Chereads / Caesar's Sin / Chapter 12 - 12

Chapter 12 - 12

After penetrating the forest for days, Prince Abdullah's army reached the walls of the Kingdom of Deutschland.

Looking at the stone walls and the closed wooden gate, Abdullah glanced at the flag bearing the falcon emblem fluttering high above the wall with his eyes similar to those of a wild wolf.

"Raise the black and white flags."

He ordered one of his soldiers coldly.

The white flag, bearing the slogan "There is no god but God, Muhammad is the Messenger of God," belonged to the Jurhum Caliphate.

While the black flag, which contained the Arab sword emblem, belonged to the soldiers of the second prince.

"Under your highness's orders."

The Arab soldier raised the two flags high so that the guards of the walls could see them.

They had arrived at dawn, which is the time when the gates of the kingdom are closed until the guards come to open them.

This system existed in all the kingdoms of Europe at that time.

When the German guard standing on the stone walls of the city looked at the black and white flags from afar, he trembled with intense fear.

" "Send a telegram to His Majesty the King, the Arabs are coming!!"

The brown-haired guard shouted loudly

The guard's announcement was met with panic and chaos immediately

Hundreds of soldiers rushed to the castle wall, their faces filled with fear and uncertainty. The news of the approaching Jurhum army sent a wave of terror through the entire kingdom

The king, who was quietly eating his meal in the comfort of his dining room, froze in his seat, his fork hovering over his plate, his heart pounding in his chest when he heard the news of the Arabs' arrival

The sudden announcement was a shock to his body and a realization that danger was at his doorstep

King Gunther the Holy, the seventeenth king of the Kingdom of Deutschleide, looked at the soldier who delivered the news

"They have finally arrived. Summon the imprisoned princess and Gabrielle."

It is time for negotiations between the two parties regarding the imprisoned Arab princess

The king's words echoed in the king's dining room, his voice calm but full of authority. The soldier obeyed without a moment's hesitation

There was a slight change in the king's demeanor. His expression stiffened and his shoulders seemed to tense. It was clear that he had not expected the arrival of the Jehovah's army. His mind was already calculating the steps he needed to take.

The fate of his kingdom was now in the hands of one prisoner he was holding in his possession. She was a young woman named Layla.

On the other side, specifically in the luxurious room where the imprisoned princess was staying,

Layla was wearing a beautiful pink dress with a brown belt while eating a fresh red apple in her hand. The apple was one of the apples that Gabriel had picked for her from the church's orchards.

While Layla was eating the apple quietly, Gabriel was on the other side trying to braid her long black hair.

Gabriel sat behind Layla, his hands working hard to braid her long black locks. His fingers skillfully weaved the strands together, creating an intricate and beautiful pattern.

He continued to work silently, his full focus on the task at hand. The air in the room was calm. And still, the only sound was the rustle of Laila's soft hair as Gabriel worked.

His fingers moved with a trained and sure touch, and his eyes occasionally turned to her face, noticing the way she chewed the apple he had given her.

Since the servant incident that day, Laila had refused to have any servants assigned to help her, which forced Gabriel to take care of her himself.

"My princess, should you be eating breakfast now? I made you some delicious soup myself, it's completely pork-free."

Gabriel said in a gentle, masculine tone as he pointed to the food on the table in front of Laila.

The food was a smoky soup, hot, soft white bread, and fresh orange juice.

"Thank you, monk."

Laila said calmly as she put the half-eaten apple aside to start eating.

Meanwhile, Gabriel had finished combing her long black hair.

It was the first time in his life that he had tried to style a woman's hair. If it weren't for his constant attempts to style her hair in the past few days and his previous failures, he wouldn't have been able to achieve this satisfactory result.

Gabriel looked at Laila's styled and arranged hair with satisfaction and a great sense of accomplishment.

"Do you like the result?" he asked gently.

Laila's left hand touched her hair as she was busy eating the soup, which turned out to taste good.

