The Legend of Carmine

The next day Aan-gi and Consort Taupe visited Ren's residence. Both of them were greeted and escorted by a young maiden at the entrance of the mansion. Aan-gi followed her master. As she was following her, she could not shake this cold and creepy feeling, which she got every time she visited this place. As she followed her master further into the mansion she started to recall all the rumors she had heard of this mansion. That the mansion did not have any madam but it had plenty of beautiful young maiden. But each of them were sacred to death because the master's temper was so temperamental that they could be punished severely without proper reason and some of them had died due to it. She just knew he was a scary man.

Lord Ren was the only living blood relative of Rulean. He was a cousin of Consort Erela. The entire family of Erela had joined the Late emperor in his conquest but all of her brothers had died in war and none of their descendants were left. He was the only one alive. He was a valiant warrior and commander in his youth. Alas! He was injured severely in war and was disabled and impotent. He did have a wife and a son. Unfortunately, his son died in early age due to disease and his wife died unable to accept the grief of her child loss.

As they reached the room. An old man in his 60s came in slowly dragging behind his right leg. Aan-gi felt that in his presence the room had become even more silent. She wondered herself if that was even possible. Then, Aan-gi waited for her mistress at the door after she closed it.

Ren sat at the table and said, "It's a pleasure being visited by Consort Taupe."

"Lord Ren, I am here just to fulfill my filial duties and to visit my Uncle in law. Rather it's my pleasure to visit you."

"Is it? He said with some sarcasm in his tone.

However, Consort Taupe, just brushed it aside. And continued "I am here to congratulate and celebrate that your nephew has out done himself again and included Lapen in our territory. You must be so proud of him."

Of course, I am proud of him. After all he comes from a warrior family background. I had never doubted him.

Taupe sighed a long breath after he finished his sentence, which made Lord Ren give her a questionable expression.

" I am delighted that you are proud of him. So, am I. However,..... Prince Rulean always stays away from the capital on borders. I am just concerned that he is always facing the hardship of war. It just breaks my heart. I had always consoled myself that he will be back soon and handle the court affair. But it has never happened. I am afraid that people only remember him as General of Norand and have forgotten his original identity. And this time I feel he has been treated unfairly. As she said this as drops of tear rolled from her eyes and sobbed as she stated that Emperor Cyanx had appointed a woman as General for Shar and refused Prince Rulean the general position of Shar. Lord Ren, Prince Rulean always had a great vision for this nation and one his greatest dream was to be General of Shar. So he could achieve the dream of the Late Emperor. Please Lord Ren, you have to give justice to Prince Rulean."

Consort Taupe knew her words were adding more and more fuel to Lord Ren's insecurities and fear. She had long known that Lord Ren loved Rulean as his own son. And he always wanted him to take on the court affair because she knew he felt that Rulean was the rightful Emperor of Norand as it was his family sacrifice which made this nation. Though he was given the title of Treasurer but he believed this was far less than his family deserved. He hated the late Emperor, because he married his cousin and used their military power for conquest but later did not even confer her title of Empress. He had always felt his family had been cheated by Emperor Nevaeh.

Lord Ren did not show any emotion on his face but this had actually infuriated excessively that he could hardly contain himself, but he consoled Consort Taupe, "Do not worry. I will look into it. Do not cry anymore. Then he called Aan-gi to take her mistress home as she appeared distressed.

As soon as they left the room a black shadow silently jumped down from the ceiling.

(Lord Ren also runs a secret assassination organization, which he used to help Emperor Cynax in the background to take care of business behind the curtain. However, Lord Ren had kept Emperor Cyanx in the dark regarding some matters of it.)

"Master"

Lord Ren banged his fist on the table. "Kenshi, I was afraid that this day would come. I had always warned Rulean about it but he is so blinded by his brotherly love that he does not see what I am seeing. Emperor Cyanx has always treated him as a competitor. Therefore, he always sent him to war and away from court matters. And my naïve nephew doesn't understand it. It seems it's time to see the Emperor and act. I am afraid he has already started to restrict his military powers."

As Consort Taupe entered her carriage she no lower appeared weak and distressed as she was a few minutes ago. She wiped off the tear and had a sly smile in her face because she knew that she had already set the ambush for Carmine.