CHAPTER 44: ARC PRINCE’S TRIAL - PRINCE ANAM

Although ordered to restrain the prince, no one dared to touch him. The guards accompanied him to the royal residence and escorted Sylas to his room.

Sylas had never felt so out of place in his own home as he did at that moment. But he said nothing, walking calmly to his room. The walk was so quiet that only footsteps echoed through the palace corridors, bouncing off the towering walls and cold marble floors.

The palace felt tense. Guards moved everywhere, filling every corner. All of them stopped and bowed respectfully when Sylas passed by. He knew they were curious about what would happen to him, wondering what role he truly played in the king’s sudden illness.

When they reached the door to his room, the chamberlain looked surprised to see Sylas. But a moment later, his expression turned to relief. He smiled and bowed respectfully.

"Welcome home, Your Highness," he said, opening the large, sturdy door and letting Sylas pass.

The other guards entered the room to check its cleanliness and safety. Once they confirmed there was nothing suspicious, they bowed respectfully and left.

The guard captain stayed and led Sylas into the room.

"Your Highness, please forgive me. I was following orders. Please wait here for further instructions. For now, you must remain in your room—for your own safety," the captain said, looking at Sylas with kind eyes.

He knew Sylas well. They had trained together in swordplay several times, and he thought of Sylas as a good person. He was one of the few who didn’t believe the rumors about Sylas, because he had seen the prince’s character himself and knew his heart was loyal.

Sylas nodded. "It’s alright, Visen. This must be difficult for you too. But I want to see His Majesty. How is he?"

Visen bowed his head. "I’m sorry, Your Highness, but that’s not possible. His Majesty’s condition has worsened. He’s been unconscious for days. Visiting him now might further harm your position."

Sylas fell silent, distressed. His eyes were anxious and restless. What had happened to make his father drink poison?

"Isn’t it strange that you still haven’t found the real culprit?" Sylas asked.

"We questioned all the servants and guards on duty that day. The servant who gave His Majesty the poison was one of yours—Misil, Your Highness. She admitted that you had ordered her to do it."

Sylas clenched his fists, trying to control his anger. Misil? He didn’t even recognize that name. Maybe she was a new servant. He grabbed his head, feeling a sharp pain that made him stumble back a little.

"Then how could Prince Virouse say he saw me poison my father with his own eyes? Does that make any sense? I wasn’t even in the palace," Sylas protested.

Visen looked thoughtful. "I’m sorry, but we haven’t heard such rumors. Prince Virouse hasn’t said anything like that. He’s still in the guest room and refuses to leave until His Majesty wakes up."

Sylas didn’t believe that. Virouse spread lies across the kingdom, while inside the palace he acted like an angel. And now Sylas was the one being blamed, cornered by silence and twisted truth.

"I want to speak to Misil," Sylas said. He wanted to understand why the servant had framed him.

Visen hesitated, looking regretful. "She committed suicide in her cell, Your Highness."

Sylas was shocked.

"We’re at a dead end. Everyone connected to Misil has been investigated. But she had no known ties to anyone. Even the agent who recommended her to the palace has disappeared," Visen said, seeing Sylas’ reaction. Many in the palace hoped Sylas would be proved innocent.

Sylas closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "So, I’m now the main suspect."

Visen bowed his head, then looked up at Sylas with a hopeful smile. "Please stay strong, Your Highness. We’re hoping the truth will come out soon. You have our support."

Sylas smiled faintly. "Thank you, Visen. That means a lot right now."

Visen then left, assigning the knights chosen by the general to guard Sylas. Not to stop him from escaping, but to protect him from anyone who might try to hurt him—since Sylas’ only protector, King Adrien, was unconscious.

The knights stood silently in their positions. But they couldn’t help but wonder where Alvaro had gone. He was always with the prince. They’d heard that the general’s troops had all been killed while escorting Sylas to the palace. They were concerned about Sylas’s safety but thankful he was alive. They couldn’t understand how he had survived such an ambush alone.

