Chapter 4: The next king of Mauritius

According to the letter, the queen had secret connections with the eastern countries. Using these connections, she was probably plotting something in order to ensure that her son became the next king. Also, my spies have noticed that the formerly separate eastern countries planned to unite. Together, they pose no threat to us as they are now. Even if they all united, our empire was still stronger, but I should keep checking on this new development.

[Edmond]: Is Hawkeye in the city?

[James]: Yes, he is currently in the secret location, waiting for further orders.

[Edmond]: You may leave. Tell him I will come tomorrow.

James jumped out of the window. After I watched him disappear into the night, I took a bath and asked the maid to pour the wine into a glass. I took the glass of wine and retreated to the open window. The fresh air was welcoming and the stars shone brightly. The silence welcomed me as my mind became one with peace.

The next day, at the break of dawn, I set out towards the woods. I covered my head with a hood and maneuvered through the city, making sure that no one followed me along the way. Deep inside the forest stood a lonely cabin. Similar to any typical wooden cabin, this one had a door, two windows, and minimal dusty, old furniture.

However, this cabin was, in fact, the last remaining relic of a legendary city. This ancient civilization was built on rocks and marble, and the first humans were rumoured to have lived here. Now, the city exists only in old, legendary stories that parents told to their children at night. In the stories, impressive towers stood high in the sky, reaching the heavens. Men as, beautiful as angels, walked on earth. It was nothing more than an entertaining fairy tale to me, until I found this cabin. A small labyrinth laid beneath it, so deep that spiral stairs were hidden underground to reach the rooms at the bottom. Upon stumbling on this area, I decided to make it my secret headquarters, where my forces would meet and discuss of my future plans.

I hid the horse in a thicket nearby, then entered the cabin. The inside of the room above ground had a shelf filled with dusty, old books. Only one carpet graced the

floor in the center. I approached the bookshelf, tracing my finger through the books until I reached one book, named Ethos. I pulled it out, specifically flipping to page 233. A small key laid inside, nestled within the pages. After plucking the key out, I slid the book back onto the shelf.

Then, I investigated the large carpet, locating a small keyhole amid the elaborate pattern. Upon inserting and turning the key, a handle revealed itself. I turned the handle to trigger a mechanism, which sinks sections of the floorboards into the shape of a flight of descending stairs. Once the mechanism stopped moving, I stepped inside and made my way down the spiral staircase until I reached a door. I knocked two times, paused, then knocked one last time. Soon, the sound of more mechanisms unlocking the door echoed through the space as the door opened on its own.

[Hawkeye]: You took long enough.

[Edmond]: Shut up, old man.

Inside, James stood alongside two figures, who wore masks and hoods. Both of the figures bowed down.

[????]: Glory to the king. How may we serve you?

[Edmond]: Infiltrate the queen’s quarters and relay to me what happens. If your cover is blown, escape at all costs.

[???]: Your wish is our command.

At this, they both left the room, leaving one assassin behind.

[James]: There are no further reports your highness.

[Edmond]: Hawkeye, you’re in charge of security and interrogation. Find skilled people to act as guards, place them secretly around the city. Place a few around this area, as well. If they find a prisoner, interrogate them, then kill them.

[Hawkeye]: How about the assassins? Should we leave them be?

[Edmond]: They all act under my jurisdiction. Don’t worry about them. That is it. I dismiss you all. I will notify you of any changes when the time comes.

I left the room and made my way back out of the cabin. Outside, one of the assassins had already prepared my horse for me. I mounted it, then rode out of the area. I knew the King may announce the race for the crown anytime soon. I must win at all costs, or else my sacrifices would have been made for nothing. I took some time to return back to the palace. As I arrived at the stables and left my reins in the hands of a stable boy, I saw Alex walking around frantically, ordering guards around the palace

[Alex]: LOOK FOR HIM! I DON’T CARE HOW YOU DO IT.

I took the opportunity born from this chaos to sneak into the palace. Today was already tiresome, and it became worse when a pile of papers greeted me in my office.

[Edmond]: Why didn’t I finish them yesterday?

I walked around the office and quietly sat in the chair behind my desk. Minutes later, I heard footsteps from someone approaching the door.

[Alex]: I need a raise. That prince will be the death of me.

Alex entered the office, looking like a zombie.

[Edmond]: Just apply for a raise. I am sure the King will favour you.

At hearing the blunt answer, Alex whipped his eyes towards the desk and saw me sitting there, holding my chin.

[Alex]: Your Highness, when did you get here?

His face had a funny expression, a cross between being embarrassment and surprise.

[Edmond]: Hahaha, what do you mean by that? I was always inside my office.

I answered while laughing at him.

[Alex]: Your Highness, I checked the office before and it was empty.

Alex’s expression turned even more confused.

[Edmond]: Perhaps you’re blind.

I smiled at Alex, who suddenly rushed towards me.

[Alex]: Your Highness, you have to hurry. The King requested an audience with you.

I quickly stood up and asked.

[Edmond]: Where is he?

[Alex]: He is waiting for you in the council room.

I exited the office and strode towards the centre of the palace.

[Edmond]: You took long enough.

My mind automatically imagined the different possibilities for which the King would summon me. After passing through several corridors, I approached an oak door that was adorned with a carving of our empire’s emblem. It was a very dignified emblem, depicting two lions holding a large shield between them, with two swords crossing in between. The shield’s surface was divided into four sections: the top left had a knight’s helmet that symbolized our military strength, wheat on the top right represented our farmers, a gryphon on the bottom left symbolized our pride, and finally the goddess of wisdom stood on the bottom right to symbolize our vast knowledge.

As I entered, a familiar sight greeted me: a long table with six seats on both sides. One slightly larger chair was positioned at the far end. The king sat in that larger chair. The head representatives of the most powerful noble families sat on the king’s right-hand side, while high-ranking royal advisors and leaders of the arm sat on the left of him.

[Edmond]: Father, did you call for me?

One of the heads of the noble families looked at me with disgust.

[Earl]: You don’t have the king’s blood, Edmond. You dare address the king this poorly?

The king raised his left arm, and the noble fell into silence.

[Michael]: How have you been?

I bowed and replied.

[Edmond]: I am of perfect health father.

Silence filled the entire room. Then, the king coughed to break the silence and continued. [Michael]: Your brother will be arriving with the queen shortly, so please, have a seat.

I slowly walked towards one of the empty seats on the left, since I was the General of the North, and I had no actual noble blood. Behind every general stood a knight in silver armour, bearing their respective crest.

[Christopher]: Where is your knight, Your Highness?

One of the generals sarcastically asked.

[Edmond]: I killed him. I found his screams irritating.

I coldly answered back.

[Christopher]: YOU DARE TREAT THE ROYAL KNIGHTS THIS WAY??!!

He raised his voice in anger. I sipped from a cup of tea that was on the table in front of me, then looked at him with eyes of displeasure. I quietly responded.

[Edmond]: I never knew dogs could bark so loudly. Do you need a leash?

He gritted his teeth in anger, then looked at the king.

[Michael]: Take your seat, Christopher.

Defiant, he quietly sat down.

[Christopher]: Please forgive me for my behaviour, Your Majesty.

Right then, a guard entered.

[Guard]: Queen Elena and The Crown Prince Cesar.

I looked towards the door, like everyone else, as the two figures stepped forward.

The fun begins.

I thought, as my lips curved into a smile. The nobles were very satisfied with the duo’s appearance, while the generals – except Christopher – wore blank expressions. The Queen’s gaze rested on me for a moment. I smiled back sarcastically. She was in a bad mood