The Princess And The Lord-Chapter 1346: A Resolution

In the King’s office, Fredhardt was busy taking over Lucas’ work, or at least some of it that was still under his jurisdiction while the rest he would humbly hand over it to Lory.

Fortunately, Lory has been taking private courses about social politics, management, and such since she was young if not she would have found it difficult to adjust to her new position as the King’s regent, in fact, she is much better now compared when she was young it made him wonder what she had done all this time in another world? She said she only ate and slept when she was there, maybe she’s not telling the whole truth or simply forgotten as usual.

Nevertheless, he was thankful that Lory was here, otherwise, he didn’t know how much important work would be delayed. Eventually, they wouldn’t have any other choice but to reveal Lucas’ condition to the public, which would cause panic and chaos within the country, and Fredhardt knew that was what their enemies were waiting for.

He massaged his stiff neck after working five hours non-stop. Fred never pays attention to how long he’s been working usually he stops when someone stops him or when his body screams begging him to stop.

He lifted the tall coffee mug that he had drunk more than half of and then gulped down the rest, he reflexively winced as the bitter taste coated his tongue but at the same time, he immediately felt energetic again.

Fred put down his mugs, then his eyes subconsciously glanced at the phone lying next to him. His phone kept receiving emails and messages every few minutes so he checked his phone but after a while his expression darkened then he threw his phone back on the table and huffed in annoyance.

A moment later the office door suddenly opened and Jay walked in with a wide grin as he walked towards Fred. Seeing Jay’s stupid grin, he realized it had been a long time since he had last seen that stupid grin on Jay’s face.

Fredhardt almost forgot that Jay used to have a childish smile that made him look innocent though in his personal opinion, Jay looked like an idiot.

But after the death of the previous King and former Archknight, Jay became more withdrawn and serious, but things got worse after Lory’s tragic death. But at least he was still comforted by Lucas’s presence which made him focus more on his job to protect Lucas because he knew that was what Lory would want, so when Lucas got hurt and fell into a coma, it became a straw that broke the Camel’s back.

Jay became somber and gloomy, he also became short temper, and his emotions were easily provoked even by a small thing therefore his men had to be tip-toeing around him. Still, if he wanted to be honest, it wasn’t just Jay, everyone also experienced significant changes, so how could they not?

Fargo didn’t like to socialize anymore and tended to spend his time focused on missions even Fred couldn’t remember the last time he heard Fargo dated someone or even flirted with a woman.

The same thing also happened to Clift. Since he was a child he was already very reserved but it got worse after Lory was gone. For a professional assassin who never let his guard down, people would sometimes catch Clift in a daze untill someone tapped his shoulder, luckily it never happened during the mission but after Lucas went into a coma one could say something inside him broke.

While in his case... well, he didn’t feel much change in himself, it just he became a workaholic just like everybody else. Saying Fred is a workaholic is a simple way to say it. Fred is not just a workaholic but a workaholic on steroids.

Fred worked long hours without eating or sleeping all day except for coffee. When Lucas got hurt, he worked for three days straight without sleeping or eating to find a way to save Lucas and it got to the point where his mother had to drag him to bed and stuff him with sleeping pills so he could sleep.

It doesn’t take a genius to know that they all suffer from severe PTSD. While they were still mourning the death of Lory and the late King along with the former Archknight. Suddenly they have to face a situation where they might lose their only reason to live, of course, their emotions become unstable. It’s good enough that they can still maintain their sanity and appear somewhat normal in front of their subordinates.

Fred couldn’t imagine what would have happened to them if Lory hadn’t returned he isn’t even sure if they could provide any help to Lucas with their condition at that time.

The Archknights were lost without their king, like a ship sailing through a storm without a captain, drifting without direction, and eventually sinking in the ocean. That was why he was worried about his father Stephan’s condition, he was worried that his father would disappear one day without knowing where he was.

"Hey Fred, are you okay? Jay snapped his fingers in front of Fred’s face a few times to make sure he was okay.

Fred snapped out of his thoughts, "Oh, yeah, I was just...thinking" he adjusted his position and showed a reassuring smile but Jay knew better.

"Are you worried about Luc, or...maybe Uncle Stevie?"

Fred didn’t answer which confirmed Jay’s guess. As the Archknight he could imagine what Stephan felt after he lost his friend and his King, after all, he also almost lost Lucas and that’s why he worries about his father regardless of his reluctance to admit it.

"Just ask me and I will find your father in a jiffy" Jay didn’t know why Fred didn’t ask for his help if he was so worried about his father.

Fred waves his hand "Nah, he will be fine, he still has purpose though I don’t know what, but he’ll live, for now at least"

Jay rolled his eyes. Fredhardt and Stephan’s relationship was always hot and cold, but that didn’t mean they hated each other. On the contrary, they had the same traits and attitudes, and even their appearance was very similar to the point no one would question Fred as Stephan’s Son.

People say similar people repel each other perhaps that was what happened with Stephan and Fredhardt.

"Okay, just holler if you need my help" Jay reminds him.

Fred raised his finger. "I’m not a holler, but I get what you mean. Thank you," he sincerely said.

Since Fred didn’t say anything anymore, Jay didn’t ask any further questions either. "By the way, this is the report we received from the Ember city mayor." Jay put down a red folder on Fredhardt’s desk.

Fredhardt opened the folder and then perused the report thoroughly one by one. He flipped the paper without speaking then suddenly he chuckled "So James Aldwin is involved as well, it seems like our foreign minister does more than discuss our policy with other countries"

Jay leans his butt on the table while folding his arms in front of his chess "Unlike Simon, he’s smart enough never used digital transfers or met anywhere that had CCTV or people, there’s not even a record of his interactions with anyone suspicious, sadly, he forgot who he was dealing with."

Fred smiled deviously "I assumed you used your gift to get all this proof"

There’s a dangerous glint when Jay smiles "I feel offended he thinks he can hide from me"

Jay’s Gift is called Electro, which is the power to channel electricity to objects or himself depending on the amount of mana a person has just like Lloyd channels his gift to his weapon, but Jay’s power is much more unique than that.

Jay can affect all devices that are electrified and transfer his consciousness to them, such as cameras, radios, televisions, computers, and all devices that are electrified. But the further he releases his consciousness, the more Mana is drained, so Jay prefers to use the old way, which is hacking the system.

Jay rarely uses this method even though N.I.M.S. has made him a machine that allows Jay to strengthen his consciousness so far it can reach another country without exhausting his mana, however, he feels vulnerable the further his consciousness is separated from his physical body, so he rarely uses it.

"Do you know the motive?" Fred did not believe that people who worked closely with the king would betray their king just because of a whim, he believed there must be a definitive reason why they dared to betray their king knowing the consequences would not be good either for themselves or their families.

"We don’t have much time, it’s easier to ask ourselves, don’t you think?" Jay replied nonchalantly.

"Yeah, you do that, then!" Fred points his index finger at Jay, "Cause I have a date with Victor Kross tonight"

"Ooh, you gonna meet dangerous man alone? Do you need to bring King’s Men or Noxcra agent to protect you?" Jay teased.

"Funny" Fred scoffed, he looked at the watch on his wrist and then asked, "Where’s Lory?"

"In Luc’s room," Jay gives a meaningful look

"Oh," Fred didn’t ask further