Chapter 9: The King Who Had Been Dead for Eighteen Years
The palace went silent.
Queen Eleanor stared at the wounded guard.
"Repeat that.""
The guard swallowed.
"An army is approaching from the northern road. They carry the old royal banners. Their commander claims to be King Edmund.""
Eleanor shook her head.
"No.""
Adrian looked toward his mother.
"Mother, Father died eighteen years ago.""
"I know.""
"He was buried in the royal crypt.""
"I know!""
Her voice broke.
She pressed both hands against her face.
For eighteen years, she had visited her husband's tomb.
She had placed flowers beside his name.
She had spoken to a stone coffin because it was the only place she believed she could still reach him.
And now someone was claiming he was alive.
Elias stepped closer.
"Mother, we need to know the truth.""
Eleanor looked at him.
"How can there be a truth worse than this?""
Elia remembered the vision.
The king's words.
The babies being taken.
"Perhaps we should ask him.""
Adrian turned.
"You want to meet him?""
"Yes.""
"He may be dangerous.""
"Then we shouldn't let him enter the palace unprepared.""
Elias nodded.
"She's right.""
Duke Ashbourne suddenly moved toward the doors.
"Your Majesty, I recommend that we surrender the throne room and negotiate.""
Adrian looked at him.
"You're not going anywhere.""
Ashbourne smiled.
"You misunderstand, Your Highness. I am offering my assistance.""
"Your assistance has been remarkably expensive.""
The duke's smile disappeared.
Before he could answer, Captain Marcus entered.
"Your Majesty, the army has reached the outer gates.""
Eleanor stood.
"Open the gates.""
Adrian immediately objected.
"Mother—"
"I will not hide from my husband.""
The great gates opened.
A procession entered the courtyard.
Hundreds of soldiers marched beneath black-and-gold banners.
At their center rode a man wearing a dark cloak.
His hair had turned completely silver.
A scar crossed his left cheek.
But there was no mistaking his face.
King Edmund Valoria had returned.
Queen Eleanor stepped onto the palace balcony.
For a moment, she could not breathe.
Then she whispered his name.
"Edmund.""
The king looked up.
His expression was unreadable.
"Hello, Eleanor.""
She gripped the balcony railing.
"You're alive.""
"Clearly.""
Adrian stepped forward.
"Father?""
The king looked at him.
"My son.""
Adrian's eyes filled.
He had spent half his childhood believing his father was dead.
He had remembered his voice, his laughter, the way he had lifted him onto his shoulders during summer festivals.
But the man below did not look like the father he remembered.
He looked like a stranger wearing his father's face.
"Where have you been?"" Adrian shouted.
Edmund removed his gloves.
"Preparing to reclaim my kingdom.""
Eleanor stared.
"You let me believe you were dead.""
"I had no choice.""
"You let me bury an empty coffin?""
The king looked away.
"It was necessary.""
"Necessary?""
Her voice echoed across the courtyard.
"You let me mourn you! You let me believe our children were dead!""
Edmund's expression hardened.
"Your children are alive, aren't they?""
Eleanor went still.
"How do you know?""
He looked beyond her.
Toward the throne room.
Toward the ancient crown.
"Because the seal has opened.""
Adrian drew his sword.
"Do not come another step.""
Edmund looked at him.
"Put that weapon away.""
"No.""
"I am your father.""
"And I am no longer the frightened boy who waited for you to return.""
The king's face changed.
Then he smiled faintly.
"Your mother has made you soft.""
Elias stepped onto the balcony.
"Perhaps you should explain why you ordered us taken away.""
Edmund looked at him.
His expression finally cracked.
"Elias.""
The prince stared at his father.
"You remember me?""
"Of course.""
"You knew I was alive?""
Edmund did not answer.
Elias moved closer.
"Do you know what happened to me?""
"Yes.""
"You left me underground.""
"I had to.""
"You let Vale imprison me!""
Edmund's jaw tightened.
"Vale was following my instructions.""
The words hit harder than a sword.
Elia stepped forward.
"So it was true.""
Edmund looked at her.
For a long moment, he studied her face.
Then he said something that made the queen step backward.
"Eliana.""
She had never heard him say her name.
Yet somehow, the sound felt familiar.
"Why did you take us away?"" she asked.
Edmund looked at the ancient crown.
"Because the prophecy said one of my children would destroy the monarchy.""
Elias laughed bitterly.
"So you imprisoned me?""
"I protected the kingdom.""
"From a baby?""
"From what you would become.""
Elia shook her head.
"You didn't protect anyone. You were afraid.""
The king's eyes narrowed.
"You have your mother's defiance.""
"And you have your own cruelty.""
Edmund stared at her.
Then he raised his right hand.
A golden ring rested on his finger.
Not the signet ring.
Something older.
A second royal seal.
The crown in the throne room began vibrating.
Elias immediately stepped backward.
"Elia, get away from him!""
Edmund smiled.
"Now you understand.""
He turned toward the nobles.
"For eighteen years, I have watched this kingdom from beyond its borders. I have gathered the men who remained loyal to the true monarchy.""
Duke Ashbourne hurried forward.
"Your Majesty, I have remained loyal.""
Edmund looked at him.
"Of course you have, Ashbourne.""
The duke bowed.
"Your return is a blessing.""
"Then prove your loyalty.""
Ashbourne hesitated.
"How?""
The king pointed toward Elia.
"Bring me the girl.""
Adrian stepped in front of her.
"Never.""
Edmund sighed.
"Always the sentimental one.""
He raised his hand.
The soldiers behind him lifted their weapons.
Captain Marcus shouted an order.
Royal guards flooded the courtyard.
Steel clashed.
The king's army charged.
The palace gates began closing, but several soldiers forced their way inside.
Adrian fought beside Marcus.
Elias pulled Elia toward the throne room.
"Come on!""
Eleanor followed.
But the king was faster.
He entered through the side passage and reached the ancient crown first.
He placed his hand upon it.
The crown flashed red.
Edmund smiled.
"At last.""
He lifted it.
Nothing happened.
Then the crown began shaking violently.
A voice echoed through the hall.
*THE KING HAS RETURNED.*
Edmund raised the crown above his head.
"Yes!""
The voice continued.
*THE TRAITOR HAS RETURNED.*
The crown exploded with light.
Edmund screamed as the golden object fell from his hands.
The king stumbled backward.
A dark crack spread across the marble floor.
The nobles screamed.
Eleanor rushed toward him.
"Edmund!""
But Elia saw something the others did not.
A shadow was moving beneath the floor.
It stretched toward the crown.
Toward the king.
Toward her.
Elias grabbed her arm.
"Don't let it reach you!""
The shadow rose.
A dark figure emerged from the broken marble.
It had no face.
Only two glowing blue eyes.
The ancient guardian stepped forward.
And then it spoke.
*THE BLOODLINE HAS BEEN CORRUPTED.*
Edmund fell to his knees.
"No...""
The guardian turned toward Elia.
*THE FIRST HEIR MUST CHOOSE.*
Elia looked at the creature.
"Choose what?""
The guardian extended one stone hand.
*WHETHER THE KINGDOM SHALL BE SAVED... OR WHETHER ITS FIRST SIN SHALL BE REVEALED.*
The room shook.
Then the guardian turned toward the royal crypt.
*THE DEAD KING HAS ONE LAST SECRET.*
The marble floor split open.
A staircase appeared.
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And from beneath the palace came the sound of someone knocking against a coffin.
Three times.
