The Lost Heir: Battle Of Royalties - Chapter 126

It was almost unrecognizable but Liam was able to identify the woman’s belongings. She was the only one who has that kind of bag in the whole kingdom and he recognized the scarf because it was him who gave it to her.

He doesn’t want to accept the truth lingering in his mind but seeing the evidences made his knees go weak. No, not yet. He’s not giving up.

“No. She’s not dead yet.” Liam mumbled feebly.

“Liam…. The coastguards said no one survived the explosion and the bodies that weren’t found yet might be in the deepest part of the sea right now.” It was Sargon who spoke.

“Big brother, Sargon may be right—–” Asher was about to say more but Liam stopped him.

“Don’t you dare stop looking for her!” He glared at each of them before leaving the area.

Once again, he boarded the boat and cued the boat captain to go back to the sea one more time.

Seeing the man’s determination, Cole and Asher followed and joined him in the boat while the others stayed to look around further.

They don’t know what’s in Liam’s thoughts right now, that’s why they don’t want to leave him alone in fear that he might do something stupid. He might not say it out loud but he must be blaming himself for what happened to the young miss.

He looked weary, that’s for sure. But his determination to look for the alive woman was very evident in his eyes. He was still hoping that Diana was alive.

They’ve been roving the sea until midnight but to no avail. Liam and some of the coastguards even dived the sea but they only found some unrecognizable bodies.

“Liam, why don’t you get some rest first? It’s almost dawn.” Cole came to the man sitting on the shore, still waiting for any reports.

“You go. I’ll wait for the final result of the search. They might release the names and the number of bodies that were found.” He weakly replied.

���But you need to rest too. You didn’t even eat anything since morning.”

“Cole, I’m fine. Make sure the others get a proper rest. You too.”

“No.” Cole grimly replied. “I won’t go back without you.”

“I told you —–”

“Liam, you are not the only one hoping to hear good news about the young miss. Everyone from the team was wishing the same thing but you must also know that everyone was mourning deep inside them. Please get a hold of yourself and go back with me. You need to strengthen yourself so you can strengthen the team as well.”

He lowered his head. Cole was right, looked like he forgot about the team.

They were as affected as him too therefore, being each one’s strength is a must for the time being.

“I’m sorry.” He mumbled as he stood up.

They went back to the guesthouse and found the others soundly sleeping at the living room. Seemed like everyone was exhausted for the day since they were racing as they snore.

Cole headed to his room while Liam went directly to the balcony. He spent a few minutes looking at the sea before he decided to go back to his own room. However, he halted when his eyes landed on the couch he and Diana shared before her departure.

He doesn’t want to accept that the woman is dead. No. It hurts him so much.

She can’t die. There is still hope. She’s been into a lot of danger before but she managed to survive. Maybe this time too.

He looked up the heavens as he wiped his eyes. “If there is truly a God out there, then please hear me out. If you’re real then please answer my prayer. Let her live, please, let her live.” He muttered before going back to his room.

He changed his shirt before laying his tired back on the bed. ‘Let it be just a bad dream.’ He closed his eyes and tried to sleep. Hoping that when he wakes up later, everything was just a part of a bad dream.

THEY DIDN’T WAKE HIM UP. The team woke up early and set out to the coastline but they chose not to wake Liam up. He need proper rest especially that they knew how he will abuse his body later in search for the young miss once again.

As for Sargon, he chose to stay at the guesthouse saying that he’ll wait for Liam to wake up but the truth is, he needs to discuss something with his spy.

“How’s the preparation?” He asked the lady who was hiding in the distance. He was watching the boys go down the road on their horses.

“The carriers encountered an unexpected situation while they were on their journey.” She replied. “The weapons you ordered will be here in two days.”

“How about the other materials?”

“They will be arriving tonight.”

“Stay low. Don’t let anyone sees you and the men.”

“Yes master.”

The lady was about to leave when Sargon remembered something.

“Ah, one more thing…”

The lady faced him once again. “What is it, master?”

