this is Avalo. Her power as the Queen ends in Bozao. Meaning my life is now in the hands of the Avalo royal family. Queen Regina was evil and she treated our princess wrongly," the second maid said. No one except her knows how much she hates Queen Regina. Marina was the same maid tasked to report the princess''s agony. It was only recently she found out she did not have to continue obeying Queen Regina, so she felt relieved and slipped her tongue in the presence of the princess.

    "Marina, stop it, she is still my mother," princess Ellen stopped the maid. No matter what she could never allow a maid to insult Queen Regina.

    "My princess, you are so kind. Your heart is pure and you deserve the best things in life. I heard Queen Agatha had such a pure heart too," Marina said.

    Princess Ellen was happy to hear a good report about her mother. Marina was only a few years older than princess Ellen so she did know that Queen Agatha was Ellen''s mother.

    " marina is right my princess, your heart is pure just like that of your mother,"  Rosa, the first maid said. Marina was confused by Rosa''s statement but she did not dare speak carelessly in the presence of the Queen again.

    Princess Ellen smiled as she looked at the two dresses her maid help up for her to choose.