My world was consumed by darkness, and I felt nothing.
✦ ✦ ✦
Houvan was located in the Rhoden Kingdom, surrounded by the Telnassos Mountains to the west and Anetto Mountains to the east. The city was relatively prosperous, thanks to its role as a trading hub between the Rhoden Kingdom and the Grand Duchy of Limbult to the southeast.
This domain’s previous lord, Count Fulish du Houvan, had been executed by his own people in response to his constant tax hikes and tyrannical use of force. The uprising threw the town into chaos for a time, although that was quelled when the first prince dispatched the Royal Army to put an end to the bloodshed. Shortly after, the prince himself traveled to Houvan to ensure the people’s safety and install a new government. He moved into what had been Count du Houvan’s estate and handled the administration from there.
The castle was still in disrepair due to wanton destruction of the Count’s estate during the uprising, so the prince currently lived in a secondary building. His quarters were shabby compared to the grand lifestyle he’d grown accustomed to in the royal palace.
Sekt Rondahl Karlon Rhoden Sahdiay, first prince of the Rhoden Kingdom, sat at his desk, skimming a ream of reports. He brushed his light brown hair out of his eyes and furrowed his brow as he read.
After suppressing the Houvan uprising, he’d kept busy with a never-ending stream of administrative duties. Through them all, however, his mind remained fixed on a single burning question, the cause of the weariness etched on his handsome face.
There was a knock at the door.
Sekt didn’t bother lifting his eyes from the documents. “You may enter.”
A muscular man dressed in a well-fitting military uniform, not unlike the uniform Sekt himself wore, opened the door and slipped in.
He bowed his head. “I apologize for the disturbance.”
Cetrion du Olsterio had brown hair and a brown mustache to match. He was a man of few words, which only added to his stern demeanor. Cetrion was one of the lieutenant generals sent along with the Royal Army to quell the Houvan uprising. He was also one of Sekt’s staunchest supporters, working to ensure that the prince would ascend to the throne.
“I just received word from Lord Tiocera. Despite previous reports that Princess Yuriarna was killed, we’re now hearing that her forces were seen in Tiocera.”
Lieutenant General Cetrion spoke in a clear, almost casual, manner. However, as soon as he stopped speaking, Prince Sekt threw his papers onto the desk and glared at the older man.
“So, she really did survive.” Sekt’s voice was forced, the wrinkles in his brow deepening.
This was exactly what he’d feared.
Princess Yuriarna was the previous queen’s daughter, and the other possible successor to the Rhoden Kingdom. She was supposed to have been killed by Prince Dakares—at least, that was Sekt’s plan when he framed Dakares and had him assassinated.
Originally, Yuriarna had been his only target. However, it quickly became clear that Dakares planned to assassinate Sekt, which was how they’d found themselves here. Unfortunately, the group that Sekt sent to assassinate Yuriarna was attacked by monsters shortly afterward, and forced to flee. Sekt sent a second group to retrieve Yuriarna’s body, but they’d been unable to find the corpse, her carriage, or several of her guards.
Kaecks Coraio du Brutios, son of Duke Brutios of the seven dukes, had been entrusted with the assassination. He confirmed Yuriarna’s death with his own eyes, but Lieutenant General Cetrion’s report said otherwise.
“I wanted to get rid of Yuriarna by pinning the blame on that buffoon Dakares, but instead, I advanced her standing. This is the worst and least likely of outcomes…yet it happened.”
Sekt let out a self-deprecating laugh that turned into a heavy sigh.
He’d been given an heirloom necklace that his sister wore every day as proof that she was murdered. The fact that he had the necklace in his possession meant that, at least for a time, she’d been unconscious during the attack. Given the ferocity of the monsters that appeared shortly afterward, it seemed highly unlikely that Yuriarna could have escaped death’s clutches.
Even if she somehow got past the monsters, it should have been impossible for her to reach human civilization so quickly with the injuries she’d sustained. Yet according to the report, Yuriarna was alive and well—with no apparent injuries—and had just appeared in Tiocera, in the Rhoden Kingdom.
The whole situation was difficult to fathom.
“What shall we do, Prince Sekt?” Cetrion broke the silence, and Sekt’s train of thought.
The prince took several deep breaths to steady himself. Although he was the one who sent Kaecks to attack Yuriarna, he hadn’t caused her any harm directly. It was possible that she was unaware of Sekt’s involvement. However, if she figured out that he was behind it, he’d have no choice but to try and assassinate her again, no matter the risk.
Sekt looked up. Cetrion was watching him intently.
“We can’t afford to let our guard down. Can we have Yuriarna taken care of while she’s still in Tiocera?” There was an edge to Sekt’s words.
Cetrion shook his head. “Unfortunately, Yuriarna is accompanied not only by thirty of her own guards, but another two hundred men flying the Grand Duchy’s flag.”
“Dammit! Yuriarna’s sister is butting in, too?”
Sekt chewed his lip. Yuriarna’s sister had married Duke Ticient, ruler of the Grand Duchy of Limbult. The sisters were even closer now than when they’d lived together. “Furthermore, I’ve heard reports that around thirty elven soldiers are accompanying Princess Yuriarna.”
“What?! Elven soldiers?” Sekt’s face contorted in utter disbelief.
The elves lived in the Great Canada Forest, which stretched along the Rhoden Kingdom’s eastern border. Their population was relatively small compared to the humans, but they lived long lives. Elven soldiers spent their time refining their fighting skills, particularly skills related to magic and swordsmanship. If thirty such soldiers protected Yuriarna, Sekt would need a sizable force to break through to her, which would draw considerable attention. A quick and simple assassination was out of the question.
Unless…
Sekt knitted his brow and crossed his arms. “Why are elves protecting Yuriarna?”
It was an obvious question. The Rhoden Kingdom had once been at war with the elves. Even today, relations were tense at best. Not only that, but the elves also escaped human oppression by hiding deep within the forest, refusing to trade with anyone but the Grand Duchy. It was practically unheard of to see elves in human domains.
Sekt couldn’t be sure why the elves would go out of their way to enter the Rhoden Kingdom and protect Yuriarna, but deep inside, he sensed that it wasn’t a good thing.
He looked back up at Cetrion, the hint of a grin tugging the corners of his lips. “Well, we’ve come this far. It’s not like we can just sit on our laurels and do nothing.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning we should go greet my sister with open arms, and congratulate her on escaping Dakares’s assassination plot.”
Sekt pounded his fist on his knee and looked out the window, a sly smile twisting his face.