Chapter 83:
In Pursuit of a Martyr
Clarence strummed his fingers against the wood desk while his other hand held the weight of his tilted head. The prince's eyes were closed, his brows furrowed, creating a shadow over his face as he sighed quietly. Beside his strumming hand was a pile of unsigned paperwork, the quill pen next to that still wet with fresh black ink. Clarence had no time for paperwork though, as his mind wandered, leaving the quiet, empty library to explore the recesses of his mind. Even the sunlight glaring in his face from the window beside him did nothing to detract him from his thoughts.
A knock on the library doors stopped Clarence's strumming momentarily.
"Come in." Clarence said, raising his voice just enough the person outside would hear him. It worked, because the door opened.
"Prince Clarence, I come with news." The voice and approaching footsteps forced Clarence to open his eyes, mildly surprised by the voice. This was an unexpected visitor.
"Sir Willis, this is a surprise." Clarence said with a smile, straightening his head and dropping his hand to the desk. He stared at the older advisor curiously. Though Willis's appearance had not changed at all, there was something different about him.
Noticing he had Clarence's attention, Willis stopped and bowed deeply, his long, graying hair dropping over his shoulder with his bow.
"Prince Clarence, I am glad to see you are in good health." Willis rose and smiled, the skin around his eyes wrinkling.
Clarence laughed and shook his hand, dismissing Willis's compliments, "You said there is news? Though I must say, I'm surprised you are the one bringing it. Usually it's one of the knights, or one of my father's stewards."
"That is because I specifically requested to bring you the news myself. This situation has been an unfortunate and unique one, so I found it only appropriate that the one helping your father make these difficult decisions would come to give you the news." Willis said, bowing his head as his words strung smoothly and elegantly from his mouth, years of wooing nobles at play.
"How kind of you to take that into consideration." Clarence said with practiced precision, every facial feature exact and purposeful, "Please, tell me what you know."
"As you know, Countess Annmaria Reid was pronounced dead upon her body's return to the castle yesterday. The Vartien nobles who were here for the hunt were discreetly informed yesterday, and her body will be given to them upon the conclusion of the investigation into her death."
"Yes, these are things I was already informed of." Clarence said with a nod, encouraging Willis to proceed with the new information.
"They have requested to have a meeting with you, but I have informed them that there will be no meetings until the investigation has been concluded. It will be then that you can give your deepest condolences, and we will be able to tell them the findings of the investigation. If you meet them before you have a conclusive reason for her death, it could incite the Vartien kingdom and would lead to strayed relations. As a Vartien myself, I believe this is the best way to handle this situation."
"What did my mother have to say about this?" Clarence asked, looking over at the stack of untouched paperwork next to him.
"She agrees with my position. We have finally strengthened our bonds with the Vartien kingdom, and it would be a shame to erase all of your father's hard work with unprepared condolences."
"If my mother and father trust your opinion, Willis, I have no reason to disagree." Clarence said, turning his head back to Willis.
"I am honored, Your Majesty." Willis said with a bow of his head, "Shall I continue?"
"Please."
"The other nobles so far are unaware of yesterday's incident, but they will have to be informed as soon as the investigation is concluded. Captain Beau Laurent has taken lead on the investigation, since there was concern an elf was somehow involved in the death of the countess. However, he said in his report that the main suspect is the duchess of the Southern Mountain district of the Vartien kingdom, Duchess Cordelia Bernard."
Clarence sat back in his chair, his eyes widening in shock.
"Duchess Cordelia?" Clarence leaned forward, his hand covering his mouth, "But… How? She was not allowed to go to the hunt."
Willis grimaced, his face in serene distress, "She must have slipped out in the hecticness of the hunt. The guards found a note that was half burned discussing how she and Annmaria were going to attack one of the other candidates during the hunt, so that she could reclaim Your Majesty's favor. It is my personal belief that the countess changed her mind, and, in a fit of rage at the betrayal, the duchess murdered the countess."
As Clarence listened to Willis, his shoulders began to shake, his hand held tightly over his mouth, "How could this be?" Clarence whispered.
"I can only begin to understand your pain, Your Majesty." Willis said, "But I promise you, if the Vartien duchess is found to have done this, she will be punished to the fullest extent of the law."
"I understand." Clarence whispered, his shoulders hunching up around him, "I'm sorry, Sir Willis, could you please leave me so I can take this all in?"
"Of course, Your Majesty." Willis bowed deeply, "But please know that I will do whatever I can to save the name and face of our great empire. Even if that means pushing for the duchess, one of my own country-women, to receive a death sentence."
"I appreciate that, Sir Willis." Clarence said, turning away from the sorrowful advisor. Willis bowed again before promptly leaving, leaving the young prince all alone again.
Clarence waited, listening for any noises that would indicate anyone was nearby.
Silence.
Clarence slowly took his hand from his mouth, a wide smile on his lips. His shoulders shook harder as he began to laugh, throwing his head back as he howled with glee.