"It's good," she said briefly as she ate.

A small smile twitched at the corner of his mouth at her short compliment.

The fact that she found the food good was satisfying to him, knowing that he had gone the extra mile to ensure that the meal adhered to her dietary restrictions.

He stood there for a moment longer, just watching her eat calmly. The simple sight of her enjoying the food he had prepared made him feel satisfied.

As Laila continued to eat, she asked him in a soft tone.

"Can you sit here for a moment?"

Pointing to the empty chair in front of her

There was no command in her voice, no sense of authority. It was just a polite request, and her eyes watched his gaze with a hint of softness.

He was momentarily taken aback by her unexpected request, his mind racing with curiosity about what she might want, but her voice was polite, almost shy, and her eyes held a slight hint of weakness.

Before his mind could fully process her request, his body moved across the room and sat down in the seat opposite her.

"Is there something bothering you, Laila?"

He said nervously as he struggled to suppress the blush that began to invade his pale cheeks.

"....."

Laila looked at him with her large brown eyes that had a captivating sparkle in silence.

His turquoise eyes met hers nervously as he swallowed nervously.

Laila broke off a piece of white bread in her hand and quietly offered it to him without saying a single word.

Gabriel's eyes widened slightly in surprise as she handed him the piece of bread.

He asked in a slightly broken voice.

"For me?"

He hadn't expected such a gesture. He crossed his fingers, unsure if he should accept it.

The sight before him was strangely and strangely warm at the same time. His heart fluttered and the action caused an unexpected flutter in his chest.

"..."

Layla nodded silently.

When he saw her silent gesture of approval, Gabriel swallowed hard again and pushed away the lump that had formed in his throat.

Cautiously, he reached out and took the bread she had offered him. It was warm and soft to the touch, the crust slightly cracked. As he held it, he felt its heat on his skin.

His gaze moved from the slice of bread to her face, his expression a mixture of surprise and confusion.

He asked in a hoarse voice.

"Why are you giving me this?"

"I don't like eating alone"

Layla said while eating the soup

Her words hit him like a gentle breeze and the simplicity of her words caused an unexpected wave of emotions to flow through him

The fact that she didn't like eating alone and wanted him to join her… It was a strange thought that made his heart beat strangely

His eyes never left hers and he didn't miss the importance of the moment without hesitation he bit the slice of bread and its taste was warm and comforting on his tongue

Just at that moment, the soldiers forcefully opened the door.

The sudden loud sound of the door startled Gabriel.

He immediately stood up from his chair, his whole body tense and alert. The instinct to protect the princess came over him, and he quickly exchanged glances between the soldiers at the door and Laila.

"How dare you open the door in such a barbaric manner?"

Gabriel addressed them in a sharp, masculine voice while barely swallowing the morsel in his mouth.

The soldiers were standing at the entrance, their facial expressions frozen and emotionless. They were soldiers trained to obey orders and follow protocol.

But the firm tone in Gabriel's voice made them pause for a moment, their eyes briefly meeting his.

One of them said:

"My apologies, Your Highness, but we have come with urgent orders from the King himself."

The soldier bowed to Gabriel respectfully, his eyes staring at Laila who was still eating her soup coldly.

When he spoke again, his masculine voice was firm and carried a touch of authority.

He asked:

"What is the King's order?"

"His Majesty requests that the Princess be brought to the throne room with her hands tied, as negotiations with the Arabs will begin soon."

