Trapped In Hisstory

Chance stared outside the window. They have just gotten back in their carriage after leaving the Lanstone Manor.

Chance somewhat expected this outcome but he did not let go of the hope and the chance that the maid could be right. It would have been better if the girl was really Teri, but it was not. It was just the adopted daughter of his uncle, Nyssa Lanstone. 

But the information that he got about the Marquess made him think if he really had evil intentions of taking revenge for what Cadell did to him.

~~~~~

She turned her head to the Crown Prince, 'And she is not my sister." she added.

"As I thought. She does not have a silver hair, is she adopted then?" Chance asked.

"My father took her in after seeing her by the streets of Geminga's slums." She responded.

"Actually, Sir Albert and all of the servants here are people that my father took in. They have nowhere to go, nothing to eat and so he made them work for him so they could have their own shelter, food and work." 

~~~~~

The House of Lanstone was known for having a lot of servants, that was why Chance thought that the former King treated him well despite having him kicked out of the Royal Family. He thought that after placing him into the position of the Marquess, King Chrollo wanted to have a lot of people serve him so he could live a great life, and remove the guilt he had for disowning his own son. 

'But all the servants in Lanstone were actually taken in by the Marquess. Then they served him in return for his kindness.' Chance thought. 

'How could a person like that be evil? Is it really just a plan to get everyone on his side?' He continued thinking about the Marquess. If only he had Charles' memories where Charles was with the Marquess. Maybe that way he could know what his uncle was like to him.

Vanessa…'Is Lady Vanessa approaching me in the celebration part of his plan as well?' he thought.

He does not trust his cousin, but he does not know if Lady Vanessa was part of Marquess Calliwell's plan or if Lady Vanessa was really doing it on her own.

Which is using who? What are their intentions? He wondered. He should have stayed a bit longer in the Lanstone manor so he could ask her about her plans that she said 'would help the two of them'.

~~~~~

Vanessa smiled, "It seems you are now interested in me after what we talked about in the celebration."

Chance looked at her, "Indeed, I...am." he answered, not even denying it since it was true that Lady Vanessa's words were interesting and piqued his curiosity.

"But I am afraid I cannot tell you what I plan to do just yet. So you can leave and come again." she said with her hands held together as she stood gracefully. Despite having a calm and innocent look on her face, Chance felt the opposite about her.

"Such an indirect way of being rude, I came here and you are making me leave?" Chance said.

Lady Vanessa was about to say something but Chance raised his hand to stop her, "Do not worry, I do not need to hear whatever your plan is."

"It seems Sir Albert made a mistake and now you misunderstood." The Crown Prince said.

"I came here at the Lanstone Manor for a reason, but it is surely not because of you."

~~~~~

Seeing how she went ahead and told him that she cannot tell him what her plans were when he did not even ask for it, all the more she would not if he asked her now.

He was sure that Lady Vanessa would not utter a word about her intentions even if he returned to the manor of the Lanstones to hear from her.

'I even said that I did not need to hear whatever plan she had and that I did not come because of her.' he sighed.

'Next time I come to the Lanstone manor, it will surely be because of you?' he said in his mind, repeating the lady's words, 'Then, I will not come back.'

'I will not ask you about it, I will wait until you tell me your plans on your own.' he thought, after all, the Lady of the Lanstone needs the Crown Prince to do what she planned.

His hand made its way to his mouth and he started biting the nail of his thumb again. He should ask the servants again, the maid was wrong.

He has to find Teri. He has to know what Fate was hiding from him. 'Where...where could that little girl be?' 

He leaned his head to the side and tried not to think about it until they arrived back at the palace so his head would not hurt. 'At times like this, being with Caliber is the best.' he thought.

Caliber whispered in his ear, "I will have patience and wait for you, my prince."

Chance smiled, "I have something I need to do, you will wait?"

"Of course," Caliber said and held his hand, "I have plenty of time." he answered, referring to their extended stay in Antares.

Chance smiled, he just wanted to stop everything and just be with Caliber. Hugging him, being alone with him, and just loving each other without thinking about anything else.

'He said he would wait. I wonder what he is doing right now?' he thought, cannot wait to return to the palace.

He removed his gaze outside and glanced at his knight who was staring at him. "Alec?" he called out when he saw him keep staring at him.

Although he was staring at the Crown Prince, it seemed like he did not hear him. 'He was just looking my way, but his mind was away.' he thought.

He approached Alec and tapped his shoulder, but did not respond. He went to tap his cheeks but Alec remained silent. "Alec, earth to Alec!" 

Alec blinked and his eyes moved, he must have snapped out of his thoughts, Chance thought. He was startled when his knight's hand went to his cheeks, "Alec..?"

"You are the only one..." The Valorian knight muttered, making Chance perplexed.

"Pardon?"

Alec removed his hand on the Crown Prince's face, "Forgive me, Your Highness." he said.

Chance felt something different from his knight, he was still wearing a blank face like he usually does but it was different.

"Your Highness, whenever you try to find the little girl, promise me that you will always take me with you." he said and looked at the Crown Prince with seriousness.

Chance stared at him and finally had an idea of what he was thinking, "Alec, are you...still guilty about that time?"

"That time was my fault. It was a mistake of mine."

Chance sighed, "No, you are not to blame. You stayed because I ordered you to protect Louis." he said, referring back to the time where he was taken by the group of men and Lilith.

"You were always in danger whenever I was not around. I should have done a better job at guarding you."

"Alec, that is no—

"Please promise me that you will not go on your own. Please let me protect you. Please trust me."

Chance was stunned, it was his first time seeing Alec desperately telling him to always be with him.

Chance slowly nodded, "All right. I will. I apologize for worrying you all the time." he said.

Alec looked directly into his eyes, "I trust you."

-----

The carriage finally arrived at the palace and Alec opened the door for Chance. Chance stepped out and climbed the stairs with Alec by his side.

The two guards hit their staves to the ground as usual, "His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!" they announced.

This time, the door opened much faster than before. It was not like when he returned, not all the servants were gathered by the door to greet him, only the servants whose station was near the entrance. 'I guess that only happens whenever I am away for a long time.' Chance thought.

Alec and Chance climbed the stairs and made their way to the path that leads to Chance's chamber. Chance felt a bit awkward because his knight was sticking much closer to him than before, 'He was really serious about being beside me, huh?'

They arrived in his wing and saw the two aides of Canopus standing outside the room. "Sherin, Niro!" Chance greeted and the two smiled.

"Blessings from the Goddess."

"Is Caliber..?"

Niro smiled and raised his brows two times, "He is waiting for Your Highness inside." he said.

Chance chuckled at Niro who was obviously teasing him. "Thank you, all of you please stay there, I will go in now." he said and the three knights nodded.

The door closed and the three became silent as they were left alone by each other again. "Niro, stay here." Sherin said.

She looked at the Valorian, "You, come with me."

Niro furrowed his brow, "What? Where are you two going?"

"I have something to talk with him about.