Chapter 245: Here Comes the Sage

"What if she truly is the Queen?" added Matthias, his voice tinged with the desperation of a man who had watched his friend’s suffering for far too long. It was obvious in his face that his thoughts were all over the place as well. But as much as it sounded nearly impossible to him, he wished it was the case. He cared for the woman, and more than that, he didn’t want to watch Alec live in misery all his life.

Alec didn’t answer and turned to the window where the starry night could be seen from the sky. The room’s candles flickered, casting wavering shadows on Alec’s face, reflecting his inner turmoil.

He had been searching for ways to resurrect the dead, and he found one using sorcery, but it wouldn’t guarantee the dead to come back as someone she was used to be.

Sorcery was the magic of the darkness, and it had always meant to corrupt its user and those who associated themselves with it. Resurrecting the dead was taboo, something that bent the rules of the natural world. Even his father who possessed such innate ability had to pay a great price.

The next morning, a worn-out brown leather shoes stepped foot on the castle’s marble floor. Anthony, with his long gray coat and gray hat, was a stark contrast to the opulence of the surroundings. He was dressed in simple clothes, and the new maids who saw him looked at him with judging eyes, wondering if he was a guest or a lost peasant.

The room’s ancient chandeliers cast a warm, golden light that danced upon the polished marble floor, illuminating the intricate mosaic patterns that told tales of the kingdom’s history. It had been several months since Anthony had last seen the King.

In the past years, they had been in constant contact with each other as Alec usually went to where he was, seeking advice. He knew Alec had still not given up his plan to bring back his dead wife, and Anthony assumed the broken King must have another way, another experiment he wished to test.

The grand hall felt both welcoming and ominous, with its towering arches and ancient suits of armor on display, a testament to the kingdom’s storied past.

Taking deliberate steps into the main hall of the castle, Anthony halted, and a crease went between his eyebrows. A hint of surprise was evident on his expression.

The grandeur of the castle enveloped Anthony as he ascended the staircase, its polished marble steps cool and smooth beneath his worn leather shoes. He was led by the chief maid, Isobel, a woman of grace and poise who recognized the sage instantly. She curtsied respectfully and spoke with a warm smile that crinkled the corners of her eyes.

"It has been a while, sire. His Majesty must be expecting you upstairs. Shall you have tea or any refreshments? Lemonade, perhaps."

Anthony offered her a gracious nod and returned her smile. "Thank you, Isobel," he replied in his measured tone. "I am not parched and starving, so I’ll have it later."

With a polite farewell, Isobel left him to continue his journey through the castle’s hallowed halls.

It was only yesterday he had received a missive from the King, a message shrouded in mystery, lacking details. If not for his unusually free schedule, he wouldn’t have made his way to the castle so promptly. Now that he was here, a growing unease settled in his chest, an unspoken fear that the King had acted hastily.

Outside the King’s office, vigilant guards recognized Anthony at a single glance. There was no need for words; they knew him well as an important acquaintance of the King, sought for his wisdom and counsel on numerous occasions. With a nod and a turn of the doorknob, the doors to the King’s inner sanctum swung open, revealing the room bathed in the soft glow of antique chandeliers.

Anthony’s shoes clicked rhythmically against the gleaming marble floor. His keen eyes swept the room, darting past the richly upholstered furniture, finely detailed tapestries, and the imposing desk where King Alec sat.

Alec’s gaze lifted from the pile of court reports before him, his keen eyes locking onto the sage. He knew who had come even without looking. Anthony always carried a scent of fresh herbs, earthly, as if he had just stepped out of the forest.

There was no need for formalities or introductions. Anthony’s presence was as familiar as the air they breathed.

"What have you done, King Alec?" Anthony’s voice was laden with a gravitas that cut through the air, a serious tone reserved for moments of great concern. It was a voice that bore the weight of years of friendship and guidance.

Alec leaned back in his ornate chair, his brow furrowing with confusion. "What’s with the question?"

"Did you lose your control and decide to tap into forbidden magic just to bring her back?" Anthony’s voice, though gentle, bore the weight of judgment. It was a question that had gnawed at him since he stepped foot in the castle.

Alec’s brow furrowed in confusion, but at the same time he was beginning to understand that Anthony had already knew about the maid somehow. But he didn’t know what he meant by the question. Did he assume that he was the one who brought the woman through sorcery?

"Did you hear about it from the maids? Or was it Matthias?"

The two seemed to be puzzled by each other’s words.

"No one told me anything," Anthony confessed, his tone gentle and measured. "But when I stepped into the castle just now, I felt a spiritual energy, one that was hauntingly familiar. It feels like the spiritual energy of Queen Lauren."

Alec’s whole body stiffened, the revelation hitting him like a thunderclap. He had summoned Anthony with the sole intention of having the sage examine the new maid, to ascertain if she was indeed a sinister replica of his wife, and to lift the spell of replication that had been cast upon her. This was meant to prove the woman’s treachery and her nefarious intentions. But now, with what Anthony had said, Alec felt like a wonderful bomb had just exploded right in front of him.

His fingers tightened around the edges of his desk, knuckles white with tension.

As one of the few skilled senior mages in the kingdom, Anthony possessed the unique ability to sense and perceive people’s spiritual energies, especially those who were familiar to him. He could recognize these energies within a certain distance.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read