A Royal Obligation
Chapter 245: All Bark, No Bite

Chapter 245: All Bark, No Bite

Kaelix had just inclined his head in gratitude, ready to take his leave, when the heavy doors of the throne room burst open with a loud creak. A messenger hurried inside, his boots echoing against the stone floor. The man paused briefly, taking in the palpable tension lingering in the room.

"My apologies, Your Majesty, Your Highnesses" the messenger said, bowing deeply to King Xavian and the princes. "I bring an urgent letter from our people in Mbuzuoria Kingdom."

Kaelix halted mid-step, turning back toward the king with furrowed brows. Theron and the twins straightened, their attention snapping to the man as he approached the throne and handed the sealed letter to Xavian.

King Xavian took the parchment, breaking the wax seal with a quick flick of his fingers. His eyes skimmed the page, his expression darkening with each passing second. The room grew heavy with unspoken questions as everyone awaited his response.

After a long moment, the king lowered the letter, his gaze sharp as a blade. "Prince Carl has escaped."

Kaelix’s breath caught, and he stepped closer to the king. "Escaped? How?"

Xavian handed the letter to Theron, his lips pressing into a thin line. "It seems someone within the Mbuzuoria Kingdom aided him.The details are unclear, but he is no longer under house arrest."

Julian let out a low whistle, leaning slightly forward. His earlier frustration with Kaelix seemed to dissipate in the face of the new development. "That’s a problem we can’t afford to ignore," he said, his voice unusually serious. "Carl isn’t the type to vanish quietly. He’s plotting something, mark my words."

Lucian nodded in agreement, his tone grave. "If he’s free, he could be planning something far worse than before. We need to prepare for the worst."

Theron finished reading the letter, his expression unreadable as he passed it back to Xavian. "What’s our next step, Father?" he asked. "We need to act immediately. If Carl is out there, Eirik’s safety could be at risk."

Kaelix’s gaze darkened, his jaw tightening. "I won’t let him anywhere near Eirik," he declared, his tone fierce. Then, with a bitter edge, he added, "As a matter of fact, I like that he’s escaped. We can finally hunt him down and end this once and for all."

Theron frowned, his expression both skeptical and intrigued.

"You like that he’s escaped?" Theron repeated, his tone tinged with disbelief. "That’s bold, Kaelix. Reckless, even."

Julian raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms over his chest. "Are you even hearing yourself? Carl on the run is a disaster waiting to happen!"

Kaelix met Julian’s glare head-on, unflinching. "And keeping him locked up was solving anything? He still have to plan his next move. At least now, we can bring this to an end, permanently."

Lucian placed a calming hand on his twin’s shoulder before Julian could retort. "Enough," he said firmly, though his own expression showed clear unease. "This isn’t the time for arguments. We need to focus on what’s ahead."

Theron, however, turned to Kaelix, his tone measured but stern. "Recklessness won’t solve anything, Kaelix. This isn’t just a game. If Carl has allies, then this is bigger than just one man. We need strategy, not emotion."

Kaelix’s gaze flicked to Theron, his eyes blazing with unspoken frustration. "Do not mistake my determination for recklessness," he said coldly. "I have no intention of failing Eirik again.

This is an opportunity. Carl is out in the open, it’s easier to track him, corner him, and end this once and for all. Letting him remain under house arrest was a mistake to begin with."

Lucian’s lips curved into a faint smirk, his voice cutting through the tension. "I don’t entirely disagree with Kaelix. I have been wanting to break Carl’s neck, If this gives us a chance to rid ourselves of him, so be it."

Julian shot his twin a look. "You’re siding with him now? Have you forgotten the chaos Carl caused? Eirik is still recovering."

"Enough," Theron interjected, his voice firm. He turned to Kaelix, his expression calm but stern. "Your confidence is admirable, Kaelix. But If Carl is truly on the run, don’t you think, it means he’s prepared for pursuit, and likely has allies willing to protect him. This might not be an easy hunt."

Kaelix’s gaze darkened, his determination unshaken. "I don’t care how prepared he is. He hurt Eirik, he hurt someone I love. I won’t rest until he’s brought down."

King Xavian, who had been quietly observing the exchange, raised a hand to silence the growing tension. "Enough. This is not the time for arguments. Kaelix’s eagerness to act is noted, but we must tread carefully. Carl is cunning, and his escape could be a calculated trap."

He turned to the messenger, who stood anxiously by the door. "Send word to our people in Mbuzuoria that we require a full investigation into how this escape occurred. I want names, those responsible for aiding Carl must be identified immediately."

The messenger bowed deeply. "As you command, Your Majesty. I’ll dispatch the message at once."

As the man hurried out of the chamber, Xavian shifted his gaze back to his sons and Kaelix. "This discussion isn’t over. We’ll convene the council to decide our next steps. Until then, I expect all of you to act with restraint. Is that clear?"

Theron nodded, though his jaw tightened in silent disapproval. Julian and Lucian exchanged glances but said nothing further. Kaelix inclined his head, though his eyes burned with unspoken resolve.

As Kaelix left the throne room, his footsteps echoing down the grand corridor, he muttered under his breath, "Bunch of cowards." His expression darkened as he replayed the tense conversation with Eirik’s family in his mind. Now, he understood why they had caved so easily when Zephyros had threatened them with war, offering their son, Eirik, like a lamb for slaughter to save their own skins.

It disgusted him. If not for the love he now bore for Eirik, Kaelix wouldn’t have bothered explaining anything to them. He had once believed they loved Eirik, but now he saw them for what they truly were: all bark and no bite. Noise-makers. Cowards. Hiders.