Crowns of Heritage

Chapter 90- A Long Night (4)

(CHRISTIAN'S P.O.V)

I felt overwhelmed, the moment Valian said, his father may have found my mother. I couldn't believe it and became a little emotional. After Prince Moises comforted me. He and Valian left the rebels cabin, leaving only Nathan and I behind.

When Nathan mentioned the meeting with my uncle Count Livens. I felt instantly afraid knowing my uncle has been searching for my mother over the past few years.

My thoughts were interrupted when Nathan called my name. When I looked over at him, the anxiety I was feeling suddenly started to fade away. Since my original duty was to find Nathan and bring him to Count Livens because he wanted to recruit him. For some reason, I felt safe knowing he would be with me while I visited my uncle. Maybe, I won't be beaten this time.

“Christian, Did you hear what I said?”Nathan asked, as he took a step forward.

“No, sorry, I was lost in thought”, I replied.

Nathan walked closer to me and placed his hand on the top of my right shoulder.

“How about we rest here at the cabin until the morning. We can travel to the next town after we get a little rest”, He said.

After agreeing with him, we walked back into the cabin. Nathan and I walked into the medium-sized room that had two small beds. Sometimes, some of the rebel members would stay at the cabin if they ended up drinking too much during the meetings to sober up. I laid in the bed next to the window and Nathan laid in the other bed near the door.

“Nathan, I need a favor”, I said as I looked over at him.

“What is it?”, he asked as he looked towards me.

“No matter what happens after the meeting, please don't intervene”, I said.

“What do you mean?”, he asked.

“My uncle tends to get a little physical with me when something doesn't go his way.” I answered.

Nathan was quiet for a moment.

“Christian, have you learned any type of combat training?” He asked.

I was a little taken aback.

“Unfortunately, I only know a little swordsmanship," I answered. “Zachary's older brother Logan tried to teach me swordsmanship during his spare time. But growing up I wasn't allowed to learn anything except for what my uncle wanted me to know. After all, I was only meant to be his puppet” I answered.

Suddenly, Nathan got out of the bed and stood in front of me.

“If you want to protect your mother, you must learn to protect yourself first”, he said. “Does this group cabin have any weapons here?” He asked.

I nodded, “There's a couple of swords, spears, a few daggers, bows and arrows” I answered.

“Get up”, Nathan suddenly said.

Without saying anything, I got out of bed. Nathan asked me to lead him to the room where the weapons were stored. After walking to the closet, Nathan looked at me as if he was studying me. He suddenly grabbed two swords and two daggers.

“It sucks that the kingdom doesn't allow guns unless you're in the royal guards and military or a part of the high ranking nobles. I would've shown you how to use one without causing a commotion.” Nathan said as he handed me a sword and a dagger. “Looks like we won't be resting anytime soon”, he added and started to walk towards the front door of the cabin.

Nathan gestured for me to follow him. A few minutes later, we walked out of the cabin and walked towards the clear opening that was nearby.

“There's enough moonlight for us to practice with”, he said as he looked up at the sky.

He looked back towards me and pointed the sword towards me.

“I won't go easy on you because you are young. Sage and Rosemary are young as well. They are highly skilled in combat and have become even more skilled during the time they've trained. I put them through hellish training as they grew up so they would be able to protect themselves. I'll train you well” he said, and changed his stance.

I nodded my head and stood in the stance that Logan taught me. Nathan suddenly ran towards me and clashed his sword against mine. I barely had time to react but managed to place it against his sword before it could reach me.

“At least you have good reflexes”, he said as he took a few steps backwards.

He pointed his sword towards me again.

“Try to attack me,” he asked.

I nodded and rushed towards him and raised my sword but was immediately blocked as he deflected it.

“This won't do”, Nathan said and lowered his sword.

I felt a little nervous as it became silent. Nathan started to walk around me.

“Clear your mind and focus, you are too distracted by your thoughts” he said and placed his hand on my shoulder again.

After a couple of hours passed, I collapsed on the ground and laid there out of pure exhaustion. Nathan walked over and stood over me. For the first time in my life I felt at peace as I laid on the grass.

