The Royal Mark-Chapter 88: A Year Ago - Chris’ Story (7)
"Prince Christopher, I am deeply saddened to be the bearer of bad news upon your return but when your uncle, Prince Alaric Jorgensen took over the throne because he was the only one qualified to take it because you were missing.
He retracted the alliance proposition of our kingdom and sided with Queen Yvonne Salvatore, the Witch Queen. Since your uncle is not a true alpha, the Witch Queen wanted something in return before she agreed to an alliance by marriage with Arcanis.
According to the rumors, she is asking him to acquire something that would make her more powerful and it can only be found in Zemaria. We have no idea what it is," Prince Andrius said.
"Why are things so complicated?" Chris uttered as he propped his elbow on the dining table while massaging his temple. He can feel an incoming headache from all the information that he is learning now.
Prince Andrius looked at his father silently asking for permission which he got right away. "Long ago, when the witches tried to annihilate all young divine mages, the head of their houses made a decision to preserve their bloodline we just don’t know how or what it was. All we know is that whatever it was, they hid it somewhere in Zemaria. The archmage has the information but she died before telling it to Mistress Valeria. We suspect that the witch queen has information about it."
"So why not mobilize all mages of your empire to look for its location?" Chris asked in annoyance. It seems like the solution is very easy but these humans are making it difficult for everyone because of their stupid rules.
Prince Andrius looked at Valeria for the answer that the Prince of Arcanis was seeking was within her expertise.
"A powerful spell was used to keep the location hidden. The previous Archmage, who is also my mother, was the only person who knows the spell to unmask the location and she died a year ago before she can assign me as her successor."
Prince Christopher rolled his eyes at how incompetent the rulers and leaders of the human kingdom were, he wondered how they survived this long when other creatures were more powerful than them.
"Tell me, was she the one who froze my time? Or perhaps put me in stasis, for me to lose one year of my life inside that portal. I was inside for merely a day but when I got back, one year had already passed," Chris inquired. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂
"The time here and the time in the other world differ greatly. It is said that the time difference between the two worlds is inconsistent and incoherent. And because of that, before the divine mages discovered the consequences it entails, they used to send mages there as punishment. According to the mages’ history books, elemental mages tend to lose their power or their power weakens greatly when they go to the other world. However, powerful ones can still somehow use their power but with limits," Valeria explained.
"How about a werewolf? What will happen to me if I go there? I sucked the snake’s poison from Hera and still healed quickly. My blood also has the same effect on her. So what will change if a werewolf goes to the other world?" Chris curiously asked.
While the Royal Family was bickering earlier, he was already making plans in his head after learning that his uncle is the one currently sitting on the throne in Arcanis. Everyone in their kingdom knows how deeply in love his uncle is to the Witch Queen and he would do anything to get her.
At the same time, his uncle has a lot of supporters, werewolves that want to side with the witches and demons for they see the humans as the weakest race in their realm.
Unlike humans who honor their monarchy without questions, werewolves are ruled by packs, where only the strongest should lead. Being a true alpha would definitely help him a lot but for some who are truly defiant to their alpha and are aiming to be one, he would need to use force to make them submit and make them follow him.
"We don’t know Your Highness, we haven’t tried sending werewolves to the other world," Mistress Valeria replied.
"I guess there is only one way to find out. King Allister, if I would be able to bring the princess back, will our alliance still proceed?" Chris asked seriously.
The Zemaria’s King was taken aback by his resolute determination in continuing their alliance even if he had to risk his own life just to get the princess back and marry her. However, there is still one question that is left unanswered, how will the Prince go to the other world when he already announces to everyone that he will not let Valeria open the portal herself?
"Yes, of course, Prince Christopher. Zemaria would be happy to accept you as our ally and defend each other from the enemies but you are forgetting some things. How will you be able to bring my daughter back without the portal? And for Zemaria to allow you to marry one of the royals, you must have a kingdom and army to offer in exchange just like what is indicated in the treaty. Currently, you both have none," King Allister mentioned straightforwardly.
To everyone’s surprise, instead of getting offended, Prince Christopher smirked and stood up. He looks delighted, contrary to the short-tempered and easily angered image that werewolves are known for.
Chris emptied his wine in one go before smiling once more to the King, "Let me worry about that, your Majesty. The only important thing, for now, is to get Princess Hera back. Once she is safely back in Zemaria, I will get back what is rightfully mine and avenge my father’s death. But I would need one more favor from you to be able to cross to the other world."
"Go ahead, Prince, what is it?" King Allister was completely intrigued about what the werewolf prince was planning. He had heard many great stories about him and how skillful and intelligent the future king of Arcanis is, and that excites him a bit now that he is seeing in action how his mind works.
