In Another Era

Chapter 28: The Feeling Of Failure

Chapter 28: The Feeling Of Failure

"Are you certain you did not see anybody?" Kenric asked.

"Yes, Your Highness," the guard shook his head. "I was at my post the entire night and I saw nobody or nothing out of the ordinary."

"Leave," Kenric grunted. The guard bowed down, before exiting the room.

This was the last guard that was on duty the night of the theft, and just like each and every one of them before him— he, too, saw nobody that was not supposed to be in the wing where Frederic's room was.

Kenric had questioned anyone and everyone. From the guards and the servants to the few nobles that were still in the castle after the festival had ended. But nobody knew anything.

Whoever stole the necklace was like a ghost, and would have had to know the castle well. This was bad, as it weakened Archie's case of his innocence. He knew the castle like the back of his hand, he had lived there his entire life so he would know which guard would be stationed where and any and all possible blind spots.

Of course, Kenric knew Archie did not steal, but his knowledge of the castle grounds would definitely be used against him.

Kenric gripped the glass of water in front of him, before throwing it on the floor in frustration. He stood up, running a hand through his hair as he thought of what to do next.

He wanted to go to Archie, to be there with him and reassure him that everything would be alright. But he also had no leads yet, and he did not want to go to Archie with no updates. That was shameful for him and would lower Archie's spirits even more. Kenric had roughly one more day to find out who was behind the theft, and who would have the motive to frame Archie.

Just one day.

"I take it that you have got nothing," Frederic commented as he walked inside the room.

"No," Kenric muttered. "Would I still be here if I had any fucking clue of who it could be?"

"Did you ask the servants if—"

"Of course, I bloody did!" Kenric yelled. "I am not an idiot."

"I never wished to imply that you were an idiot, Ken, I was just asking if you have covered all the bases," Frederic replied, maintaining his calm, unlike his older brother. "I know you are feeling angry, but there is no reason to raise your voice."

"You have no inkling of what I am feeling right now, so do not even try to sympathize with me," Kenric stated.

"Archie is my friend too, you know," Frederic mouthed, slowly starting to get annoyed at the other prince.

"There is no ground for comparison here." Kenric scoffed. Frederic sighed, feeling too tired to continue arguing with him. Kenric looked at his younger brother for a moment, before speaking up once again. "How did you not notice anyone in your room?"

"Huh?"

"Somebody sneaked inside your room at night, picked the lock of your cupboard, and stole from inside a wooden box...yet you did not realize anything at all? Did not hear a thing? How come you did not wake up from your sleep?" Kenric asked.

"Brother...please do not tell me you are accusing me of what I think you are..." Frederic tightened his jaw.

"I am just covering all my bases," Kenric repeated Fred's words from earlier as he folded his arms in front of his chest.

"How fucking dare you, Kenric?" the youngest prince hissed. "Are you suggesting that I framed Archie? Why in God's name would I ever do that? To somebody I consider a friend, out of all? I have no quarrel with him!"