Chapter 115- Arrogant and Misunderstood
(PRINCE MOISES P.O.V)
It's been 12 hours since my father collapsed in the ballroom. My father remained unconscious, while Morgan and I were currently sitting beside the bed. The feeling of helplessness came rushing over me as I looked directly towards my father.
"Father", I mumbled.
The only memories I have of my father are only bad memories. The constant arguments, and the cold expression he would give me and constant feeling of needing to gain his acknowledgment.
I turned my head when I heard the sound of the door opening.
"You two need to get some rest" My grandfather said, after he entered the room.
I watched my grandfather walk towards the bed and a second later, he looked down at my father.
"Was I really wrong about everything?" I heard my grandfather say.
When we brought my father to the castle's medical room. Natalie began telling us what she had witnessed during the time she was in disguise. Hearing that my father was still mourning over his late brother and that he was betrayed, gave us more questions than answers.
"I still can't believe Marshall isn't our brother. Why would father allow him to become the next king and let him do as he pleased for the last 18 years" Morgan said, while looking over at our father.
"We still haven't learned who Prince Marshall's biological father is," my grandfather said.
I turned my head towards Morgan when he started to speak again.
"Wait a second" Morgan suddenly said, "That man who followed Princess Sage mentioned that he knew all the nobles' dirty little secrets," Morgan added.
Without a second thought, I rose out of the chair and began to walk towards the door.
"I'm coming too," Morgan said.
"Well let's see what all he knows" I said.
"I'll send someone to call for you, once Doctor William, Na'mah and Natalie return from Doctor Williams lab." Grandfather said.
I turned my head towards and nodded my head. A second later, Morgan and I left the medical room to head to the prison quarters.
(DUKE WINTER'S P.O.V)
After Moises and Morgan left the room, I sat next to the bed. I looked over at Lincoln and thought to myself. Have I really been misunderstanding this brat for so many years now, I questioned myself.
I remember vividly the day that the late Prince Lance's death was announced. At that time, Malaysia had just ascended to the throne of the Winter Kingdom. A month prior, I had decided to agree to the peace treaty with the previous King of Vanuatu and Crown Prince Lance on behalf of Lincoln after learning that Lincoln and Malaysia were destined partners.
I remember Malaysia running into my office after returning from the war between our kingdoms. The Vanuatu kingdom was going to host a hunting festival and sent an invitation to Malaysia and I. Shortly after the festival started, I witnessed Lincoln as he was running towards the area with Prince Lance in his arms. He was panicking and revealed that Prince Lance had been shot by an arrow. Lincoln was 18 years old at the time. Many people began to speculate that Lincoln had killed his brother in order to become the next king. Did I really misjudge you based on years of mere speculation, since you never mentioned anything or tried to defend yourself and just allowed everyone to label you as a murderer, even though the previous King announced Prince Lance's death as an accident. I questioned myself.
"Father" I heard Malaysia's voice. I was so deep in thought that I didn't hear the sound of the door opening.
I turned towards Malaysia, who looked like she had been crying. I watched as Malaysia walked over to the bed. She leaned over and kissed Lincoln on his forehead.
Suddenly, I heard the door opening and turned my head in its direction. I watched as Natalie, Na'mah and Doctor Williams came into the room.
"Doctor", Malaysia said as they walked further into the room.
"I'll have one of the butlers or maids call for Moises, Morgan and Christian" I said as I got up from my seat.
(PRINCE MORGAN'S P.O.V)
Moises and I were on our way to the prison quarters, when we noticed Masiro Henrico and some of his clan members in the distance. It was quite fascinating to see them get along with the Winter knights.
As we approached the area near the prison quarters, Masiro turned towards us and we continued to walk towards them. A few minutes later, Moises and I approached Masiro and his clan members.
"That man has been shouting at the top of his lungs all morning." One of Masiro's clan members said.
I watched as Masiro turned towards the young man.
"This is Blake, he's one of my clan leaders out of the branch families" Masiro introduced the young man.
Branch families, I thought. I remember learning that the Henrico clan had well over a 100 clan members. My thoughts were interrupted when Masiro said, "Blake is the one who infiltrated that Baron guy's information guild."
Seriously, I thought. I watched as Masiro pointed towards another young man.
"This is Simmons, he's the one who relayed the message to you from me," Masiro introduced the other young man.
Seriously, I thought again.
"What have you learned from that man who was introduced as Baron Blackburn?" Moises suddenly asked.
"He's the leader of one of the Southern region information guilds, called Bounty. It's a guild that employs bounty hunters." Blake suddenly said.
"Interesting", I said.
A few minutes passed and Moises, Masiro and I entered the prison quarters. As we walked by the cells, I decided to pay a little visit to Marquess Francis. I walked in front of Marquess Francis' cell while Moises and Masiro continued to walk further down towards the man Baron Blackburn.
"Prince Morgan, you can't keep me in here. What if Prince Marshall is searching for me." Marquess Francis said as I stood in front of the cell.
"Marquess Francis, I'll offer you a deal." I said.
I watched as Marquess Francis began to bow as he placed his head against the floor.
"I'll do anything you want just please spare my life" he begged.
"First, I'll confiscate your land and property. From this point forward, everything you own belongs to the Winter Duchy." I said.
