THE KING'S POSSESSION

Chapter 79

Chapter 79: Hope

"Tell me everything you know," Lucian commanded.

The man nodded, bowing his head. "Aye, sire," he replied, his voice steadying with effort.

"I was among the guards on duty that day, Your Majesty. You ordered us to escort the boy to his chambers, but as we were en route, the queen appeared unexpectedly."

At the mention of the queen, Lucian's brow furrowed, his eyes darkening with disdain.

"She informed us that you, sire, had instructed her to fetch the boy to play with Prince Julian. We dared not question her authority, so we handed the boy over to her men. After that, we heard a woman wailing in the courtyard."

"That was Isabel, crying and clutching the bloodied garments of my son," Lucian murmured, startling the guard.

"Your Majesty? Prince Julian was harmed?" the guard asked, his ignorance evident.

Lucian's gaze was piercing. "That boy you held was the rightful heir to my crown. My firstborn."

The king's words struck the guard like a blow. His breath shuddered as he realized the gravity of his actions. Eyes wide with shock, he fell to his knees.

"Sire! Take my life! I am unworthy to live!" he pleaded.

Lucian placed a hand on the man's shoulder. "Rise, soldier. I have a task for you."

The man stood at once, straightening himself.

"Find the men you spoke of. Bring them to me. Unharmed," Lucian ordered, his voice hard with resolve.

The man bowed deeply and quickly. "At once, Your Majesty," he said, his voice resolute. Without another word, he turned and hurried off to fulfill King Lucian's command.

King Lucian stood before the large doors of the throne hall, his expression solemn. The guards stationed on either side of the entrance immediately recognized their monarch and swung the massive doors open without delay. As Lucian stepped inside, he held his head high, exuding the regal bearing expected of a king. Yet, beneath his composed exterior, his heart was heavy with sorrow and regret.

In his mind, Lucian wished he could have walked these palace corridors with the woman he truly loved and the son he never knew. The memories of what might have been haunted him, and he clenched his fists as he gazed at the imposing throne ahead. That throne, symbol of his power, had also been the source of immense pain.

The crown he wore had cost him dearly, robbing him of almost everything he treasured. He thought of all the years lost, the moments he missed with his child, the day he was absent at the birth of his and Isabel's son, and the countless opportunities for happiness with the family he had unknowingly created.

Each step toward the throne reminded him of his sacrifices, a burden he bore for the sake of duty. Lucian's jaw tightened as he approached the symbol of his rule, the weight of his responsibilities and the price he had paid pressed down on him like a heavy mantle. He paused, staring at the throne that had brought him both power and suffering, and for a moment, allowed himself to grieve for all he had lost.

Then he slowly sat on his throne and leaned back, the weight of his crown pressing down on him more heavily than ever. Minutes turned into hours as Lucian remained seated, lost in deep, somber reflection. The grand hall was silent, save for the flickering of torches as night descended upon the palace.

Suddenly, the silence was shattered as the doors burst open. Victoria stormed into the throne hall, her face contorted with rage. "What is this outrage, Your Majesty?! How dare a mere palace guard order my father's men to kneel and beg for mercy before you?! They have done nothing wrong!" she yelled, her voice echoing through the cavernous room.

Lucian's eyes, which had been distant and contemplative, sharpened as he focused on the furious woman before him. He slowly rose from the throne, his expression unreadable, his presence commanding and unyielding.

Before Lucian could respond, the heavy doors to the hall creaked open once more. The same guard he had dispatched earlier entered, flanked by two palace guards who dragged in two men bound and struggling against their restraints.

"Your Majesty," the guard announced, bowing deeply. "I have fulfilled your command."

As the guards stood at attention, swords drawn and pointed menacingly at Victoria's men, tension crackled in the air. Victoria's eyes widened in alarm as Lucian, his face a mask of controlled fury, addressed the captives.

"Do you know why you are brought before me?" Lucian's voice was icy and commanding. The men, eyes wide with fear, shook their heads vigorously, not daring to speak.

Without hesitation, Lucian drew his unsheathed sword with a swift motion, its blade glinting in the torchlight. He thrust it forward, the tip aimed directly at the captives. "How dare you enter my palace and presume to act as my guards when you are not even my subjects?!" he roared, his voice echoing off the stone walls with terrifying intensity.

Victoria's face paled, her composure faltering as she assessed the dire situation. Realizing the intensity of the moment, she frantically searched for words that could defuse the crisis and protect her position.

"Speak now," Lucian demanded, his voice low and menacing. He advanced, the tip of his sword hovering close to the neck of one of Victoria's men. The blade gleamed ominously as it neared the man's throat.

The captive gulped, his eyes darting between the cold steel and Lucian's unyielding gaze. "Your Majesty," he stammered, "we are only here to serve the queen and nothing else!" His frantic denial was a thin veil over his fear, and it did little to calm Lucian's growing rage.

The lie only fueled Lucian's fury. With a swift and brutal motion, he slashed the sword across the man's neck. The sudden violence took everyone by surprise, and a collective gasp filled the hall.

Victoria's scream pierced the air as she witnessed the gruesome scene. The man's body crumpled to the floor, blood spilling out and staining the once-pristine carpet. The vivid crimson against the rich fabric made the gravity of the moment starkly clear.

Lucian stood over the lifeless body, his gaze unwavering as it shifted to Victoria. Her face was a mask of fear, contorted with dread. "Now it's your turn," Lucian said, his tone eerily calm. "Tell me what you did." He was certain the last man would reveal everything he needed to know.

For a moment, the only sound in the hall was the ragged breathing of the terrified man. He glanced anxiously towards Victoria, seeking any sign of intervention. But Victoria's discreet shake of the head—her silent signal to remain silent—was noted by Lucian.

A sudden, unsettling laughter erupted from Lucian, echoing through the hall. The unexpected outburst took everyone by surprise, and Lucian's eyes glistened with tears from his fit of mirth. As his laughter subsided, he took a deep breath, his expression shifting back to a cold, focused intensity. He leaned down, locking eyes with the frightened man.

"You think your princess can save you?" Lucian whispered, his voice low and menacing. "You are in my power now. I can do as I please."

The man's breathing grew even more ragged as the reality of his situation sank in. Without further hesitation, he blurted out his confession. "Queen Victoria ordered us to spy on you, Your Majesty! She also commanded that the child be executed. But... But we never had the chance to carry it out!"

Lucian's brow furrowed in confusion and anger. "What do you mean, you never had the chance?"

The man gulped, his voice trembling. "When we went to obtain the poison and returned, the child was gone. All that remained was a bloodied garment."

Victoria's eyes widened in fury at the revelation, her fear transforming into a fierce anger.

"What?" Lucian's voice faltered, a glimmer of hope flickering in his eyes.

"My son is still alive?"