In Time And Memories

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Both of them were shocked to see each other after a few years. Xiel immediately went closer to Yzel, and the floating swords fell on the ground.

"What are you doing here?!" Xiel exclaimed. He just almost killed his old friend.

Yzel roamed his eyes. "I went here after hearing the news of several abductions. It was suspicious so I started investigating," Yzel explained.

Their conversation was cut off after the enemies started to attack again.

A lot of casualties has been made on both sides but the Meliean knights are still victorious. Urus and his knights has successfully captured the king and his family. Some high officials are also captured.

"Please spare us! we just did what the king ordered us to do!" Someone in the crowd shouted. 

"Your Highness," Trese called Urus' attention, the knights are waiting for his command. 

Urus walked towards the king and knelt in front of him to be on the level with his eyes. "Are you going to speak or your men will die?" Urus is known for being brutal when it comes to his enemies. All of them knows that Urus will not hesitate to kill them all. But for now, Urus needs more answer.

"Just kill me and let them go. They have nothing to do with this." King Eudor's lips trembled but he bravely meets Urus' eyes.

"Father, no!" The princess of Astareth Kingdom shouted. 

Urus smirked and he stood up. "Kill those men," he ordered, pertaining the higher officials. The knights nod and unsheathed their swords. The higher officials cries and begged to spare their life, however, it's too late. 

Blood splashed all over the place and it flowed on the floor. Urus only stared at it blankly. 

"Throw them in the dungeon."

"Crown Prince Urus! P-Please spare me..." Princess Winona begged with her sweet voice and her face is full of tears. "I-I can tell you e-everything I know," she bargained.

"Winona!" 

Urus turned his head to them. " Lock Princess Winona in her chambers, the rest is in the dungeon."

Relief washed through Winona's face and she let out a sigh, thinking that she has been spared. While her father, King Eudor, is shouting anger because of her betrayal. The knights pulled them towards the dungeon while the other escorted Winona to her room. 

"Urus!" It's Xiel.

Urus was about to open his mouth but he noticed the man behind Xiel. His forehead creased. "Young Duke Laurenze," he muttered. Yzel smiled at him and bowed his head to show some respect.

"Greetings, Prince Urus." 

Yzel is at the same age with Xiel; which makes him a year older than Urus. He knew Yzel since he once came in the same academy with them. However, after Yzel graduated from the academy, Urus never saw him again. 

Urus knows Yzel but he never heard anything about Azelaine. 

And now that he saw Yzel again, he noticed how Azelaine looks like her older brother. They share the same hair color and eye color. The only difference is that Yzel has a small mole below his left eye. 

"What are you doing here?" Urus asked first. 

"I was travelling, Your Highness," Yzel answered. Urus nods and the three of them fell silent. Xiel glanced at Yzel then back to Urus. 

He opened his mouth. "You don't know yet, do you?"

"Don't know what?" Yzel asked with a visible confusion. 

Urus and Xiel looked at each other. There is something within their gazes that Yzel can't seem to understand. It was Urus who looked away from Xiel first then looked at Yzel.

"Your sister and I are engaged," Urus said.

Yzel went silent and stared at Urus, trying to see if he's just joking. Last time he checked, Urus and Azelained didn't know each other, so how come that they're engaged now?

"What?" Yzel asked, trying to process what Urus just said.

But this time, it was Xiel who spoke. "Urus chose Azelaine to be his future consort. So basically, Azelaine is now the crown princess," he explained. 

Yzel looked at Urus and his jaw fell. Who wouldn't be surprised? Yzel left the empire one and a half years ago then suddenly his younger sister became the crown princess. Although, he is not angry nor happy; it's just that he's surprised and never expected it. 

What the hell happened after  I left?

"Why my sister?" Yzel's forehead is still creased and still looks shocked.

Urus looked around. "Let's talk somewhere private and quiet." The other two men followed Urus and they entered the king's office. 

"Lock the door."

"So?" Yzel trailed off. "Do you like my sister?" 

Xiel suddenly burst out laughing, his hand on his stomach and tears are building up in his eyes. "I'm...I'm sorry." He's still laughing. "That's so funny." Urus glared at him and even Yzel is raising his eyebrows on him.

He stopped laughing and gulped. "Go on." He gestured his hand to Urus and Yzel to continue talking.

"No, I don't like your sister. Honestly, I didn't know anything about her until I came home before my coming of age ceremony," Urus answered. Yzel nods but that just made him more confused.

"Then, why her if you don't like her?"

"The queen was plotting something that may cause your sister's life." Xiel's mouth formed into an 'o' shape and his eyes widened. While Yzel's expression became serious. 

"So...you saved Lady Azelaine's life?" It was Xiel.

Urus sighed. "That's what I thought at first but now, I don't know if I made the right decision," he answered honestly. Urus kept receiving some reports that the queen and Azelaine had an argument. 

Although Azelaine was always the one who had the final words, it just made the queen more furious. Who knows what she will do to her.

"And how did my sister got involved in the queen's plan?"

"Lady Azelaine and Prince Pierre was in a relationship. Maybe the queen wanted to covet the Laurene dukedom's influence in order to put her son on the throne, is that correct?" Both of them glanced at Urus.

"That is one thing but from what I heard, the queen is planning to sacrifice Azelaine to god knows what or where."

"Sacrifice?!" Xiel exclaimed. Meanwhile, Yzel became more serious; it seems like he's in deep thoughts.

Xiel scoffed. "Looks like the queen is more wicked than I thought." Urus only smirked at his cousin's statement. Urus knows how much crazy the queen is. 

Their attention was caught after Yzel stood up. He faced Urus and bowed his head. "I think you did the right choice, Your Highness. I am grateful that you saved my sister's life."

"Do you know something, Yzel?" Xiel asked.

"Not the full context but someone does."

"Who is it? Can they help us?" It was Urus. Yzel smiled at him then nods.

"My mother, Duchess Laurenze definitely knows something."

Urus and Xiel's eyes widenend. It has been 12 years since the last time they saw the duchess. It was the same day when Empress Thiane died; Duchess Linia left the empire. 

----

:3