CHAPTER - 15

Upon arriving in Count Orian’s territory, Edward and Mary continued their journey to the designated meeting place. When they finally reached the location, they were met with the sight of a grand yet dilapidated mansion, seemingly abandoned and left to decay.

"Is this really the place, Mary?" Edward asked, his gaze sharp as he scanned their surroundings.

Mary examined the once-stately building, now overtaken by time and neglect. “Yes, Edward-sama. This should be it,” she replied, though a hint of doubt lingered in her voice.

The mansion bore all the marks of long-term abandonment—faded paint, overgrown weeds swallowing the courtyard, and sections of the structure appearing one touch away from crumbling to dust.

It fit every description of a ‘haunted house’ often whispered about in ghost stories. The eerie atmosphere unsettled Edward, his instincts warning him to remain on guard.

Not long after they arrived, the person they had been waiting for emerged from the shadows. Cloaked from head to toe, their face concealed behind a mask, the figure exuded an unsettling presence.

“Welcome, Prince Edward, Lady Mary Windsor. I have been expecting you,” the stranger spoke, their voice calm yet laced with an eerie undertone that sent a chill down their spines.

Edward’s suspicion deepened. Something about this person felt… off. His instincts screamed that they were dealing with no ordinary individual.

The masked figure offered a thin smile. “I am a guardian from a distant land. I know you seek shelter and, perhaps, information that may be of interest to you.”

"Oh, for example, knowledge of Angelica De Valentine’s whereabouts," the stranger continued, their voice smooth yet chilling.

A surge of hatred flared within Edward at the mention of Angelica’s name. Mary, sensing his rising anger, gently placed a hand on his. "It’s alright," she whispered, trying to calm him.

Swallowing his emotions, Edward narrowed his eyes. "And what do you want in return?"

The masked figure chuckled, the sound sending a shiver through the air. “Perhaps that’s something you should ask your dear companion, Lady Mary,” they mused, turning their gaze toward Mary with an unreadable expression.

Mary hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Yes, we’ve come with the hope that you can aid us,” she admitted cautiously, choosing her words with care.

Edward's expression darkened as he pointed at the figure. "So you know this person, Mary?"

Mary nodded slowly. "Yes. They once saved my life," she confessed, her voice steady.

Edward took a deep breath, struggling to suppress the mistrust and resentment brewing within him. As much as he despised the situation, he knew they were in no position to reject potential allies.

"Very well," he said, his voice measured despite the turmoil inside. "We’ll listen to what you have to offer."

The masked figure seemed pleased. Adjusting their mask with a slow, deliberate motion, they spoke again. "Good. Then let’s discuss the plan."

“I want you to seize control of the Celestia Kingdom, Prince Edward. I want you to take the throne.”

A heavy silence settled over the group.

Edward’s eyes widened in shock, struggling to process what he had just heard.

“Take the throne? What are you talking about?” he asked, his voice laced with disbelief.

The stranger chuckled knowingly. “It may sound surprising, but you are the rightful heir of Celestia, Prince Edward. And given the current circumstances, this is your chance to reclaim what is yours and lead the kingdom toward a brighter future.”

Mary studied Edward’s face, searching for his reaction. Confusion flickered across his features, but beneath that, something else stirred—an undeniable intrigue.

“And why do you think I can pull this off?” he questioned, attempting to grasp the stranger’s reasoning.

The masked figure met his gaze with unwavering certainty. “Because you are Celestia’s rightful ruler, Prince Edward. It is your duty to protect your people and guide them to prosperity. You have the potential to be a great leader.”

Edward exhaled deeply, his mind racing. Seizing the throne would certainly serve his interests, but in his current situation, he lacked noble allies willing to back him.

Still, perhaps this was his last chance. He had two choices: remain on the run until the royal knights caught up to him—or stage a revolution and overthrow his father.

Finally, Edward straightened his posture, resolve hardening in his expression. "Fine. I’ll do it. But I need time to prepare and strategise."

The stranger’s lips curled into a wide grin.

“AHAHAHAHA! That’s exactly what I wanted to hear, Your Majesty! Ah, no—King Edward! The future of Celestia rests in your hands.”

"""GLORY TO THE CELESTIA KINGDOM!!!"""

The declaration echoed through the night, sealing Edward’s fate.

With the guidance of the mysterious figure and Mary’s unwavering support, Edward began plotting his ascent to the throne. They had no illusions about the road ahead—it would be riddled with obstacles and peril. But with firm resolve and a shared vision, they braced themselves for the battles to come.

—❈—

POV: Aldric Celestia

While Edward forged an alliance with the enigmatic stranger, turmoil gripped the Celestia Kingdom.

In the royal throne room, King Aldric sat surrounded by his ministers, their faces tense with urgency.

"Your Majesty, at this pace, the monsters will reach the capital within three days," reported a deep, commanding voice.

The speaker was none other than General Red—a man feared by all who opposed him. Towering in stature, with the strength of a bear and unmatched swordsmanship, he was a warrior whose very presence inspired both dread and respect.

“So that’s how it is, Red?” King Aldric asked, his tone grave.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

"Your Majesty, we must act swiftly, or the kingdom will fall!" one of the ministers interjected.

King Aldric nodded, his expression serious. The threat before them was dire. Should the monsters breach the capital, the devastation would be unimaginable.

"We must mobilise our forces immediately," the king declared firmly. "I will not allow this kingdom to crumble."

His ministers exchanged determined glances before nodding in agreement. Without wasting time, they began formulating defensive strategies to counter the impending invasion.

"I will lead the army myself," General Red declared, his voice unwavering. "We will fight with everything we have."

King Aldric acknowledged him with a resolute nod. "You have my full trust, General. Together, we will defend our home."

Just then, the doors to the chamber burst open. A royal messenger rushed in, his breath laboured from urgency.

"My apologies for the intrusion, Your Majesty! But I bring critical news!"

All eyes turned to the messenger, awaiting his report.

"There are confirmed sightings of Prince Edward. He has fled the capital with an unknown woman. The latest reports indicate he is heading toward Count Orian’s territory."

A heavy silence fell over the room.

Shock rippled through the gathered officials. Prince Edward—once the heir to the throne, despite his recent disinheritance—had vanished from the castle, and in a time of crisis no less. His absence was a cause for deep concern.

King Aldric inhaled sharply, his expression unreadable. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke.

“We must locate Edward and ensure his safety. Red, once we have handled the monster threat, I want you to prepare a unit to retrieve the prince and bring him back to the capital.”

General Red gave a curt nod. “Consider it done, Your Majesty.”

King Aldric turned to the map spread before him, his mind already working through the many threats converging upon his kingdom. With an impending monster attack and his son’s disappearance, the stakes had never been higher.

Tough decisions lay ahead, but one thing was certain—he could not afford to falter now.