‘Princess,
I am sorry but we must disregard our initial plan. The king has learned about the secret passage. He knows about the map and even as a copy of it. Furious is already expecting your arrival. We have to take precautions. I have another plan in mind. But for this to work, I need your cooperation. At the back of the castle head in the opposite direction. There, you will find a lake. Please meet me there in a few minutes.’
I read the lines over and over. Surely this Leo guy couldn’t have sent the note. I mean, I believe that he wrote the note, but I don’t think that he was the one who sent it to me.
It was probably Ace. But why would he send me the note that Leo passed on to him?
I stared at the letter again. Perhaps he wants me to read something here. Some valuable information. I read the lines over and over again.
But I just can’t! Is there a secret code here or something? Maybe he sent this to me to let me know that he’s alright.
My face scrunched up at the idea. No way. Knowing his personality, it would be highly unlikely for that to be the case. I read it again, and this time, my eyes focused on the word ‘map’.
Map? Like the one at the back of the letter? And Ferius has a copy?
I’ll be honest. I don’t know what happened to the letter or whom it was shown to. But I know that they wouldn’t carelessly show it to anyone.
I crumpled the letter and hid it in the pocket of my slacks as I watched Nate and Ren spar. Perhaps they might have an idea of who it is.
As soon as Terrence called for a break, I took that chance and grabbed both of Ren and Nate’s hand. “Excuse me, sir Terrence! I would just like to show them a trick that Cloud can do!” I called said.
“Be back after lunch. We still have to work on your footwork!” Terrence smiled and started cleaning up the area.
My heart clenched in my chest for lying to him. Even though he was nothing but kind and caring towards me since he recovered, I have to be sure of something first. And right now, I am only willing to trust Ren and Nate.
As we got to the stables, I immediately ushered them in and closed the doors behind us.
“Rose? What’s wrong?” Ren asked.
“Yeah. Is it important? Because if not, I’ll go back and help my father.”
I handed them the note since I want to see if they interpreted it the same way as I have. “Read this. This is a note that Leo wrote for me. Ace sent it a few minutes ago.”
Ren took it as he and Nate began to read. As they did, one of Ren’s brows shot up while Nate’s eyes widened.
“A copy of the map?” Ren asked incredulously. “Now this is ridiculous. The letter wasn’t even shared.”
“True.” Nate agreed as he read the letter once more. “Information about a secret passage was shared with some scouts, but the copy of the map wasn’t. How did the king learn of this?” We were silent for a bit as we all let the fact sink in.
That one of the people that we trust enough to show them such sensitive information is a traitor.
“Guys, whatever we just talked about let’s keep it within the three of us. Don’t tell anyone until we find out who’s been leaking information to Ferius.” I said. I was becoming worried for Ace and the others. Somehow, I was happy that I trusted my instincts and sent out Custard. But now, I am also worried about him and Viex.
Nate rubbed the back of his head. “This is bad.” He sighed. His eyes grew solemn as he glanced the other way. “I know that you’re not thinking about it but I just can’t help but doubt my dad as well.”
Ren and I exchanged glances. It wasn’t long ago that Nate and his father has been reunited. That Nate finally has a decent parent. But if Terrence is a traitor...I just can’t think of what this will do to him. He already has enough family drama in his plate.
“No one is doubting him.” Ren says and then looked at the ground. “I...I don’t want to doubt anyone.”
A plan suddenly occurred to me that may or may not work. “Guys, won’t don’t we tell different false information?” I suggested. Ren and Nate suddenly turned to me with interest as they caught up with my idea. “With each person that we shared that information about the map, we tell them a different scenario.”
“That is a good idea, Rose. But how will we be able to know which false information reaches the king?”
“That’s where it gets tricky. I guess we will have to use the location of the chalice as bait.” I grinned.
“I see.” Nate grinned as well. “We give them a false information of where the chalice is located and place in a trap.”
“Exactly! Ace gave us a job and I think it would only be fair for us to do our part, right?”
They nodded.
“But how would we share the false information to them. Wouldn’t it be suspicious if we just tell them? We have to do this properly. We need a scheme.” Ren says, then he looked at me with a sly grin on his face. “Don’t we?”
I returned with his grin with my own. “You know it.”
*****[KINGDOM OF TEREAU]*****
Custard was stunned at the person named Leo. He was not what they have been expecting him to be.
‘Viex, why didn’t you tell me that the Leo person is a-’
“You’re a brat?” Ace asked as he looked down at the kid. Leo has short black hair and deep red eyes that stood out from his pale complexion.
‘Exactly!’ Custard said in agreement to Prince Ace. But he was about to say ‘kid’ instead of ‘brat’.
Despite what sounded like an insult, Kellar stood his ground and rested his hand on his sword. “Who are you?” He asked. “Why are you with Viex?” He glared.