“Let's get some rest”, Nathan said.

“Can I call you master?” I asked, without thinking.

“Hell no”, Nathan responded.

We both started to laugh and Nathan reached his hand out and helped me off the ground.

(DUKE WINTER’S P.O.V)

It's been three hours since I've been in the office going through the various paperwork that involves the Winter Dukedom and Sage's succession.

Now that the rest of the paperwork was completed. The only thing remaining was Sage's management and military studies.

I'll have to adjust her schedule now that she has to deal with the Avaloria kingdom's delegations after the debutante. I thought as I looked at the calendar.

“Your Grace, it's getting late, it's almost four in the morning. You must watch your health”, butler Jackson said, as he stood next to me.

A thought suddenly crossed my mind as I looked over at Jackson.

“Jackson”, I said.

“Yes, your Grace,” he replied.

“When is your grandson returning to the kingdom?” I asked, curiously.

“In two weeks, your grace” he responded, “He plans to return after his graduation. It'll take a week to make it to the kingdom, since he is studying in the Nation of Katou.” He added.

Hmm, I thought for a moment.

“If he is interested, I would like to offer him a position within the castle. Sage will need an aide, and since they both lived in the Free Nation of Katou. I think he would be a great help to Sage. There aren't many people we can trust at the moment.” I said.

“I will send him a letter and ask him if he's interested”, Jackson said.

“Sage will need a couple of aides that are well suited. This kingdom will need a fresh pair of eyes. The future of this kingdom will be placed on the young nobles' shoulders, as the world continues to change.” I said, as I turned to look at Jackson.

“Your Grace”, Jackson was suddenly interrupted, after someone knocked on the door.

Jackson walked over to the door. When he opened it, Captain Capilano entered the office.

He bowed his head before approaching the desk. After bowing, Captain Capilano handed me the documents he was holding.

“Your Grace, the knights who left to check the border have returned. As reported, the border is still being repaired and wasn't involved in another attack. Sir Vero carried out a brief inspection of the border wall and it should be fully repaired by next week.” Captain Capilano reported.

“Excellent, I'll have to fit visiting the border into Sage's schedule once it's repaired.” I said as I looked up at Captain Capilano.

Captain Capilano bowed again and was about to leave the office. I called out to him before he could walk to the door.

“Captain Capilano, Is your eldest daughter still interested in becoming a palace official?” I asked.

Captain Capilano nodded his head, “Yes, your grace, she is currently studying at the Saylor Academy for Nobles.” He replied.

Hmm, I thought.

“She wrote in her letter that she will be attending the debutante with one of her classmates, your grace” Captain Capilano mentioned.

“Great, I would love for her to become one of Sage's aides. Since she will need her own staff of people once she takes over the Dukedom.” I said.

Unexpectedly, someone knocked on the door and Captain Capilano walked over to answer it.

“Sir Alan”, Captain Capilano said as he opened the door.

Captain Capilano slightly stepped to the right side of the door. Sir Alan walked into the office and bowed his head.

“Your Grace, I came to inform you that Captain Dillard of the royal knights has arrived. He said the situation is urgent” Sir Alan reported.

Without a second thought, I rose out of my chair and walked towards the door. Captain Capilano, Butler Jackson and Sir Alan followed behind me as we left the office.

We walked through the hallway until we reached the main area of the castle.

“Your Grace”, Captain Dillard said as he bowed his head.

“What is the urgency and where is Morgan?” I asked.

Captain Dillard lifted up his head and began to speak.

“Your Grace, please follow me and I'll explain the situation.” Captain Dillard said.

I walked outside of the castle alongside Captain Capilano, Captain Dillard and Jackson followed behind us. I noticed the large carriage sitting a few yards away from the castle. The four knights that were dressed in black clothing bowed their heads as soon as they saw me walking towards them.

“Your Grace, Prince Morgan ordered us to escort the young women to the castle.” Captain Dillard said as I noticed the young women that were sleeping inside of the carriage.

Captain Dillard started to explain the situation. When I learned the women came from Marquess Francis estate. I turned towards Butler Jackson.