Hearing the words (bound to the throne room) Gabriel felt his blood boil just imagining the idea

"You dare to bind her and I swear in the name of the Holy Spirit to make you pay for it with your life"

Gabriel approached the soldier to whisper these words in his ear while his turquoise eyes exuded pure coldness

The soldier's eyes widened slightly upon hearing the harshness of Gabriel's words and a moment of fear appeared on his face

But he quickly regained his composure and his facial expression hardened again. He was a soldier trained to follow orders regardless of the threat

He said through clenched teeth

"We only obey the king's orders, Your Highness the Third"

Gabriel moved away from the soldier while biting his inner lips harshly

Frustration and anger were boiling inside Gabriel. The idea of ​​tying Laila up and presenting her as livestock to be negotiated was not acceptable to him

His jaw clenched and his fingers trembled slightly. He looked at Laila who continued to eat her soup As if she was unaware of the tension in the room

His mind was racing against time trying to find a way to protect her from this humiliating treatment

And after the tense silence in the room, Laila finally opened her mouth after finishing eating the soup

"Thank God, thank God abundantly, good and blessed"

She said while getting up from the chair to approach the soldiers and raise her hands to them

"Let's go"

Hearing her say that while raising her hands to them obediently, Gabriel became angry

"What are you doing, Laila??"

"I am a prisoner here and it is finally time for negotiations. I want to leave this place at any cost. I want to return to my kingdom, so don't give me that look, Prince Monk."

Layla said coldly as she glanced at him from the corner of her eye.

Seeing her extend her hands obediently, the soldiers tied her up without hesitation.

Gabriel's heart ached at her words. She was right. She was a prisoner here, trapped in the luxury and comfort of the castle like a bird in a golden cage.

Her desire to return to her kingdom, to her people, was a longing he understood very well. However, the thought of her leaving and no longer being under his protection filled him with inexplicable anxiety.

As the soldiers bound her wrists, he struggled to maintain his composure, his eyes never leaving her face.

"Don't tie her hands too tightly."

He warned the soldiers sharply.

The soldiers realized Gabrielle's warning and adjusted the tightness of the restraints slightly. They were careful not to tie her too tightly. Severe and their eyes flickered to him from time to time, wary of the prince's stern expression.

Gabriel watched silently as they tied her up, and the sight of her delicate wrists bound with rope felt like a physical pain in his chest. His heart was at war with his mind, torn between his duty to watch over her and his growing affection for her.

"The King has ordered you to come as well, Your Highness."

The soldier said to Gabriel respectfully and cautiously.

Gabriel's eyes flickered to the soldier, and his thoughts were interrupted for a moment.

"Me?"

He said in surprise

He didn't expect the king to call him too, especially in this tense situation. He glanced at the bound Layla, before turning his attention back to the soldier.

"Lead the way."

The soldier ordered seriously.

As the soldiers led them through the long corridors of the castle, Gabriel walked silently behind Layla. He struggled to look away from her, trying to reconcile the mixture of emotions that were coursing through his body.

Her calm, composed demeanor contrasted with the turmoil that was filling his heart. He couldn't understand how she was able to maintain her composure in this situation while he himself was a tangle of unspoken words and unexpressed emotions.

The journey to the throne room was a path of silent footsteps and tense anticipation. The echo of their footsteps on the stone floor was the only sound that filled the hallways.

Finally, they reached the grand doors of the throne room. The tall wooden doors loomed above them, a symbol of the power that awaited them within. Gabriel could sense the hesitation Laila the slightest sign of her inner turmoil as she prepared for the negotiations

The soldiers slowly opened the doors revealing the grandeur of the throne room. The vast space was lit by huge torches and the glowing flames cast long shadows on the richly decorated walls

At the far end of the room on the raised platform sat the king, majestically surrounded by his court and advisors

The room fell silent as Laila and Gabriel entered and the king immediately focused his eyes on the princess

The grey-haired King Gunther, who was already old enough for his devout monk son, looked at the bound princess surrounded by the group of soldiers

"My priestly son and the princess of the East, step forward"

He said in a firm and strong voice

Laila stepped forward, her hands bound, looking at the old king sitting on his throne with poise and calm

She was, as rumors said, extremely beautiful, with stunning Arabian beauty

As Laila took a step forward, the king's eyes watched her every move. There was a hint of interest in his gaze as he examined her Arabian features, her beauty lived up to the rumours that had reached the castle.

Then he leaned back on his throne and his grey beard trembled as he spoke.

