Athena rushed back into the palace. She passed through the royal kitchen area quickly and headed straight for the dining room. The woman was completely panicked and even Athena wanted to tell the things she had heard to all the royals.
But when she arrived at the royal dining room, the atmosphere there seemed very quiet. There were only a few waiters cleaning the dining table.
Athena's breath started to pant, she continued walking towards the royal hall. But apparently the royal members were not there either. Then where are they all?
Athena returned to walking quickly. She passed aisle after aisle to lead to Royce's private room. But just as she was about to turn, her body staggered as she nearly bumped into someone. And it turns out that person is Royce.
Royce immediately held Athena's shoulders, so that the girl didn't fall to the floor.
"What makes you look so uneasy, Athena? Why are you here?" Ask Royce.
Athena was still trying to catch her breath. She had difficulty speaking because she was still gasping for air.
Knowing Athena's condition like that, Royce demanded Athena to enter his private room. Then made Athena sit on a long sofa, and gave the woman a glass of water.
"Calm yourself first, there's nothing to worry about. Don't rush into explaining anything. I won't tell you to talk too fast." Royce said softly. Then the man sat down beside Athena.
After drinking the glass of water, Athena felt much better. Her breathing returned to regularity.
Then Athena looked at Royce with teary eyes. "Prince, I don't know where to start. All of this suddenly happened. I... I didn't expect it to turn out like this. We all need to get out of here, Prince Royce. Bring all your family members. I have to tell my parents. We will all---"
"Athena... Athena, calm down. Speak slowly and look me in the eyes!" Royce said firmly.
Athena tried to catch her breath again, then she lowered her head for a moment. She nodded slightly, then looked up again to look at Royce. "I'm sorry, Prince."
"No, it's okay Athena. Now tell me slowly."
"Earlier I left the dining room, because I followed Bella who went out of the palace. She passed through the royal side door which was near the food waste dump. Bella didn't go too far, she just stopped at the edge of the forest border. It turned out that she was meeting with Jackson."
"Jackson? Who is he?" Ask Royce.
"Jackson is a man who likes to rob and kill people, Prince. Four years ago, the man was imprisoned but he managed to escape and has never been caught again. And four years ago, Bella was his lover. It's a very long story, and they somehow managed to reconnect. Jackson was a very cruel person. He also had troops from all over the place. And he... he and Bella had something planned for the Kingdom, Prince Royce." Athena's words that explained so long.
Royce still looked confused, but he tried to understand what Athena had explained. "They're both up to something? What?"
"I overheard their conversation. Tomorrow, Jackson and his army will attack this kingdom. Just in the middle of the night when all guard is weak. I heard those words very clearly, Prince Royce. They will kill us all. Trust me, Prince. I was right. I really hear their conversation."
"Calm down, Athena. I trust you. But this is all too sudden. I can't tell Mom and Dad right now. I'm afraid they'll be shocked and panic, Athena. Remember, that you can also fight them with your excellent self-defense skills." Royce said. The man tried to calm Athena who looked so worried.
Then Athena stood up from her seat. "Then I have to go home right now. I won't let my parents be in danger. I'm afraid that---"
Royce immediately grabbed Athena's wrist. "Athena, please don't panic too much. I promise to send a letter to your parents and order some of my soldiers to jump into the villagers' houses. Calm yourself. Jackson's troops are already monitoring out there. If you leave now, you'll be in danger. Be patient and calm down, I'll find a way out too."
Athena swallowed her saliva slowly, then she obeyed Royce's words and sat back down slowly.
But Athena immediately burst into tears. She looked depressed and surprised because she didn't expect that her best friend would do something so bad to the Diamond Kingdom.
Athena really didn't know what Bella was thinking. Why is her best friend like that?
Meanwhile Royce was still trying to calm himself down. He tried to find a solution to strengthen the security of the kingdom without having to make a fuss. He couldn't tell his father right now. Royce didn't want his father to be in such a big shock.
"Go back to your bedroom, Athena. Rest and calm your mind. Nothing will happen tonight. I promise I will tell everyone tomorrow morning." Royce said.
"Make sure the guard in this palace is very good, Prince. I can't imagine if---"
Again, Royce grabbed Athena's hand to grip it gently. "I understand what I have to do, Athena. Thank you for telling me something like this. You've done a very good job too."
Athena nodded slowly. "Then I'll go back to my bedroom."
"If you want, you can sleep with Lucy tonight. Just to get rid of your anxiety. About this, only the two of us know. Just for tonight. I don't want to make things uncomfortable, let everyone sleep well for now." Royce said.
"I see what you mean, Prince. Then I will sleep with Princess Lucy."
Hearing that answer, Royce smiled and nodded slowly. He immediately stood up and gently patted Athena's back. "Okay, good night. I'll keep my promise tomorrow morning." Royce said.
But actually Royce could not stay silent. He had to think of the right way to deal with an attack from an unknown enemy.
Tonight was a long night for Royce. As a crown prince, Royce must have a backup strategy in case something happens to the kingdom.
*****