“Prepare them a room in the left wing of the castle. Take them to the maids quarters. I'm sure they would want to share a room with each other while they stay in an unfamiliar place. I'll move them to one of our private villas. They need to be protected until the trial. In the morning, have Angela pay them a visit. The more evidence the faster we can charge those bastards for their crimes”, I said.

“As you wish, your Grace” Jackson said, and slightly bowed.

I turned towards Sir Alan, “That carriage, have the valet placed in the area with the vehicles.” I said and watched as Sir Alan bowed as well.

“Captain Dillard, will Morgan be arriving anytime soon?”, I asked, as I looked over at him.

“Yes, your grace but I'm not sure when he will arrive. The rest of the knights are still searching the forest for other carriages” He answered.

(NATALIE'S P.O.V)

We were leaving out of the cabin, when some of Prince Morgan's knights returned after searching the forest for more carriages. When Prince Morgan mentioned their only one carriage and the other one was supposed to leave tomorrow night. Prince Morgan sent the rest of his knights to Marquess Francis' estate to capture him and bring him to the castle.

One of his knights remained and held onto the man who had been captured. Prince Morgan decided to spare his life and arrested him as well.

We climbed onto the horses and began traveling back to the castle.

“What are you going to do about that bastard Prince Marshall? Isn't Marquess Francis one of his advisors?” I asked Prince Morgan as I rode beside him.

“Marshall won't be able to intervene in the investigation unless he wants to be put under suspicion and have his coronation pushed back or even have his crown prince title stripped away from him. He won't have no choice but to follow the law. Since my father is the one who put me in charge of the investigation. I'm going to use the authority my father gave me to my advantage. My plan is to put pressure on Count Livens and capture him before the coronation.”, Prince Morgan said.

A thought suddenly crossed my mind.

“Are you trying to buy Moises some time?”, I asked, curiously.

Prince Morgan chuckled.

“I am.” He said, “My plan is to prove my brother's innocence during the trial. My grandfather and I have been preparing for years. The only missing piece to the puzzle is Macy Livens. Once we find her, we'll have the answers we've been searching for. Something happened between her and Queen Lily before she was poisoned. Five years after my brother was exiled. I learned Count Livens was involved in the murder of Queen Lily and had framed my brother after he became one of Marshall's advisors. Which was a little strange to me, but then I found out Macy Livens was his sister. Queen Lily had always shown her hatred towards Macy Livens as long as I could remember. Unfortunately, I was sixteen years old at the time of my brother's exile. So I was too young to do anything” He explained.

After Prince Morgan gave me his explanation, we rode the rest of the way in silence. We traveled through the forest for another two hours. Until we reached the Winter Dukedoms territory, The city of Casu.

We traveled through the city for another hour or so until we made it near the castle gates.

“Isn't that the Chief?” I heard Josie say.

When I looked ahead I noticed my father in the distance. It was always easy for me to notice him due to his familiar body frame. Josie and I rode past Prince Morgan towards my father and called out to him. Prince Morgan followed behind us as we approached him.

“Natalie” my father said, as he looked towards Jose, Prince Morgan and I.

Prince Morgan introduced himself and so did my father.

I instantly noticed it was only him and Axel.

“Where is Saul?” Josie and I asked, at the same time.

“He's currently tracking a woman who might be Macy Livens. It's been a couple of hours. I told him to follow her until he gets a location”, my father answered as he looked directly at us.

My eyes widened.

“What? Are you sure? How did he find her?” Prince Morgan asked as he stood beside me.

My father looked over at Prince Morgan.

“While we were at the tavern, a woman bumped into me as she entered the tavern while we were leaving. At first she caught my attention from how she was dressed. After we left the tavern, she followed us until we made it to the entrance of the forest and asked if we were bounty hunters and she mentioned she was trying to find her son and save him. When Saul asked what his name was, the woman said his name was Christian and the last time she saw him was when he was born and was taken from her. When I asked if her name was Macy Livens, she got scared and ran away” my father explained.

“We must find that woman”, Prince Morgan said, in a serious tone.