Trapped In Hisstory

A lot of thoughts invaded Chance's mind. He had thought of different possible scenarios of what may happen when he is in front of the king. The first time he met the king was not really a pleasant memory, and he doubts that today would be any better.

When the king of Antares told him that he does not care what others think and that he should call him 'father' he thought that maybe he and Charles have a good relationship. He thought he was a kind and doting father, not someone to worry about.

But then he was wrong.

For someone he first met, King Cadell had already shown him how ruthless he could be by ordering the execution of the male prostitutes on the day of the celebration of his birthday. From then on, Chance decided that the King of Antares was someone he would never want to meet often.

But not meeting King Cadell was impossible, for Chance lives in the palace of Antares and Cadell Howard was the king of the Antares Kingdom. Moreover, Charles is the Crown Prince. The King would surely request to see him often.

The servant they were following stopped, Chance almost bumped into him because he was lost in thoughts but Alec extended his arm in front of the Crown Prince, "We have arrived, Your Highness." he said near his ear to snap Chance out of his thoughts.

"Oh," Chance muttered when he had come to reality. 

The servant looked over to the knights guarding the doors. "Blessings from the Goddess, Your Royal Highness." the two knights greeted and Chance nodded at them, accepting their greetings.

The two knights at both sides of the door raised their staves and hit them down on the ground three times like before, to make those inside aware that there will be someone entering. "His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, and His Excellency have arrived!" they announced in a loud manner of voice to inform those who are inside.

A few seconds after the announcement, the doors have opened, leading them to meet the King at the end of the large room. The two of them entered the room, along with the servant who guided them.

Every step he made felt heavy, making him feel as if time were so slow. His thoughts started to race once again, but his feet just controlled him, walking towards the middle of the room. Meters away from the King.

The two of them stopped, and the servant knelt and bowed with his head on the ground. "They have arrived, Your Majesty." the servant said.

"You may now go." King Cadell ordered, and the servant slowly stood up, bowed his head, and turned around to exit the room.

Chance snapped out of his thoughts as it was not the time for him to think deeply. He raised his gaze and saw three seats. In the middle, sitting on the throne, was King Cadell Howard, and the one sitting on his right with a slight smile was a lady he was not familiar with. He had never seen her, probably because his stay in Antares was short then he went to Canopus.

"Blessings from the Goddess, Glory to Antares, Your Majesty." he greeted.

He could not help but glance at the person beside the King. The lady was gorgeous; she does not look young but her skin was still smooth and flawless. The lady has a long and wavy blonde hair that goes past down her waist and eyes with amber color. She had a slim, voluptuous figure with long, willowy limbs. Even with just one glance, one could tell that she is a noble, no matter how she dresses. She emits grace just by sitting there and looking at him with a smile.

'B-beautiful...' Chance thought. But he wondered what the relationship between this lady and his father has.

Chance looked at the lady, as she felt strangely familiar to him. When he had stared at him enough to process it on her mind, he almost gasped in realization. She looked like a few years older version of Milla! But the cafe owner had blue eyes, not amber.

He looked perplexed. First was a younger version of Milla and now he was witnessing an older version of Milla!

"Welcome back, my son." he threw away his thoughts aside as the King of Antares greeted him with a slight smile. Although he was smiling, he could tell that everything would go well.

"I am grateful for your order of my return." Chance said, as he bowed his head and raised his hand.

He was nervous, he still has not been able to meet the one who rules Canopus and yet he is standing before the King of Antares. King Cadell's order was very clear, 'Not until you meet the king of Canopus, do not return to Antares.' 

But he has not even met the king, but he had to return for the celebration.

"I made you return because of the celebration. If I wait for you to meet the Canopus King before you could return, who knows how long you would stay there." the king responded. His tone made it obvious that he was disappointed that his son did not even meet Leonidas even once.

"The celebration, you must prepare for it. I do not want you to disappoint me in front of all nobles gathered there." he said, looking at the Crown Prince directly in the eyes, and Chance tried his best not to tremble and look weak.

The lady by his side put her hand on the King. "He has just returned from Canopus. No need to be hard on your son." the lady said, trying to make the King relax.

"I suppose you are right, Caroline."

Chance looked at the lady as soon as he heard the name. He remembered the letter he had read back in Canopus. From what he remembered, Lady Caroline was the Consort of King, as mentioned in the letter. He suddenly recalled the royal portrait in his room. Caroline was one of the two women in the portrait. The one behind Carmilla was Lady Caroline. "Forgive me, I have yet to greet you, Your Highness." he said and bowed his head.

"Oh, my. No need to apologize, Crown Prince." she said in return with a smile on her face.

Now he knows why the lady looked like Milla. Lady Caroline was Princess Carmilla's mother! His eyes went to the other side of the throne and saw an empty seat. The image of his brother, Clayton, appeared in his mind. 'Could that seat be for the Royal Concubine?' he thought. 'If it is, then where could she be?' 

He cannot ask those questions because it might put him in danger. The real Charles must have already known the answer to his question. If he asks them, then they may get suspicious of him.

"I would have love to take you with me to the tailor, so I can choose the attire for your birthday," she said but then her smile vanished, "but I am afraid I am not available as your father and I have to meet with the duke." she said, looking genuinely sad that she cannot spend time with the Crown Prince.

"No need to worry, Your Highness." Chance said with a reassuring smile.

"That is great." the lady muttered. Lady Caroline looked at the Royal Head Butler. "Have you heard any response from the Lockharts?" she asked.

"Yes, Your Highness," he said with a bow. "The Duke and his wife, along with his son, have arrived. I have told them to wait because you are having an audience with the Crown Prince." he responded.

Chance just listened as they converse, hearing the Royal Head Butler's response. It may be a chance for him to leave. He cannot handle staying in the same area as his father.

"Inform them to wait a bit longer, they have no rights to complain anyway." the King said and Nicholas Wright nodded and was about to leave to do what he commanded but Chance had to use this time to have an excuse to leave.

"No need. It would be better not to delay your meeting, father. I shall leave at once." the Crown Prince said, stopping the butler from leaving.

The Royal Head Butler glanced at the King of Antares to know whether he will do as ordered or dismiss the Crown Prince. King Cadell stared at his son for a while, and silence surrounded them. After a while, he waved his hand to the side, signaling for him to leave. "Very well, you may leave," he ordered, dismissing the Crown Prince.

Chance felt relieved. At that very moment, he wanted to yell 'Yes!' because he does not have to stay with the King longer than he expected. The captain of the knights and the Crown Prince bowed and raised their hands, "May the Goddess bless you." they both stated and turned towards the door.

Alec looked at the two people beside the door and the two of them immediately opened the door for them. 

They were about to leave, but Chance could feel a stare burning a hole in his back, and it made him feel uneasy.

"I heard plenty of things about you in Canopus, Charles. You seemed to have enjoyed your stay." King Cadell said as he rested his chin on his hand, looking at his son, waiting to see his reaction.

The way he said those words sent chills down the Crown Prince's spine. There was definitely a meaning to what he said.

'What....does he know?'