CHAPTER 445: PROPAGANDA

"Destruction has come upon the land!!!!" A voice from the middle of the crowd screamed. Abrielle’s brows furrowed, but she shrugged it off, continuing on her way.

"The devil that cursed the land of Draconia has come to curse the land. The child who was never meant to be born. We have to save the land from the demon who pretends to be a prince." The voice screamed out, earning gasps. Abrielle’s feet stopped, and she turned towards the crowd. She had a bad feeling about it.

Aurelius’s eyes went cold. Abrielle’s legs kept on moving towards the crowd, and her hands were secretly trembling. She has questions. Why did it seem like they were talking about Cedric? How did they know Cedric was on Heliosa?

She managed to get a closer look. In the middle of the crowd, the man stood. "We can’t let them keep the first prince of Draconia. He is the demon that has taken the lives of many on the battlefield. The gods would not be pleased." The man said his eyes were scanning the faces of everyone until they fell on Abrielle.

He didn’t glance away like he knew her. His eyes were dead. Abrielle’s heart was beating fast, she didn’t know how to handle the situation.

A hand grabbed her wrist and pulled her from the crowd, snapping her from the trance-like situation she was in. Her eyes drew from the ’ fake seer ’ to Aurelius who pulled her into the library without a word. Aurelius was quiet. His jaw was clenched

Only a few people knew about Cedric’s presence in Heliosa, the royal family and some selected nobles. Who was spreading these false claims? Calling Cedric a demon because of his methods. Cedric was not the only ruthless warlord who had existed.

They got into the Library before Aurelius stopped. "Don’t let the propaganda get to you and focus on your goals. " He mentioned. He let go of her hand. Abrielle nodded. Her heart felt heavy after what happened.

She remembered the look on their faces. Someone was after them. Someone wanted to get them out of Heliosa by spreading this propaganda and it almost got into her head.

"I know, I was just a bit surprised." She replied smoothly. Aurelius hissed, trying to organise his thoughts. His hand fell on her shoulders. "You should find what you came here to find first." He urged her. Abrielle nodded and then went into the library.

As soon as she was gone, Aurelius’s personal aide, who had been close by, approached the prince. "What is going on out there?" He asked. Theodore was his trusted aide and first knight.

"I have no idea but it seems someone is spreading news of the first prince’s presence through hearsay all over the capital. This isn’t the only place." Theodore explained, his brows furrowed confused about the situation

"Who would do something like this?" Aurelius asked more like he was talking to himself. The royal family would gain nothing by creating tension or chasing Cedric out. It felt like someone was creating a bait for the people to catch on.

"I have already sent someone to investigate the origin of the rumour, but I fear the nobles would use this as an excuse to pressurise the emperor." Aurelius felt there was a part they hadn’t figured out. This was his kingdom, and no one outsmarts him on Heliosa.

The Library of Archivum Sapientiae was the largest and oldest library in Heliosa and in the world. It wasn’t just a building filled with books. It was a place that felt alive, like it held the weight of every secret, every story, and every truth ever told.

The moment Abrielle stepped inside, the noise of the world outside disappeared. The air was cool and still. It smelled of old paper, wax, and wood. The ceilings were high, stretching into a dome painted with faded drawings of stars and firebirds. Soft light streamed through colored glass windows, casting warm, quiet colours across the stone floor.

Tall shelves filled with books and scrolls lined the vast hall. They reached so high up they disappeared into the shadows above. Spiral staircases and narrow bridges connected different levels. Floating lanterns lit the space with a gentle glow. Everything felt calm, quiet, and watchful.

In the centre stood a wide, round table where scholars read in silence. Librarians in simple robes moved without a sound, helping visitors with nods or gestures. Some areas were closed off, locked behind enchanted doors, protected by stone creatures with glowing eyes. Only the royal family and high scholars could enter those parts.

This wasn’t just a place to read, it was a place of power. A place where knowledge was protected like treasure, and only those who were ready could uncover the truths hidden within.

Abrielle didn’t know where to start from and just let her legs lead her. Her presence caught the attention of a scholar, who was stunned at her appearance, as if he saw a ghost. "Bethany," he called not but there wasn’t any reply from Abrielle

He wasn’t expecting one because he was certain it wasn’t Bethany. It was not possible. The scholar who was dressed in a long robe approached the princess who was browsing through the library. "Do you need assistance funding something?" The scholar asked her. Abrielle was surprised when she heard him.

She was completely lost in her thoughts, thinking about what was happening outside. She didn’t realise someone was by her side until he spoke. She turned to him, noticing his appearance and grey hair..he seemed like someone knowledgeable.

"I am trying to research curses." She wanted to say dark magic and demons but that would arouse suspicion.

The man’s eyes narrowed on her. Why was a lady like her interested in curses? His curiosity was piqued. "What type of curse exactly? I don’t think you will find information on that in this part of the library. Follow me."

The scholar turned and started working deeper into the library. Abrielle held her dress and quickly followed after him. "Curses that affect recovery and inflict pain." She mentioned, following behind the scholar.

"I am not sure I have heard about a curse like that but I can take you to where all the books about curses and black magic are. No one goes towards those shelves." Abrielle felt elated, she was going somewhere with her investigation.