Convinced

CHAPTER 6.5

Convinced

NETHERMOORE is a place where vampires and humans alike are condemned. Depending on their ages and their gender, the people deserted in Nethermoore are either sold for slavery or other malicious acts such as trafficking while the young ones are introduced to child labor but that does not mean that there’s no possibility for child trafficking to occur.

It has already been a week since he witnessed the monstrosity humans could do and for what reason? He doesn’t know but at the same time, he can’t blame the Demelza—what the revolutionaries did was treachery against the royal family, after all.

Still... it’s too much. He can’t wrap his head around what he witnessed.

“Prinsipe Lucas,” tawag sa kanya ni Chief Knight Lyte.

Agad din namang napukaw ang atensyon niya kaya nag-angat siya ng tingin para tignan ito. But to be honest, he didn’t like the stern look on her face and he knew that she’s about to reprimand him for spacing out, as well as not giving his best during training. He knew that he’s being irrational but he can’t help it but to feel bad whenever the thoughts of how those who were forsaken by the royal family crosses his mind.

“Sorry po,” kaagad niyang sabi nang lalo lamang lumala ang intensidad ng pagkakatitig sa kanya ng Chief Knight.

Imbes na sagutin kaagad siya, mataman siyang pinagmasdan nito bago nito ipinagkrus ang mga braso. Mula ulo hanggang paa, tila ba inaalam nito kung may problema ba siya. Matalim ang titig na ibinabato nito sa kanya ngunit nag-iwas lamang si Lucas ng mga mata.

“Masama ba ang pakiramdam mo?” pag-uusisa nito, “anong problema mo? ‘Di ganito ang natural mong performance t’wing training, mahal na prinsipe. Alam mo bang naiirita ako habang pinapanood kitang lalambot-lambot?”

Nanlalaki ang mga matang nilingon ni Lucas ang Chief Knight at hindi makapaniwalang napatitig dito. Alam niyang hindi madaling pasiyahin ang Chief Knight pero hindi niya naman inaasahang paprangkahin siya nito. Pero ano nga ba ang dapat niyang asahan? Ito ang tutor niya at tanging katotohanan lang ang sinabi nito.

“I’m sorry, Teacher. Would it be selfish if I ask to rest early? Indeed, I’m not feeling well,” was what he told her as soon as he regained composure.

The Chief Knight huffed. She was already done examining Lucas and it appears like he’s really sick—he’s not bluffing just to get out of training, and Lucas wouldn’t really want to skip if only he’s capable to handle and forget what he saw from Izquierdo kingdom. However, he wasn’t.

The images of the corpses left to rot on the nooks of Nethermoore and the meek calls for help from the dying individuals left a scar inside his mind—it was a horrible experience that when he returned to Izquierdo palace after his investigation, he didn’t know how to look at King Morfran and Princess Luan without this seething anger that boiled within his chest.

In the end, the Chief Knight approved of his resignation from training and Jonas immediately attended to him as his knight.

“Ayos ka lang ba, Prinsipe Lucas?” kaagad nitong tanong nang sa wakas ay makalapit sa kanya. Inabutan din siya nito ng tuwalya na agad niyang kinuha para punasan ang butil-butil ng pawis na namumuo sa noo niya, “mukhang ‘di talaga maganda ang pakiramdam mo mula nang makabalik tayo mula sa pagbisita sa kaharian ng Izquierdo.”

Tipid lamang na tumango si Lucas. Noong makalabas sila sa palasyo ng mga Demelza at makapasok na sa kotseng dinala nila, roon rumehistro ang panghihina ni Lucas. Para siyang biglang tinakasan ng enerhiya at hanggang ngayon, hindi nawawala ang emosyonal na bagaheng iniwan sa kanya ng Nethermoore.

“Jonas, could you tell my father that I want to speak with him regarding the matter he told me before? Tell him that it’s about Nethermoore,” he instructed as they proceeded to walk on their way back to his chamber.

Jonas seemed baffled that he tilted his head. “Ano ang Nethermoore, mahal na prinsipe? Lugar din ba ‘yon sa kaharian ng Izquierdo?”

“Yes.” He exhaled sharply as he finished wiping his sweat off his face and stared intently at Jonas. “It’s a literal hell, Jonas. You wouldn’t even believe what I saw during my investigation.”

Everyone who chooses to revolt against the Demelza family suffers great consequence worse than death itself.

*

“I’VE heard that you’re on break. Why are you here, Prince Lucas?” This is how his father, King Alexander, greeted him once he’s finally inside his office.

Lucas’ forehead creased as he let out a deep breathe and walked towards King Alexander’s office table. He was still in disbelief that his father approved of his abrupt decision to see him despite the documents piling up on his table and his busy schedule. But, oh well. If it isn’t for the fact that he instructed Jonas to tell King Alexander about the Nethermoore, it’s impossible that he would allow Lucas to disrupt with his business.

“Are you here to debunk the facts that we’ve gathered and defend the image of the Demelza family? Or are you here to agree that they’re not everything we see upfront, Prince Lucas?” his father asked as if he’s mocking his son who stared intently at him, “either way, I’d love to hear your opinion. You’ve spent a week investigating what’s beyond the current royal family of Izquierdo kingdom, after all.”