They were also worried about Alvaro’s whereabouts.

Sylas was under heavy guard. No servants were allowed to enter his room. Only one guard was assigned to care for his needs—bringing food and making sure it was safe to eat.

This reduced the risk of danger. But in the middle of the night, the guards on duty were puzzled by Prince Anam’s arrival.

The prince from Emeria looked thrilled, standing in front of Sylas’ room with a big smile. He hadn’t moved for the past hour.

"Your Highness, please return to your room," one of the knights said, tired of waiting.

Anam, the twenty-seven-year-old prince, had tanned skin, a high nose, sharp eyes, and thick eyebrows. His dazzling smile made him look even more charming. Many servants had fallen for him during his stay at the palace.

He delayed his return to Emeria for Sylas’ sake. Every day, he asked about the prince’s whereabouts. If he could, he probably would’ve sent his own guards from Emeria to search for Sylas.

So it was no surprise how happy he was to hear that Sylas had returned safely—even if the joy wasn’t shared by everyone.

"I won’t leave until I see him," Anam said. He had no intention of backing down—not after everything that had happened to King Adrien.

"Please, Your Highness. Prince Sylas isn’t allowed visitors right now. It’s against the rules," the knight tried again.

Anam didn’t move. Even Rowen, his personal knight, looked uneasy.

"We should leave, Your Highness. You can’t force him to meet you," Rowen said.

"Do you know how long I’ve been waiting to see him? And now he’s right in front of me—just behind this door! And you want me to leave? Oh no, Rowen. I’m staying here," Anam said stubbornly.

Rowen could only sigh and give up.

An hour later, General Huron arrived. No one had been able to convince Anam to leave, and no one else had the authority to make a decision.

Huron looked tired of persuading him, so he finally allowed Anam to enter.

"I know you’re very kind, General. I truly appreciate it," Anam said with a wide smile.

Huron ordered the guards to escort Anam into the room. It was important—especially considering that Sylas had once left the palace just to avoid this man.

Anam didn’t care who came with him. He walked quickly, helped open the door, and entered the room cheerfully.

"Your Highness! We finally meet again!" Anam said.

Sylas had already been warned that the prince was coming, so he was prepared. But he couldn’t hide his discomfort. He tried his best to cover it up.

"Prince Anam," Sylas greeted him, getting up from the sofa with a smile.

His mind was already full, and the arrival of this man only added to the pressure.

Anam rushed forward and hugged Sylas so tightly he almost knocked him over. His hug was incredibly strong.

"Prince Anam, please be careful," Sylas said, catching his breath.

Anam was taller and hugged like a gorilla.

"Oh, sorry! I got too excited. How are you? I heard you were attacked by robbers. How did you leave the palace just before I arrived? Didn’t you miss me? You look so pale," Anam said, circling around Sylas and chattering non-stop. But he was careful not to touch him too casually. Even though he wanted to, Sylas was still a prince.

Sylas sighed. It looked like it was going to be a long night.

"Please sit down, Prince Anam." Sylas walked to the sofa, trying to avoid his intense gaze.

Anam nodded quickly. "Call me Anam. I’ve asked you so many times."

"I can’t do that."

"Why not? I’ll call you Sylas."

"I still can’t."

"Oh, come on... We’re getting married soon. Are you still shy around me?"

Sylas nearly choked on his own saliva. Anam said it so confidently. Even though he wanted to reject the idea, he couldn’t do it outright.

"Prince Anam, you know I’m in trouble."

Anam shook his head. "Your problems will disappear if you marry me."

Sylas looked at him seriously. "What do you mean?"

Anam smiled, now looking serious. "Marry me. The charges against you will be dropped. You’ll come with me to Emeria. We’ll live happily there."

Sylas clenched his fists. He looked at Anam suspiciously. After everything that happened, and now the man said he would take him to Emeria? No way!

"I hope you didn’t plan this with Prince Virouse."