"So this is the princess of the East, she is as stunningly beautiful as the rumours say."

The king thought aloud as he looked at his entourage.

Gabriel stood near the king's entourage, most of whom were clergy and churchmen, while the gazes of the nobles on the other side ranged between him and the princess.

Near the king's throne stood Sir Adrian, who had recently been appointed as the king's personal royal knight.

Sir Adrian glanced at Gabriel secretly from the corner of his eye.

Sir Adrian's gaze did not escape Gabriel's attention, despite the distance, Gabriel could feel the knight's gaze on him, and there was a hint of curiosity and doubt in his eyes.

Gabriel kept his gaze neutral, but his mind was racing. Why was Adrian looking at him this way?

Meanwhile, the king continued to speak, his voice commanding attention.

"So, princess?"

The king said, addressing Laila directly.

"Do you know why you are here today?"

"I am here as a hostage to determine the fate of these negotiations."

Laila replied calmly in her sweet feminine voice that echoed in the throne room.

She was calm and steady.

The king laughed at her answer, and his eyes narrowed slightly.

He replied with a voice tinged with amusement

"You are very intelligent, but I think you are overestimating your importance here, Princess. It is true that you are a valuable asset in these negotiations, but you are nothing more than a bargaining chip."

"Bargaining chip??? I am the only daughter of the Caliph of this world, but you say that I am a bargaining chip?? Your tone suggests that you are in a strong position, O King, but you are actually the weaker party here, and if you are exposed to the Caliph's wrath, you will be erased from the map."

Laila responded to the King with confidence and a sarcastic tone, as if she was mocking and despising him. Even in her restricted state, she still represented the true dignity of princesses.

A collective cry of disapproval echoed throughout the room when the courtiers heard her defiant words. The courtiers and advisors looked at her with a mixture of fear and horror, astonished by her audacity to speak to the King with such boldness.

On the other hand, the King was clearly surprised, and anger was burning in his eyes.

He said as he sat down On his throne with a tone full of warning

"How dare you talk to me in such a rude manner while you are imprisoned here? Don't forget that you are a prisoner here and with one order from me I can take your life no matter if you are a princess or the daughter of a caliph under my throne!!!"

It was clear that her words had hurt the pride of the royal king

He was originally trying to intimidate her so that she would not act confidently or arrogantly which would lower the prestige of the royal family in front of the entourage

Laila ignored the king's threats that frightened the entourage and said coldly

"Which of my male brothers came to hold negotiations?"

Hearing her question, the king calmed down a little, and silence fell throughout the throne room.

After a few minutes of silence, the king opened his mouth to say in a low voice that everyone could barely hear.

"He is the second prince of the Caliphate, Abdullah Al-Saffah."

"..."

Hearing that name, the entourage in the throne room whispered loudly.

Abdullah Al-Saffah, the second son of the Caliph of the Arabs and Muslims, Abdul Rahman III.

He was the most famous and youngest general in the world and the most famous and savage conqueror of this era.

The conqueror of the seven kingdoms and the five cities.

He was a young military genius with an exceptional talent, but he had a fierce and brutal temperament and preferred harsh methods in dealing with his enemies.

From one of the stories of his massacres, it is said that during his occupation of the Kingdom of Bruina and during its siege with his army nicknamed the Desert Wolves, he prevented supplies from reaching the kingdom by blocking the secret road through which they were obtaining supplies, which caused a great famine. In the besieged kingdom, which resulted in the death of 5 thousand people due to hunger

After besieging that kingdom for a whole month, he was finally able to occupy it through a brilliant military plan recorded in the books of war planning

After occupying that kingdom, he did something that caused him to get the title

{The Butcher Prince}

As soon as he entered the capital of the kingdom, he ordered the gathering of all the soldiers of that kingdom, whose numbers reached nearly 300 thousand soldiers, to order them to be buried alive in front of the eyes of the general public

