While the commotion was happening outside, worse could be said to be happening inside. In every corner of the palace, people were running helter-skelter. Despite the fact that all windows had been shut, the gust of wind still affected the palace, and it was as though the whole building was shaking. Things fell from their positions, people fell while running, and frightened screams echoed all around. The worst part was the fact that they didn't know where to run or hide. All they could do was lock themselves inside their chambers.
They were all certain about one thing. There was trouble!
And if those men dared break into the palace, it would be the end of the Moon Kingdom.
"I WILL NOT LET YOU LEAVE THIS ROOM UNLESS YOU WISH TO SEE ME DEAD!" Lance's mother yelled at him. Her actions were frantic, and she had tears of fear in her eyes.
The only thing the mothers could do now was gather their children while the fathers were out thinking of a solution to this madness.
"Then what am I supposed to do here? Does it make sense how they locked Princess Amber and her maid out of the palace?" He asked angrily.
He still could not believe how those men had shamefully connived to drag himself and Harvey away and lock Princess Amber out, despite the fact that she had been trying to save the guards who were trying to protect the palace!
"SHE IS A WITCH!" She shouted at him, reminding him. "I don't know how she possessed you to behave like this, but I will not let you put your life in danger again."
"Mother—"
"Do you know how scared I was when you left the first time to find her?"
He could see it. Her eyes were filled with fear. "I don't want to lose you. You are my world." Tears ran down her face, and she hugged him as she quietly cried.
Lance simply stood there awkwardly, and just then, the door opened and his father entered the room.
The woman broke free from the hug and turned to look at her husband with relief in her eyes as she cried out, "My Lord!"
"What are you doing here?" Lance asked his father when Sir Gregory shut the door quickly and looked at the two of them, sighing in relief when he saw his family safe.
"What... is the meaning of the question?" He asked Lance in confusion.
"Why are you here? Aren't the noblemen supposed to be doing something about this?" Lance asked, lost.
"What else can we do?" Sir Gregory asked him. "We cannot go outside, and there are not enough guards in the palace. Even though we have armies, how do we send news to them? I believe it would take a while before they get the news and get here too." He said this as he went to open a big chest and took out two swords, then threw one at Lance, who quickly caught it.
"We can only remain here and protect your mother."
Lance looked at the sword in his hand and then at his father in disbelief. "That is it? We are all just going to hide here and wait until they break down the doors and find us? Like cowards?"
"LANCE!"
Both his parents yelled at the same time as they looked at him with wide, confused eyes.
"This is unbelievable!" Lance said angrily. "Sir Harvey and I were dragged out of there, yet you have no plans?"
"DO NOT TALK TO YOUR FATHER LIKE THAT!"
"DO NOT YELL AT MY SON!" Sir Gregory snapped at his wife before he walked closer to where Lance stood and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"What has come over you recently, son? When did you start behaving like this?" He asked in a gentle tone.
"Is it because you lack gold? New fabrics? Is that what you miss? Your life outside of this place?" His father asked thoughtfully.
Lance's gaze as he looked at his father, and then he pondered the question.
What was it that he missed?
And then he said quietly, "I miss... my friends." He blinked.
Tears clouded his eyes as he looked at his father's gentle gaze.
"Son?"
"I... miss S-Susan." He said this in a heavy voice before he looked up and quickly wiped his tears.
Only three women had been able to make him raise eyebrows in admiration at their behaviour. Susan was one. Princess Amber was one. And Princess Amber's stupid maid, who always liked to cry but was tough sometimes, was another.
Susan was always ready to risk her life for others: to save Princess Amber from execution; to save Alvin from poison; to save her brother's life.
Princess Amber was the same. Always putting others first, she even tried to save the soldiers' lives when her own was at stake. And Paulina... despite how frightened she was, ran out before the door was locked.
Unfortunately, one of those three women was gone. And the other two were currently outside, and he wasn't sure if they were still alive.
