Chapter 237: What Prophecy?
"Your Majesty, Prince Ivan is alright," Damien said as he stepped forward.
Iskara’s gaze immediately shifted to his nephew and niece. At the sight of them, Duke Regulus Silver, who had arrived with the army, dismounted his steed and moved to stand in front of his son and daughter.
"Cece, Damien, what is the meaning of this?" Regulus demanded. "We received a disturbing report that Prince Ivan was in grave danger. Where is he? Answer the king."
"Father, the reports you all have received were not wrong. Prince Ivan was indeed in grave danger, but the situation is under control now-" Damien began to explain, only to be cut off as Iskara’s thinning patience finally snapped.
"If the situation is under control, then where is he? Why isn’t he here to see me?" Iskara’s expression darkened as his hand moved to the hilt of his sword. "Tell me, Damien, are you under any kind of pressure or threat because of them?" His piercing crimson gaze shifted to King Alaric and the officials as he pressed on, "...that you are not speaking the truth. I will cut down every threat myself if that is the case."
The menace in his words made the officials of Dartmouth tremble.
Cece pinched the bridge of her nose, knowing nothing would calm her uncle unless he saw Ivan with his own eyes. This was exactly why Ivan should have come himself, but the hopeless lover boy could not bring himself to leave Evelyn behind, even for a couple of minutes, which was why he had sent her and Damien to lead the king to him instead.
Stepping forward, she said, "Your Majesty, neither we nor Prince Ivan are under any threat. He is currently in a room, looking after..." She pressed her lips together briefly before continuing, "If you would come with us, we will take you to him. He can explain everything to you himself far better that way."
Iskara’s rage-filled eyes narrowed on King Alaric, and noticing it, Cece quickly added, "King Alaric has been helping us. In fact, he only recently woke from his illness."
Iskara’s and Regulus’s brows furrowed at her words, and they exchanged a brief look before Iskara replied, "Fine. Lead us there."
He then turned his cold gaze back on the trembling officials of Dartmouth and added in a low voice that was little more of a growl, "And if there is any funny business, make no mistake, it will not merely be a brutal war you will be facing."
His chilling warning made every person present swallow hard. They could only thank their stars that King Iskara had arrived today and not the day before, for had he seen the condition his son had been in then, not a single soul present would have been spared.
....
Inside the wing where Ivan was staying with Evelyn, every guard stationed there felt the overwhelming presence of Iskara and Regulus as they passed by, led by Cece and Damien, until they reached the doors to Ivan’s chambers. Iskara noticed Ivan’s loyal men, Alex and Caleb, standing guard outside. At the sight of their king, both men bowed deeply in respect.
Without a word, they opened the double doors.
Iskara stepped inside.
The moment he crossed the threshold, his eyes locked onto the broad, familiar back of the one person he could recognise anywhere. With his sense fully attuned to his surroundings, Ivan finally turned, his molten red gaze meeting his father’s.
They stood there in silence for a moment, simply staring at one another, before Iskara’s eyes softened visibly. He took a few steps forward until only a single step separated them.
It was Iskara who finally broke the silence, his voice breaking slightly as he said, "Son..." He lifted his arms in welcome, and without a word, Ivan stepped forward. The two men pulled each other into a tight embrace.
Iskara closed his eyes and released a long breath of relief, finally seeing Ivan whole and unharmed. He had been terrified when he received the urgent report from Alex, detailing how Ivan had fallen under the dark magic of the wicked Queen of Dartmouth, and how there had been no telling what might happen if no one intervened in time.
Iskara was a sharp man and had long been aware of the prophecy surrounding Ivan’s birth. Yet, much like Solan, he had chosen to keep it hidden, fearing that knowledge of it would draw those with ill intentions towards his young son.
But there had been a rat within their palace who had already tipped off the dark forces...and they did come after his son, leading to his wife, Queen Irene’s tragic demise on a night when he was not in the palace. After that, his mind was filled with nothing but pain and regret. Pain from losing the love of his life, and regret for not being there to protect his wife and son from those evildoers.
It was then that he vowed to protect his son with his very life, for Ivan was the only living symbol of the great love he had shared with his late wife. And so, he cherished and supported Ivan in every way possible, even after Ivan blamed himself for his mother’s death and distanced himself from everyone around him.
So yes, Iskara wasted no time. He immediately commanded the army of his kingdom and marched towards Dartmouth that very night, with the help of Regulus, determined to save his son and deliver cruel punishment to anyone who dared to harm him....his only beloved son, his pride and joy.
Iskara gave Ivan a firm pat on the back before they finally pulled apart, while the small audience of Damien, Cece, Regulus, and Edward watched the father and son’s reunion with gentle smiles.
Iskara’s dark crimson eyes swept over Ivan’s form, scanning him for any sign of injury. When he found none, his gaze returned to Ivan’s face, and he asked softly, "How are you, my son? Are you alright?"
"I’m fine, Father," Ivan replied softly. His molten red eyes then drifted to his father’s grand armour, and a small smile curved his lips. "It seems you came fully prepared to step onto a battlefield."
Iskara followed Ivan’s gaze to his armour and replied without hesitation, "You should expect nothing less from this father of yours if anyone dares to harm my son."
Ivan let out a short chuckle at his father’s words and nodded. His gaze then shifted to Regulus, who stood a few steps behind Iskara. Meeting Ivan’s eyes, Regulus stepped forward and pulled him into another firm yet warm embrace, which Ivan readily returned.
When they parted, Regulus smiled warmly, gave Ivan a reassuring pat on the back, and murmured, "I’m glad you’re well. You really had us worried back there."
"My apologies for worrying you all like this, Uncle Regulus. Things got a little messy here....I should have been more careful. In fact, I wouldn’t be here like this if not for-" Ivan’s eyes drifted to the unconscious Evelyn, tucked securely beneath the blanket.
Iskara and Regulus followed his gaze and finally noticed the familiar woman lying on the bed. The ease that had briefly left their expressions returned, their brows creasing once more.
"Is that....Princess Evelyn?" Iskara asked, his crimson eyes shifting back to Ivan in question.
"Yes," Ivan confirmed. "It is her."
"What happened to her? Is she sleeping?" Iskara asked, the same worry he had shown for his son earlier now reflected in his voice as he looked at Eve, who remained unmoving despite the noise in the room.
Ivan let out a quiet sigh. "She’s unconscious due to overexertion."
"Unconscious?" Iskara repeated, almost in disbelief, his eyes fixed on Evelyn’s peaceful, motionless form again.
"What happened?" Regulus asked as well, concern evident in his voice. Though he had not interacted with the princess in the past, he knew how important she was to his children and to Ivan himself, so he regarded her as one of his own and could not bear the thought of her being harmed.
"Why don’t you both take a seat, and I’ll explain everything," Ivan said, looking between his father and uncle, and they readily agreed.
Some time later, after Ivan finished recounting everything that had transpired over the past few hours, both Iskara and Regulus were left overwhelmed, struggling to process the weight of it all.
"So you both are the very same celestial beings who fought in the Great War of Dark Ruins?" Regulus asked, his voice thick with disbelief.
Ivan looked at his uncle and replied simply, "Yes..." His sharp eyes then shifted to his father, who sat quietly, as though the revelation was not entirely new to him.
Unable to hold back his curiosity, Ivan asked, "You don’t seem too surprised, Father."
Iskara met his son’s gaze before releasing a quiet breath. "There was a prophecy....at the time of your birth, Ivan."
Ivan’s stoic expression barely changed, but curiosity flickered in his eyes as he asked, "What prophecy?"
