The Royal Mark-Chapter 86: A Year Ago - Chris’ Story (5)

"I am not weak, Prince Andrius... I am furious and if I will let my anger out and let my wolf take over, I cannot promise that I will be able to keep anyone here alive... So do not mistake my placidity for being weak..." Chris calmly stated.

Prince Andrius smirked and handed the rein to Chris before mounting back on his own horse before they continued their journey back to the Rügengard Castle.

They were welcomed by the King and Queen of Zemaria when they reached the main entrance of the castle. Beside them are the other two siblings of Crown Prince Andrius.

"Father... Mother," Prince Andrius greeted, bowing before the King of Zemaria – King Allister Van der Aart, and his Queen – Queen Irina Van der Aart, before gesturing his hand and arm to Chris’ direction, "Allow me to present to you, Crown Prince Christopher Jorgensen of Arcanis Kingdom."

"Your Majesties," Chris said while giving his neck bow to the King and Queen of Zemaria.

"Is this for real? Are you really the missing prince of Arcanis?" King Allister said, utterly stunned at what his firstborn son had brought home.

"I can assure you, your Majesty, that I am the real one," Chris then looked directly at King Allister’s eyes and made his eye color change from gray to red, causing the king to gasp and be completely blown away.

"Good Lord! You are alive!" The king gave him a quick tight hug before commanding his servants, "What are you all waiting for? Escort the Prince to his room, Andrius, Drake, show him the way, please accompany him."

Chris then looked at Prince Drake and furrowed his eyebrows. He inspects the second prince from head to toe and stares at his face, "Hold on for a second... I know you! You are the man I helped on the road, the one who asked me to help the old woman in the woods! Well, you don’t have to worry, I killed the demon soldier and saved the woman," Chris proudly exclaimed, patting his shoulder for a job well done in his thoughts.

Prince Drake scratched his head and tried to turn around to hide his face but it was too late for him to do that now.

"Drake! What is the meaning of this?! What help and who are these women?! Explain yourself at once!" King Allister demanded.

"F-Father... I-It’s Hera and Archmage Nadezhda... P-Please forgive me, I just–"

"Silence! You are telling that that you helped her escape?! And all the while we all thought that she was missing or perhaps dead!" King Allister angrily said before turning to the guards, "Take this impudent prince to the dungeon!"

"Dungeon?! He is a prince for God’s sake! It was Hera who wanted to run away, so why would you punish my son for thinking that he is only doing what is good?!" Queen Irina said.

"Be thankful I am only sending your cocky son to the dungeon and not exiling him! What he did can be considered treason not just to me but to the whole Empire! He let the alliance between Zemaria and Arcanis be broken!" King Allister was furious and there was no way that Prince Drake could dodge his wrath.

"Wait, I apologize, your Majesty, the Queen is right, Prince Drake only wanted to help the old woman and her granddaughter. The old woman was hurt or Archmage as you call her. Where is she by the way? I want to tell her personally that her granddaughter is safe and that there’s no need for her to worry.

"She is dead, Prince Christopher. And as for her granddaughter, she is Princess Hera Van der Aart, my second daughter who is a divine mage, and the one who were supposed to marry!"

"What? You don’t say... It’s okay though, I know where she is, you just have to ask your mages to teleport me back to her," Chris stated.

"I am afraid that it is not that easy. Almost impossible I might say," Prince Andrius said.

"What do you mean? The old woman was able to do it and I got in and got back safely," Chris asked in confusion.

"It’s a forbidden spell and only a divine mage can do that," King Allister said.

"What?! So why send the second princess there then?" Chris asked once more.

Mages are not common in Arcanis Kingdom which is inhabited mostly by werewolves, although they have some mages who are married to the inhabitants of the kingdom, there are absolutely no divine mages living anywhere else than Zemaria.

"Perhaps, Prince Drake can enlighten us. I want to get some answers as well. But that can wait, I am sure the Prince of Arcanis is very tired, Prince Drake will accompany you to your chamber," King Allister announced.

"I am alright, King Allister. I am a werewolf and that kind of journey does not tire me a bit. I want to get answers now, about the Princess and my Father if you don’t mind. It seems like a lot has happened in less than a day that I am gone," Chris can no longer wait for the more he waits, the more he gets agitated by the situation.

If there is one thing that he doesn’t like, it is not knowing anything. He has so many questions that he doesn’t even think that they can be answered in just one sitting.

"Very well then, let’s talk over luncheon. I think we both need some strong wine," King Allister said before turning to his esquire. "Summon Mistress Valeria immediately," King Allister commanded, earning him a glare from Queen Irina.

Together with the royal family of Zemaria, Prince Christopher headed towards the great hall passing a large hallway with intricate architecture and designs that Zemaria is known for. It is not his first time visiting Rügengard Castle but it is his first time seeing the paintings in that part of the castle.

Portrait of the Royal Family decorated the walls and one particular painting caught his attention. "That’s her! She’s the woman whom I saved!"