"If Lady Khillian is Princess Khillian, then..." he hesitated, then unsheathed the sword that lay on his bed.
He placed it horizontally in front of him, staring at the blade. His eyes darkened, but his face remained calm. "Then she must be dead at all costs!" he declared, his chest heaving with anger.
He heard his door open, and it infuriated him. "Do you not know when to knock, Lourix?" he shouted, pointing his sword at the door.
However, his expression changed when he saw the people at the door, with Lourix behind them, his eyes panicked and avoiding Prince Eyrin's gaze.
He lowered the sword with a smug expression. "All the way from the Imperial Palace in Haven State, Head Eunuch Paozi and Imperial Guards to the Emperor. To what do I owe this unpleasant presence?" he said.
The guards were dressed in regular clothing, but he recognized them.
The eunuch grinned, accustomed to the prince's attitude. He walked in with the guards, and unexpectedly for Prince Eyrin, more guards followed.
He was surprised to see them enter one by one but didn't show it. He furrowed his eyebrows as he looked at the eunuch. "Are they here to guard me or guard you? If it's the first, I am fine with Lourix and Palov. If it's the second, take them out. You are making this little chamber stuffy."
The last guard entered and closed the door. Outside the door, more guards stood by the stairs.
"There is an decree from His Majesty, the Emperor," the eunuch said, looking around the inn as if searching for something, then he looked back at Prince Eyrin.
He brought the decree from his sleeve and presented it with both hands.
"First Prince, Prince Eyrin, receive the decree of the Emperor," he said.
Prince Eyrin got up from his bed reluctantly, placing his knees one by one on the floor, his weight evenly distributed on both knees. Then he bowed his head, his forehead touching the floor.
The eunuch opened the scroll and began to read, "The first prince, Prince Eyrin, has failed to return to the imperial palace with the Hall of Cultivation guards. Furthermore, he found the fugitive, Khane, and did not kill him.
He should return immediately for punishment, and if he wishes to avoid this punishment, he must bring the head of the fugitive in a box.
Looking at the second and third princes are knowledgeable,that's all." he said, rolling the scroll back up.
Prince Eyrin's heart pounded in fear. He thought, "I destroyed the first letter, but it looks like Palov sent more than one person. That dog of a breeding cow! Lowlife ingrate!"
"Prince Eyrin," the eunuch called, stretching his hand further with the scroll, indicating that he should receive it.
"I, Prince Eyrin Vexar, accept the decree of the Emperor," he said as he took the scroll, disheartened, and stood up.
"Now you can leave my chamber, and just so you know, you can't leave Essed," he said with a grin.
The old eunuch walked closer to him, almost face-to-face. Prince Eyrin took a step back. "You smell."
"Like your attitude," the eunuch retorted, looking at him.
Prince Eyrin grabbed his sword and pointed it at the eunuch. "How dare you! You are old, but don't forget your position. You are under my feet, Eunuch Paozi," he said, his eyes filled with hatred.
The eunuch scoffed at him, then raised his head and looked at him from under his eyes. "I've been in that palace before you became a prince."
"How dare—"
The eunuch cut him off, "Now a message from me. Prince Khane is your childhood friend, but now he is an enemy to the kingdom. Erase your past, or not only will you not be chosen as crown prince, but you may lose your prince title," he said, laughing wholeheartedly.
Prince Eyrin's face twisted with rage, his knuckles white as he clenched the hilt of his sword tightly. "May the fox demon in Essed feast on you!" he spat, his voice dripping with bitterness.
He then lowered his sword and took a step closer to the eunuch, his eyes burning with intensity. "Do you think he won't choose me as the crown prince?
I was born at the end of the battle between the demon emperor and heavenly immortals and gods. It had to be that time, even though the queen was only seven months pregnant.
A seven-month surviving after birth is rare, but I did survive, and more, no demon can hurt me. How special I am was already a sign of greatness," he said, a grin spreading across his face as he glared at the eunuch.
The eunuch chuckled mockingly, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Prince Eyrin with a serious expression. "You're not the only special one, and you are not the only person born at that time," he said, turning towards the door.
He continued as he walked without turning back, "And do not worry about the fox demon, even though you can't be hurt by it.
And your highness,you must be lonely, but don't worry, we are here to accompany you, Your Highness," he said. One of the guards opened the door for him, and he left.
The guards followed him as he walked out, leaving Prince Eyrin standing there, his chest heaving with suppressed fury. His eyes darted around the room, searching for something to focus his anger on. He clenched his jaw, his teeth grinding together as he tried to calm himself.
As the last guard was about to walk out, Prince Eyrin called him with a smile.
"Come," he said with an inviting smile.
Lourix, who was outside, glanced at the guard and the prince before he closed the door, leaving the two alone in the chamber.
Prince Eyrin walked up to the guard and patted his arm. "Strong," he said, hugging him and patting his back.
"What is your name?" Prince Eyrin asked.
The confused guard replied, "My name is—"
Prince Eyrin immediately drew a dagger from his waist. "Be of help to the royal family," he said, then stabbed the guard, repeatedly plunging the dagger into him.
The guard tried to defend himself, but Prince Eyrin kicked him to the floor. He knelt over him, one leg on each side, trapping the guard beneath him.
"Second prince and third prince? They are just three and one. After all I have done, he said that?" Prince Eyrin panted, stabbing the guard to vent his anger. Blood splashed onto his face.
"And that eunuch, he is not going to survive. I'll make sure he is dead!" he said, continuing to stab even though the guard was already dead.
He kept stabbing, his face twisted with rage. "I will kill Prince Khane but only when the time is right," he muttered.