Chapter 28 The Crown Princes Arrival
At the garden...
The crown prince's sudden arrival has thrown off the enemy's strategy, since they have no clue why he was returned without appropriate communication to the kingdom.
Many councilors and nobles questioned his coming, unsure if it was a good or dreadful omen given the kingdom's current state of turmoil as a result of the enigmatic evil lurking both inside and beyond the realm.
Rumors circulated across the kingdom that the crown prince was sent abroad with an excuse for further research or study, which was a falsehood, and that the King was only shielding his son, the royal heir, from something evil within the palace.
People speculate about why the King would deploy his only son; are the people's and saints' efforts insufficient to safeguard him from evil?
*aroma of tea*
"Father, what a heavy face you are wearing. Is something bothering you?" The Crown Prince asked his father with a worried look on his face.
The King faced his son, looking at him seriously, and replied, "Son, I am overjoyed that you have returned and unannounced, astounding really. However, why have you returned? For what reason?"
"With all due respect, father, even though I was abroad, I have reports of what's happening in our kingdom, from big to small events, even rumors."
"And so?"
"Father, please do tell me that the reports that I have gathered are untrue and that the Kingdom of Chrolexia is still strong, as well as that the people are healthy and not influenced by the black mist. This is my reason," was frankly said by the crown prince.
The place went silent for 10 seconds. The King looked away, staring at a white rose, and sighs, "My Son, why are you here? You shouldn't be here."
"Father, am I not welcome?" he asked, a hint of sadness in his tone.
The King smashes the round table angrily and says, "It's too dangerous! Your life here is in peril!"
"I am not a child; I can protect and save this kingdom! Did you forget, father? I am your heir!"
"I understand your worries; however, it's been years since I missed this kingdom; this is my home. Why can't I be home? You are like trapping me from another kingdom, not letting me aid you! We should help each other; together we can achieve great things for the kingdom!"
he explained in a hopeful tone.
The King was about to add something when a strong wind disrupts their surroundings and Princess Althea appeared wearing her black gown and sparkly crown like the ice witch in every fictional story.
Its warm...
"You can't sleep forever, you know. When are you going to wake up?"
"The kingdom was attacked; Princess Althea turns out to be the wicked queen."
I can't clearly hear her; who is it?
My body is aching, my eyes are blurry, and my hearing is muffled.
"Estelle!"
"Can you hear me?"
"Is she awake?" a man's voice.
"Not really; she's still in a cloudy state. But she'll be fine later," the woman said.
"We can't wait any longer; she's been bedridden for almost 3 days. Vladimir is looking for her; I can't face him when she's like that," the man said.
"Bloody hell. He's not cooperating with us. I am not going to give Estelle if he's not going to help the kingdom," the woman angrily said.
"He doesn't care about the kingdom. All he wants is the lady," the man said.
"Sooner or later, he will find us," he added.
What are they talking about? The man's voice is familiar, though. Is he...
"Caster?" I called out, unsure of his identity.
The two of them looked in my way. I tried to get up in bed, and the two stood in front of the entrance of the tent having a serious conversation.
"Ha, she remembered you. Happy?"
"Shut it, Hillary."
"What are you doing? Are you not going to assist her? or Are you afraid that she will reject you again?" Hillary said in a teasing tone.
"I said shut it."
"Fine, I'll do it." She approached me and assisted me to get up, and I was able to sit down facing them together.
"White witch? Where am I? What happened? And... why is he here?" I asked while trying to figure out what had happened.
"Well, that's a lot of questions."
"Just answer her, Hillary."
"I know, well, listen here, my lady, your lucky I found you in that ruined cave. To answer your queries, you are in the Lutien Village near the Sanri Village; we are hiding here for now for your recuperation. We are in the middle of the Greenville Forest; do not fright; you are safe here for now."
"Lutien Village..." I murmured.
"Indeed, you successfully saved the people in the cave, including me, and I am truly grateful for it; however, your body and your mana core were slightly damaged because of the changes in your power," she explained.
"It's like another awakening," Caster commented.
I look in his way. "Why are you here?" I ask Caster.
"I'm here to help Hillary." he simply said without looking at me in the eye.
"The white witch? Your name is Hillary?" I asked.
"Yours truly," Hillary said.
"I heard your conversation earlier, but not clearly. You said something about the Kingdom and the Queen. What happened?" I asked.
Hillary looked at me as she continued,"When the crown prince arrived in the kingdom, Queen was triggered and decided to devour the castle using the black mist, and now the castle is the most dangerous place in Chrolexia. It is covered with black mist and monsters howl every night and day.
People who are captivated are heard screaming like they are being eaten slowly."
My blood became cold as ice. The princess is truly crazy. "That's f*cking horrible; then you already know that the Queen and Princess Althea are..."
Hillary cut me off and said, "The same person? Yes. All Chrolexian citizens know it."
"How about the King and the Crown Prince?"
"That is a good question. I don't have any reports about them. It's either they are dead or alive," she said.
I don't know what to say to him, I just stayed silent.
We heard noises outside the tent and suddenly a person came in, it was Macabre.
He was breathless and say, "Hillary! I've sent the tower master our location, I don't have a choice he's going crazy."
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