“Did you find out the reason of the explosion?”

“Sorry master but I am still in the middle of my investigation.”

“Try to sneak inside the room of the coastguard captain. I’m sure they found something relevant since they’ve been searching the sea the whole night.”

“Yes master. I’ll notify you as soon as possible.”

“Ehm.” He replied before the lady left in haste.

Sargon knew that the explosion is not just an accident. The mere fact that the ship was shattered in pieces gives him the feeling that someone must have planted explosives all over the ship.

It was carefully planned but he wanted to know the reason why and find the person behind it too. The passengers were all merchants from different parts of the world and this occurrence may destroy the country from the neighboring kingdom. If these news gets out, Allen’s economy will clearly collapse.

Was this a coincidence or was it planned by those opposing side?

He deeply sighed and was about to go inside the house when he suddenly staggered backwards.

Liam was standing on the doorpost but he wasn’t sure if for how long.

“L-liam?” He stammered as he speaks. Surprise was evident in his eyes. “H-how long have you been standing there?”

“Just now. What’s with the startled look?” He nonchalantly replied and went to see his horse.

Sargon sighed. Looked like he didn’t hear a thing. Phew! Safe.

“Where are you going?” He immediately straightened up. “Why don’t you eat breakfast first?”

“I’m not hungry.”

“Liam, don’t push yourself too hard. Your men were all worried at you.”

“Don’t worry, I’m fine.” Then he mounted his horse and went on his way.

Sargon sighed while watching Liam left the hill.

‘What a hardheaded guy.’ He hissed before entering the house.

**********************

“WHAT DID YOU SAY?!” The king was shocked to hear a devastating news early in the morning. “Did you say our merchant ship exploded?!”

“Y-yes, your majesty.” His ȧssistant reported.

“Call for an emergency meeting.” He ordered

“Yes, my siege.”

The king’s ȧssistant immediately rushed out from his chamber and spread the king’s command to every official in the kingdom.

The king was perplexed upon hearing a very disturbing news. How could the merchant’s ship suddenly exploded? And according to the reports he received, no one survived!

How can the palace compensate for the lost lives? It’s just a matter of time before the great news spread all over the kingdom and to their neighboring country as well. They may use the situation against the kingdom of Allen, worst, the kingdom of Armany might withdraw their alliance.

The hall was in chaos as soon as they heard the news.

It was indeed a big issue since the coastguard captain didn’t send any other information aside from the fact that no one survived the explosion, not even one from the crew.

Looked like the culprits planted bombs in every corner of the ship and made it explode at the same time.

The coastguard captain even said that there are no traces of evidence left, therefore, finding the culprit wouldn’t be easy.

“What shall we do then? The situation might worsen if the southern kingdom hears about it!” One of royal officials voiced his thoughts.

“This is clearly a national threat. We must find the perpetrator as soon as possible.” Another said.

“Even if we find the culprit, it doesn’t change the fact that the palace will be held accountable for the lost lives. We should think of a way on how to explain the matter to the neighboring kingdoms since we all know that most of the merchants came from the north and south.” One of Shadrach’s crony spoke.

“He was right. They might interpret this event as our declaration of war against them.” Another said.

“Then all the more, we should find the culprit.” One of the confederates speak up. “Saying that we have to ignore the criminal is the same as withholding justice to the dead souls. Only when we find the real offender can we understand the reasons behind this. Then we can easily explain our innocence from the other kingdoms.”

They were waiting for the king to answer but one particular person was abnormally silent among the officials. The mere fact that Shadrach wasn’t speaking alarmed the king. He seemed to be keeping something from him.

On the other hand, Shadrach chose to be quiet. This particular incident was surely a great threat to the kingdom but he will leave it to the king. He has his own agenda to focus on and the king will surely hear about it sooner or later.

‘Hoho!’ He grinned within him. The fact that the princess of Armany boarded the ship will soon reach the king’s ears. ‘What will you do then, my siege?’ He sneered in contempt as he looked at the king sitting on his throne perplexed.