Chapter 12: Chapter 12

Pov Finn

 

The escape was easy, but then again, I had plenty of help; who thought Tom was so powerful. He must be at least T2 black, perhaps stronger. I see him stare at the giant clouds of smoke over the city. Their distraction didn't go as planned.

The boat rocks back and forth on the waves, and the rain is soaking everybody, excluding the little Dwarf we covered with clothes. We drift down the Dasdan river for a few more hours until it darkens, then ditch the boat and wander deeper into the forest. I memorized where we left the boat; I may need it in the future. 

A week later, we reached our destination, a small village for a few thousand people. Tom guides us to the larger house on the other end, where I surprisingly meet familiar faces. How did Bonny and Anna get here? 

Bonny wants to say something, but an Elf enters the room. "You're back, boss!" 

"Yes. Did something happen?" 

"No, no. Just a few hundred new arrivals, but nothing to worry about." The Elf replied. Where did I see him before? 

"That's good. Nice job." Tom grinned.

"Yeah, fuck you too." 

He's the one who searched for his friend. "Were you looking for him?" I point at Tom.

Instead of him, Bonny answers, "Yes. I heard what happened to you. I'm sorry." 

"Forget about it. It wasn't your fault, right?" I intently study his reaction.

"Of course not. I didn't know, I swear." His eyes widened in alarm. "... can we talk later, in private?"

"Yes, sure." 

The Dwarf and I left them shortly after I sought a place to rest. They arranged a single-story cabin for us with a bed. I'm dead tired and don't care as long I have a roof over my head. Later I have to explain everything to Mia; I wonder if she will believe me.   

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Four men of the Royal guard crash into my room while I'm lying in bed; I have just woken up. What in the dark star do they want? They grab my arms without a single word and drag me out of my room. 

They practically carried me to the throne room and dumped me on my knees in front of the throne.

I stare up at all the people by my father's side. Standing to his right is my mother, the first Queen Luna Insani, crying, and on the other side are his second wife, Adira Satqin, and my half-siblings, Albert and Ella. 

A few steps down stands Master Blaze. "Prince Finn Insani, you're accused of treason! What do you have to say for yourself?" His voice boomed across the hall. 

"Treason? What kind of treason have I committed, father?" I said mockingly, eyeing my father. 

"As long as we're in this hall, you'll address me as 'your majesty'!" He growled, and gone was my father; instead, the King appeared. 

My smile slips from my face, "Forgive me, but I do not know what your majesty is saying." 

"Stop lying." My mother sobs. "We found the evidence in your room." 

"What evidence? What are you talking about?" I yelled, confused, back at them. What is happening? I thought they were joking but this... "Mother, is it about..." 

"Bring her in," my mother interrupted me before I finished. I hear steps behind me, and when I turn round, I discover Jela striding toward me. 

She bows on one knee and then stands beside me. "Now tell me what happened, child." The King ordered. 

"Yes, your majesty." For an instant, she looked over at me, then continued in a low voice, "as you're aware, Prince Finn and I have known each other since childhood. We spent a lot of time together because of my duties, and as a result, something happened that never should have. He fell in love with me." 

I hear my family's mumbling but ignore them; instead, I stare at Jela. I try to figure out why she's doing that, but nothing comes to mind.

"I told him repeatedly that it would never work, that I'm just a lowly servant." She recounted with tears in her eyes. "At first, his only goal for the future was to change the kingdom's law, but lately, he got more relentless, talking to me about 'removing' the King. I didn't know what to do and decided to inform the queen." 

My mouth is hanging wide open, and my head is spinning, trying to figure out why she's lying. Lately, she put some distance between us, but I was sure it would return to normal. 

"Queen Luna witnessed you sneaking into the Royal vault, and the following day, Jela informed her about your plan. She put two and two together and demanded an investigation of your chamber, where we found the dagger." Master Blaze pulls a deep red dagger out of his robe. 

I want to say that never in my life did I touch or see it, but the words won't form. Instead, I glance at my mother, but she turns away, not meeting my eyes. 

When I look at Jela, our eyes lock, and the surroundings cease to exist for a few seconds. Many emotions flashed across her face, but one was particularly noticeable. Regret. 

