SMITTEN

Emilio flew down from the Castle's high corridors and went to where Rosalia was. 

Lady Aisha must have had her lunch and was resting in her Chambers, that is why Rosalia was free to roam around. 

"You are working very hard for this case, my lord," Rosalia bowed down to her as soon as his feet landed on the ground. Her smile, shedding light on his heavy heart.

He was discouraged to learn that the disease spreading among the nobles was intentional, and it passed through his senses without him noticing.

He opened his mouth and was about to speak up when he realized that he shouldn't divulge confidential information to anyone other than the King. 

He decided to say another thing instead of what he wanted to say. "Thank you, Rosalia. Is Lady Aisha all right?"

As he recalled, she was not feeling well, which is why she and the King had their breakfast in the Royal Chancery. 

Because of that, he wasn't able to know if Lady Aisha's idea regarding the nobles' condition was approved by the King.

"Yes, she's fine, my lord. The royal physician said that she was just exhausted and needed to rest for a day or two," she beamed at him, relieving Emilio. 

Emilio was about to ask Rosalia whether she had eaten her afternoon meal when a messenger came to them.

"A letter from the Lord Pahaliah, my lord," the messenger bowed down to him. 

Emilio's eyebrows knitted as he was not expecting to receive a message from his grandfather.

He glanced at Rosalia who was also gazing at the letter with curiosity. But as soon as she noticed his stare, she immediately bowed down and bid her farewell. "I was about to go to the poultry to get some eggs for milady. I hope you will solve this issue soon, my lord."

Then she scurried away together with the messenger.

Emilio drew in a deep breath as he watched Rosalia walk away. He really wanted to spend more time with her. 

But his grandfather must have some important message, too.

He opened the envelope and read the letter. He was asking him to meet him at Market Town now.

"Market Town?" Emilio repeated to himself. "What task does he need me to do again?"

He heaved out a sigh as he recalled that whenever his grandfather would lecture him, he would always bring him to Market Town.

He rubbed the back of his neck as he felt reluctant to go. But it was Lord Pahaliah, the leader of the Eliud household. 

"I'm already old for this," he grumbled. But he immediately went to the Market Town as he submitted to his grandfather's will. 

The town was crowded at that time, but it wasn't difficult to spot Lord Pahaliah even in his disguise. 

"How can you even put a broken clay pot for sale? The people might get injured because of your negligence," he was growling at the poor merchant who was just scratching his head.

"You never change, grandfather," Emilio teased him as soon as he landed on his feet. 

Lord Pahaliah lifted his eyeglasses and peeked at him behind his back. "And so do you, Emilio," he grunted as he turned back and walked away, expecting Emilio to follow him. 

Emilio couldn't help but smile. Even in his old age, he was still in his perfectionist hat.

He glanced around and, as he expected, there were some of Lord Pahaliah's guards lurking around the area, protecting him from afar.

"An uprising rebellion greater than the former ones is about to happen. Do your best to take care of the King and the land will be safe," he uttered in almost a whisper, knowing Emilio's ears could hear it.

Emilio froze on his feet for a few minutes at what he heard. His heart almost came to a stand still. 

'Have I heard it right? The issue with the nobles seemed to be chaotic. But Lord Pahaliah made it sound like the whole Gaean land would vanish in existence,' Emilio pondered as he walked on. But he was getting left behind.

Even though Lord Pahaliah doesn't have clear evidence that what he was saying is true, Emilio trusted his words. There were already numerous situations where Lord Pahaliah had predicted what would happen, including the Great Theos' choice of King Leandro as the King of Gaea.

"Emilio," Lord Pahaliah called on him, making him dash forward in compliance. And also, so he could ask what was bothering him. 

Lord Pahaliah was already a meter away from him and seemed to be walking towards the bridge. 

As he saw Emilio bolting to where he was, he turned around and continued to walk ahead.

As soon as he reached his side, Emilio immediately asked him, "Is that connected with the Spelta and Riso issue, my lord?" 

"It is even greater than that. It is enough for the King to be overthrown from his rulership. You should watch the people around him and be prepared yourself," he whispered again.

His face was void of emotions, making anyone think that he was having a friendly conversation with his grandson. 

But Emilio's face was pale white as if his grandfather was whispering threats of murder in his ears. 

This time, Emilio couldn't even swallow or blink. 

"Who would dare do such a thing?" He uttered as he realized how grave the situation is. 

He finally understood why he was having uneasy feelings these past few days.

He was about to ask whether Lady Aisha was involved with it when an unexpected situation occurred while they were having a conversation.

A man who appeared out of nowhere dashed to where they were in the middle of the streets.

He seemed to be escaping from someone who was running after him.

"Stay back, my lord," Emilio immediately drew his sword to protect his grandfather.

But what he didn't realize was that the man has powers.

He pushed Emilio and Lord Pahaliah, together with the other consumers in the Market with a powerful force using just his hands.

All of them were thrown off balance. But Emilio was able to stand up quickly. 

His eyes didn't leave the man. He was about to follow after him when Lord Pahaliah spoke in a weak voice, "Help me, Emilio."

Emilio immediately turned back. His jaw dropped as he saw his grandfather's leg full of blood.

**********************************

Early and provident fear

Is the mother of safety.