My Evil Crown Prince-Chapter 50: Elijah’s Secret

Caden tilted his head to the side as if he was in deep thought.

"Hmm. I don’t think the Forelli Clan has it. My fake grandfather has it and I’m sure of it. The memory serum caused millions of dollars. Where do you think Benjamin got his money even after our parents took all his wealth?"

She remembered Benjamin Miller’s properties were inherited by Caden. It was first offered to Caden’s mother as Benjamin’s peace offering but Peggy declined.

But Benjamin insisted and made Caden his heir. At that time, no one had the slightest idea that the fake grandfather was the real mastermind. He was a great actor and a manipulator. He looked like just a normal old man who was busy building his own empire. But behind his weak and innocent face was a life of lies and deception.

"Do you think our parents knew about it? It’s impossible they have no idea, right? Why would they hide it from us?" She asked.

Caden sighed. "We’re still kids for them. That doesn’t mean they don’t trust us. They just wanted to protect us, Alira."

"Being protected is fine, but don’t you think knowing nothing would just make us dig deeper? We’re not kids anymore. The letters you received in Flousia, that was just the start of your battles and you made it until now without their help."

Caden squeezed her hand. "Relax. I chose to hide everything from my parents because I don’t want to be a burden. And I was the one who insisted to be the crown prince. Mom never wanted me to be one, but she supported my decision so all I can do is not make her worry."

She sighed. "You’re too nice."

Caden chuckled. "I’m not nice and you know that."

"For me, you are." She winked.

"You’re asking for it." Caden smirked before closing the partition window between the driver’s and the back seat.

At home, Elijah and Natalia were in the living room. They heard them arguing about something again so they had to step in to stop them.

"What happened this time?" Caden asked with crossed arms on her chest.

Natalia was crying and could not utter a single word. So Caden glared at Elijah.

"It’s her fault. I told her a lot of times not to come into my room and don’t mess with my things. Still, she always crosses the line." Elijah explained.

"It’s just a portrait of a dead girl. What’s so important about her?" Natalia sobbed.

She frowned. A portrait of a dead girl? Is it possible that it was Mireya? She thought inwardly. Caden and her waited for Elijah’s response.

"She wasn’t just no one." Elijah mumbled.

"Then, who is she? You are already engaged, Elijah. I don’t think it’s proper to keep a girl’s portrait regardless if she’s dead or alive." Caden scolded Elijah.

Elijah bowed his head and could not look at Caden. She walked closer to Elijah and held his hand.

"The portrait, is it Mireya?" She asked.

Caden frowned. "What? Mireya? My sister?"

Elijah nodded and then tilted his head to look at Caden.

"Yes. I have a portrait of her."

"You have a lot of portraits of her. You should look at his room. That girl’s face is all over his room." Natalia shouted.

Natalia was starting to get hysterical, enough for everyone in the house to run into the living room.

"What’s happening?" Elisa asked.

Elijah didn’t answer and Caden was already at his limit. He quickly went upstairs to see if Natalia was telling the truth. Elijah was staring at her, as if she was begging to help him. She nodded and then followed Caden.

Elijah and the others also followed them. And inside the prince’s room was a portrait of a girl and most of them were handpainted.

"What’s the meaning of this, Elijah? Why do you have Mireya’s portrait? And in different faces? If I remember correctly, you only saw her portrait once?" Caden asked.

Elijah became restless. He was looking around the room as if searching for someone. Caden snapped and grabbed Elijah by his neck.

"Caden!" Elisa yelled.

But Caden didn’t stop. He pushed Elijah and slammed him on the wall.

"I won’t ask you again so you better tell me the truth. Why do you have my sister’s portraits?"

Elijah was almost out of breath when he answered. "I—I can see her."

Caden frowned. "What did you say?"

"I—I’m telling the t—truth."

Alira walked toward Caden and touched his shoulder.

"Caden, let him go so he could talk." She said.

Caden loosened his grip and let Elijah fall on the floor. Elisa ran toward his brother as he coughed and gasped for air.

"Now, talk." Caden coldly said.

"I can see Mireya and... I can talk to her."

Her eyes widened. She couldn’t believe in Elijah’s words. Mireya died twelve years ago. She didn’t even get the chance to see the light because she died in her mother’s womb. But in the portrait was a girl who looked like a teenager.

"Elijah, do you understand your own words? Mireya was just weeks old when she died twelve years ago and she was in Aunt Peggy’s womb." She calmly said.

Elijah nodded. "She suddenly appeared in front of me on the day Benjamin Miller escaped from prison. I didn’t know her so I thought she was real. Until I saw her portrait in Caden’s study at the palace. He said he asked someone to paint Mireya as her age if she was alive. That’s when I realize she was just a ghost."

"And do you expect me to believe that?" Caden growl.

"I know no one would believe me. But I’m not lying. She couldn’t rest because of you. She followed us here. My thoughts were full of her. She never stopped talking and she’s always bugging me. She asked me to paint her with different faces. She wanted me to give it to you once it’s done."

Elijah looked so hopeless. He was more scared of Caden’s reaction than having a ghost followed him around.