CHAPTER 43: JOURNEY TO THE PALACE

Sylas waited anxiously. As soon as Terion came out of the building, alone. Sylas had a bad feeling. He was sure the man wouldn’t bring good news.

Terion ordered his knights to get ready. Then he walked over to Sylas and smiled.

"He’ll bring your knight tomorrow night when you arrive at the palace. He’ll escort him personally," Terion said. He didn’t want to explain what he’d done to convince the vampire to change his mind.

"Are you sure?" Sylas asked hesitantly.

Terion nodded. "You can trust him."

Sylas felt heavy-hearted. But if it was true, it was better than losing Alvaro. He finally nodded. Glancing down, Sylas noticed a red stain on the white shirt under Terion’s cloak. He squinted to get a better look, feeling uneasy.

But Terion acted normal as he gave orders for the knights to stand by. The coachman opened the carriage door and gestured for Terion to get in.

Terion told Sylas to go in first.

Sylas ignored what he’d seen and pulled Kai along with him to get into the carriage. Seeing that, Terion stopped him.

"Who is he, Your Highness? I won’t take a slave in the carriage," Terion said, glaring sharply at Kai.

Kai bowed his head anxiously. He clenched his hands tightly, afraid he wouldn’t be allowed to leave with his master.

Sylas looked at Kai, then back at Terion. "He’s my servant, Lord Terion. I need to take him to the palace."

"Need to?" Terion asked. At a time like this, Sylas shouldn’t be worrying about anyone else. Besides, Kai didn’t look like a palace servant. The young man was covered in wounds and dirt, though his skin was fair.

Sylas nodded. "He’s coming with me. He won’t take up much space. There’s no need to worry."

Terion still wasn’t convinced, but Sylas insisted. In the end, the Duke gave in. He kept staring at Kai, still not understanding why Sylas was so determined to bring him along, especially now.

Inside the carriage, Kai sat quietly near the window, avoiding Terion’s judgmental gaze.

"You know, he’s going to get into trouble, Your Highness. You might be locked in your room, and he’ll suffer for it," Terion said, giving Sylas another reason to reconsider.

Sylas stared out the window as the carriage started moving quickly. Then he looked at Terion.

"He’s my servant. He’ll be locked up with me. Instead of worrying about that, I want to know how my father is. What happened? Did you hear any news from the palace?" Sylas asked, concerned.

"His Majesty isn’t doing well. Someone poisoned him. They’re still investigating. But as you know, Prince Virouse messed everything up."

Sylas fell silent.

Then Terion continued, "Because of the rumors Prince Virouse spread, people are demanding that the general arrest you and put you on trial. That’s why they announced the contest."

Sylas nodded. "A bounty based on rumors. They didn’t even release an official statement."

"At a time like this, anything the palace says would make it look like they’re protecting you. The general ordered the guards to arrest you, but I believe he was trying to keep you safe."

Terion looked uneasy. He hated Huron, but he had to admit the general was loyal to the royal family. He couldn’t deny that.

"Would I have been safe if I’d surrendered back then?" Sylas asked. Would he have survived if he’d gone with the general’s troops?

"Did he manage to capture you?" Terion asked.

"The general sent troops, but my uncle’s secret soldiers defeated them. They almost killed me," Sylas replied.

Terion wasn’t surprised. "You don’t know how far Prince Virouse will go for the throne. Your father nearly died because of him. If he hadn’t had so much support in the past, who knows what would’ve happened."

Sylas looked out the window. "I never thought my uncle would go this far."

He knew his uncle was obsessed with the throne. But he didn’t think the man would actually do something like this.

"I didn’t poison my father," Sylas said.

"I know. But saying that won’t fix anything. You have to calm people’s anger."

Sylas clenched his fists, anger burning in his chest. He hadn’t done anything, but he was being blamed, and now he had to prove his innocence. But in front of Terion, he was careful not to say too much. He couldn’t trust anyone.

Terion and the other nobles all had their own agendas. He couldn’t let his words be used against him later.

They entered the forest. A knight riding beside the carriage pulled his horse closer and spoke to Terion.

"Your Grace, we must close the windows. There are spies watching. I fear they’re looking for Prince Sylas," the man said, peering through the glass.

Terion nodded. "Do it."

The knights quickly shut the windows and moved in closer to protect the carriage.

Sylas grew anxious, but Terion tried to calm him.

"The journey’s still long. You should rest," Terion said.

It would take a full day and night to reach the capital. They stopped briefly at a few safe spots along the way before continuing. The knights stayed on high alert, their hands always near their swords.

Twice, they heard the sound of galloping hooves. But it seemed those riders were just searching for the Duke of Thalden’s carriage and eventually passed by.

By afternoon the next day, they reached Persbern, the capital city. Troops stood at every corner.

