Suspicion

CHAPTER 6.3

Suspicion

AS soon as Princess Luan and King Morfran approved of his visit in Izquierdo kingdom, Lucas immediately set off to travel to the place. He also discussed this with his father during their dinner and he approved of his schedule for the day with a reminder to be careful since behind his visit lies an agenda to look for the ‘abandoned place’ where Griego family’s faithful subordinates are kept for execution.

“You better not blow up your disguise visit,” was what the king told him back then, “or there would be dispute.”

Lucas knew and understood immediately. All he has to do is to act like the ‘good’ fiance before he sneak out to check if the rumours are true. He also brought his strongest knight, Jonas, as well as some other knights who swore loyalty on him and before he left, King Alexander saw him prepare for his departure who blessed him with success.

He heaved a sigh as soon as he discerned the gate and the walls of Izquierdo kingdom from afar—it has been long since he stepped right into the Demelza family’s territory and he had never felt this pressured before.

‘Huh. Am I even prepared to act?’ Lucas asked himself as his eyes narrowed at the sight of the knights who guarded the front gates.

The vehicle he’s riding on slowed down before they stopped right before the knights—which was something Lucas didn’t expect to happen since no one really halted their vehicle whenever he’d accompany Princess Luan during the parties she attended. Lucas sat properly and rolled down the car window to see the knights that approached them.

“Excuse me?” What the fuck?—was something that he was really tempted to blurt out if he won’t be tagged as a rude prince.

One of the knights immediately noticed him which made him approach Lucas with an apologetic smile curled across his lips. Nevertheless, the surprise and dismay that he felt continued to boil within him—how dare they stop a royal vehicle? Were they not aware of his visit and of the crest they specifically made to symbolize the Sutcliffe family in front of the limousine?

“Pasensya na po Prinsipe Lucas, mahigpit po kasing sinabi sa ‘min ni Prinsesa Luan na patigilin kayo ‘pag nakita namin kayong parating,” pagdadahilan naman ng guwardiya.

Ah, the way how his forehead creased. “Why did she ask you to do that?”

Because Lucas can clearly remember that Princess Luan approved of his visit today—even King Morfran sent him another letter to let him know that that he’s overjoyed that Lucas wanted to see his daughter without the princess, asking for his presence! Nagkusa raw siya ngayon at ang palagay nito, magiging maganda raw ang relasyon nila ng anak nito.

Lucas thinks otherwise, though.

Nag-aalangang nakipagpalitan ng tingin ang guwardiya sa kasama nitong halos katatapos lamang na kausapin si Jonas na lumabas ng behikulo. “Wala naman po, Prinsipe Lucas. Gusto lang po ni Prinsesa Luan na hintayin ninyo ang mga kabalyerong gagabay sa inyo tungo sa palasyo.”

‘Bakit naman?’ nagtataka niyang tanong sa sarili ngunit imbes na isaboses pa ang katanungang iyon, tipid niya na lamang na tinanguan ang guwardiya at muling isinara ang bintana ng kotse. Ngunit bago pa man niya tuluyang maisara iyon at bago pa man makaalis sa harapan niya ang guwardiya, ibang tanong ang kumawala mula sa mga labi niya.

“Are the knights here then?” he asked. Because they should be waiting for his arrival. He has no time to waste and these people should know that he’s acting ‘enthusiastic’ to see their princess.

Napamaang sandali ang guwardiya bago tumango. “Opo, mahal na prinsipe. Naghahanda na lang sila para sa pag-alis ninyo. Kausap na rin po ng isa sa mga kasama mo ang lider ng White Knights.”

“Alright.”

With that, Lucas settled in the vehicle and waited for the aforementioned knights to guide them all the way to the palace. It didn’t take long though, since Jonas entered the vehicle again with a frown that immediately showed on his face as soon as he settled in front of Lucas. It seemed like even his own knight was displeased—or rather, suspicious of the welcome they received, considering that Lucas is from the royal family of Vintress kingdom.

“Jonas,” he called the attention of his knight and it was also then when their driver started the vehicle again when the other vehicles they brought to assist other knights began to move forward, “did you find anything?”

The frown on Jonas’ face was inexplicable, one that even the greatest painter of all time would feel embarrassed or frustrated to paint, but Lucas’ lips curled into an amused grin as soon as his eyes met with the knight’s.

“Walang ispesipikong detalye na ibinigay sa ‘kin, Prinsipe Lucas,” paliwanag ni Jonas bago bumuntong hininga, “ang sabi lang ng lider ng mga kabalyero, gusto nilang masulit mo ang pagbisita sa Izquierdo.”

