A Royal Obligation
Chapter 196: Carl’s Recklessness

Chapter 196: Carl’s Recklessness

Xavian nodded, his face hardening with determination. He looked down at Eirik once more, his heart heavy with both relief and lingering worry, before rising to his feet.

Without hesitation, Kaelix lifted Eirik in his arms, holding him close as if his very life depended on it. The soldiers quickly gathered around, forming a protective circle as they prepared to make their way back.

The weight of Eirik’s unconscious body felt heavier with every passing moment, each faltering breath a reminder of the fragile line between life and death. Kaelix’s gaze was hard, focused ahead as he pushed forward, unwilling to let any delay threaten Eirik’s life or the precious child he carried.

Suddenly, Theo, gasped, his eyes widening in horror. "There’s... there’s blood," he stammered, pointing at the dark stain trailing down Eirik’s leg.

Kaelix’s heart twisted violently as he looked down, his breath catching at the sight of fresh blood seeping into Eirik’s clothes. He clenched his jaw, fighting the rising tide of panic clawing at his insides. "We have to hurry," he bit out, his voice tense with barely controlled fear. Eirik’s condition was worse than he’d feared, and the thought of losing both him and their unborn child was unbearable.

Eirik’s brothers, Theron, Lucian, and Julian, shared looks of alarm, each of them barely holding back their fear. Theron’s face hardened, his usual calm replaced by a grim determination as he nodded at Kaelix. "Let’s go. Now."

Lucian swallowed, his usual stoic demeanor crumbling as he watched the blood with a haunted expression. He had seen many things, but nothing had ever filled him with such a deep sense of dread. "We can’t waste a single moment," he muttered, his voice low but insistent.

Julian, now looked stricken, his face pale as he reached out as if to touch Eirik but pulled back, afraid to disturb him further. "Hold on, Eirik," he whispered, almost as if he believed his brother could hear him.

Lord Cedric, sensing the urgency, turned to Theo, his face set in a stern mask of authority. "Theo," he ordered, his tone sharp and unyielding, "see to the traitor. Arrest Sadiki and make sure he’s secured. He’d better pray nothing happens to Prince Eirik... or he won’t live to tell the tale."

Sadiki, who had been restrained by two guards, flinched at Cedric’s words. For a brief moment, he cast a pleading look toward Eirik, a flicker of regret in his gaze, as if hoping for a forgiveness he knew would never come.

But Theo’s hands were firm as he bound Sadiki’s wrists, his face a cold mask of determination. Sadiki tried to speak, a desperate apology caught in his throat, but Theo’s sharp tug silenced him, and he stumbled as he was dragged away from the scene.

Drystan’s gaze never left Sadiki, his expression unreadable as he watched his former lover being led out of the clearing. His hands clenched into fists by his sides, his posture rigid as he forced himself to look away.

Turning his attention to the forest around them, he scanned their surroundings, ensuring they hadn’t missed anything or anyone.

Finally, with a last glance in the direction Sadiki had been taken, he called out to the Zephyros men. "We’re retreating," he ordered, his voice flat, betraying none of the turmoil churning within him. He moved quickly to join the others, his loyalty unwavering as he fell into line behind Kaelix.

Unseen and hidden among the trees, another pair of eyes burned with fury and resentment.

Prince Carl watched the group retreat with Eirik in Kaelix’s arms, his vision narrowing as he took in every detail.

After everything he’d done, all the careful planning, the treachery, the sacrifices he’d made... and still, Eirik had slipped through his fingers. His hands clenched at his sides, his jaw tight with barely restrained rage.

"Damn you, Sadiki," Carl hissed under his breath, his body tense with frustration. His mind raced with dark thoughts, bitterness seething within him as he watched Kaelix hold Eirik protectively, as if to defy him.

Anger simmered in his chest, and without another look, he spun on his heel, marching back through the forest, his steps heavy and wrathful.

---

The grand throne room, of Mbuzuoria kingdom was filled with a tranquil silence, the air thick with the scent of incense and rich wine.

King Thaddeus lounged on his throne, a goblet of wine in his hand, his mood relaxed as he sipped leisurely. He was oblivious to the storm brewing just outside his gilded walls, his mind lost in thoughts of future conquests and victory.

The peace was shattered as the doors to the throne room burst open, slamming against the walls with a resounding echo.

Caledon, hurried inside, sweat dripping from his brow, his face flushed from exertion. Thaddeus raised an eyebrow, not bothering to mask his displeasure at the interruption. "Caledon," he drawled, his tone lazy and mildly annoyed, "what is the meaning of this? Can you not see I am occupied?"

Caledon hesitated, his gaze darting nervously as he struggled to find the words. "Y-Your Majesty..." he began, stammering as he took in the king’s relaxed demeanor, knowing that his news would shatter it. "Prince Eirik... he... he’s been found."

Thaddeus’s grip tightened on his goblet, but his expression remained calm, his eyes narrowing slightly as he considered this revelation. "Is that so?" he asked, his voice as smooth as silk. "And where is he now, I wonder? I trust he has been properly secured?"

Caledon swallowed, his throat dry. "Your Majesty... the men we sent... they’re all dead."

The goblet slipped from Thaddeus’s fingers, clattering to the marble floor with a sharp sound.

Red wine splashed across the pristine white tiles, staining them like blood.

Thaddeus’s face twisted in fury, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "What?" he roared, the calm facade gone, replaced by a blazing anger. "How is that possible?"

Caledon took a shaky breath, trying to steady his voice as he recounted the news. "The men... they were intercepted, Your Majesty. Zephyros warriors and Valeidio soldiers arrived before they could extract Prince Eirik. They... they defeated our forces."

Thaddeus’s hands clenched on the arms of his throne, his knuckles white. "And how, pray tell, did Zephyros and Valeidio soldiers pass through my kingdom without a single word of warning?" he demanded, his voice sharp enough to cut steel.

"Apparently..." Caledon stammered, his face pale as he looked away, "they came through Neomenia. There was... there was no way to anticipate it."

The king’s expression darkened, his mind reeling as he processed the implications. His perfect plan, one he had envisioned down to every last detail, had crumbled to nothing.

The thought of Eirik safely back in the arms of his family, two kingdoms aware of his treachery, was a nightmare beyond measure.

Thaddeus knew what it mean, war was now a very real threat, one that could shake the very foundation of his kingdom. And all because of his son’s recklessness.

"Carl..." he muttered, the name dripping with bitterness. "Where is that foolish boy?"

"He... he’s not yet returned, Your Majesty," Caledon replied, his voice barely above a whisper, the weight of the king’s fury settling heavily over him.

Thaddeus took a slow, measured breath, his face a mask of cold anger. He had allowed Carl to do as he please, hoping it would yield some advantage.

But instead, it had thrown the entire kingdom into jeopardy.

He had underestimated Valeidio and Zephyros, had foolishly dismissed the alliance between the two kingdoms.

Now, he was left to deal with the fallout of Carl’s recklessness.

"Find him," Thaddeus ordered, his voice low and deadly. "And when you do, tell him he’s to come before me immediately. He has cost me dearly with his incompetence, and he will answer for it."

Caledon nodded quickly, eager to escape the tense atmosphere of the throne room. He turned and left without another word, his heart pounding as he hurried to carry out the king’s orders.

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