Aidan walks through the hallway and takes a steep spiral staircase which leads to the underground dungeon as four guards follow behind him.
Once he gets to the last staircase, a guard moves forward and with great struggle tries to open the thick metal door. His effort proves abortive as two fellow guards help him to successfully push open the door, holding it to remain open.
Aidan walks in with the two remaining guards, as the metal door slowly shuts on it's own, leaving the damp dungeon only lighted by the torches on the wall.
A guard grabs a torch and hands it over to Aidan as they walk deep into the dungeon.
Taking a turn, King Edward and two council members are seen before a cell. Aidan approaches as a pungent smell hangs in the air.
Peering inside, the lifeless body of Maverick's mistress is seen sprawled on the ground.
Aidan motions to a guard who opens the cell as he walks in. He walks over to her dead body and crouches to notice the two deep gash wounds on her neck.
"When was this?" He asks.
"We just discovered the murder, nobody knows when she was killed." The guards answers.
King Edward motions to the two council members who take a bow and leaves.
"Son, what are you going to do about this? Absence of witnesses in an ongoing trial isn't a good thing." He says walking closer to the cell's barricade.
"The maid and the seller, place them under high level security." Aidan orders the guard.
"My… my Prince, both the seller and the guard were also found dead today." The guard says.
Aidan stands swiftly and turns to Edward, "This is a planned attack, obviously set in motion by a royal family member."
"It seems, Aidan. Sort this out and meet me in my chambers." King Edward says kneading Aidan's shoulder with his left palm before leaving.
Aidan turns to the guard and slowly walks over to him. The guard shuffles back in trepidition.
"Who are the guards positioned at the dungeons, this week?" Aidan asks.
"Myself plus eight others, my Prince." He answers shaky.
"So, you were nine positioned here, right?" Aidan asks.
"Yes, my Prince." He replies.
"Nine guards and three prisoners were murdered under your watch. Tell me, was the dungeon really guarded?" He asks.
"My Prince, we…" He tries to answer with clattering teeth before being cut off by Aidan.
"Hush. Meet the executioner and have him prepare for beheading tomorrow at dawn. Hand him the names of the other guards and yours.
Make sure that you breath your last at dawn. If this happens otherwise, each and every member of your family will take your place at the stake.
And don't think of plotting an escape, though I doubt you'll make it far. Goodluck." He says before walking out as blood is drained from the guard's face.
******
KING EDWARD'S CHAMBER.
A knock is heard twice as Aidan turns the door knob to make his way inside. He shuts the door perplexed as he finds Queen Hatia and Maverick already seated.
"Have a seat, Prince." Edward says.
Aidan walks over to the farthest seat to sit with hateful glares from Maverick directed towards him.
"I called you all here to make an announcement. I did it this way owing to the fact that Queen Hatia has been banned from entering the Royal Court and Maverick is undergoing a hefty trial which won't pose him in a good way.
For some years, I have nurtured and trained to the best of my ability, Prince Aidan. I have taught him the ways of the Balcroft Kingdom and also handed over duties to him which he took and accomplishes them better than I do."
"So what are you driving at, King Edward?" Hatia asks impatiently.
"I have decided to hand over the throne to Prince Aidan tonight. The night walkers will have a new king to precede tomorrow." He says and walks over to sit.
Aidan furrows his brow as he takes in everything.
"No way, Edward! No way would I allow this, rule over my son and I!
Haven't you done enough, Edward? First, the prefential treatment to Helen over me, now to our children?!
Helen was never your official concubine nor mistress, she never appeared at the court for official reasons nor even balls. But here you are, choosing her son to be made King over your own legally married wife's son. I wish you the best, future King." She says with a mock bow and leaves. Maverick gets up, gives a slight bow and leaves.
Aidan stands, gives a slight bow to King Edward and turns to leave.
"Aidan." King Edward calls stopping him. Aidan turns to face him.
"The ritual for your coronation will be tonight, same with the coronation ceremony. I know this might come as a shock to you but I have my reasons." He says.
Aidan nods in reply, bows and leaves.
*****
AIDAN'S CHAMBER.
Zelda's POV
I pace in the room trying to come up with a plan for Kayden and Robert's escape. After much pacing and continuous tugging at my hair, I sit as my head starts throbbing.
Immediately, I regret why I never left with them earlier, now a life is lost.
Why did I hesitate joining them? What was I thinking, a happily ever after with Aidan?
I shudder remembering how he tossed Lucia's head without a care in the world ordering for it to be burnt. I wonder if I might be subjected to such or worse case in the future by him.
I burry my face in my palms feeling the weight of everything, of both my actions and the outcomes.
Suddenly, the door opens to reveal Aine. She shuts the door slowly and walks in.
"Zelda?" She calls.
I lift my head to stare at her.
"Aine, I…" I croak out before stopping.
Noticing my discomfort, she pours me a glass of water.
Thanking her, I gulp the glass content while I'm startled by her words.
"Why are there Gilmorsh's chained in our dungeon?" She asks.
"Uhmm… It's a long story." I manage to say not wanting to divulge my identity as a Gilmorsh in any way.
"Well, I feel pity for them, immense pity, especially for their loved ones." She says taking the glass.
"Why?" I ask.
"Why?" She chuckles
"I feel pity for them because they're going to be burnt tomorrow by sunset." She says.