While whispers filled the room, Gabriel's heart beat violently. He had heard rumors about Abdullah the Butcher and his conquests and brutal tactics, but hearing the true extent of his brutality made his blood freeze

Then he glanced at Laila, who was completely silent. Her confident demeanor cracked and was replaced by a glimpse of anxiety in her eyes

Then the king's voice echoed again loudly and strongly

"The prince of the Caliphate will be here soon to conduct these negotiations"

He did not expect the negotiations to take place so soon as some believed that the princess might remain a captive for at least a year in light of the political situation the world was going through at this moment, especially since the Caliphate was fighting the West and the East

In the West, it was fighting the Christian Crusader Alliance and the Union of Kingdoms, while in the East, it was fighting the alliance of the Tan and Yuan Emirates and the Han Empire

It was in a state of conflict and war with almost the entire planet at this moment, so no one thought that the negotiations would begin soon, but contrary to expectations, the murderous prince himself came to retrieve his sister

Laila broke the silence that suddenly prevailed in the hall to say anxiously

"Choosing Abdullah as the person to conduct the negotiations!!! Did my father become senile to send that murderer?"

The princess complained loudly

She was right

It was like sending a bloodthirsty killer or a bloody war general to the library

The king was a bit taken aback by the princess's talk about her brother.

He cleared his throat to say with poise.

"Anyway, the prince has already reached the threshold of the kingdom and is on his way to the palace, so until then, be prepared to treat me as a hostage."

The king's words were heavy in the air and the tension in the room was palpable.

The courtiers and clerics exchanged nervous glances while the king's knights looked at each other with a look of anticipation.

Gabriel stood quietly, his eyes flickering to Layla. Her calm, confident demeanor was no longer hers and her anxiety was beginning to show. He knew that she was afraid for her brother and what he would do when he saw her in her current state.

At that moment, as he was about to open his mouth, Ser Adrian spoke.

"Your Majesty, there is a curious question that has been on my mind and I really, really want to know the answer to it. All the men in the throne room want to know the answer as well."

He said in a voice that echoed throughout the entire throne room.

Ser Adrian's voice broke the heavy silence and caught everyone's attention. In the room, the courtiers and advisors, including the king, turned to look at him.

"What question are you curious about, Adrian?"

"Why, Your Majesty, did you choose the Third Prince Gabriel out of all of them to be the one to guard and monitor the imprisoned princess during her imprisonment here?" Why did you choose him instead of the First or Second Prince or any other trained soldier and knight?"

Hearing his young knight's question, the old king sighed in annoyance as his eyes turned towards Gabriel who was standing on the side reserved for the clergy in the court.

"Because he is a monk, because he was raised as such, so he will not do anything to the princess that might spoil these negotiations."

The room was silent as the king's explanation echoed.

Sir Adrian's question touched on a point that worried many in the room.

Gabriel felt the weight of the countless stares on him and tried hard to keep his expression neutral. He could sense that the courtiers and advisors were looking at him with suspicion.

He tried not to appear affected by anything, but his eyes instinctively went to Layla who was standing in the middle.

His eyes were fixed on the rope wrapped around her wrists.

He was trying to suppress the discomfort that began to creep into his heart at the sight of her delicate hands being bound.

He ordered the soldiers to loosen the ropes on her. Then why does the sight of her tied hands look so miserable to him?!!!

As he focused on her hands, Gabriel noticed a strange glow reflected on the marble floor of the throne room.

That light.....

That reflection.....

Gabriel's feet moved so fast out of sheer instinct.

So fast that the ministers and advisors could barely comprehend what he had done.

His black monastic robes flew high.

He leapt over Layla, hugging her body tightly.

A sharp scream echoed through the throne room, accompanied by stunned screams and whispers.

"Oh my God, what is happening here!!!"

The sudden movement stunned everyone. The clergy and courtiers stared in shock as they watched Gabriel practically pounce on Laila and wrap her in the embrace of his black robe.