For a moment, silence vanquished the area and a heavy atmosphere loomed to dominate the atmosphere. Nonetheless, Lucas broke the crushing pressure by clearing his throat and responding to his father.

“I’m here because of Nethermoore,” he replied in a small voice, almost sounding a whisper but enough to be heard and understood by King Alexander.

The king nodded his head. “Nethermoore. Your knight mentioned this a while ago, would you mind elaborating what’s in this place?”

“It’s...” Lucas trailed off and licked his lips to prepare himself for a detailed explanation, “it’s a hellish place, King Alexander. Until now that I’ve went out of Izquierdo kingdom, my memories of that place still haunt me even in my sleep.”

King Alexander smirked as soon as he heard how Lucas described Nethermoore at first—it was a grin brought by satisfaction that his assumptions were never wrong if it’s about the family who brought the Griego family down and Lucas has no plans on arguing with him despite how awful it feels to be defeated.

Moving on, Lucas told King Alexander of what he saw and witnessed during his visit in Izquierdo kingdom. He first started from how the knights of Izquierdo kingdom halted them, only to tell them that they wanted Lucas to have the best experience during his visit which he found suspicious as soon as they’ve transited a village which they never crossed before, until he saw the smoke from Stratsburg City.

He told King Alexander that when he investigated the smoke, he found out that there was a revolution and almost everyone were mercilessly slaughtered during the encounter. He even emphasized that the revolutionaries are faithful subordinates of the fallen Griego family. The next thing he found out was that the kingdom dwells with slavery, women and child trafficking, as well as painful execution of vampires in this deserted place called Nethermoore.

“Where is it located?” asked King Alexander as soon as he’s done explaining what he saw. Even the king himself felt horrified from what he heard, shuddering from every bit of information Lucas provided, and felt bad for those who suffers, “our mercenaries were unable to locate the place since some of them were executed, only a few survived and it’s those who didn’t trespass.”

Huh. So he was lucky to get out then?

“Near Rutchill woods,” Lucas responded before he heaved a sigh, “I was probably able to survive because the knights guarding the area were busy segragating the slaves from those who’d they have for labor and execution.”

“Is that so... Well, I commend you for doing a great job and for this successful investigation, Prince Lucas. I’m also delighted to know that nothing bad happened to you.”

The king’s words were genuine and Lucas knew that during that moment, he’s speaking with his father and not with King Alexander. But getting back to business, they immediately drew the line back in order to not stray from their topic.

“This is the reason why I don’t approve of your marriage with Princess Luan,” King Alexander said.

Lucas instantly agreed at his remark. At first, he didn’t really mind her since he’ll only be marrying for the sake of politics—but right now, he can’t even stand her smile. He can’t help it but to doubt the person he interacts with—their pretense is so great that no one would notice how evil they are beyond the masks.

After a while, King Alexander heaved a sigh. “There’s a recent news that Grandrosa River was sold to Westmount Kingdom.”

“What?” Lucas’ eyes widened at the information.

“King Morfran sold Grandrosa River to ‘pay for their debts’ which was something I found weird, considering that there was never any monitary debt that bounds both Izquierdo and Westmount kingdom. I believe that it was sold to them for the sake of power and influence.”

There’s no way, isn’t it? Because as far as Lucas can remember, the Grandrosa River was a place that the Izquierdo kingdom owned for years. However, according to history, the river was once a reason for dispute between Izquierdo kingdom and Westmount kingdom until a treaty was passed wherein the Griegos will own the river. It’s one of the few places that the Griego family used to be proud of—a land that they took care of.

“I believe that there are also cases whereas half of the Izquierdo kingdom suffers in poverty, but the Demelza family covers it up by letting the rich lands prosper even more—they basically ignored their farmers by now, as well,” King Alexander added.

The king also presented other issues that had been transpiring in Izquierdo kingdom behind everyone’s backs and some of these is corruption and silencing the media.

“This is why I wanted to find Princess Selene, so that she could save what’s left for her and protect the people who remained faithful to her.”

King Alexander said as he handed Lucas some documents that tackles the corruption within Izquierdo kingdom and as Lucas took the documents, the king proceeded to explain.

“Her land is barely hanging by a thread and any moment from now, everything will collapse. The once prospering kingdom already lost its gleam and in order to protect what can be recuperated—we need to have the kingdom’s last hope before everything falls into its the pits of doom—we need Princess Selene.”

Meanwhile, Lucas stared at his father intently. “What can we do to help, then?”

Because even though Lucas had been denying Princess Selene for her possible weaknesses, cluelessness of her identity, and the responsibilities she had never intended to abandon, he would rather grip onto a thin thread of hope than nothing.

It’s now or never and he has to keep in mind that he won’t be doing this for Izquierdo kingdom, rather; to protect Vintress kingdom as well.

Moreover, as Lucas’ gaze remained on his father who placed both of his hands on the table to cover half of his face, he also waited for his suggestions. Also, he’s never gonna lie, he already expected King Alexander to say that they’ll have to search for Princess Selene. However, what he didn’t expect was...

“I want you to set off in a journey, Lucas. Search for Izquierdo kingdom’s lost vampire princess—Princess Selene.”

... why did he even hoped that they’ll send out their best knights to search for her in the first place? Damn it.