A knight opened the window and looked at Terion. "Your Grace, it would be best if Prince Sylas hid. I’m sure they’ll check the carriage."

Terion frowned. "Who would dare inspect a Duke’s carriage?"

"We’d better be careful, Your Grace," the knight insisted.

At that moment, a strong gust of wind hit the carriage. A loud noise came from the front. The horses neighed, and the carriage stopped suddenly. Kai almost fell from his seat, but Sylas caught him as he looked out the slightly open window.

Terion pulled back the curtain and called one of the knights.

"What’s going on?" he asked.

A knight appeared, panting. "Your Grace, a burning cart is blocking the road into the capital."

The chief knight took charge. "Get ready! We’re under attack!"

The troops stood at attention. The horses neighed again.

The carriage came to a full stop.

"Who dares block the road?" Terion shouted.

"They’re not wearing royal emblems or military uniforms. They’re armed. They look like secret troops, Your Grace. But you don’t need to worry. Please, stay inside." The knight closed the window. Horses galloped in all directions.

Terion muttered under his breath. How dare they block his path? He was sure they were Virouse’s men. That coward wouldn’t dare use official guards.

Sylas stood and walked to the window, opening it carefully. He looked around as far as he could see.

"Do they know I’m in this carriage?" he asked quietly.

"I don’t think so," Terion answered. "They’re probably stopping anyone coming from the east. They might suspect anyone from Thalden."

Kai tensed up. He instinctively gripped Sylas’s hand tightly. What was going to happen?

Sylas held Kai’s arm. "It’s okay. Everything will be fine." But he wasn’t sure if that was true. Anything could happen at this point.

A few moments later, the window opened, startling all three of them.

The knight leader looked inside. "We managed to hold them off. We’ll continue the journey."

Terion nodded. He stayed calm. He knew exactly who he had brought with him.

Sylas exhaled in relief. He opened the window and saw the cavalry forming ranks again.

The carriage moved slowly past the city limits. Sylas was hidden in a secret compartment inside the carriage. The plan had worked. The guards recognized Terion and didn’t cause any trouble.

However, when they reached the main gate of the palace, a line of fully armed soldiers blocked their path. A captain stood tall, his expression sharp.

One of Terion’s knights dismounted and faced the captain. "We are escorting Lord Terion, Duke of Thalden. How dare you block our way?"

The captain bowed slightly. "Apologies. But no outsiders are allowed into the palace right now. If you wish, Duke Terion may enter with one knight. No one else."

He glanced at the large number of knights behind them. The tension was thick. Rebellion seemed possible. General Huron had ordered that no other troops enter the palace.

Terion heard the noise and stepped out of the carriage, looking serious. "Call General Huron. I’ve brought Prince Sylas and his personal servant. We must enter the palace."

Before the captain could respond, heavy footsteps approached. General Huron appeared—cold and stern. He looked at Terion without emotion, then bowed respectfully.

"Lord Terion, I heard of your arrival. Apologies for the trouble. But we cannot allow your troops to enter."

Terion didn’t mind leaving his knights. He only needed to escort Sylas. With Huron there, that was enough.

"I’m sorry, but we must inspect your carriage."

Terion said nothing. He asked Sylas to come out.

The general stepped closer and had soldiers open the door. Sylas sat calmly inside.

The general bowed to him. "Your Royal Highness. We’ve been looking for you. Thank goodness you’re safe."

"I’m lucky to have survived the troops you sent, General Huron," Sylas replied.

"That wasn’t my intention, Your Highness. Forgive me if my men hurt you."

"If you had told me you were taking me to the palace, I wouldn’t have fought back. But you treated me like a criminal."

Huron nodded. "We followed procedure. I must take you now, Your Highness."

"You’re arresting me?" Sylas asked in disbelief.

Huron ordered the captain to take Sylas. "Take Prince Sylas to his room," he commanded.

The captain carefully took Sylas by the arm. Kai panicked and tried to pull the captain’s hand away. But Sylas stopped him, not wanting Kai to get hurt.

"Stay with Duke Terion. I’ll come for you later," Sylas said gently.

Kai still held Sylas’s hand, but the captain had already taken him away and put him on a horse.

Terion’s knights stayed alert. They wouldn’t let anyone take their master by force.

But Terion ordered, "Stop!" His voice froze them in place. They obeyed, even as Sylas was taken away.

General Huron looked at Terion. "This situation is dangerous, Lord Terion. Why did you bring the prince?"

"For the same reason you tried to protect him from Prince Virouse’s men. I’m doing my duty to protect the kingdom," Terion replied.

Huron didn’t respond. Then he bowed and allowed Terion to continue into the palace with his main knight.

Terion glanced at the slave still inside the carriage. The slave looked terrified, staring out the window. It seemed he’d have to care for him.