CHAPTER - 12

❈ Moments After Prince Edward Escaped from His Room ❈

“Haaah…” A heavy sigh echoed through the luxurious room, filled with an air of tension.

“It’s rare for you to sigh like that, Your Majesty. Has something happened?” someone asked with a worried expression, trying to gauge the situation.

“Yes… Have you heard about what just happened in the castle a while ago?” Aldric replied. Yes, Aldric Celestia—the king of this kingdom. His expression was serious as he pondered over recent troubling events, particularly concerning his son, Edward, and other alarming incidents.

Before the person could respond, the doors to Aldric’s office burst open, interrupting their conversation. A knight stormed in, his face stricken with panic.

“YOUR MAJESTY! PRINCE EDWARD HAS ESCAPED!!” the knight shouted, delivering the shocking news.

“WHAT-!?” Aldric was visibly stunned, struggling to believe what he had just heard.

“Prince Edward managed to escape from his chamber and fled the palace through the emergency evacuation route!” the knight reported swiftly.

Without hesitation, Aldric commanded, “Take me to the room where he was being held—now.” His voice was sharp and resolute.

“YES, YOUR MAJESTY!” The knight obeyed at once, leading Aldric to Edward’s chamber at a hurried pace.

Upon arrival, they found several knights sprawled unconscious on the floor—a worrying sight.

“Are they alright?” Aldric asked, his tone laced with concern as he examined the fallen knights.

“Yes, they’re merely unconscious. But what troubles me the most is… the knights who were guarding Prince Edward seem to have been brainwashed. They have no memory of how they lost consciousness,” the knight explained, his face filled with confusion and unease.

Aldric’s uneasiness deepened upon hearing this revelation. His heart pounded with a mix of anger and anxiety as he wondered what was truly happening within his palace.

“This must be the work of someone scheming to disrupt the kingdom’s security. We must find Edward immediately and bring him back safely,” Aldric declared, his voice brimming with determination.

After returning to his private chamber, King Aldric sank into his lavish sofa, exhaling a deep sigh. His gaze swept across the room as he contemplated the chain of events that had shaken his kingdom.

“What exactly is going on? First, Angelica’s disappearance… and now Edward…” he muttered under his breath, closing his eyes in deep thought, attempting to connect the pieces of this unsettling puzzle.

Moments later, a knock echoed through the room.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

“Pardon me, Your Majesty. Duke Maximilian De Valentine requests an audience,” a servant announced in a gentle tone.

“Yes, send him in,” King Aldric responded with a serious voice.

Shortly after, Maximilian De Valentine entered the audience chamber, his face grave with concern.

“Aldric… I’ve heard the news. Is it true? Prince Edward has escaped?” Maximilian asked, his voice laced with worry.

“Yes. He not only escaped but also managed to incapacitate every guard around him. I’ve already dispatched knights to search for him,” King Aldric replied, locking eyes with Maximilian, tension evident between them.

Maximilian nodded, his worry deepening over the escalating crisis.

“Could this have something to do with our neighboring kingdom? While I know Edward is strong, there’s no way he could have taken down all those knights alone,” said Maximilian, Duke of Valentine, his expression grim.

He continued, “And as for my daughter’s disappearance… I believe I may have finally found a lead.”

King Aldric’s brow arched. “Has Lady Angelica been found, Max?”

“Yes. It seems she’s in another continent. Charlotte managed to track her magical traces, and that’s the conclusion we’ve reached,” Maximilian answered, relief flickering in his voice.

Before they could continue their discussion, someone abruptly knocked on the door—loud and urgent.

“YOUR MAJESTY!” a voice called from outside, interrupting their conversation. “I have critical information regarding Prince Edward!”

“Enter,” King Aldric ordered without hesitation.

A knight stepped into the room, quickly delivering his report.

“Your Majesty, Prince Edward was last seen at the gates leading out of the capital. He has successfully left the city and was heading south. Additionally… he was accompanied by a young woman,” the knight explained thoroughly.

“A young woman? Could it be…?” Maximilian murmured to himself, contemplating the girl’s identity.

King Aldric wasted no time in issuing a command. “Good. Pursue them immediately!”

“HAAH!” The knight saluted sharply before rushing out, ready to execute his mission.

Maximilian turned to Aldric, his gaze heavy with concern. “Aldric… I think I know who the girl is. She’s likely the one responsible for Edward’s drastic change in behavior. I’m deeply troubled by this situation.”

King Aldric met Maximilian’s eyes with a serious look. “Are you referring to Lady Mary Windsor? The daughter of Baron Windsor? I’ve investigated her background—she’s his illegitimate child. What’s your concern about her, Max?”

Maximilian nodded. “After Angelica vanished, I began investigating everyone who had a hostile relationship with her. And it turns out, Lady Windsor is linked to Angelica’s disappearance.” He took a deep breath before continuing. “Additionally, she was recently seen meeting with some suspicious individuals.”

Aldric stroked his chin. “Why would she meet with such people? Do you have any further details about that meeting?”

Maximilian shook his head. “Unfortunately, the information on that meeting remains unclear. But I’m convinced there’s a connection between Mary Windsor, Angelica’s disappearance, and Edward’s strange behavior. We must uncover the truth before it’s too late.”

Aldric nodded firmly. “We need to act swiftly before the situation spirals further out of control. We cannot allow the kingdom to be threatened by unresolved mysteries. Come—let’s regroup with the knights and organize a full-scale search. Help me issue orders and coordinate our next steps.”

As the two left the audience chamber and headed toward the command hall, the sky outside had turned dark. The weight of their responsibilities pressed heavily on them—not just for the kingdom’s security, but for the well-being of Angelica and Edward as well.

—

Meanwhile, where Prince Edward and Mary Windsor were—

Under the shroud of night, Prince Edward and Mary Windsor fled from the pursuit of the royal knights. They sprinted through the empty streets, making their way toward a waiting carriage just outside the palace. The cold night breeze sliced through the silence, their hurried footsteps echoing against the deserted roads.

Once inside the carriage, they spurred the horses into a rapid gallop, leaving the palace far behind. Their eyes gleamed with a mix of excitement and uncertainty—they had no idea what awaited them next.

Edward, his face contorted with fury and hatred, gripped the reins tightly. “Hahaha… Just you wait, Angelica! I will kill you!” he bellowed, his voice dripping with malice, his burning eyes revealing his murderous intent.