The Lost Heir: Battle Of Royalties - Chapter 136

Cole snorted annoyingly as he relayed all the things he and the prince talked about to Liam and the team. Even when Leon and Gideon went with him to meet the prince, he never told them what transpired during their conversation. Only the fact that he was annoyed at the prince’s arrogance.

“He said he wanted me to work under him. Me and the whole shadow knight’s army.” Cole furthered.

“Work under him? Not as one of the palace guards?” Liam ċȧrėssed his jaw with his fingers.

“Yes, I believe I heard him right. I even asked twice because I thought I heard him wrong but he really mean it.”

“Something isn’t right.” Gideon buŧŧed in. “The fact that he met with you in private and tried to recruit the whole shadow knights doesn’t make sense. Is he possibly preparing for war?”

“And why you and not Liam?” Leon also voiced his qualms.

Liam was in deep thought while his men shared their own say towards each other.

“The truth is, the first prince knew that I am the commander of the shadow knight’s army. And the way he talked to me gave me the impression that he doesn’t know about you, Liam.”

“I won’t be surprise if he doesn’t know Liam. Our big brother doesn’t have much exposure to the outside world and our army rarely sees him.” Asher said.

“That makes sense.” Leon also thought about that fact. “Do you think the first prince is creating a secret army? I heard the king wanted the fourth son to take the throne instead of the first prince.”

“The question is why? Why does the king prefer the fourth son over the eldest?” Gideon voiced his thoughts. “Looks like the king saw something in him—something displeasing in the sight.”

They all sighed as they delve in their own thoughts. No matter how they think about it, they can’t seem to get a proper conclusion. Guess all their questions will be answered once they live among the royals inside the palace.

They were quiet for who knows how long. And it was Liam who broke the deafening silence.

“Don’t let anyone knew about me for now. Cole, just continue to be on the spotlight. All transactions outside the group should be address by you personally—except the chiefs of the tribes. I will personally deal with them. Let them think that you’re the head until we figure out what they’re up to.” Liam suddenly suggested.

“You mean…”

“Yes. I believe he has a reason why he wanted to take you on his side. I just don’t know what it is for now.” Liam furthered.

“If that’s what you want to do then let it be.” Cole replied.

Liam then heaved a deep sigh before he motioned his men to continue their journey back to Zoar. They need to reach the guesthouse before nighttime.

MEANWHILE,

At the Guesthouse in Zoar….

He can see her reservations and he really wanted to earn her trust but look like he’ll be having a hard time convincing the princess that he is an ally.

“I understand if you don’t fully trust me. I won’t force you to tell me who you are and where you came from, but I just want to let you know that I am a friend and I am willing to help you if you need me.” Sargon uttered.

“Why? Why are you willing to help a stranger like me? You don’t even know me yet you are helping me.” The princess asked while facing the window.

Sargon smirked for a second. It was already a breakthrough that he was able to hear the princess talk. “You don’t need to have a reason to help the needy people. You may not believe it but when I saw you lying weakly and almost dying on the ground, I suddenly saw myself years ago when I was your age. If that old man didn’t help me back then, then I bet I wouldn’t be here right now.”

The princess turned around to see the old man. He was smiling innocently… He looked sincere.

“Anyway, I won’t force you to open up right now. But feel free to come down whenever you want. You are not a prisoner here so feel free to roam around the place.” Sargon finally stood up and before he left, he faced the princess one more time. “Dinner is by 7pm, if you want you can join us downstairs. Though I must inform you that we have companions later tonight.” Then he left.

Companions? He has visitors? The lady thought as soon as the old man left. Are they possibly good people? And that old man, if she guesses it correctly, he was obviously the owner of this guesthouse. Can she trust him?

She sighed before she decided to take a nap for the time being. She needed more time to think about her next plan in order to save that lady who risk her life to save her.

FLASHBACK:

“Hey! What do you think you’re doing? Is it right to take someone against her own will? Do you know that’s kidnapping and you will surely end up in prison all your life?” A fearless lady was standing on the shore in front of the men who just got off the small boat. They were pulling the helpless woman whom they tied.

“Now let the woman go before I scream for help right now.” Diana threatened the men. However, she didn’t know that some of the pirates’ crew were already standing behind her.

