Trapped In Hisstory

"I read plenty of things about you in Canopus, Charles. You seemed to have enjoyed your stay." the King said as he stared at the back of his son who was about to leave.

The way the king had said his words sent chills down the Crown Prince's spine. Chance froze in his spot when he heard the words of his father. He cannot possibly be telling him that for no reason, is that right? There is probably a hidden meaning to his words, Charles thought. He would not say that just in time for him to leave unless he was sending him a hidden message.

'What...does he know?' Chance thought. He doubted that the King knows what happened about the incident of the Third Prince of Canopus and him. He must not know that his son, the Crown Prince, was the target of those people because if he did know, he would not just sit by. He would surely make a fuss about it, ordering to find them all to be executed.

'But if he does not know about that incident, what was he implying with his words?' he thought.

He tried to conceal the nervousness on his face and turned around to face the king with a slight smile, "Indeed, my stay there was delightful. The people of the Canopus Palace treated me with respect and utmost care." he answered. He bowed his head once again, "Though I did enjoy my stay, I apologize for having disappointed Your Majesty of being unable to meet with the Canopus King." 

The amused smile that King Cadell was wearing faded upon hearing his answer. He was expecting a different reaction from him but he had a wrong expectation.

The Valorian knight glanced at his master who was bowing his head to the King. Although he was wearing his usual straight face, he was relieved to hear his reply. He was worried about how he would respond to the King, but he was worried for nothing.

Alec was also thinking about what the King said. There was only one possibility he could think of judging by the King's tone and he knows he is right. Meanwhile, Chance was thinking about what the King could possibly know, 'If he was talking about something besides the incident, he must have sent someone to spy on me.' he thought. That was the only thing he could think of, and he and his knight had the same deduction.

King Cadell looked at his son, it was exactly how the Crown Prince would answer. Was he wrong to think that his son had changed? He narrowed his eyes down to the Crown Prince and proceeded to test his son's reaction.

"I have seen you grow with the Captain of the Knights. You two are best of friends. No one else could beat that friendship you two have," the King started, confusing the Valorian Knight.

'Why is His Majesty saying this right now?' the knight thought. He had no reason to bring this matter up, especially now that they need to hurry to have a meeting with the duke with his wife and son.

'Grew up...Charles has been best friends with Alec since they were children.' he thought. It was a piece of new information for him, he was glad for that, but he wondered why the King told him that. "Yes, Your Majesty. And?" he asked.

"But these days I am starting doubt if no one could beat the friendship you two have. You seem to have gotten close to the Second Prince of Canopus." he said, "If I remember, the name is Caliber?" he asked, watching the face of his son closely.

Chance felt a lump forming in his throat upon hearing the King mention the name of the Second Prince. He was now convinced that he was right; he had really hired someone to watch every move he makes. 'This fucking king. I was right to despise you.' he thought. If only he could say that aloud, but he cannot because that will cause him to die.

"Yes, Your Majesty," he answered shortly, not saying any more words or else he might mess up.

"A prince, I see." the consort muttered. She turned to the king, his partner, "I am surprised that you remember a Second Prince's name." 

A smirk appeared on the King's face as he remembered something back in Canopus, "Of course. It is easy to remember the name of someone who had called my actions unseemly." he answered.

Lady Caroline put a hand over his mouth, "Someone had called you unseemly? How...bold." she said, forming a smile to tease the King.

"That prince looked at me as if he wanted to go to war. Such a bold child indeed," he said in return to his consort but still not averting his gaze away from the Crown Prince.

Chance remembered the time that the King was referring to. It was the time where he had announced to kill the male prostitutes on Charles's birthday. It was also when King Cadell insulted the king of Canopus, resulting in why Caliber and his knights were offended. 'Better if they did fight and put Cadell in his place.' he thought.

He gasped, surprised at his own thought. 'No, they cannot fight. If they go to war, it might not end well for any of the sides. It might also change what might have happened back then.' he thought.

He returned his gaze back to the king and noticed the direction of King Cadell's eyes change, wandering as if he was looking for someone, "Is something the matter? Who is it you are looking for?" the Crown Prince asked.

"Where is the other knight?" the King asked.

Chance furrowed his brow as he stared at the King in confusion, "Which knight is it you are talking about, father?" 

"One of the knights in the First Squad under the Captain, Alec Valorian." the King answered, "Tristan."

Although his mouth was shut tight, he gasped internally when he remembered the other knight who stayed with them in Canopus. He had totally forgotten about him! 'I knew it, I knew it, that was what I was trying hard to remember!' he thought.

He wanted to scream; he left the knight, Tristan, in Canopus! 'Oh my, I am really sorry, Tristan.' he thought, having the urge to facepalm, but he was in front of the king. "Oh, Sir Tristan. I apologize, father. We had forgotten about him." he said in a low voice.

Chance turned to his knight, "Why did you not tell me we had forgotten about Sir Tristan?" he whispered.

"I did not notice him. I also forgot, Your Highness." the Valorian knight replied.

"He is a knight in your squad, how come you forgot?"

"I do not care about him for me to be aware of his presence." the knight answered back, wearing a blank face.

Chance sighed. He has to make sure he apologizes once the knight, Tristan, arrives in Antares. But he wondered why that knight suddenly disappeared, not showing up. He was serving Prince Louis Cole for a week but he had not once shown up. He has not seen him often, that is probably why he had forgotten about him.

The real reason why the Knight suddenly vanished: Niro Navarrus.

Alec recalled the day when his master, the Crown Prince, and the Second Prince of Antares kissed. Tristan suddenly appeared, so he had to prevent him from seeing the scene of the two princes together.

The two aides of Canopus, Sherin and Niro, appeared and helped him take the knight away. Alec Valorian almost let out a chuckle, 'Just what on earth did that aide do to Tristan?' he thought, knowing that Niro was the cause of his disappearance.

The King squinted and clicked his tongue, 'Useless.' he thought.

"Your Majesty, we have to meet the Duke, Duchess, and their son." the Consort of the King said, reminding him about the meeting they have with the Lockharts.

"You may continue to go on and leave." the King of Antares ordered.

The Crown Prince and the Valorian knight glanced at each other, then returned their gazes to the king and bowed. They excused themselves with respect and turned around to leave the room for the second time.

They stepped out and the doors slowly closed and Chance Howard looked at the King one more time and their gazes met each other until the doors had fully closed.

Even though the doors were already closed shut, he continued to stare through it, with his forehead forming a crease as he thinks about what had happened. 'The way he had said those was like a warning,' he thought.

It was as if the King was telling him that he knows everything that had happened in Canopus. Well, not exactly everything but that just means there was someone spying on him. 'The King has become suspicious of me...' he thought, there was no denying it.

Although he despises the king of Antares, soon he needs a plan. He needs to get to the good side of Charles's father.

He said those words not bothering hiding the sign that he sent a person to watch over him. He was outright telling him that he has eyes everywhere, "And that I should be careful...not to slip and fall to my doom." he muttered, lowering his gaze as his fist turned into a ball.

Inside the room, the King smiled, knowing that the Crown Prince was still outside the doors, thinking deeply about his words.

"I am watching you, my dear son."