When the king, Alexander, woke up, Miguel was gone. He had slept the entire night, which was the longest sleep he had had for years. But his attention didn't last on Miguel's disappearance as the boy beside him carried a face of a human.
Alexander thought it was Miguel at first sight because the child looked exactly like him. A child's version. If not for the birthmark on his nape, the king wouldn't recognize his own son.
His surprise and confusion at the shocking day he woke up to be calmed down by a note Miguel left.
[ I didn't mean to lend my face to your son. Take it as the little consequence of the spell. Your son and your future children will live a normal life. ]
There was no detail if Miguel would ever come back or why he left so suddenly. However, the king's gratitude to him lasted until his last breath.
The very next day, the king announced his son's first public appearance. Everyone was excited. The Queen was in disbelief upon seeing her son, but happiness quickly overwhelmed her confusion.
At last, the crown prince's curse was lifted.
That was what the queen thought. That was what the king said, after all.
The crown prince's first public appearance captured the hearts of their people. He was beautiful like a cherub. Although he didn't quite resemble his parents with such unparalleled beauty, his green hair and eyes — a signature feature of the royal family — proved Davien was royalty.
Soon, the terrible rumors that rose from the royal family's reluctance to show the prince died down. The prince lived a life loved by his people; his intelligence, strength in battle, and charisma made him the perfect crown prince.
Years passed and the royal family grew bigger; every prince or princess that was born into the family carried undeniable beauty. But the one who stood out the most was Princess Aries Aime Heathcliffe.
They said the day she was born, all flowers in the kingdom bloomed beautifully. Even as a child, everyone already knew she would grow into a fine young lady. They weren't wrong.
At her coming-of-age ceremony, Aries was akin to a star. She had the beauty of a goddess who had descended into the mortal world. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say many young men fell on their knees upon setting their eyes on her.
That was why… No one found it surprising when the crown prince of the Maganti fell in love with her at first sight. It was also not a surprise the entire Rikhill was furious upon hearing this crown prince wanted to make her concubine.
And thus, the disaster that befell the kingdom of Rikhill.
The land of Rikhill had faced its own ups and downs. Unbeknownst to them, the person who solved the forgotten dilemma of the royal family also had struggles of his own.
As a consequence of lending a part of himself to the Heathcliffe royal family, Miguel experienced things he shouldn't have. He felt every deep emotion Davien felt. His mind was torn until the young boy's memories became a part of his own.
On top of his personal struggle, Miguel had to compete with Maximus IV. After all, the man showed no reservation as soon as Miguel returned to the Mainland.
At that time, Maximus IV was already proclaimed as the crown prince. The king had also fallen ill and because of his deteriorating health; he wasn't as active as he used to be in the royal court.
In other words, Maximus IV took over the royal court.
Maximus IV obviously didn't favor Miguel. Even if he did, Miguel could never lower his guard since he already knew the prince's true colors. However, it was as though Maximus IV had everything under control.
He would make his move every time Miguel was suffering from the spell he put upon the Heathcliffe family and himself. This went on for many years until Miguel realized he stepped into Maximus IV's trap.
The spell Maximus IV cast on the royal family in the kingdom of Rikhill was not to punish Alexander. It was because he knew Miguel was foolish, and would do anything to put a patch on the problem.
Therefore, Miguel had no other choice but to erase that part of his memory. He asked Giselle for help, telling her to lock away the memories he had about Alexander but keep his connection with them.
Miguel begged her; something he wouldn't do, but he did.
Hence, Giselle fulfilled his wish. She locked away Miguel's treasured memories about the outside world to focus on his patient battle against Maximus IV.
The battle between Maximus IV and Miguel was still ongoing even when Maximus IV died.
******
[ PRESENT TIME ]
A tear rolled down Aries's unblinking eyes after having the privilege of learning about that time in Rikhill. She had seen everything thanks to Miguel, who showed her the truth behind his face.
'I'm… wrong,' she thought, rendered speechless at this revelation. It was not Miguel who borrowed Davien's face, nor was it an illusion they looked alike.
The truth was far from all the theories she had all this time. Miguel lent a part of him so they could live a normal life, not knowing it was a part of Maximus IV's plans.
"I… we are not your enemy, Your Majesty." Miguel broke the prolonged silence in the great hall with an affectionate voice. "Do you now understand the reason we are fighting?"
Her lower lip quivered. Not only did she see the past of her motherland, but she had also seen Miguel's struggles and discoveries.
Now she completely understood why they were all in this situation. It was all part of Maximus's plans. The curse in Rikhill, the reason Aries was chosen as Maleficent's holder, and the involvement of the Grimsbanne clan.
"Maximus IV loathed the mainland and everyone in it with intense passion," Miguel continued, just in case she still doubted the truth. "Therefore, he provoked the Grimsbanne to end this land once and for all. That was his goal from the beginning."
Follow current novels on freewe(b)novel.c(o)m