The Rebelero Brothers' Curse

Twenty-Seven

*Celeste's POV*

After my dear nephew left me, it took me hours to recover consciousness. No one came for me. I often slept in this room mourning the loss of my sister and nephew, so many left me with my grief.

He took my memory. He violated my thoughts for his own gain. I couldn't remember what it was anymore, but I know it had to be about his mother. He would find her before Lucian. He's making sure of that.

I sent a silent prayer to the Great Spirit. There has to be something that we can do.
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*Lucian's POV*

I stood outside the gates of hell and contemplated going in. I have been doing so for the last 30 minutes. I couldn't stand to think that I would have to humiliate myself in front of him and give him what he wants.

"Your majesty, can I help you? Should I call your father?"

"No!" I said a little to quickly. Clearing my throat I started again. "No, there is no need to call my father over at this hour. I'm fine, just thinking. I'm going inside now anyway."

The guard gave me a strange look, but he just shrugged his shoulders and he left me with my thoughts.

I hesitantly entered the gates. I would go through the front doors like a normal man would. If Adrian were watching he wouldn't be able to tell where or how I was hiding the amulet. As soon as the door shut behind me, the air felt heavy and suffocating. There was no turning back now.

I quickly made my way down the cooridor to the East wing. Very few knew about the tunnels and even fewer knew how to open them. David taught me how to navigate them as a young boy. He isn't too fond of closed spaces, but he valued their use.

I thought carefully about where I should hide it. The web of tunnels had odd entrances and exits and some of them were hard to get in or out of.
Some even had dead ends because of the changes made to the palace when my father became king.

I knew exactly where to hide it though. I stopped in the middle of the cooridor right outside my father's study. I knew he was not in there so I'd be safe for now.

I take in my surroundings and sure enough no one is around me to witness what I'm about to do. Placing my hands on the wall, I recite the incantation I spent nights as a child memorizing.

'Magna Spiritus beati esse: quod est revelare solum mihi populus mittat manum. Aperire ostium, ut hunc ego te obtestor,' I said in the language of my ancestors.

(Great Spirit, blessed be, reveal only to me what it is you conceal. Open the door, to you this, I implore.)

The wall creaked softly as it opened. Before me was a pitch black entrance that was no wider than a single person could fit. I stepped through without the need of light. My eyes allowed me to see in the absence of light.

I walked 10 feet forward before making a sharp left. It got smaller and tighter here. So much so that I had to walk with my head down. I came up to a small set of stairs that led to nothing. Above it is my father's bedroom. After he reconstructed that room, they sealed the original floor with 2 different layers of stone. The door in the floor can never be opened again. Well, at least not easily.

Inside this nook there is a small concave part of the wall that would be perfect to hide the amulet in. I have it wrapped up in a black velvet pouch that would blend in perfectly with the darkness. The impulse to put it on and leave with it is strong, but thinking about Jessamine made me leave it and in a hurry.

Instead of exiting where I entered, I back tracked far enough to go right instead of left. Down the right path, I let my memory take me to where I knew my father would be.

The tunnel opened in the cooridor that leads to the throne room. It took everything in me to walk to that room and face him. I did not fear him, but my dignity was about to be dragged through the mud.

I pull open the heavy throne room door and sure enough my father is sitting on his throne. His back against one arm rest and his legs thrown over the other. He has a book in his hands and even as I approached him, be did not look up from his book.

"Father?"

He still did not look to acknowledge me.

I slowly got down on one knee, with my head bowed and began to stroke his ego. "Father, I've returned home. I was wrong to act the way I did. I shouldn't have been so stubborn. I should've listened to you. This is where I belong, by your side. I am deeply sorry for-" He cut off my rambling by throwing his book at me.

It hit my shoulder and I almost laughed at his childish action. Instead I shut my mouth and stay still. He hops off of his throne and circles me as if I were his prey.

Suddenly I felt a stinging on my cheek where he struck me. I saw it coming but it angered me nonetheless.

He tips my chin up so I'm looking at him. My eyes are a cool blue and I do my best not to let my anger get the best of me. His gaze was cold and those brown depths held a hint of cruelty that I always knew was there.

He laughs at me. "Gifted you are, are you not? Well you can not hide your anger from me young man. Your gift betrays you."

I did not respond knowing my voice would betray me too.

"I knew you would come back eventually. You are very fortunate you know? Living in this comfortable palace is hardly resistable for anyone. Tell me, who helped you this whole time?"

"I have many friends among the commoners father."

"Ha! Friends with the commoners? Only because of the title I've given you. Don't be a fool." He laughed at me.

"Whatever you say father." I said with no emotion while staring up at him blankly.

"Well it does not matter who helped you. You are home once again. You will be forgiven this time Lucian. Let's hope there is not a next time, because I think you and I both know, it will not end well or you."

Dead first old man. I bit my tongue to hold back my smart remarks.

"Now, today, once the people are out on the streets. You will leave this place and make sure you are seen leaving the palace, with a smile on your face, and report to training. This afternoon you leave for Rolon as an ambassador to speak to King Daniel."

"Yes Father." I knew that was coming too.

He let my face go and pat my cheek. "Good boy. Now go find David."

I was very annoyed, but I got up silently and turned away to leave.

"Oh and Lucian?"

I stopped mid step, but didn't turn to face him. "Yes Father?"

"Don't be an idiot to tell anyone about Queen Rose. That is my business. Not yours. I will see you at dusk with David by the East forest."

I didn't say anything but instead left, seething with anger.

He wants me killed. Going to Rolon now is suicide and he knows it. Killing me wouldn't be his chore. It had to be someone else's. He would justify killing me himself. He wants his secret to go to the grave with me.

I'll go, but I won't give him the satisfaction of dying. Convincing king Daniel to hold off on war would be difficult, but I'm going to have to try.

A/N

Hey all, here's another one! I have a few more chapters waiting to be published. So please bear with me!

Let me know what you guys think and don't forget to comment, share, and vote!

Cheers!

C