At that moment, the arrow swept across the target with great speed and accuracy.

The arrow was flying towards Laila with the intention of taking her life.

But before the arrow reached its target, Gabriel had shielded Laila with his body and received the blow on her behalf.

With a faint sound, the arrow struck him, and a sharp pain radiated from the middle of his back. The arrow successfully penetrated his body and was now lodged deep in his flesh.

"Oh my God, the arrow has penetrated the Third Prince's back!!!"

"There's an arrow!!! There's a killer!"

"For Christ's sake, what's happening!!!"

The king's eyes widened in shock and a collective scream filled the room. The courtiers and clergy stared in horror as they watched the horrific scene.

Sir Adrian and the other knights were the first to react. They immediately drew their swords and rushed towards the source of the arrow.

Amidst the commotion, Gabriel looked at Layla who was trapped in his embrace with his beautiful turquoise eyes.

There was a little cold sweat dripping from his forehead.

He opened his mouth to say in a low, worried tone.

"Are you... okay Layla?"

Layla's eyes widened and fear was etched into her features as she was trapped in Gabriel's embrace. Her body trembled. She stared at the arrow that was lodged in his back, her face as white as a sheet.

"I... I'm fine."

She managed to whisper in a trembling voice

"But you... you're injured!"

Her beautiful brown eyes trembled violently as she looked at him with extreme fear and worry

Gabriel laughed weakly at her worry and winced when the movement worsened his injury. He replied

"It's just a scratch."

Trying to downplay the severity of his wound

Layla looked at him in surprise and her eyes filled with tears

"A scratch? You just got hit in the back with an arrow!"

She protested with a voice filled with panic and worry

Gabriel smiled slightly trying to reassure her he said

"I'll be fine"

He winced slightly as the movement sent another shock of pain through his body

His back was burning like fire and the arrow was lodged deep in his flesh however he pushed the pain aside and focused only on Layla

He looked into her tear filled brown eyes and said to her with annoyance

"Don't cry I hate seeing you... sad Layla"

Gabriel felt out of his human survival instinct that the arrow that pierced his back was poisoned

The poison was spreading through his body causing him to feel unbearable pain in his body

His vision began to blur

"I... I'll be fine"

He said hoarsely trying to hide the pain in his voice but the poison was coursing through his veins causing excruciating pain that he couldn't hide for long

His face tightened again as the pain spread through his body and his breathing became ragged The poison was working fast and he felt its power fading

Gabriel felt at that moment that if he was going to die in Layla's arms, this death wouldn't be so bad

The word "I'll be fine" was the last word he said before he passed out on top of Layla

The last thing Gabriel could hear was Layla's soft whisper

"Don't... die"

Gabriel got up from his bed in panic while his entire body was covered in cold sweat

"Jesus Christ my savior"

He panted violently while looking around

Only then did he start to feel unbearable pain spreading throughout his entire body

"Aaah it hurts so much"

Gabriel groaned in a hoarse male voice

Only then did he notice the white bandage covering half of his bare chest

The luxurious room he was sitting in looked strangely familiar

It looked like a king's room!!!

Could this not have been a dream??

Could what happened have been real?

Gabriel got up from the soft and smooth bed he was lying on

Biting his inner lips to suppress the wave of inhuman pain that began to invade his entire body

"Your Highness what are you doing!!!"

The male screaming sound scared Gabriel to turn and look towards the door.

There was an old man standing at the open door of the room while holding a wooden plate filled with water in his hand.

The old man with the long white beard, bald head and long robe looked like one of the royal doctors in the palace.

All the royal doctors were wearing a uniform.

Before the old doctor could say anything, Gabriel said in a hoarse voice.

"Laila... Where is Laila?"

"..."

The old doctor looked surprised by the first question the prince asked after waking up.

"Laila?... Do you mean the imprisoned Arab princess, Your Highness?"

"Yes, come on.... Where is Laila? Where is she?"

