Chapter Thirty-Six
_ Fragment of the Past: 2
* * *
The king's assassin was revealed in just a matter of hours thanks to the Crown Prince; this served as a notice that the young Prince was strong...
The next morning, the ministers and council members of the nobles present held a meeting presided over by the Prime Minister, Duke Ariston. Many points were discussed, including the transfer of power to the Crown Prince, the traitor and his inevitable fate, the liquidation of his lineage, and so forth...
Raphael usually attended meetings as the Crown Prince and had never presided over them before. Today, he also tried not to remain at the center of the meeting, staying silent and hiding his presence despite sitting in a chair next to Duke Ariston, with Cayin standing behind him as his private knight. Duke Ariston looked at Raphael and said:
" Your Majesty, what do you decide?! "
The nobles, who realized his presence, focused on Raphael, who said:
" The traitor will be judged after all evidence is gathered... therefore, there is no need for useless speculation "
" Your Highness, over the past years, we all know what Marquis Boris has provided to the Imperial Family "
" The traitor will be executed... unless his innocence is proven, he is a traitor. The traitor will be tried before the Emperor's funeral, regardless of his identity "
Duke Peter Silvano fell silent and looked at Raphael with a meaning of "you are right," and it was clear how much he believed in Marquis Boris's innocence.
* * *
After the meeting ended, Raphael moved with steady steps, followed by Cayin, toward the dungeon tower on the southern side of the Imperial Palace...
His steps were saturated with sadness and fatigue. Raphael realized that the Marquis was not the one who killed his father, even when he found him in the office, he was asleep—or rather, he was drugged—and upon searching him, they found traces of poison in his inner pockets, so he was directly accused. He knew it was clear he had been framed, so he wanted to complete the scene as it should be and sent him to prison, telling them that no one should approach him until he spoke with him himself...
" We have arrived... Raphael "
Raphael returned to the present at the sound of Cayin's voice and found that they had reached the prison tower. He gave the knight permission to open the gate. The knight bowed and opened the gate; the tower extended with many stairs, some going up and most going down in a way that was difficult to memorize. Not only were the knights protecting it, but also wizards and complex magical spells; even if the prisoner was a very powerful wizard, he would not be able to escape. The floors were arranged according to the crime; the more dangerous the criminal, the deeper the basement floors. Certainly, the prison guards were tough and terrifying. Raphael went down two floors until he reached a certain gate he entered, and the guards greeted him with respect as he headed for the intended cell. Cayin spoke, trying to keep his voice natural:
" Is he not a traitor? Why didn't you put him in the lower floors?! "
" His crimes have not been proven yet, so I put him here only because of some intruders "
"..."
Cayin nodded in understanding, then they reached the required cell. It was a closed door with only two openings; one from the top and the other from the bottom for inserting food. Raphael looked at Cayin and said:
" Wait for me here "
Cayin clenched his hand tightly and nodded in understanding, stepping back. Raphael ordered the guard to open the door. The guard hesitated but complied with the order.
As soon as Raphael entered, he signaled to the guard to close the prison, so he complied and closed it.
" How are you, Marquis?! "
Raphael knew that the man before him had reached the age of fifty-four, but he knew his strong and vibrant personality, so much so that he almost likened him to his friend Cayin; for the Marquis was a knight among the fiercest "Paladin" knights who participated in the last war and saved the empire more than thirty years ago in Cassian, but now he seemed tired. In less than a day, the Marquis had aged twenty years. Raphael had a conviction that he was not the one who killed his father; perhaps it was his solace for believing his father's true words...
" I am still alive, I expected Your Highness's visit... the place is not suitable, but it would be better if you sit, Your Highness "
Raphael responded to the Marquis's words and sat in the seat in front of the hanging iron bed.
" Is it an important and secret matter?! "
" Very "
Splash!!
A spell that prevents intruders from hearing; it was one of the most important spells his father had taught him. The Marquis sighed, looked at Raphael, and said:
" Do you think I am the one who killed His Majesty?! "
" I trust the person in whom my father placed his trust "
The Marquis smiled with a feeling that reminded him of the past, then said:
" Do you know my connection to the Imperial Family?! "
" I heard that you were a teacher and guide for my mother when she was in the Temple "
" That is not all "
"..?? "
" Her Majesty was a smart child. I was just a stupid teacher teaching what he knew in the Temple only, but the girl entrusted to my teaching as a candidate for the position of Empress was smart and observant. Because of her, I realized the very dark interior of the Temple that I had sanctified as if it were absolute good... "
" What does that mean?! "
" It means that Her Majesty saved me from drowning in the darkness of the Temple... I will tell you everything. The Boris family from ancient times served the Temple with a devotion stemming from their religious trust; there are many families as well who do not know the interior on which the Temple was founded...
