"I heard you endorsed your half-brother to be the next king, is that correct?" Prince Veziron sarcastically asked Prince Leo whom he met on the hallway to the king's chamber. He must have gone to see the king.
"And what is it to you?" Leo raised his brow.
"Well, nothing in particular. But if I were you, I'll choose wisely."
"You mean to choose you? To be on your side?" he made a mocking face. "Prince Veziron, even if you kill me, I will never be on the murderer's side." Leo walk pass through him but he halted right away when Veziron said something that caught his attention.
"Do you have any evidence?" Veziron scoffed. "Before you pinned something on us, make sure you have enough evidence. Accusing someone without proof might put your life in jeopardy."
"That's the thing. No one dares to bring up the evidence in fear of their own lives. And if you become the next king, I doubt if this kingdom will be able to stand. So if I have the chance to choose for myself, I rather bet on prince Zyrei or any of the princes."
Veziron laughed at him. His gaze showed pity for the prince.
"Do you really have so much confidence for your half-brothers? Tsk! How naïve. Well, I must respect your decision, but I hope you won't regret it after." He smirked meaningfully.
"I don't think I will especially now that the rumors about the crown prince were confirmed to be true."
Veziron furrowed his brow after hearing him.
"I guess you didn't know it yet but the queen got the confirmation from the great herald. And I wonder how the king and his council reacts about it, now that the crown prince is alive." he smirked triumphantly. He wanted to leave the speechless prince but he's not done taunting him yet.
"And by the way, just to let you know, all the princes will be backing him up once he will come to claim his rightful place." Leo can sense Veziron's uneasiness, therefore he left smirking.
As for Veziron, he went straight to the king's chambers. He has an original purpose but he seemingly forgot it all because of what Leo had said a while ago.
"Father… my king…" He rushed to the king's study table as soon as the servant opened the door to his room.
"Prince Veziron, why are you here?" The king asked.
"Father, is it true?"
"The what?" the king was confuse seeing how perturbed the prince was.
"The crown prince. The rumors about the crown prince, is it true? Is he really alive?"
The king went silent all of a sudden. He is not sure either. He couldn't tell if Milcah is telling the truth or if she was only messing up with him. Seeing her deep hatred towards him the other day, the king instantly knew that the old herald is determined to destroy him.
Revenge. That's surely what Milcah wants. And seeing how the queen throws herself in response to her lies, it must have given her a bit of fulfillment.
"Father, did you hear me? can you tell me if it is true?"
"I don't know that yet." he stood up and went to the bookshelves and was looking for a particular book.
"Have you asked the herald? I heard that she's in the palace right now. Why don't you start investigating? Didn't you make a law about this specific case? Whoever spread baseless rumors about the dead crown prince deserves to die. Did you possibly forget that, my king?"
The king halted upon hearing the prince. Of course he didn't forget that! But he is afraid to interrogate the old herald and he is not sure why either. Is he afraid because Milcah was the chosen prophet? Or was he afraid for her life? What if the opposition group finds a way to kill her? If she says that the crown prince is alive, the crown prince will surely be killed knowing that there are a lot of people aiming for the throne. But if she lies, her dead body will be thrown in the street to make a public example for anyone who wants to spread further rumors.
"Why are you so interested about the crown prince?" He looked at him shadily. "Why does this thing concern you at all? whether he is alive or not, don't you think your responsibilities must come first?"
"But father…"
"Prince Veziron!" The king couldn't help but raised his voice. He knew exactly why he's asking all of a sudden. "I told you to focus on your own duties and don't concern yourself about such thing. Leave it to the elders."
"I.." he staggered a little. "I understand. I'm sorry my king." Prince Veziron kowtowed and left with a heavy heart.
As soon as the door closed, king Edward heaved a heavy sigh. He knew exactly how his son thinks. Shadrach is such an influencer and had been eyeing the throne for a long time now and he will definitely do everything to place Veziron on the throne. And if that happens, no one will surely be able to fight them. It'll be the end of him and his other sons, as well as the kingdom.
Once again, he faced the bookshelves and took a big box that looks like a book and opened it. Inside it were some old kid's stuff.
"Prince Eleazer… are you really alive?" he caresses the portrait of a smiling young boy. Along with the picture are some of his important stuffs when he was yet a child. "If you are then I will definitely find you and I will protect you." he mumbled softly.
***********
Back in the land of Tubal….
It was already late afternoon when a group of men came to see Diana at the slave's camp. She was surprised herself when they personally came to get her.
"You've been wanting to see our boss right? Now, you'll have the chance." One of the men spoke. "Come, quick."
Diana stood up and went with them. She was supposed to be tied in a rope but she refused saying that there's no way she'll be able to escape from them anyway.
They reached a fully guarded tent and shoved her inside. She was expecting to meet the boss as soon as she entered the tent but to her dismay, it was empty.
"You must be the woman who was dying to see me." She jerked when she heard a grumpy tone. She turned around to see who spoke. He is a hairy, rowdy old looking man. Not that he is old by age but his bearded and dirty looking appearance made him look old.
"Ooohh! If I know you were this beautiful then I should have told my men to get you the soonest possible." he chuckled nastily. "Don't worry, you won't be living as a slave anymore. from now on, I will allow you to stay by my side and be one of my wife."
A mistress for this guy? No way!
"Just so you know mister, I am already married with the most alluring man in this country. So becoming your mistress is not actually a privilege but a total nightmare! I'm sorry but I have to reject your offer." She bravely retorted.
The guards who were posted outside the boss' tent heard the woman's ridiculous comment and they couldn't help themselves but chuckled. Though it was not that loud, the leader heard it and hissed in annoyance.
"Really? There's another fine-looking guy here aside from me? I didn't know that." The man was boisterous. "But woman, have you forgotten where you are right now? whether you have a husband or what, the fact that you are under my care gives me the right to do anything I want with you." he slowly walked near her while wearing an evil smirk.
"Don't you dare! You don't know my husband's temper, mister." She warned as she matches the man's steps backward.
"Ohhh… should I tremble now?" she taunted.
"You should." She spoke with confidence. "He moves swiftly like an eagle and attacks cruelly like a lion. You will never notice him because he is like a shadow in the night. he never shows any mercy towards his enemy. And if he discovers how you mistreated me, I'm sure you'll have the worst death ever!"
"Ohhh… What a great man! I think I'm shivering, miss. Huhuhu." He made a pitiful face.
"He is definitely great! And you can never beat him. You and your hundred men will never amount to him."
The bearded man laughs mockingly and stopped advancing near the woman.
"Then I shall be waiting for your husband to come. But this time, you are mine, missy." He grinned evilly.
Diana shivered upon hearing the guy. No, there's no way she'll become his toy. She's afraid, she must admit that. But there's no way she'll tremble in front of this filthy asshole. She needs to act tough.
"Liam… where are you?" She yelps within.