"I have a good memory of the people I met here." He said softly to his parents, who were looking at him with concern.
"So... I am going to protect this place. Anyway... that I can."
"Lance..." His mother cried.
"Protect mother," He said to his father, then turned to look at his mother, who shook her head while crying. She didn't want him to leave.
"I love you, mother." He said to her and dropped a gentle kiss on her forehead. Without looking back, he held his sword tightly and left the room. All he could hear were his mother's loud cries amidst all the chaos in the palace.
In Lord Evan's chamber, almost the same thing was happening. Even though they were grieving, they could not ignore what was happening outside. Lord Evan had already left the chamber, so it was just Williams and his mother.
"Please... I have already lost Susan. I don't want to lose you too." Lady Victoria begged Williams, who had picked up his sword, which he had never used.
Williams looked thinner than he was. He was also pale and had obvious dark circles. He had spoken less, avoided his meal, and lived like he was not living, yet the first thing he wanted to do now was step out of the chamber? His mother didn't want to allow it.
"You hear that, mother?" He asked as he pointed at the window his father had shut before leaving earlier.
"That is a windstorm. That... is Princess Amber." He said, his eyes gleaming with hope. "I have been waiting for Princess Amber to wake up. Grandmother told me that witches can do the impossible—"
"Let us allow your sister to rest in peace—"
"NO!" He refused; his red eyes were filled with tears. "I will do anything I can to make sure she wakes up. Her body is still warm—"
"IT'S FROM THE POTION YOU'VE USED ON HER, WILLIAMS." She yelled. "Please wake up. You are making me very worried."
MOTHER!" He snapped at her. Something he had never done before. This startled Lady Victoria, and she flinched from reaching to touch him.
"I will not let anything happen to Princess Amber or Paulina." He said it with resolve.
"W-Williams... Please..." She begged and came closer to hold his hand, shaking her head in refusal.
"Mother... Please..." He pleaded too, with tears in his eyes. "I... cannot take this pain I am feeling. I don't want any more, mother."
It was the first time. The first time since Susan died that Williams was shedding tears openly. He had always suppressed it. Always muffled it.
She watched, heartbroken. She was a physician, but she could not heal the pain her little boy was feeling. She could not bring back her daughter either. She could only cry helplessly.
"Paulina..." Williams said weakly and fixed his gaze on his mother's face. "I... have had her in my heart from the first time I saw her. I cannot take it if anything happens to her too. I'm... already too deeply hurt in my heart."
Lady Victoria let go of him and used her hands to cover her mouth in shock as tears poured down her wide eyes that were staring at him.
"Please, Mother... please let me go." He cried.
Victoria closed her eyes before she slowly moved away from the door and turned to look away from him, sobbing quietly.
Meanwhile, outside, the windstorm was calming, but it was still difficult for the rogues to find their footing. However, none of it hindered Alicia. All she could think of was the battle before her. She had to win, even though she knew it was impossible.
But she had to. This was for her friends.
She was about to use the rein on Hellion when arrows came behind her, shooting down one of the rogues who was sneakily trying to shoot her.
She quickly looked behind her and was surprised to find Harvey on a horse approaching. He drew the bowstring again, shooting an arrow at another, and when his horse got closer, he threw a bowstring and pack of arrows at her, which she swiftly caught after dropping one of the swords and fastening the other onto Hellion after she mounted it.
Harvey was good at it. Despite the wind, his aim was precise and accurate.
"How did..." Alicia tried to ask how he was out here. But he beat her to it and answered,
"I'm good at using Windows." He said to her lightly, reminding her of the time he had sneaked in and out of her chamber the first time they met here.
Alicia smiled at him; she had never been so happy to see Harvey until this moment. His presence alone made her confidence soar.
"Shall we?" He asked.
"We shall." She replied and looked ahead, setting her bow with two arrows on the string.
She drew two at once.
She released.
And two more rogues fell to their deaths.
This was just the beginning.
The beginning of the end.
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