When I was born, like any child of the Boris family, I was sent to the Temple. I learned there and became one of the Paladin knights, and because I possessed a very religious mindset and was taught carefully inside the Temple, I was the suitable candidate to teach the young lady Lucia Wayne, the candidate for the position of Empress, and the last remaining member of her family as Count Wayne had no other children...
She was fourteen while I was twenty-eight, and I was very faithful to what I had been taught long ago. The child asked many questions at first, the answer was easy, then her questions began to increase in difficulty, and because I was a person who desired knowledge and was thirsty for it, secrets I did not know began to appear, and it seemed she suspected that. Because she was the reason for my request for this knowledge, she was the person to whom I disclosed all I knew, and we shared the terrifying and shocking knowledge, which made me lose my faith in the Temple, but I continued in my position in the Temple to help what I could help. Even after Her Majesty's marriage, she remained my student with whom I shared knowledge...
The saints nominated for the position of Empress are treated like animals being prepared to be slaughtered; they are sacrifices for the evil power that the Temple planted inside the Emperors, something that calms the thirst but does not know that this woman is a medicine whose validity ends as soon as she gives birth to an offspring stronger than the previous one. They store the excess power of the Emperor and then give it to the child; they were terrifying experiments carried out by the Temple by giving them medicines before presenting them for the position..
The longest lifespan for a saint was twenty-five or twenty-six. The Empress was strong to remain until the age of thirty-one; perhaps it's something related to her birth or because she knew all these matters and found a way...
Ten years after Her Majesty joined the Imperial Family, I decided to move to work as the head of my family and enter the affairs of the nobles. It was outwardly a suggestion from the Temple so I could be close to the Empress and know the reason for the anomaly, and inwardly I wanted to be close to Her Majesty to inform her of everything happening inside the Temple. Indeed, I was a place of her trust and the trust of the Emperor who was investigating the matter of the Temple... They were an amazingly suited pair; a man supporting his wife and a wife protecting her husband's back...
After Her Majesty's death, I became His Majesty's right hand. I continued to be loyal to His Majesty as I was loyal to Her Majesty. The Emperor was looking for a solution to save you and save your lineage...
During my usual search, I suspected the existence of a traitor belonging to the Temple. I haven't known his identity yet, but he certainly has a hand in all this. The Temple knew that I was a follower of the Emperor, but they do not know to what extent I have informed His Majesty. I think they framed me to hit two birds; the first is that they do not want you to know anything... We felt the movements from the Temple, but we were ignorant of what they were thinking... Forgive me, Your Highness "
Raphael looked at the Marquis, then sighed and said:
" I will find a way to get you out, perhaps a faking or anything else.."
" It doesn't matter, the important thing is for the Temple to think that Your Highness does not trust me... "
" Alright "
" I want to ask one final request "
" Go ahead "
" I don't know what the Temple will do, but please protect my family "
The Marquis was hesitant to tell him Cayin's story, but he preferred silence, for he thought that one day Cayin would tell his friend himself..
" Alright, I will secure their escape myself "
" Thank you, Your Highness "
The Marquis bowed while sitting in his place, then Raphael stood up and said:
" I will hide the Marquise and her daughter, you take care of yourself "
The Marquis smiled and thanked Raphael deeply, so Raphael went out after removing the spell...
When he came out, he found Cayin standing in front of the prison, and his eagerness to enter was clear. He knew that his friend was very close to the Marquis, so he decided to hide everything regarding the case from him for now. He looked at Cayin and said calmly:
" Do you want to talk to him one last time?! "
Cayin was going to refuse but he retreated; he didn't know when he would be able to talk to his father and he wanted to ask him, so he nodded yes.
" Allow him to enter "
He signaled to the guard, making him open the cell for Cayin, who rushed inside, while Raphael moved outside.
