The Regal Court wasn’t brimming with activity as it usually was. It seemed pretty deserted. It was even more so on the second floor since the entire floor was reserved. Outsiders weren’t allowed to enter.
After Dustin disclosed his identity, he led Cinna and Maximus upstairs. Meanwhile, only a man was seated in the VIP lounge on the second floor.
He was dressed in all black, and everything about him was plain. His looks and physique were extremely ordinary, even more so for his demeanor.
There was nothing unique about him. No one would pay any attention to him if he stood in a crowd.
“Your Highness!”
The moment he saw Dustin, he immediately knelt with one knee on the ground and lowered his head.
“Who are you?” Dustin asked airily.
“I’m Rodrigo, the prince’s personal guard. When he found out that you were in trouble, he sent me over to assist you,” Rodrigo stated with his head hung low. 1
“His personal guard?”
Dustin’s gaze swept across the man and questioned him again, “How are you going to prove your identity?”
He wasn’t an amateur. He knew it was important to make things clear in the first place. There was no way that he would believe whatever the man said.
“This is the emblem the prince gave me. Please have a look, Your Highness.”
Rodrigo whisked out an emblem from his pocket and handed it over to Dustin with both hands.
When Dustin laid eyes on the emblem, he finally let his guard down. It was indeed an emblem of the West Lucozian monarchy. Only the extremely trustworthy guards deserved to own this emblem.
This was more than enough to prove Rodrigo’s identity.
“General Rodrigo, since you’re one of us, there’s no need to be this formal. Please get up.”
While Dustin handed the emblem back to him, he got down and helped him up. Utterly dumbfounded, Rodrigo said, ” Thank you, Your Highness.”
“General Rodrigo, let me introduce you to the Vice Commander of the Central Cavalry, General. Cinna Shaffer,” Dustin said as he gestured toward Cinna.
“General Shaffer, I’ve heard of you. It’s truly an honor to meet you,” Rodrigo greeted politely.
“General Rodrigo, you’re being too modest. I’m already getting on in years. The world belongs to the younger generation now,” Cinna replied as he flashed a smile.
“This is my friend, Maximus,” Dustin continued as he gestured toward Maximus.
“Maximus, it’s my pleasure to meet you,” Rodrigo greeted him politely again. He was well aware that Dustin’s friends wouldn’t be someone ordinary.
“General Rodrigo, it’s my pleasure as well,” Maximus returned a polite greeting.
“Alright, since you all know each other now, let’s take a seat.” Dustin waved and signaled them to be seated. Then, he said, “General Rodrigo, I have a few questions for you.”
“Please go ahead, Your Highness. I’ll tell you everything I know,” Rodrigo replied, lowering his head.
“I heard there has been some trouble in the West Lucozian monarchy. Is this true?”
“It’s not really a problem, just some spies. They have been pretty active lately, so we caught quite a number of them.”
“How’s … Rufus doing?” Dustin finally asked the question he had longed to ask.
“The prince has been as fit as a fiddle,” Rodrigo replied as he forced a smile.
“Be honest with me! Do not deceive me! “Dustin suddenly bellowed. Startled, Rodrigo fell to the ground on his knees and exclaimed fearfully, ” Your Highness, the prince hasn’t been feeling well lately.
“He had been coughing blood at midnight, and nothing could be done despite us getting all the best doctors.
“The prince doesn’t want you to worry so he has been trying to hide from you. Plus, he told us not to breathe a word of it to you. I was left with no choice! Your Highness, please forgive me!”
“Coughing blood at midnight? Can’t the best doctors in West Lucozia cure this mere illness?”
“The miracle doctor said it’s an incurable disease. There’s no way to treat it,” Rodrigo replied with a sullen expression.
“Incurable?”
Dustin’s expression darkened.
“How long can he live?”
“The prince has two weeks at minimum. And at most, he has one year.”
Rodrigo’s shocking words left Dustin appalled as if he was struck by lightning. His face turned ashen in an instant.
