With the soldiers and guards fighting against Colson Leland's men, General Randal and Theo soon forced their way inside the room where the Crown Prince was held. When they suddenly opened the door, Alena's eyes grew wide in shock!
"Theo!" she exclaimed and quickly turned back to Crown Prince Emor. "Look, Emor! Theo is here!"
The Crown Prince pushed himself up and turned to his right-hand man whom he haven't seen for months now.
"Your Highness," Theo muttered and walked closer to the Crown Prince. "What happens to you? Are you alright?"
"How did you come here?" Crown Prince Emor asked. "What about the men outside?"
"Don't worry, Your Highness. The soldiers already take care of those men," Theo replied and briefly glanced at his friend. "General Randal followed Colson Leland today and saw you. Then he brings the soldiers to take you out of here."
Hearing this, Emor Tripas shifted his gaze to the familiar General who bowed before him.
"Let's leave this place first, Your Highness," Theo said to the Crown Prince. "We need to ensure your safety." He held the Crown Prince's arm while being cautious not to touch his body and Alena quickly did the same.
With General Randal leading the way, they walked out of the room and then went down to the lower floor where the soldiers had already taken care of all the Minister's men.
"Please leave with the guards, Your Highness," General Randal said to Crown Prince Emor when they were on the lower floor. "I will clean up things here with the soldiers."
"Will that be alright? What if Colson Leland comes here with more of his men?"
"We will be fine, Your Highness. Please don't worry and return to the palace first," the General replied with his gaze lowered.
Crown Prince Emor glanced around his surroundings and looked at the soldiers who stood still in their place, lowering their gaze just like their General. Then he nodded and turned back to Randal. "Fine. However, you should come and meet me after you wrap up things here."
"I understand, Your Highness."
With that said, the Crown Prince left the place with his guards and Alena. Though it was hard for him to ride a horse in his current situation, he managed to do it with much struggle and finally reached the palace after almost two hours. Then after months, he was finally back to his own chamber.
Staring at the Crown Prince who appeared weaker after riding a horse for more than an hour, concern was written all over Theo's face. "Please have some rest, Your Highness. I will tell the royal doctor to check on you."
"There is no time for that," Emor Tripas muttered and sat on the bed. "Is the Captain of the Palace Guards here in the palace right now?"
Theo nodded his head. "The Captain is here, Your Highness. Not only him. His Majesty said it will be good for the Captain of the Royal Guards to be here in case I find you. The Vice-Captain of the Royal Guards followed his His Majesty in the Captain's place."
"Then tell the Captain of the Palace Guards to meet me. We don't have time to lose."
Though Theo was worried about the Crown Prince's condition, he also knew that he had a point.
"Yes, Your Highness." He bowed and walked out of the Crown Prince's chamber right away.
"You should go home and rest too, Alena. It's late and in case Colson Leland makes a move, I will tell the guards to escort you back," Emor said to his friend who was standing a few steps away. "Your mother is very worried about you."
Alena thought about it and asked, "What about you?"
"I will first ensure the stability of the palace and the throne. I have to stop Colson Leland for that," Emor promptly replied. "Then I will go to the border and stop my uncle."
Though he wanted to depart now, he can't do that before taking care of that Minister.
Soon enough, Colson Leland will know that he was back to the palace and... what if he try to take over the throne because of that?
A coup.
It will only shed blood!
"The border is too far," Alena stated. "It's hard for you to even ride back to the palace. How will you make it there?"
"I have to," was the Crown Prince's response. Though his voice was calm, his eyes hinted at determination.
"Then I will go the border with you," Alena said, making him sigh.
"Your mother -"
"I trained with you, Emor. I can also fight," Alena insisted. "Your wounds aren't even healed yet and I want to look after you." She narrowed her eyes and muttered, "Though I can't do much."
The Crown Prince quietly stared at his friend before he eventually relented. "Fine. But go home first. You've been missing for months and your mother is worried."
Just when he finished talking, there was the sound of knocking on the door and when he responded, Captain Sewal walked inside with Theo.
"Let someone escort Alena to her house," the Crown Prince said to Theo who promptly nodded and left with Alena.
Captain Sewal was quite confused when the palace guards informed him about the return of the Crown Prince. Even when he saw the latter with his own eyes, he was still feeling surprised!
Nevertheless, he got down on his knees. "Greetings, Your Highness."
"I want you to tighten the security of the palace right away, Captain Sewal," Crown Prince Emor promptly said, getting right on point. "From this moment on, no outsiders should enter without my permission."
Though the Captain was now feeling more confused, he couldn't bring himself to ask the reason. "I understand, Your Highness."
One thing crossed the Crown Prince's mind and he said, "General Randal will come later. As I summon him, you can let him in. However, no one else should enter until further orders, all the officials are no exception."
"Minister Colson too, Your Highness? Due to you and His Majesty's absence, Minister Colson is the one taking charge of -"
"I'm already back," Emor Tripas said in a somewhat cold voice.. "Now, the one taking charge is me."
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