“I’m Prince Ace Feradin. What of it?” Ace said and narrowed his eyes dangerously at the boy. “And if you are looking for the princess then tough luck. I am here in her stead.”
The two of them were having a glaring contest that Viex jumped on Ace’s shoulder to catch Kellar’s attention. ‘Prince Kellar, he is one of the king candidates. The situation is too dangerous for the princess to personally rescue her sister. If you are really on our side then you would trust me on this.’ Viex says. ‘Unless you were personally waiting for the princess to trap her.’
“No. Of course not. I want Stella to get out of this place as soon as possible.” Kellar says.
Ace frowned when the boy in front of him started to do a monologue. “Who the hell are you talking to?” He asked suspiciously.
“Him.” Kellar pointed at Viex, who was still perched on Ace’s left shoulder. Ace followed his gaze before returning them back to Kellar with a raised brow.
“Really?” He questions as he walked closer to Kellar. “What did you say you were? A servant?”
Kellar nodded. “Yes.”
Ace’s suspicion grew more that he leveled his gaze with Kellar. “Is that so? What sort of supernatural are you, if I may ask?” He asked menacingly. “Don’t tell me that you’re a tamer?”
Kellar stiffened. He opened his mouth for a lie when Ace cut him off by pointing a blade at him.
“Lie to me and I will cut that tongue out. If you can lie about your identity then what kind of motive should I presume that you want to save Rose’s sister?” He says. “Talk. But without all these damn bullsh*t. I’ll give you one chance.”
Viex was carefully watching the two exchange glances. If only the elf prince could understand him, then he would have vouched for Kellar. Though Viex had to admire Kellar for standing up to the elf prince, even with a blade pointed at him.
“My real name is Kellar. I am the youngest son and prince of Tereau.” He says.
Viex felt Ace trying to stop himself from killing the boy in front of him. The only reason why Ace didn’t kill Kellar at that moment was that he was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Back in Atla, Ace saw how cruel the old king was, but his children weren’t as crude as the king himself. Maybe this father and son relationship was similar to that.
“Well? Why is a prince like you trying to help the sister of your father’s target? What’s your motive?”
“Nothing.” Kellar replied. “I just don’t think that she should be subjected to such treatment. And I know first hand how terrible my father and brothers can be.” Kellar rolled up his sleeve to reveal all the scars on his arms.
Ace frowned. And, for a brief moment, he almost believed that Kellar was actually a servant rather than a prince.
But there was still one thing that bothered him. “How?” He asked.
“Pardon?”
“How are you able to communicate with Viex? For all I know, your father is cursed. You or your brothers shouldn’t even be able to inherit magic because of it. That’s why Ferius wanted the chalice in the first place.”
“I...I don’t even know myself. I still can’t have a contracted spirit. But I can still see and communicate with them. That’s just about it.”
Ace finally sheathed his weapon. “I don’t know much about spirits, but I sense that this one has a good judgment.” He says while looking at Viex. “I’ll go along with your plan. But don’t think for a second that I am going to let my guard down.”
Kellar nodded. “Yes. You shouldn’t.” He answered him before he handed him a bag of clothing. “About two hours from now the guards will change their shift. Head to the south of the castle. There’s a door there that leads to the dungeon. Tell them that you are covering for Delcove. I’ll handle the rest.”
Ace raised a brow. “That simple? Do you think that they would let me in just like that?”
“This place isn’t as tight as the ones in your place. The guards here are just voluntary and angry rogues who need a place to stay. Who would infiltrate Tereau anyway?”
Ace has to admit, the boy has a point.
“If there’s nothing more that you would like to ask, I’ll head back first to prepare. Don’t worry about finding your way inside, I will send Kaya to fetch you. But since you can’t see him, you need to bring Viex.” Kellar was already a few paces ahead when Ace spoke.
“How were you able to come up with another plan in such a short time?”
Kellar stopped walking and turned his body to address the elf prince. A sad smile spread on his face that made his red eyes darkened. “All those escape plans aren’t really for Stella. They were for me. I just modified them to fit her situation.”
Kellar no longer wanted to say anything more because he doesn’t want any pity for him. After all, they need to focus on the task at hand. “See you later, your highness. I really need to get going.” Kellar respectfully bowed at Ace before he turned to leave again.
This time, Ace just watched the young prince’s back for a while as he took in his words. That’s right, even though the young prince wishes to leave his own home, he couldn’t. Because being the son of a Rogue king, the most notorious and feared man in the realm, no one would dare help him.
He would have no place to live. It’s either he stays in Tereau or takes his chances of survival in Thalia.
Ace looked inside the bag that Kellar handed him in disgust. “I wonder which garbage they bought these armors from.” He could see dried blood and rust on every edge. The material itself was clearly of low quality that he almost hurled them at the lake. “Pathetic.” He scoffed, but he still changed in them anyway.
After all, he was already here. It was too late to back out now.