Masulit ang pagbisita niya sa Izquierdo? Bagamat nakangisi siya, hindi niya maiwasang pangunutan ng noo sa narinig. Gusto niyang mapahalakhak na ewan—no, there is this urge to laugh mockingly—paano niyang masusulit ang pagbisita sa pinakamamahal nilang prinsesa kung hindi naman siya nasabihang haharangin sila sa tarangkahan ng kaharian?

According to the knight he spoke with, this is Princess Luan’s orders. Are they hiding something? With that, he averted his gaze from Jonas to the environment outside.

“It’s weird,” Lucas remarked as soon as he set his gaze outside the vehicle and saw the flourishing city where they were led to, “is this really the path we’ve been taking for years when visiting the kingdom?”

“Po?” namamanghang tanong ni Jonas bago sumilip sa labas ng sasakyan.

Apparently, there is something different from the path they’re taking. Dati, sa tuwing bumibisita siya sa kaharian ng Izquierdo e idinadaan sila sa Stratsburg City—ang pinakamalaking siyudad sa Izquierdo kung saan madalas nangyayari ang mga patimpalak at pampublikong selebrasyon ng kaharian. Pero ngayon, hindi niya alam kung anong probinsya sila idinaan ng mga kabalyero. Although, he admits that the place looked serene and rich, there is this bubbling suspicion that swelled inside his chest.

Nang mapagtanto ni Jonas na sa ibang lugar din sila idinaan ng mga ito, bigla itong naging alerto at pinadalhan din ng senyales ang iba pa nilang kasamahan.

Ambush is impossible since he’s Princess Luan’s future groom but to remain alert and cautious wasn’t bad either.

“May nangyari ba sa Izquierdo na ‘di natin alam?” tanong niya sa sarili. It wasn’t long enough when Lucas used his sharp sight—one of the pros of being a vampire—to observe the entirety of the place until he discerned... smoke, “Jonas, namamalikmata ba ‘ko o may usok sa malayo?”

“Usok?” nagtatakang reaksyon ni Jonas bago tinignan ang nakita niya.

Jonas took a deep breathe as soon as he saw what Lucas was pertaining to and it made the knight sit straight. There was indeed a black smoke from afar. Neither of them knew what was the exact place where it’s coming from but Lucas made a mental note that if he sneaks out from the Izquierdo palace, he’d make sure to visit that place.

As a sneer escaped his lips, Lucas brought his eyes back to stare intently at his knight who seemed to ponder what was occurring from afar.

“I’ll be setting out for a solo trip to check what’s happening out there,” Lucas soon blurted out which surprised Jonas, who stared at him with wide eyes.

The knight even almost choked in his own spit. “Pasensya na Prinsipe Lucas, tama ba ang narinig ko?”

“Oo.” Tipid siyang tumango at bumuga ng marahas na hininga. “My father asked me to check what’s going on within Izquierdo kingdom, thus; we’re here.”

“Hindi mo... bibisitahin si Prinsesa Luan dahil gusto mo?”

“Of course not. I’m here for work.”

What good is there if he would pay his bride a visit whereas it’s equivalent to wasting time? He has other things to do and learn—and again, he’s not into the princess. If it isn’t even for his agenda, he wouldn’t waste a beautiful red rose to seal his letter for her!

“Anyway, I want you to cover me up as I investigate what’s going on within Izquierdo,” he instructed the knight before he crossed his arms, “I don’t know how long it may take but I’ll be sure to be quick.”

“Pero Prinsipe Lucas, delikado ang gagawin mo. Ayaw mo bang ako na lang ang mag-iimbestiga?” tanong ni Jonas.

But Lucas shook his head. “I needed to see things with my own eyes, Jonas. I’ll soon have a confrontation with my father. It’s a matter of honor and my ability to lead and protect my people.”

“However Prince, I’m worried. What if you’ll encounter a dangerous situation? I could—” Before Jonas could even finish his sentence, Lucas placed his index finger on his own lips and gestured the knight to shut up.

“Lower your voice down. I don’t want the Izquierdo knights to hear what we’re discussing right now. Also, you just have to go with my plan. I’ll discuss everything later as you go instruct the other knights.”

His eyes may have glinted a bright crimson as he instructed Jonas to keep his mouth shut and when he saw the knight gulp. That was when he relaxed on his seat and watched the knights of Izquierdo kingdom who were outside their vehicle. They don’t seem to be eavesdropping. After all, they can’t hear the conversations from inside the vehicle and there is no way that they could place any devices in Lucas and his other knights—his knights are sharp and they would instantly know if they’re being monitored in secret.

For now, Lucas should relax until he meets Princess Luan.

*

“PRINSIPE Lucas!” matinis ang boses na sigaw ni Prinsesa Luan noong oras na makita siya nito.

