Not Giving Into Fate

47- The Cursed Rings

My departure happened quickly. I had rushed into my study and ransacked my corner that contained useful tools to help me find these rings. I had packed only the bare minimum, knowing that I would be fitting everything onto my back and I wouldn't be gone long. I stormed out of my estate with the help of the portal.

Jumping out of the magic portal, I instantly teleported to Milo's study to see that he was alone. I walked to him, his back was to me as he was reporting to one of his secretaries, giving him detailed instructions to Master Ofran who will temporarily take control. The secretary nodded and then we were alone.

"Are you ready?" I ask him, hoping that the journey won't be as bad as I think. I open my satchel and take out the map that I have with me.

"Oh, I'm ready. Where is that Prince?" Milo asks, walking towards his bookshelf. I shrug my shoulders, walking to his desk. I splay out the map, using his paperweights to weigh down the corners. I grab a pen, writing down the estimated coordinates of the cave where I believe the rings are held. It's a good 50km radius of where we need to look for. I sigh, the radius is just too big.

A pop and a huff a second later, shows that Prince Adrian has just arrived. He's in his battle mage uniform, with a small pack on his back and a sword strapped to his side. He looks at me and smiles, saying hello to Milo who is now trying to close his bag with much difficulty.

"Master Giselle," he greets me nicely. "The Grand Sorcerer didn't give me much information, but what secret mission are we three going on?"

I'm hunched over the table and look at him. "This mission is an important one. I- We need to locate a set of rings. I was going to dispatch my curse- breaking team to retrieve them, but now I believe an enemy is after it. We need to get it now before he gets his hands on them."

"Rings? That's what we're going after?" Adrian questions.

"They're not just any rings. When you give someone who is already bonded to you, whether it be through family or ownership, you control them. They cannot fight against you and you will be their master. If they try to go against you... people end up dying." Milo says while still struggling with his bag before he finally uses magic to force the bag shut.

"That does sound bad... but why the urgency?" Adrian repeats his confusion. He crosses his arms and shakes his head.

"Someone we all know wants to give us the rings for the New Year." I let out a white lie. "He will bind us all to him and he will have full control over us."

Adrian frowns, his mind is probably running quickly with a list of suspects. "Please tell me it isn't-"

"It's my fiancé, yes. He had told me a few hours ago that he wants a specific set of rings from this island." I point at the map below me. "He said a few more things about my brother, Milo, the dukes... and you. He must've thought I didn't know about these rings, which were considered a myth not too long ago. We have to get these rings before Ivan binds us all to him. If he gets them, you won't be king. I'll be stuck to him. The Tower is his. All three armies will be his to use. Are you joining us, yes or no?" I ask him, looking deep into his eyes.

A serious look washes over his features and I see his eyes harden. "He cannot get those rings."

"I'm glad there's a general consensus." Milo snorts, appearing next to us. "This is the map?"

I let out a sigh and nod. "I know there's a lot of ground to cover, but as you all know, cursed items are pretty easy to find when there are trained professionals looking for them."

"We should be fine if we split up. Half of this 50km radius is water which really only leaves us the North, West and South. We each take a section and try to find its signal. Whoever finds it first will use this to bring us over to them." Milo holds out his open hand to show familiar bracelets. It's the same one he had given to me not so long ago, but the color jewels are yellow and white instead of sapphire.