Everything! Clarence thought to himself, trying to hold back his laughter as tears sprung to his eyes, Everything is going exactly to plan! Just you wait, elf. You'll be under my thumb, begging for mercy, soon enough.
Just wait, Silas. The smile under Clarence's hand was full of malice.
As Clarence basked in his success, Willis began his journey to visit his scapegoat.
"Was it a success, my lord?" One of Willis's attendant's asked, staying close to the older man and whispering in low tones.
"Yes, the little fool was so heartbroken by the news." Willis smiled, "He could barely contain himself near the end of our discussion. He won't bother to look into this further, so make sure to handle everything with the captain."
"Of course, my lord." The attendant said with a bow, "And the duchess?"
Willis smiled, glancing over at the attendant, whose eyes were glued to the ground, "I am going to check up on the perpetrator now. Even though she committed a horrible crime, she should be treated with respect. For now." Willis brought a finger to his chin, pondering something before he spoke again, "What did you find out about the countess's death?"
"It was confirmed to be a murder, my lord. Multiple stab wounds to the arms, hands, and chest, as well as dirt and scratch marks all over her body. There was no weapon found, but the doctor who did the examination said to be on the lookout for a pointed object, like a spear."
"Whoever stabbed the poor countess must have been very vengeful to murder that young woman so viciously." Willis said aloud to no one in particular, "And no one other than the four candidates, a knight, Prince Clarence, and his advisor were there when the guards arrived?"
"And the royal physician's newest apprentice." The attendant added.
"That's right. He was the one who called the guards in the first place." This seemed to put Willis further into his own thoughts. The attendant knew that look well. Willis was making plans. The attendant waited in silence until Willis spoke again, a bemused expression clouding his features, "I can't help but wonder why they were all together in the middle of the forest. It couldn't have been a coincidence that eight people were just standing around while someone was murdered in front of them. Something here is very strange. Go speak to the maids of the candidates that were there. Find out if they had been meeting with anyone or going anywhere strange before the hunt."
Though Willis knew he should be concerned about this revelation, he could not help but smile.
"I will take my leave then, my lord." The attendant said with a bow. He turned in the opposite direction Willis was going and quickly disappeared, leaving Willis alone for the moment.
It can't be a coincidence. Someone overheard Cordelia's and my plan to kill one of the candidates and blame another one for the murder to win Clarence's favor back, and suddenly, the same thing is done, but with Cordelia as the murderess. They took my plan and changed it to get rid of the duchess. And all this after someone had eavesdropped on us.
As Willis continued to the dungeon where Cordelia was being held for the time being, he smiled, amused by the emergence of a scheme he did not predict.
"How interesting." Willis laughed to himself, "Maybe my little scapegoat still has some use after all."
…
Riding a tall brown horse, a hooded figure bowed their head under their black cloak, a purple gem swinging around their neck, no longer weighted by the other accessory that had once held that place. Strands of white blonde hair fell from under the cover of the hood and into the figure's face, drifting like dandelion seeds. Their expression was full of determination as they continued forward, urging the horse to continue through the thick wooded path as they made their way north, towards the Yursear Kingdom.
"Here is the last of the things you'll need, Silas." Yulia said, holding a small leather satchel. A map, a compass, and a small cloth bag were placed inside. Food and water filled the other half of the small bag, allowing him enough rations to meet with Eva's group if he were to hurry. "Be careful, Silas." Yulia's face held a wary but sanguine smile. Her pale face was warm as she passed the satchel into Silas's hands, squeezing his hands in her own before he stepped through the door and towards the small stable to retrieve his horse and begin his journey.
She carried the optimism Silas could not muster.
The hood on top of the figure's head began to slide back with the wind, exposing the man's pale face underneath. His green eyes were burning bright, and his lips were pulled taut, holding back his thoughts as he continued forward wordlessly.
Silas clutched the reins in his hands tightly as he maneuvered the horse over a fallen tree. The horse's hooves stomped through a patch of wet mud, slowing only momentarily before it continued forward at a steady, fast pace. The satchel was strapped to Silas's back, covered under the hood to protect the contents inside from the elements. He had long since memorized the map, but he still held the compass close in the inner pocket of his cloak, allowing him to continue forward in the right direction. Knowing the forest as he did, the compass had little use to direct him, but he appreciated Yulia's preparedness nonetheless.
I have to hurry. Silas thought to himself with a fierce glare, There's no telling what that bastard prince will do to them. I should have woken up sooner. I should have found them first. Silas closed his eyes momentarily, swallowing back his regrets as he lifted his head, I have to save them. That's all I can do now. The past isn't important anymore.
They had already settled close to the border. It did not take Silas long, using the forest paths, to reach the Yusear-Khymalian border. He would be able to meet with Eva's group in a short amount of time with his current pace, but before he could meet with them again, there was one more crucial meeting that had to take place.
A meeting with Malcolm, Prince Clarence's cousin.
