Hey guys! Sorry, I'm a bit busy these days. I'll try to update more .
Hope you'll like this chapter.
Don't forget to vote, comment and follow ~
________
"Life doesn't get easier or more forgiving. We get stronger and more resilient." – Steve Maraboli
________
— The Crown Prince, Alexander Hemsworth—
As I was opening a letter, the small knife slipped from my hand and cut my index finger.
The wound was shallow; red droplets fell onto the paper, and Lorel rushed to my side.
"Are you alright, Your Highness?" he asked worriedly.
I nodded slowly while looking intently at the bloodstains on the letter. I felt no pain — the drugs had already started to take effect.
Red veranium. A powerful numbing drug whose effects lasted for days. It came from a flower cultivated in Huresyl, a northern kingdom.
The juice extracted from the flower was deadly; a single droplet was enough to kill a cow. Diluted with Toylour, a wine made from green apples, it became Red veranium.
The dose I took was slightly higher than recommended, but the Cat told me it would be more efficient this time.
Lorel tended to my wound while I thought about my plan.
"Call Mr. Allcar. We need to discuss something."
My assistant nodded and left, leaving me to wonder whether what I was doing was the right thing.
_______
— Captain Morlon of the Brotherhood of Shadow Knights —
My soldiers were gathered before me for our meeting. Commander Fatmun and Karlings were also present.
"The Snake and Dragon squads were deployed to the north of Edolash, in Jiurking and Dermain, to monitor the cargo exchange. Sergeant Terlan, in charge of the Dragons, has already arrested one of the chiefs responsible for the delivery," I explained, pointing to the villages on the maps.
"In the carriage, six tons of Red veranium, one ton of garmonium, and four tons of chorilion were found. The shipment was registered under Count Farhunt, who was immediately arrested, but he claims he was framed by powerful figures."
The men chuckled. The commanders merely shook their heads.
"As for the second cargo, two hundred omegas were discovered — men and women of all ages, some underage, from various countries. They appear to have been enslaved and sold to someone within our empire. They were all destined to become prostitutes."
I felt sick just thinking about it.
A few months ago, we arrested human traffickers. Unfortunately for me, I witnessed some of the most chilling sights imaginable: small children forced to emit pheromones to satisfy disgusting beasts. We made sure those monsters received the fate they deserved.
This empire was surely rotting.
"For this city, the commanders have decided to let the drugs be sold in order to identify the original buyers. The Light and Fire squad will handle it with me."
They agreed and were dismissed.
Vincent and Charles, two of my most trusted knights, approached me.
"Things are moving quickly, don't you think, Captain?" Charles said. I could hear the worry in his voice.
"I know. But this is our one chance to finally identify the buyers and prove their guilt before the international court. Even if it is a trap, it will help us."
My men nodded and left the council room.
I sat down. I should probably go check on the Crown Prince.
I sighed, feeling the weight of the coming mission pressing on my chest.
Then I remembered how I had left him — trembling with obvious desire. So beautiful, yet stubborn. What could trouble his gorgeous mind?
Even if the Crown Prince is cruel to me, it is, in the end, for a greater cause.
_________
— The Crown prince, Alexander Hemsworth—
"Your Highness, even if this works, how will you ensure the King allows it? On the international stage, your relationship with the Regent is beginning to appear less polished than it once seemed."
I rubbed my temples. The headache would not fade, and my councilor's reasoning made sense — which irritated me deeply.
"If we sign a contract, won't that be enough?" I retorted, frowning.
He saw my displeasure and sighed, rubbing his beard.
"Your Highness, every contract can be broken… How will you hide your marriage if he decides to investigate further?"
"Damn it!"
I stood and began pacing the room.
"My own army is not enough. The men sent from Edolash are well trained, but against our soldiers and knights — against the best brotherhoods in this country — we will perish."
I stopped and collapsed onto the sofa.
"We will perish, Your Highness…" he repeated quietly.
"We need to shake the population — send crowds into the streets to make them see the injustice!"
The conviction in his eyes made them shine. Beside me, Lorel clutched the documents in his hands. Mr. Allcar gave him a small, charming smile, and the assistant lowered his gaze.
"This will get them killed… but you cannot start a revolution without bodies," I murmured.
Our meeting was cut short by a footman.
"Your Highness, Princess Catherina has arrived."
I looked at my councilor. He nodded, bowed, and left the room.
"Alright… let the show begin."
_____
To be continued…