"Big brothers, have your heard the rumors?" Prince William came running towards the five princes that was gathered at Prince Zyrie's balcony.
Prince William, 24 years of age and the youngest among the six sons of the king. He is the son of the third concubine and Zyrei is his brother from the same mother.
"What rumor are you referring to?" Prince Harry, the 25-year-old prince, raised his brow.
"The rumor about the crown prince!" he raised his voice.
The other prince who's been enjoying some tea paused a little. Seeing their reaction, Prince William went to sit beside his brother. "Looks like everyone knows already, huh."
"Leo, what do you think?" Prince Zyrei look at the prince adjacent to him. "Is he really alive?"
"I don't know but seeing how Veziron acted secretly this past few days then I think it may be true."
"Then whose side are you on incase the crown prince shows up?"
"I don't really care who sits on the throne next but not Veziron, I hope." He sighed before sipping his tea.
"Why don't you just accept our father's offer to you? compare to everyone, he has his eyes on you." Prince Rohann voiced his thoughts towards Zyrei, the prince.
"I could have said yes but I can't bear to see my mother die in anxiety. She's too young and beautiful to leave this world." He joked. "How about you, You and Leo are both qualified to be king, why don't you try winning father's favor instead?"
"Didn't you see how strong Veziron is. Not him personally but he has a lot of people supporting him behind." Rohann responded. "And they can be real dirty."
"Becoming the next king is not about having the right qualifications, rather having the strongest backers." Leo mocked.
William and Harry looked at each other when they heard their big brothers. Everyone inside that balcony is definitely qualified to be kings but they are right as well, it's all about having the strongest support in the palace.
"That's why even if the crown prince is alive, I doubt if he'll survive this kind of life." Leo furthered.
The five princes don't have anything against each other. In fact, because of their parent's pleas, they all have avoided aiming to sit on the throne. No one can beat Veziron and he was trained not to be acquainted with the other princes, not even to his own flesh and blood, prince Rohann.
The princes are all grown-ups to know and understand all that's happening around them.
"But I'll make sure to offer my hand for the crown prince when he comes back." It was prince William who broke the silence. "Though I hope his not worse than our eldest brother."
They all stared at him then sneered. He's right though, they all hope that the crown prince is better than their eldest brother.
Unknown to them, someone had been hiding from a distant, listening to their conversation. After a few minutes, the person discreetly left the prince's chamber and rushes to someone else's room.
"Any new information?" Prince Veziron asked the person who just came in.
"Yes, your highness. They have all gathered at prince Zyrei's chambers…" then the person relay all that she heard to the prince sitting on the desk full of papers.
"Really?" Veziron raised his brow sarcastically. "So they have already chosen their sides, huh." He leaned his back on the chair. "Traitors!" he grinned his teeth in anger.
********************
After dinner, Diana went back to her room with a blank face. No one in the house can paint the sadness in her face. She couldn't even eat properly. Now she regrets coming down to eat with everyone. looks like she infested the atmosphere with her gloominess.
Good thing the people inside understood her. Who wouldn't be shocked if you discover that the person you thought was your best friend is the one who will backstab you in the end.
Diana sat at the edge of the bed, her gaze was from a far. She couldn't find any reason at all as to why Grace will go to that extent to harm her. How? She's been lost in her thoughts for a couple of minutes now. She didn't even notice her eyes shedding tears.
She trusted her so much. But when and how did she ended up hating her that much? She couldn't figure it out.
Little did she know that Liam came inside her room with some ointment with him. However, he couldn't approach the sentimental lady. He decided to give her a moment to release the pain in her heart.
After seeing that she somehow calmed herself, Liam went and knelt in front of her. Then he carefully picked up the woman's sore foot, remove the cast on it and carefully applied the ointment. It was quite minty therefore Diana felt a bit refreshed. After applying the ointment, Liam slightly massage her foot. He was too careful as if handling a precious gem.
"I'm sorry." Liam uttered. It's the only words he could say since he doesn't know how to explain everything to her.
When Liam left the woman sitting in the porch a while ago, Leon approached the woman and told her about all that Grace had done to her.
It was Grace who paid for the L-gang to abduct her. She had been sabotaging their plans by working with the gangs when they were searching for her. Though they didn't know how she managed to do everything without the team knowing. Maybe they trusted her that much.
Cole had a hint but he wasn't so sure until the L-gang was captured. No members wanted to disclose who paid them until they set a trap. Grace promised the gang that they will be released no matter what happen. And at midnight, she was about to open the cell when Cole and Asher showed up.
She was so shocked that she can't even say a word. What more if Liam is with them that night? she might have taken her life instantly. But good thing Liam had been watching Diana all night long.
"I had my suspicions but I hoped I was wrong. But I finally learnt the reason why you did all those. I knew how you loved Liam--- ah, no, you're not in love, you're actually obsess! And you considered Diana as a threat that's why you did everything you can to dispose her. But this is not the first time you did it. You have done it also before."
"I-I'm sorry…" Grace can't stop sobbing in between her words. "I'm sorry!" it was the only words she can say.
However, only Liam, Asher and Cole knew the real reason why Grace did such evil deeds. But Leon and the rest didn't know since Liam decided not to disclose it.
But how did Leon learn about it? it was a puzzle for them.
According to Leon, Liam decided to send her back to Ikarai. Her proper punishment will also be decided once everyone returns back to Ikarai.
But will she really be punished? Diana thought as she stares at the man kneeling in front of her. Though the woman acted wickedly, it will never change the fact that Liam loves that woman. The softness of his heart towards the woman will always prevail therefore, hard punishment will not surely be imposed towards her.
That thought alone breaks the woman's heart.
"I understand." Diana responded after a long thought. "I just hope I had time to talk to her before she left. I really wanted to know what have I done to deserve…" she halted when she recalled all the hardships she encountered. "I wanna know if I really deserve to be punished that way. I must have done such a terrible deed against her before."
Liam's heart suddenly stings, as if a thousand needle was poking inside him. how can she tell the woman that it's all because of Grace' jealousy and not because she sinned greatly?