Halos tumakbo ang dalaga patungo sa kanya para lang mayakap siya nito ngunit hindi nagpatinag si Lucas at halos hindi gumalaw sa kinatatayuan kung hindi lamang niya nakita si Haring Morfran na sumunod sa dalaga.

Lucas internally huffed at the hassle he’s going through. Nasa waiting room siya noon kasama sina Jonas at Theo. His other knights were outside the room, securing the place and he only brought the strongest ones with him. Moreover, as soon as King Morfran and Princess Luan entered the room, he felt as though shackles immediately held him and there were restrictions to his movements.

Any wrong move and a dispute could happen. Huh. To be honest, everything would go smoothly if only the king isn’t here. However, his presence adds pressure and tension.

“Na-miss kita, Lucas!” masiyang sabi pa ni Prinsesa Luan.

Tipid na ngumiti si Lucas. Hindi niya alam kung ano ba ang sasabihin niya kung kaya bagamat nag-aalangan at labag sa kalooban e ipinulupot niya ang libreng braso sa beywang ng dalaga. Shit, he doesn’t know how to interact with her. E ni minsan, hindi nga sila nakapag-usap ng maayos ng dalaga dahil hinihila lang din siya nito kung saan-saan sa tuwing magkasama sila.

“Masaya kaming makita ka rito, Prinsipe Lucas,” sabad ni Haring Morfran na dahilan para tila ba pagbagsakan ng kung anumang bigat sa dibdib si Lucas. Hindi rin nakatulong na sinubukan nitong pawalain ang namumuong tensyon sa pamamagitan ng paghalakhak, “pasensya ka na kung kailangan namin kayong padaanin sa Lunaris. Biglaan lang ang desisyon na ‘to.”

“Oh. That.” Lucas cleared his throat to gather composure to regard the matter at hand. “It’s okay. The village was a nice sight, though. The land it owns seemed rich since the livestocks and the farmlands are thriving. It’s pleasing in the eyes.”

It was really a great thing that Lucas paid attention to the view earlier while he thought of the smoke from afar, still pondering what’s happening from the place he and Jonas saw earlier.

“That’s great to hear!” King Morfran chuckled as he occupied a seat from the waiting room and gestured Lucas to sit as well, thus; he gestured Princess Luan to sit with him, which the maiden obliged. “Kumusta pala ang paglalakbay mo patungo rito, Prinsipe Lucas? Ipakumusta mo nga pala ako kay Haring Alexander.”

Tumango lamang si Lucas at minuwestrahan sina Jonas na ilapag sa lamesa ang mga pinamili nilang regalo para sa hari at prinsesa. To be honest, he had a hard time searching for gifts since they’re humans—he even had to consult some of the human nobles he has connection with. Thankfully, some of them responded.

Lucas got Princess Luan some flowers and expensive tea. Meanwhile, Lucas bought King Morfran a quill handcrafted by the best craftsman within Vintress kingdom. The two seemed pleased of what he bought which somehow helped ease whatever tension surrounded them earlier.

“Ah, these are great gifts. Well then, I’ll leave you and my daughter now,” King Morfran said as he stood from his seat and shook of the dirt from his clothes, “apparently, I have a schedule set this afternoon so I’ll finish reading a few more documents. Will you be staying ‘til then, Prince Lucas?”

Lucas stilled from his seat and felt Princess Luan’s gaze remain on him, hence, he nodded. “Yes, I’ll be staying.”

Once he provided an answer to King Morfran’s question, he heard Princess Luan gasp before she giggled while the king itself let out a chuckle—as if he’s looking forward to see Lucas until later.

“Well then, if you don’t mind, I’ll be inviting you to meet some of my friends! It’d be nice if they would see my beloved daughter’s future groom, after all,” he said.

Despite the enthusiasm in the king’s voice, Princess Luan seemed to be displeased by the king’s decision.

“Dad! Dapat quality time namin ni Lucas ngayong araw! Sa susunod mo na siya ipakilala sa mga kaibigan mo,” nagtatampong sabi ng dalaga.

Nginisian lamang ng hari ang dalaga. “Ayaw mo bang makilala nila ang mapapangasawa mo? Luan, you’ve hit the jackpot. You should introduce your groom to everyone.”

But that’s exactly what she does whenever she invites Lucas to attend parties with her—she’s been flexing him ever since their marriage has been approved by their parents. Nevertheless, he didn’t voice out his thoughts and let them proceed onto their argument—which soon ended as well when King Morfran’s secretary snatched his attention.

As the king left him with Princess Luan, the maiden flashed him a bright smile and said, “anong gusto mong gawin ngayon, Lucas?”

Umalis. Iyon ang gusto niyang gawin ngayon.