Meanwhile…

  The royal chamber was dim, lit by the candles and the firepce. The only sound breaking the silence was the faint clinking of utensils against porcein ptes.

  The King’s gaze never wavered as he studied his son, who sat across from him. "I thought you were wiser, Aldric. But to show such favor to a viscount’s daughter so openly before everyone…" he let out a slow breath, shaking his head, "That was not the decision of a future king."

  "I believe Lady Bianca is more suited for the position of the Crown Princess," The Crown Prince said. His light gray eyes, inherited from his mother, were fixed on the food as he spoke, "Her academics were outstanding, and her beauty and charm will please the people. She would do the Kingdom a great service. Much greater than Lady Celine ever would. The faster everyone realizes her worth, the better it is for them."

  "So? Where exactly is that prized Lady Bianca now?" the King asked, a slight scoff pying across his lips, "You were so eager to break the engagement with Lady Rochefort and yet you’ve pced your hopes in a woman who seems to be, what — missing in action? Do you think me a fool, Aldric?"

  "I don’t need your mockery, Father," Aldric stopped eating, jaw tightening, "The more time we are wasting on this conversation, the farther away she might be."

  The gss shattered against the wall, missing the Crown Prince by a margin, the wine spttering everywhere.

  "Diamante Kingdom is at war against the South Alliance. The border has become unstable and the security isn't as tight as before, and you want me to retreat our soldiers so you can rescue some random dy from the clutches of her kidnappers? Whoever they are?! You think our enemy would just sit around and wait for you, and give you the time to come to her rescue?!"

  "Father—"

  "Enough! You should focus on mending your retionship with Lady Rochefort. She at least is still in reach," the King said, "The only way to save Lady Bianca is by winning the war, and securing a victory. Only then would Diamante's name alone be enough to scare off your enemies."

  The King paused, studying his son's reaction. When Aldric looked back at him, ready to protest, he sighed, taking a deep breath, "I never wished to say this, for it would reveal the truth…” he set his knife down, his voice growing heavier, “...that our dynasty's greatest accomplishments were not solely due to our royal blood.”

  Aldric frowned, unsure where this was going.

  "You may not have realized it," the King said, "but the Rocheforts have always carried a secret. One I have known for years but never spoken aloud." His foot tapped an uneven rhythm against the floor. "They give birth to the most brilliant minds, the most gifted talents. My own great-grandmother was a Rochefort, and because of that blood, my grandfather became a ruler of unmatched wisdom. It was his mind that allowed Diamante’s territories to expand as they did in his time."

  Aldric's frown deepened, but he didn’t interrupt.

  "The power they once wielded could have crushed the Diamante Kingdom had they wished." The King’s voice grew tight. "But now? Now, they are only a shadow of their former selves. We saw their threat, we prepared, and we won. All thanks to this—" He pointed at his blue eyes. "This… blue inheritance, that should have been ours, was usurped by the Rochefort. We've been reciming it since.”

  "Are you saying Lady Celine carries the same inheritance?" Aldric asked, not bothering to hide his skepticism.

  The King exhaled sharply, his fingers curling into a fist. "I thought she was born faulty… or at least I used to think. There were times I questioned if she was even a Rochefort at all, if she was merely a blue-eyed scapegoat to cover for another heir beside her te brother." His gaze dropped to his pte. "But I’m not so sure now," he mumbled, "I've been searching for the hidden heir for nearly a decade, yet there’s been no trace of anyone. That’s why I agreed to break off the engagement. I thought it would be an opportunity to see how far her true worth could reach, to see what impact she would have on the Rocheforts' cn as a whole."

  Aldric’s brows knit together. "Why tell me this now?"

  The King shook his head, his foot tapping harder against the floor. His thoughts seemed to drift, no longer focused on his son. "I shouldn't have agreed to break your engagement," he murmured. "I thought she would be the end of Rochefort’s line, but now, I am starting to believe she is its beginning."

  Paranoia crept into The King’s expression, his head snapping up. "Where is she?!" His voice rose, urgent, almost frantic. "Where is Celine Rochefort?!"

  Aldric, always the picture of a son carved from duty, felt a ripple of unease beneath his usual coldness. "Father," he said, “You've been under a lot of pressure tely. Don't worry. I've dealt with Lady Celine. Personally. But if it helps you calm down, I'll ensure she poses no further… complications.”

  "Find her and bring her back!" the King roared, "She cannot give birth to a secret that could destroy the kingdom! I should have known better than to let her escape!" He stood up and began to pace around, "She likes you, doesn't she? She must be devastated and lonely, and will come running into your arms once you find her."

  It was Aldric's first time seeing his father like this. The man who was the strongest and the smartest person he ever knew, was now losing his mind over a myth that his ancestors passed down to him.

  Aldric was always at the top of the css, top in military training, and even a genius with the sword and the bow. He was everything a future king could be, and that was why the current King never mentioned it until now. He thought he didn't need the Rocheforts' “blessing” to bring greatness to the Diamante Kingdom.

  But now, Aldric’s capabilities were being questioned. Because his eye color wasn't the same as his father, and his grandfather, and all those who came before him and after his great great grandmother.

  "The Viscount’s daughter's disappearance could be Lady Celine's doing," the King muttered, calming himself down. He hid the slyness in his eyes, and looked up at his son, "Only she would have the audacity to make such a bold move. It's her revenge for ruining her marriage prospects, no doubt. Look for Lady Celine, and you'll find the missing girl."

  Prince Aldric stood up. His appetite was long gone, and he didn't have time for his father's nonsense. He made a deal with Celine just a few days ago, and she seemed like she would honor it. Nevertheless, it was better to start somewhere than to look aimlessly.

  "I'll take care of it," Aldric said, lowering himself onto one knee. "Leave everything to me, father."

  "Yes...yes, you're right.” The King's slumped on his chair, "You're the Crown Prince, her favorite person. This should be easy for you. I trust you will do the right thing. Go. Find her and bring her back."

  Aldric left the chamber, his father's words fading behind him.

  Only one person could offer the assistance he needed right now: Lucian Arclight.

  Lucian's network reached beyond Diamante's borders. Aldric needed his connections to locate Bianca.

  The arson and her disappearance weren't mere coincidences. Someone had made a move on the Diamante Kingdom, and it could possibly be the Southern Alliance.

  Southern Alliance was a group of smaller kingdoms that joined forces to protect their common interest. Their main goal was to take back the nd the Diamante Kingdom cimed and seized years ago.

  They took advantage of Rochefort's decline in power, and almost won five years ago. However, the Duke, along with his allies, pushed them back, but it wasn't a victory. The border remained unstable and the fighting never truly stopped.

  Aldric had personally led many attacks and raids, and had gained the experience and the reputation. The King entrusted him with the troops, the soldiers, the spies, and everything else that allowed the Diamante Kingdom to prevail against its enemies.

  Now, everything was taken away from him, and all because he went against his father's orders. He lost his right to command his own soldiers, and had been demoted to a mere figurehead.

  The only way to earn back his privileges was to prove himself, and bring Celine back.

  That woman only ever caused him trouble. If it was up to him, he would have hanged her long ago.

  But the King's word was absolute.

  Aldric had to find her, and drag her back to the castle, whether she liked it or not.