That's when everything clicked into place; the night after my meal with my mother and her unfaithfulness. I raped the woman I love and know I have to save her life in exchange for mine. My heart breaks when I realize my mother is behind all of it. Everything darkens in front of me, and the last thing I hear is... 

"For the crimes you have committed, you're herby sentences...
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I wake up with a tear rolling down my cheek. These dreams about his or my family are something else. It's hard to believe his-mine mother betrayed him, but what do I know. 

I make myself comfortable on the bed beside the sleeping boy. 
All the other things must wait because I need to improve my core. I steady my breath, trying to sense the Essence all around me; it takes me a while. 

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It's hard to describe the sensation of Essence, but if I had to use one word, it would be 'tasteless'. Eventually, I seize it and begin to draw it slowly in. It travels through every pore inside my body, where I lose track of it. But I know it's working because the Mana in my core is getting denser by the minute. 

At this rate, it'll take me less than a month to get to the red stage. I have lost too much time in prison, so I must push myself harder to get as fast as possible to the black stage, preferably to the next Tier. 

The Princess is free, and while I had to pay the price, it's still worth it. Unfortunately, my mental health got damaged, but I can work it out later when I have more free time. For now, I'll survive.

I continue meditating for a couple more hours until somebody knocks on my door. 

"Come in."

Inside walked Bonny. He closed the door and now stands uncomfortably in the middle of the room. He's scratching his elbow, looking left and right until his eyes land on me. 

As it doesn't look like he will start the conversation by himself, I do instead. "So, what do you want to talk about?" 

"Yes, it-it's like that. I work for Duke Satqin in the Unlimited Trades group, founded by his ancestors. He's the richest of all the Dukes, but that's not the point. I'm nervous, sorry." 

"Yeah... okay, but nothing of this answers my question," I said impatiently. "I'm busy. Speak!" 

"Yes, yes. I remember visiting Varuna a decade ago, and I had the honor of getting an invitation to the Samsara castle." He recounts, "Back then, I was a small merchant with big dreams, but I still remember the great King and the little Prince." 

"What's your point?" 

"You got older, but I would recognize you anytime," He glances around and whispers, "your highness." 

Well, who thought I would get found out so fast? You? Don't be a smart ass.

I caress my none existing beard while thinking. "Did you know since we met in Esaville?"

"I suspected." 

"Who else knows?"

"Only me. I won't tell if you don't wish to," again, he looks around and whispers. "Your highness." 

"Okay, first of all, stop doing that. It's annoying. While we're here, don't treat me differently." 

"Yes, your...yes." He grins at me. "What happened to you, if you don't mind me asking?"

"I can't tell you that. Just act like Prince Finn is dead." Technically, he is. 

"I can do that. Can you at least tell me what you're doing here?" 

"Repaying a debt." 

"Oh, I see," he answers, confused. "Tell me at least where you found the little boy." 

"I can tell you that," I'm saying grimly. "I found him chained, hanging on a wall in a cell." 

"So the rumors are true," he muttered. "anyway, what are you planning to do with him?" 

"I didn't think about that. I can't leave him now. Can you do something?"

"No. I can't get involved in this," He shakes his head hysterically. "The kid is clearly important, and I work for a Duke; there cannot be any connection between him and me." 

"Then I have to bring him back myself... in a few months. It won't make a difference, right?" 

"Probably", a frown appears on his face. "probably not... On a different matter, you want my honest opinion on this?" 

"I'm not sure what you mean." 

"The Princess. I don't know if she's the 'debt you must repay' or something else, but King Arras will exploit this opportunity. That's no small thing, and now even the Dwarfs are involved. It could be the next great war, only 50 years since the last."

"I thought about it and see it differently." He wants to interrupt, but I stop him with a wave of my hand. "Look, King Arras will pursue his goal no matter what, if not now because I freed Mia, then later with another excuse. You can't think he cares about her."

"No, but..." He stops talking to think. "So if he won't stop no matter what, at least you saved the Princess?" 

"Yes! Exactly!" 

I can see he isn't convinced, but he is thinking about my words. We talked more, and I told him about my exile; mostly, I made things up. In return, he recounted to me about his business and the Kingdom. A few hours later, when we finished and he walked out the door, he said. 

"I don't know if someday you want to return home, but you should know you have friends and a new sibling on the way."

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