Royal, The Forgotten Heir

Chapter 4: The Prince's Resolve

Alexander stood at the window of his chambers, staring out over the sprawling city of Valeria. Dawn was just beginning to break, casting a pale light over the rooftops and towers. Despite the calm exterior, his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. The events of the previous night played over and over in his head—the Raven, the Shadow Veil, and the growing threat to their kingdom.

The knock on his door pulled him from his reverie. "Come in," he called, turning to see Seraphina enter. Her face was drawn with worry, but her eyes held a determined glint.

"Any news?" she asked, closing the door behind her.

"Not yet," Alexander replied, gesturing for her to sit. "I've sent word to our most trusted advisors and increased security around the palace, but we need more than just defenses. We need to go on the offensive."

Seraphina nodded, her expression resolute. "We have to find the Raven and dismantle the Shadow Veil before they can strike again. But how? We barely escaped with our lives last night."

Alexander sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Thorne mentioned an informant within the Veil's ranks. If we can locate this person, we might gain the upper hand. But it's risky. We can't trust anyone outside our inner circle."

Seraphina leaned forward, her voice urgent. "We need to act fast. Every day we wait gives the Raven more time to strengthen his position. What's our next move?"

Alexander appreciated his sister's resolve. She had grown so much in such a short time, from a sheltered princess to a formidable ally. "We need to find Thorne again. He's our best lead. I'll send a message to him, arranging another meeting. This time, we need to be prepared for anything."

As he spoke, a knock sounded at the door again. A guard entered, bowing quickly. "Your Highness, there's a messenger here with urgent news."

"Send them in," Alexander ordered, his heart quickening. Any news, urgent or otherwise, could be a piece of the puzzle they needed.

A young messenger stepped into the room, out of breath and clearly anxious. He handed Alexander a sealed letter, marked with the crest of a nearby village. "This came just moments ago, Prince Alexander. It's from the village of Ashbourne."

Alexander broke the seal and read the letter quickly, his eyes narrowing. "There's been an attack," he said grimly. "A group of masked figures raided Ashbourne last night. They took supplies and left a message warning of more attacks to come."

Seraphina's face paled. "The Shadow Veil."

"Most likely," Alexander agreed, his mind racing. "We need to investigate this personally. It's a small village, and our presence might help reassure the people."

Seraphina nodded, rising to her feet. "I'll prepare at once. We should leave as soon as possible."

Within the hour, Alexander and Seraphina were on horseback, accompanied by a small contingent of trusted guards. The ride to Ashbourne was tense but swift, the morning sun rising higher as they approached the village.

When they arrived, the devastation was clear. Buildings were burned, and villagers moved about in a state of shock, trying to salvage what they could. The air was thick with the smell of smoke and the sounds of quiet weeping.

An elderly man, who appeared to be the village head, approached them. His face was lined with worry, but he managed a bow. "Your Highnesses, thank you for coming. We didn't know where else to turn."

"Tell us everything," Alexander said gently, dismounting and walking with the man through the village.

"It happened just after midnight," the village head explained. "They came out of nowhere, masked and armed. They took our food stores, livestock, and left this." He handed Alexander a piece of parchment, the same message that had been included in the letter.

Alexander read the message aloud. "'This is only the beginning. The monarchy will fall, and the people will rise.'" He crumpled the parchment in his hand, anger flaring in his chest.

"We'll do everything we can to help rebuild," Seraphina assured the villagers. "And we will find those responsible."

As they continued to survey the damage, a young boy ran up to them, clutching something in his hand. "Your Highness, I found this near the edge of the forest," he said, holding out a small emblem.

Alexander took it, recognizing the insignia. It was the mark of the Shadow Veil. He showed it to Seraphina, his eyes meeting hers with a silent understanding.

"This confirms it," he said. "The Shadow Veil is behind this, and they're becoming bolder. We need to find Thorne and use this as leverage. If he truly wants to help, he'll know where to start."

Seraphina nodded. "We should return to the palace and send for him immediately. The sooner we act, the better our chances."

They rode back to the palace with a renewed sense of urgency. Alexander's mind churned with plans and strategies, knowing that every moment counted. The Shadow Veil was a formidable enemy, but he was determined to protect his kingdom and his family.

As they entered the palace gates, Alexander called for his most trusted advisors. They gathered in the war room, a map of Valeria spread out before them. Alexander placed the emblem on the map, marking Ashbourne as the site of the latest attack.

"We have confirmation that the Shadow Veil is responsible," he said, addressing the room. "We need to tighten security and prepare for more attacks. But most importantly, we need to find their leader, the Raven, and put an end to this threat."

One of the advisors, an older man with a sharp mind, spoke up. "Prince Alexander, we've had reports of unusual activity near the eastern border. It might be worth investigating further."

"Agreed," Alexander said. "We'll send scouts to gather more information. In the meantime, Seraphina and I will try to reach Thorne. He's our best chance at getting inside information."

As the meeting concluded, Alexander felt a sense of resolve settle over him. The road ahead was fraught with danger, but he was ready to face it. The Raven and the Shadow Veil were formidable foes, but they had underestimated the strength and determination of the royal family.

"Seraphina," he said, turning to his sister, "we're in this together. We'll find the Raven, and we'll protect our kingdom. No matter what it takes."

Seraphina's eyes shone with determination. "Together, Alexander. We won't let them win."

With their course set and their resolve unwavering, the siblings prepared for the battles ahead. The Raven had cast his shadow over Valeria, but Alexander was determined to bring the light.

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