"I understand, your highness", he continued to bow and beg.
"I will use you in order to arrest Count Livens and charge him for his crimes.", I said, "You will be released but with conditions. You must get Count Livens to attend the auction house on the date I set and you must be accompanied by the guards of my choosing" I said.
Without listening to his response, I walked towards Moises and Masiro. I suddenly heard names that caught my attention.
"Marchioness Radisson and Dowager Duchess Haverhill" I heard.
Suddenly, we heard footsteps approaching and turned our heads in that direction. A few seconds later, we saw Butler Jackson walking towards us.
"Your highnesses, his grace has called for you, the Doctor, Lady Natalie and Miss Na'mah has returned from the lab.
(NATALIE'S P.O.V)
"What the hell", I said as I looked at the results from Doctor Williams lab.
"Lady Natalie, we must inform everyone on our findings" Doctor Williams said as he stood in front of me.
After leaving the lab, Doctor Williams, Na'mah and I returned to the castle's medical room. When we entered the room, I noticed as Queen Malaysia and Duke Winter were sitting beside the bed. Duke Winter suddenly stood up as we approached the bed. Queen Malaysia was caressing King Lincoln's hair as she leaned over towards him.
It reminded me of how I did the same to Moises when he fell unconscious after his outburst of rage.
"Doctor" Queen Malaysia said as she looked at us.
I watched as Duke Winter walked over to the door and left the room.
"Lincoln, just what made you endure everything on your own", I heard Queen Malaysia say.
Suddenly, I heard groaning sounds and looked over at King Lincoln.
"Lincoln" Queen Malaysia said as she suddenly moved closer to King Lincoln.
The groaning sounds became louder and I rushed over towards King Lincoln. I watched as he started to make small movements. The groaning went on for another few minutes until King Lincoln stopped moving.
A moment later, King Lincoln opened his eyes.
"Malaysia" was the first thing he said after opening his eyes.
Suddenly, the door came flying open and Moises, Morgan and Christian came rushing into the room. Duke Winter walked into the room behind them.
"Father!" Moises, Morgan and Christian all shouted as they approached the bed.
I watched as King Lincoln started to glance around. A second later, he turned towards Christian.
"You must be Christian" he suddenly said and I watched as Christian nodded his head.
King Lincoln turned his head towards Moises and Morgan who were standing on the left side of him beside Queen Malaysia.
"Moises" King Lincoln said as he reached his hand out.
Moises stepped forward and grabbed ahold of King Lincoln's hand.
"Moises, even though I never was able to show you or Morgan any type of affection. I have always been proud of you" King Lincoln said.
I walked around the bed and went to comfort Moises as I noticed his emotional state.
Suddenly, Na'mah walked over to the right side of the bed and stood beside King Lincoln.
"Your Majesty," Na'mah said.
I watched as King Lincoln turned his head towards Na'mah.
"Your Majesty, you're lucky to still be alive" Na'mah said, "No, you're lucky to have lived as long as you have" she suddenly said with a serious expression.
"What do you mean?" Queen Malaysia, Prince Morgan and Moises asked at the same time as they looked over at Na'mah.
Na'mah turned her head in our direction and then turned back towards King Lincoln.
"You're Majesty, how long have you been consuming poison?" Na'mah said.
It's the same exact question I wanted an answer too.
I watched as King Lincoln slowly pulled himself up and looked over at Na'mah.
"It seems like I won't be able to take it to my grave now that I have been found out." King Lincoln said, in his usual cold tone. "I have been consuming poison since I was a child. It's normal to do so when you're in the royal family,"he suddenly said.
"Do you mean you took poison willingly?" Moises asked as he looked directly at King Lincoln.
King Lincoln turned his head towards us.
"Whether it was willingly or unwillingly, does it change the fact that I had no other choice but to oblige." He replied.
Suddenly, Doctor William stepped forward, "Your Majesty, the damage to your body may be irreversible. I'm not sure we'll be able to save you" Doctor William said.
My eyes widened when King Lincoln suddenly showed a warm expression.
"I'm not afraid of death, my only wish is to still be alive to see the destruction of the Vanuatu kingdom and that wicked woman and the entire aristocratic faction can finally meet their end" King Lincoln said.
What?!, I thought, what kind of King wants his own kingdom to be purposely destroyed.
"What woman?" Moises and Morgan said at the same time.
"My sister," King Lincoln said.
His sister, Marchioness Radisson?, I thought.
"Father, is it true that Marshall isn't your son?"Moises asked.
"Yes, it's true," King Lincoln replied, without hesitation.
Suddenly, Queen Malaysia slammed her hand onto the bed.
"Then why are you allowing him to become King and do as he pleases! Queen Malaysia shouted, catching all of us off guard.
King Lincoln reached out his hand and placed Queen Malaysia hand into his hand.
"To give my sister what she always wanted. So much that she killed our own father and brother trying to gain it. Now her grandson is the heir to the throne and will become King" King Lincoln said.
My eyes widened again.
"Did you just say her grandson?" Prince Morgan asked with an appalling expression. "Does that mean…" he suddenly paused.
I watched as King Lincoln nodded his head and said,"Yes, Chancellor Marquess Radisson is Marshall's father and he's also the one who found your daughters" King Lincoln said as he looked over at Moises and I.