The Princess' Harem
Chapter 150: The Kidnapper

Chapter 150: The Kidnapper

Suddenly, a soft clicking sound echoed loudly in the silence of the large bedroom. It was clearly the sound of a key turning, coming from the wall near the fireplace.

Viana opened her eyes at once, her heart pounding fast. She held her breath and stayed completely still.

The wall behind the golden tapestry slowly shifted, revealing a hidden door behind it. A dim light from the dark corridor inside reached her, and she could smell damp soil from there.

A tall figure stepped into the room with silent movements. Viana immediately recognized him. Count Lazarus Bloodworth.

His long black robe brushed against the floor as he walked toward the bed, his face showing triumph. His eyes stared coldly at Viana, but it felt like he was holding himself back from doing something more.

Viana pretended to stay asleep, peeking through her lashes. She forced her breathing to stay steady, not wanting Lazarus to know she was awake.

He stood by the bed, staring with a gaze that sent chills down her spine. A thin smile curved on his lips.

"You can avoid me," he muttered to himself in a low voice. "But someday, you’ll fall into my hands too."

Lazarus moved closer to the bed. His hand touched the bed’s curtain, but then he suddenly froze. Clenching his hand tightly, he turned away.

Without a sound, he stepped back into the secret passage, and the same click echoed when the door shut again.

Viana opened her eyes and sat up, her whole body shaking. Sweat covered her forehead and palms.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. "Lazarus..." she whispered in fear.

Her suspicion had been true. This castle belonged to Lazarus. Realizing it made her feel trapped again, like in her previous life.

Still trembling, she slid down from the bed and walked toward the hidden door. She pressed on the wall, searching for any gap or button, but found nothing.

Frustrated and scared, she gently hit the wall near the fireplace and then stood still in front of it.

"Calm down, Viana..." she whispered. She returned to the bed and sat at the edge, her back against the wooden post, her legs ready to push her if the door opened again.

She held a silver wine cup taken from the table beside the bed, ready to use it as a weapon.

Her eyes never left the spot where Lazarus had appeared. She didn’t sleep again.

***

Meanwhile, in Elysia Palace, King Clive paced back and forth, his face red with anger. Queen Isabella sat on the throne, pale, with several maidservants beside her in case she needed help.

In the corner of the room, Sina held Cooper, who looked frightened. "Princess Viana... she’ll be okay, right?" he asked weakly. Sina just hugged him tighter, unable to respond.

Suddenly, Prince Rayne from the Valendale Empire arrived for the festival invitation. He entered with a serious face. An old woman with gray hair and a worn robe followed slowly behind him, holding a carved wooden staff.

"Your Majesty," Rayne said, bowing to King Clive and Queen Isabella. "I just heard the news about Princess Viana. What happened?"

King Clive looked at him, his anger mixed with shame that this happened in front of an important guest. "Viana was taken during the festival," he replied quickly. "We’re sending all soldiers to find her."

Rayne frowned. "Let me help. Viana is... a dear friend."

He turned toward Joel and Reyes, who were still kneeling, faces full of regret. "Where did you last see her?"

Reyes quickly explained the timeline, starting from the fight at the festival and the missing carriage on the rocky road. Then he and Joel had run off to continue searching without waiting for orders.

Rayne wanted to join them, but they had already gone. He sighed and turned to the old woman now standing still beside him, her eyes half-closed.

She was a seer from Valendale, brought by Rayne as a surprise for Viana during the festival.

"Bertina, you said you could see where Viana is now?" he asked urgently.

Bertina nodded slowly, her hand reaching for the small crystal hanging around her neck. She sat cross-legged in the center of the hall, ignoring the confused stares from the guests.

She whispered softly like she was reciting a chant. "I see... a big castle in the mountains... it’s cold..."

She opened her eyes and looked at Rayne. "Go north, to a hidden valley. The carriage took her there."

Rayne nodded. "Thank you, Bertina. I will go now, and you’re coming with me."

He turned to King Clive. "Your Majesty, allow me to search for Viana. We’ll return with news soon."

Though still furious, King Clive gave a nod. "Thank you, Prince Rayne..."

Rayne and Bertina rushed out, mounted the horses already waiting, and left with Rayne’s knights heading north. Though old, Bertina rode fast.

***

Viana, still sitting tense on the edge of the bed, closed her eyes. She tried to calm her mind and attempted once again to connect with any living thing nearby.

"Whoever is out there... please hear me..." she whispered inside her head, focusing her awareness beyond the room. After a moment, she felt a stronger vibration than her last try.

It came from the castle’s outer wall. She focused harder and finally reached an old tree standing firm in the courtyard, a bit farther from the castle.

"Old tree... can you help me?" she asked hopefully. The tree responded with a clearer ’voice’. Images of the castle wall and the iron gate guarded by soldiers appeared in her mind, sent by the old tree.

"We can help... follow us."

Viana opened her eyes, her heart beating fast. "You’re willing to help?" she murmured. Then she felt the tree nod in her mind.

And suddenly, she could feel the presence of other creatures—small birds on the branches, mice underground, even the creeping plant roots on the castle walls. It was as if they had responded to the old tree’s call, ready to help her escape.​