“And what if we don’t?” One of the pirates smirked. “Why don’t you try to scream for help?” He challenged the woman.

“Do you think I was bluffing? Tsk!” Diana screamed on top of her lungs while preparing to leave. But then, as soon as she turned around, she was startled and staggered backwards. And before she knew it, someone put a sackcloth on her head and knocked her out.

“We can’t possibly leave her here now that she saw us with the princess.” One of the pirate crew uttered. “She might really report us to the authorities.”

“Why don’t we just kill her and throw her body in the ocean?” Another said.

“Just take her with us. We can either use her or sell her. She can amount to something once we sell her to the nobles.” Their leader spoke.

“Oh yes, you’re right!” The other crews lit up. That woman will surely cost them a fortune!

They took Diana and locked her along with the princess at the pirates’ gathering camp at the next town near Zoar.

“Dang it! Where am I?” Diana muttered as soon as she regained her consciousness. She tried to look around her but all she can see was the four walls with a tiny window. Then her eyes got a glimpse of the lady she saw at the shore, leaning her head on the wall opposite her. “Y-you… who are you?” Her voice was filled with concern. “Are you okay?”

The lady slowly opened her eyes and looked at her. “Glad you’re awake now. I thought you were dead.”

“I-I’m sorry. I was supposed to save you but I was caught too.” Diana felt ashamed.

“It’s fine. You did nothing wrong, you just wanted to help.” The lady smiled faintly. “My name is Laura, what’s yours?”

“Diana…”

“Diana, nice name. I bet your family is looking for your right now.”

“I doubt it…” She lowered her head sadly. “My parents are long dead.”

“I’m sorry…”

“It’s okay.” She gave out a bitter smile.

“But I’m sure you have friends whose searching for you right now.”

Diana chuckled a little. “I’m sure they don’t even know this happened to me and probably they will never know.” She grinned naughtily. “The truth is, I am a foreigner in this country and I was about to go back to my own country through that big ship. However…”

“However, you saw me and decided to follow us….?”

“Ehm…” Diana nodded in response. “I’m sorry.” She still has the guts to smile despites her situation and Princess Laura admired her for that.

“I am a princess from the North kingdom of Armany.” She smiled but Diana gawked in awe.

Well, that explains her seemingly expensive tailored dress and the ornaments on her body.

“A-a princess?” Her eyes widened in amazement. “That’s terrific! Once your guards and maidservants found out that you went missing, they’ll search for you everywhere! Phew! I’m glad there’s hope for us.”

“Sorry to destroy your hope but I don’t think that will happen either. I came alone.” She grinned mischievously.

“W-what?!” She was surprised. “But why?”

“I guess that’s my stubbornness acting that time.” The princess sighed. “Now I don’t know if I can get out of here alive.”

Diana thought for a moment before she lifted her gaze to look at the princess.

“Princess Laura, listen up. I will help you escape here at all cost.”

“B-but… you will surely get into trouble once they learnt that I escape.”

“It’s fine. I’m stronger that what you think.” She grinned playfully. “However, you can’t trust anyone out there. Once you get out of here, go back to the city of Zoar and search for a specific group of people. Don’t tell anyone about your identity unless you’re talking to the shadow knights.”

“Shadow knights?” The princess creased her brows confused.

“Yes, the shadow knights. I’m sure they will protect you. They are good people and you can trust them with your life.” Diana’s confidence to them gave the princess the hint that she can rely on those group. “But you must be careful because there are a lot of fake shadow knights everywhere.”

“Then how will I know that they are real?”

Diana brought out the golden phoenix hairpin she secured inside her shirt and hand it to the princess. “Show this to them. They should be able to recognize this right away.” She smiled. “And please take good care of it cause it’s the only memory I have from my mom.”

“Then I shall give this to you also. We’ll exchange items once we meet each other again.” She smiled.

Diana made sure to tell the princess all the things she needed to know before they planned a way to escape the pirates.

***End of Flashback***

The princess suddenly woke up due to some voices outside the room. She was greatly displeased by their loud voices but she immediately froze when she heard a name.

Liam?!

Could he be the person she was looking for? Fudge! There’s only one way to know.