* * *
Cayin stood looking at his father. As soon as the sound of Raphael and the guard disappeared, he approached his father and hugged him, trying to control his feelings. The Marquis patted his back in consolation:
" It's okay, everything is fine "
" Why is all this happening to us, Father?! "
Cayin was sitting on the ground facing his father, placing his head on his father's knee. The Marquis stroked his son's blonde hair, which was like his own, and said:
" It is a test of courage and trust. Your father has not committed any wrong... I trust His Highness, not because he is the next Emperor, but because he is my son's friend "
Cayin smiled confidently, making the Marquis speak quietly:
" I want you to remain like this, loyal to your friend and to your heart. Rest assured that your father has not betrayed the empire and will not betray it until his last breath... Protect your secret, and when the time comes, tell those you trust... even if it is decided to execute me, I do not regret it... Your mother and sister are safe at the moment. Do not try to contact them now until things calm down "
Warm tears flowed from the Marquis's turquoise eyes. He looked at his son, wondering if his decision was right, but he left matters to fate...
' I do not think I will live long, at least they do not know what I know or what I told His Highness...'
* * *
" Where are we heading, Your Highness?! "
" I will tell you when we arrive, Edward "
Raphael was leading his horse very fast, followed by a tall young man with a strong body in his twenties, with brown hair, brown eyes, and beautiful, strong features..
Raphael was moving fast toward his goal and did not open any conversation with Edward until they reached a very old mountain cottage. Raphael dismounted and Edward followed him. Before they entered, Raphael spoke:
" Is the bag I told you about ready?! "
" Certainly "
He handed it to Raphael, who searched it to find a large amount of money, some identity papers, and original travel permits. Raphael closed it, returned it to Edward, and said:
" Keep it safe "
Edward was surprised but did not comment. Then Raphael entered followed by Edward, and when they reached the middle of the living room in the cottage, Raphael spoke in a somewhat loud voice:
" Marquise Boris, Miss Laura "
A woman in her late forties with light brown hair and light purple eyes came out, holding a girl of fifteen or sixteen with light brown hair and turquoise eyes. Raphael felt that they were familiar, resembling someone he knew, but he ignored the matter due to lack of time and said quietly:
" I am Raphael de Cassian, Crown Prince of Cassian. The Marquis has entrusted me with smuggling you to safety, and this is Edward, one of my secret knights. No one knows his identity, so he will be able to accompany you without anyone discovering your presence "
Their guard dropped, and the Marquise approached Raphael and said:
" What happened?! I heard that my husband was arrested on charges of treason "
" Yes, Madam "
" I trust my husband; he doesn't do it "
" And I am here as the greatest proof of my trust in the Marquis "
" Will my father die?! "
Laura's voice was worried and sad, making Raphael pat her head gently and say:
" I will do my best "
" Thank you "
After informing them of the plan and how they would escape, and that they should inform him of their updates periodically, and upon saying goodbye, Laura said:
" Will my father be okay?! "
" I cannot promise you anything "
" Alright "
" If you need anything, tell Edward and he will deliver it to me "
" But..."
Laura and the Marquise replied in a similar way, but Raphael, who remembered the naughty Evan...
" You can consider me your older brother "
" Thank you, big brother "
Raphael bid them farewell. While Edward and Laura were busy with the transfer, he whispered words into the Marquise's ear until her expression brightened. Then he pulled his horse to return but felt a presence behind him. He looked at the boy with bright green eyes and brown hair...
" What brought you here?! "
" I felt curious, Your Highness "
He laughed mockingly as he patted his hair harshly while passing him:
" How will you return?! "
" By magic "
Raphael had felt Evan's magical power, but he did not speak to him because he hadn't told him. He was surprised that he was frank about it and said:
" Why are you telling me?! "
" A secret for a secret "
" Strange child "
" Your Highness, I want to prove my loyalty to Your Majesty "
" Why now?! "
" You are in your most sensitive moments. If you do not trust me, a wizard's covenant is enough "
Raphael did not hesitate for a second, and with a movement of his fingers, a magical shackle formed and he said:
" Then you are sincere... so put it on your hand "
Evan did not ask about the terms of the contract, placed the bracelet on his left hand, and smiled with a bright face. Then, as if he realized the situation, he said seriously:
" The Marquis's life is threatened; the Temple wanted to cut its tail as quickly as possible "
" I want you to be my eyes and ears in the Temple "
" Your Majesty's command "
Evan bowed faithfully. As for Raphael, he returned with him via instant magic to the center of the capital. Raphael left Evan before going to the palace. And the disaster had happened in the palace; the Marquis had committed suicide in prison. When Raphael entered, Cayin had preceded him and looked at his friend with helpless eyes and said:
" He committed suicide "
There was something strange in Cayin's eyes to Raphael, but the current situation did not allow him to think. He examined the Marquis and found him dead with the same poison that killed his father. He was sure that the Marquis never thought of suicide; he was confident that he was killed, but there was no proof... And thus the case was closed.
...... To be continued ......