Chapter 7: The Chancellor's True Crown
A section of the stone wall opened.
Lord Cedric Vale stepped into the chamber, accompanied by six armed royal guards.
His black ceremonial coat was immaculate.
His golden signet ring gleamed beneath the lanterns.
He looked at the broken silver restraints on the floor.
Then at Elias.
A small smile appeared on his face.
"Well, well. The missing prince has finally learned how to stand.""
Elias stepped in front of Elia.
"You should have left me here.""
Vale laughed.
"After eighteen years? Don't be ridiculous. I've invested too much in your education.""
"You imprisoned me.""
"I protected you.""
"You told me my family was dead.""
"At the time, that was the safest explanation.""
Adrian raised his sword.
"Enough.""
Vale glanced at him.
"Your Highness, I was wondering when you would arrive.""
"You will answer for every crime you've committed.""
"Crimes?""
Vale looked genuinely amused.
"I have spent eighteen years keeping this kingdom from collapsing.""
Eleanor stepped forward.
"You stole my children.""
"I saved the kingdom.""
"You let me mourn them!""
Vale's expression hardened.
"You were a grieving queen, Eleanor. The nobles were preparing to divide the country. Your husband was dead.
Your eldest son was a child. If I had announced that the royal twins had disappeared, the neighboring kingdoms would have invaded before sunrise.""
"So you murdered my family?""
"I did what was necessary.""
Elia looked at the guards behind him.
"Why did you bring them here?""
Vale's eyes settled on her.
"Because the door is ready.""
He raised his right hand.
The signet ring began glowing.
The stone door behind Elias responded immediately.
Golden lines spread across its surface.
Elias grabbed Elia's hand.
"Don't let him touch you.""
Vale smiled.
"Still giving orders, Elias? You have always been stubborn.""
He turned toward the guards.
"Bring the girl.""
The soldiers advanced.
Adrian moved first.
His sword struck the nearest guard's weapon, sending it crashing against the stone wall.
Captain Marcus attacked another.
The chamber erupted into violence.
Elia stumbled backward.
Elias pulled her behind a stone pillar.
"Stay close!""
A guard lunged toward them.
Elias grabbed a fallen sword and blocked the attack.
For someone who had spent eighteen years underground, he moved with surprising skill.
But the silver bands had left deep marks around his wrists.
He was weak.
Elia saw him struggle to lift his sword.
"You're hurt!""
"Later!""
Another guard approached.
Elia noticed a glowing symbol on the wall.
It looked identical to the flower engraved on her pendant.
Without thinking, she pressed her palm against it.
The chamber flashed blue.
Every lantern exploded with light.
The guards froze.
Their swords dropped from their hands.
Even Vale staggered.
"What have you done?""
Elia stared at her hand.
"I don't know.""
Elias looked at her.
"You awakened the guardians.""
A low vibration spread through the floor.
Stone figures carved into the walls began moving.
Their eyes illuminated.
One by one, they stepped out of the stone.
The guards backed away.
"What are those?"" Adrian shouted.
Elias raised his sword.
"The first protectors of Valoria.""
The stone guardians turned toward Lord Vale.
For the first time, the chancellor looked frightened.
"Impossible.""
He raised his ring.
"By the authority of the royal crown, I command you to stop!""
The guardians did not move.
Instead, the largest one stepped forward.
A deep voice echoed through the chamber.
*THE SIGNET IS NOT THE CROWN.*
Vale's hand trembled.
Elia looked at him.
"Why doesn't it obey you?""
Vale stared at the stone figure.
"Because the seal is incomplete.""
Elias nodded.
"He stole the signet after Father died. But the ring was never meant to command the guardians.""
Adrian turned toward the chancellor.
"Then what was it meant to do?""
"Open the first door," Elias answered.
Vale suddenly rushed toward Elia.
He grabbed her arm.
"You're coming with me!""
Adrian shouted.
"Release her!""
Vale pressed the signet against Elia's pendant.
A burst of golden energy erupted.
The stone guardians stopped moving.
Elia screamed as the light surrounded her.
Elias attacked Vale, but two guards seized him.
"Elia!"" he shouted.
The chancellor dragged her toward the stone door.
"Your blood will open it.""
Elia struggled.
"Let me go!""
Vale tightened his grip.
"You have no idea what your family has hidden beneath this palace.""
The queen stepped forward.
"Release my daughter!""
Vale laughed.
"Your daughter? You abandoned her once. You have no right to claim her now.""
Eleanor flinched.
But she did not retreat.
"I did not abandon her.""
"You failed to protect her.""
"Yes," Eleanor whispered.
"I did.""
Her voice became stronger.
"And I will never make that mistake again.""
She seized a fallen sword from the floor.
Vale turned.
For one brief moment, he looked surprised.
The queen struck his wrist.
The signet ring flew across the chamber.
The golden energy vanished.
Elia broke free.
Adrian rushed forward and caught her.
Vale stumbled backward.
The stone guardians began moving again.
One raised its enormous stone arm.
Vale dropped to his knees.
"Stop! I am the Lord Chancellor!""
The guardian spoke.
*YOU ARE A THIEF.*
Its hand came down.
The floor shattered beneath Vale.
He disappeared into a narrow opening.
A terrible scream echoed from below.
Then silence.
Adrian stared at the broken floor.
"Is he dead?""
Elias approached the opening.
"No.""
He looked toward the dark passage.
"He's gone where he wanted to go.""
Elia frowned.
"What do you mean?""
Elias pointed toward the enormous stone door.
The signet ring had rolled beneath it.
And the door was opening.
Golden light spilled into the chamber.
Elias grabbed Elia's hand.
"We have to leave.""
"Why?""
"Because Vale wasn't trying to open the door for himself.""
A deep voice emerged from beyond the threshold.
Older than the palace.
Older than the kingdom.
*THE HEIR HAS RETURNED.*
Then another voice answered.
*THE CROWN MUST CHOOSE ITS MASTER.*
Adrian raised his sword.
"Everyone behind me.""
But the light was already moving.
It passed through the walls, climbed the staircase, and spread across the entire palace.
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Above them, every bell in Valoria began ringing.
And in the royal throne room, the ancient crown lifted from its hidden resting place.