I can't trust him, Silas thought as he slowed his horse's pace, using his free hand to hold the warm purple gem hanging from his neck. But he knows where my family is, and how to save them. There's just no telling what he'll ask for in return. It was no secret Duke Godfreed was returning to the Yursear Kingdom after his tour of the continent. Judging from their past meeting and the news contained in the letter, it was most likely that Malcolm would travel north from the Khymal Kingdom, which made it much easier for Silas to intercept him. Eva had mentioned the possible trails of the duke, noting what information her associates had gathered before her departure.
While Silas was not given the opportunity to respond to the letter, he was still hopeful that he would be able to catch the trail of the duke. The temptation of saving his family far outweighed his concerns of the potential meeting being a trap.
Using the transformation gem under the cover of the forest, Silas altered his appearance, lengthening his nose, widening his eyes, and warming his complexion, even adjusting his height, making him appear as the average traveler, young and full of wonder. His white blonde hair was dyed with a dull bronze color, and his cheeks sprayed with an array of freckles. With his past, faux Yursinean citizenship token, he would have no difficulty traveling across the border and into the Yursear Kingdom. The token would expedite his trip at the very least. Silas's horse let out an unhappy snort as Silas tapped its abdomen with the stirrups, urging the horse forward without another word.
The traffic entering the Yursear Kingdom was much quieter compared to the traffic entering the Khymal Kingdom. Some of the travelers were nobles returning to the kingdom, while others were merchants, peddlers, and other tradesmen.
"Good afternoon," Silas said with a smile, presenting his citizenship token as he spoke with a purposeful Yursinean accent.
The guard in charge of Silas's check grunted in response, speaking only a few words as he quickly inspected Silas, his horse and his small luggage. After the check, the guard looked over Silas one more time as he handed Silas his token back, his gaze falling on the man's young face.
"Safe travels, Mr. Lloyd." The guard said, waving for the guards to open the gate.
Silas nodded in response, his gaze falling forward as the guards pulled back the heavy iron barred gate back, allowing Silas to travel through with his horse. As he took his first steps into the Yursear kingdom, the gate screeched to a close, closing any and all options of backing out. There was no chance Silas would step back now. Each step was one step back towards the palace, one step closer to eliminating the threat to his family, the threat to his peaceful life.
The approaching winter gave the air a biting chill, but wrapped up in his weighted cloak and lined leather boots, Silas stayed warm. He glanced around the area with a quick sweep, not noticing anything odd as he urged his horse forward and away from the gate. Staying too close to the guards was dangerous. He would eventually have to transform back.
If I follow Malcolm's trail, I should be able to catch up with him in two days. That wouldn't leave me much time to rest, but I still have some items that should prolong my mana usage. Silas was desperate, but he was not stupid.
A figure stood next to their horse, appearing as if they were resting at one of the local accommodations near the border. However, the figure's face was partially obscured by their cloaks's long hood. A single reddish brown braid fell from the hood and down to the person's shoulder and chest, draping to the side in a lax fashion. The figure was not tall, but they were tall enough to look over the waist of their horse to see Silas's departing figure steadily working away from the border.
"He looks different than what I expected." The figure spoke quietly to themself, humming under their breath as they grabbed the reins of their horse in their gloved hands. "The name is the same, though. Better follow him now." Watching Silas disappear forward, the following figure quickly stepped into the stirrups of their horse and began to lead it forward with some haste, hoping to tail Silas at a fair distance.
"Can't anger the duke now, can I?" The figure giggled, maintaining a distance as they followed Silas, watching his straight back with a flurry of interest, their eyes sparkling like gold coins.
Silas, riding his horse, sneezed suddenly. He rubbed the tip of his nose and looked to the side, seeing nothing but scattered travelers and wagons trailing down the main path towards the capital, noting nothing was amiss. He could not shake the feeling of being watched, but even branching out using traces of mana, there was nothing within a thirty yard radius that caught his eye. Knowing Duke Godfreed, there would be a surprise or two for Silas on the way to meet him. There was no way the duke would allow Silas to run away, even after having the letter taken by Eva.
Regardless of the duke's games, I have to find him. All that was left was to connect the dots. Crumbs were left, trailing from the border to Malcolm's current location near Durbrame. All that was left to do was follow them, and finally end this ordeal once and for all.
…
Final new characters! 1/3! You'll enjoy Malcolm's spy, as I really love her character, as much as it has changed since my original draft from 2019 ahaha. Willis is the Yursear King's advisor, just a reminder in case you've forgotten.
Sorry for the delay! Things happened and slowed my down tremendously, but Hunny and I have been pulling some great work on Misted Winds, and I am hoping to start posting it when it is either near or fully completed, most likely around 40-50 chapters (uwah, so short... I'm in love ♥). So many double entendres. I was giggling reading over what I have so far, as it's so flirty. So much romance there that you will see later in YMtK too.
Also, please check out my twitter (@cat_masseuse) for a really cool advertisement commission I had completed way back when. My client just shared it, so you all can see it now too :D Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, and see you all next week ♥