Gabriel replied to the doctor nervously

"She already left with the caliphate delegation as soon as the negotiations ended."

The doctor replied to the young prince with embarrassment as he approached to put the wooden plate aside on the table near the bed

Gabriel's heart skipped a beat as the old doctor's words hit him like a bucket of cold water. Did Laila leave? Did she return to her homeland?

Worry gripped him as he stood there shirtless, the bandage wrapped around his chest as a testament to his recent injury.

"No… no this can't be true I need to see her I need to…"

He stopped talking, his voice hoarse and filled with despair.

The doctor approached him, clearly worried about the prince's troubled state.

"Your Highness you need to lie down, you just woke up and…"

But Gabriel couldn't accept it. He pushed the doctor aside, groaning in pain as the pain in his back worsened again, but he ignored it. His mind was focused only on Laila.

"I need to see her, I…"

He repeated desperately.

The doctor tried to calm him down.

"Your Highness please you need to rest, you just narrowly escaped death…"

Tears slipped from his eyes.

This can't be…

Laila is gone…

Gabriel sank into a swamp of despair.

She left him without even waiting for him to wake up

I left without saying goodbye....

"How...how long were you unconscious?"

The doctor asked sharply with eyes overflowing with madness and pure despair.

Seeing the mad look in the prince's eyes, the doctor trembled with intense fear and replied in panic.

"You have been unconscious for four days and five nights, Your Highness."

"....."

"If it weren't for your strange and unique physique, you wouldn't have been able to survive the poison. In fact, the fact that you got out of bed after only four days is usually amazing. When even a veteran knight is infected with the dangerous ricin poison, it takes at least a full month to wake up and a full year for his body to rehabilitate."

The words hit Gabriel's ears like a hammer blow. He had been unconscious for four days and five nights. Four days and five nights without knowing whether he would wake up or not.

Four days and five nights of wasted opportunities.

It was a picture Laila leaving without a word, without a goodbye, echoed in his mind like a mocking scream.

The doctor's words about the poison and its effects were increasing the despair that was already being consumed by the ricin poison... the most dangerous poison known to man.

This poison was targeting Laila!!!!

"Who fired the arrow? Did the knights catch him?"

Gabriel grabbed the doctor by the robe tightly while asking insistently

"Yes, they arrested him, Your Highness. It turned out that he was one of the villagers who lost their loved ones in the war against the Caliph, which created hatred in him to attempt to assassinate the princess."

The doctor responded to the young prince's words nervously

A villager was able to sneak into the Dresden Royal Palace, raise an arrow, and aim it in such a precise manner at the princess?

Gabriel couldn't believe what the doctor said.

There was definitely a political figure behind that villager, exploiting his hatred for everything related to the Islamic Caliphate.

Gabriel removed his hands from the doctor's robe and sat weakly on the bed.

The look in his eyes was completely empty.

His beautiful turquoise eyes had completely lost their sparkle.

They were with him a short time ago, but they disappeared without any farewell when he closed his eyes.

In the blink of an eye, they disappeared from his hand.

Gabriel felt lost and insecure.

"You left me...you left me like this."

The prince's hiss was barely understandable to the old doctor.

The doctor approached him again and placed his hand on the prince's shoulder.

"Your Highness, you should rest and allow yourself to heal…"

The young prince raised his head to look at the doctor with his dead turquoise eyes

"I will take it back… I will take back what is mine."

The prince's words were incomprehensible to the doctor, but the look in those eyes caused the old man who had already tasted the hardships of life to feel as if all the hair on his body had already stood on end

In those stunning and dead turquoise eyes, there was no trace of the young and energetic boy he had once been

He did not look like someone who was born and raised to become a clergyman

His cheerful face, his tolerance, and his innocence had already disappeared

It was as if the monk prince had died at that moment

And the successor to that monk prince was nothing but a monster

A monster with dead eyes

He was no longer a teenager at that moment

Gabriel had become a man that day, announcing the disappearance of the last shred of his innocence