Crowns of Heritage

Chapter 78- Decisions (4)

(NATALIE'S P.O.V)

After entering Sage's room, she walked over to the bed and sat down. I walked over and sat beside her and placed her head onto my shoulder. I wanted to comfort for a moment before she went to sleep. Knowing that she will see Nashi tomorrow at the conference, I wanted to reassure her that everything would be okay, and that her father and I will support any decisions she chooses.

“I met Peyton in the hallway, and she told me about your concerns”, I said and started to caress her hair a little.

“Peyton said Nashi and I should have a serious talk”, Sage said.

“I agree, I think you two should have a serious conversation. If you two part ways, it is still possible to become a friendly support for one another.”, I said.

Sage sighed “The noble society is so complicated”, she said.

“Tell me about it, I had to deal with the King trying to get your father to marry another woman. While I was pregnant with you and your sister. Your father refused many times and finally told the King that he was in love with someone. When Prince Marshall told the King about me and that I was pregnant, he was enraged but your father wouldn't back down”, I said.

Sage raised her head and looked up at me with a shocked expression.

“Wasn't you also engaged to Brian the one who kidnapped and brought me to the kingdom, when you met father?”, she asked.

I nodded, “Brian and I's engagement was arranged by our fathers. Brian would have married into the Henrico family and took our last name in order to become a candidate for the next Chief. No different than what the nobles do. Your father and I were drawn to each other from the moment we saw one another. Just like you may have felt when you first met Prince Antonio ”, I replied.

Sage turned her head and looked down for a moment.

“For the time being, I prefer you focus more on entering the noble society. Many will accept you, many will look at you with disdain for being an illegitimate Princess. Although your father and I secretly married, you will still be considered illegitimate by the noble standards” I said.

Sage looked up at me.and I smiled at her.

“That's enough worrying for tonight”, I said and got up from the bed. I placed my hand on the top of Sage's head. “Get some rest, you'll have a busy day starting in the morning”, I said.

Sage nodded and laid down in the bed. I continued to talk to her until she started to doze off. Once she was asleep, I kissed her on the forehead and walked out of the room.

(PRINCE MOISES P.O.V)

When I returned to my room, I couldn't help but replay everything Peyton had mentioned. I know it's selfish and vague of me to not explain everything to Sage. A part of me wished she wasn't destined partners with a Prince, especially a Crown Prince who will become the next king.

My only hope is that she doesn't live an unhappy life like my mother, who sacrificed everything for my father just because he was her destined partner. From the stories, I heard from my grandfather and the events I witnessed with my own eyes. My mother was an exceptional Queen, the embodiment of nobility, until my father started to bring mistresses and concubines into the palace and it caused my mother great heartache.

I sighed, not that I could say anything, for I would also sacrifice everything for Natalie and my daughters, I thought to myself.

I looked over in the left direction when I heard the door opening, and Natalie came walking in. I held out my arms and she walked over and sat on my lap.

“Sage is really concerned and worrying about what she should do about Prince Antonio and Nashi”, Natalie said and sighed..

“I'm sure her concerns will be resolved tomorrow”, I said.

“What do you mean?”, Natalie asked while looking up at me.

I sighed, “My grandfather and Duke Pordigase suggested to Duke Vernon that Nashi should marry one of Duke Pordigase's daughters.”, I said.

Natalie didn't seem surprised at all.

“Do you think Nashi would accept that?”, she asked.

I nodded my head, “Yes I do”, I answered, “Because whether he accepts or not, he still wouldn't be able to be with Sage. At the risk of being disowned by Duke Vernon or Synovial Dukedom being charged with a crime.”, I added.

“Is this about Sylvester helping Sage and I escape the dungeon?”, she asked.

I nodded, “Prince Marshall is keeping the Synovial Dukedom under surveillance. It's a matter of time before he finds out Sylvester helped you and Sage break out”, I said.

Natalie sighed and laid her head on my chest.

“You have to tell Sage, and she will be able to let Nashi go willingly, if it means saving their life before the rebellion starts”, She said.

I kissed Natalie on the top of her head.

“My grandfather will explain everything to her on their way to the conference”, I said.

I looked over at the time and saw it had just turned 2:00 am.

“Let's get some rest honey, we have a long drive ahead of us”, I said.

Natalie nodded.

I got up from the bed and placed her down. I laid next to her and kissed her on the lips.

“I wonder if Nathan and my father found out who sent the assassin.”, Natalie said as she laid her head down.

(NATHAN'S P.O.V)

While walking back to the truck, Masiro and I continued to ask Angela questions about Viscount James. She mentioned that he was Prince Marshall's palace advisor and would always complain about how incompetent he was and that he should be grateful to be born into the royal family.

“Does Marquess Vince Francis live in the Central region as well? I asked.

“No, he lives in the Western region, he's the Lord of the town of Sierra. That's where I was working before coming to the Viscount estate ”, she answered.

“Son of a bitch, that's one of the towns that is close to the border. Are they really trafficking orphans from both Kingdoms?”, I asked.

“I think so," she answered.

Shit, I thought to myself.

“Do you know his involvement with Count Livens?”Masiro asked.

“I know Count Livens plan is to take over the kingdom. Whenever Viscount James and Count Livens came over to visit Marquess Vince, they would discuss their hatred for the royal family and the Winter Dukedom”, she said.

Masiro and I looked at each other without saying anything. About twenty minutes later, we made it back to the truck. I opened the back door and helped Angela into the truck. Masiro and I remained standing outside, while we waited for Valian to return.

Masiro handed me a cigarette after lighting his own. I lit my cigarette and placed the back of my head onto the truck.

“After we return to the castle, I plan to visit the town”, I said.

“I'll be reaching out to my squad members, I'll be sending Count Livens a precious gift and Prince Marshall”, Masiro said, in a serious tone.

“What kind of gift?”, I asked.

“Viscount James' body parts”, he said.

We suddenly heard footsteps approaching and looked towards the directions. A few seconds later, Valian came walking towards us.

“I hung that old hag in a well lit area”, he said.

“Great, let's get going”, Masiro said.

“I heard yelling and screaming a few minutes after I jumped over the wall and ran into the forest. They'll be searching soon”, Valian said.

We climbed into the truck and Masiro started to drive off out of the forest.

“What's the plan now?”Valian asked.

“We head back to the castle and inform Duke Winter and Prince Moises first before we split up. I need to gather the squad and see what all they have found out of their separate missions”, Masiro said.

“Shall I join you?”Valian asked.

“No, Go with Nathan to the town of Sierra, and find out more about Marquess Vince Francis.” Masiro replied.

“Yes sir”, he said.

I looked over at Angela and saw that she had fallen asleep.

“What are we going to do about her?”, I asked.

“We'll let Duke Winter decide”, he answered.

It became quiet as we continued to travel to the western region. I could hear snoring from the front seat and looked over and saw the Valian had also fallen asleep. It was around 2:30am, when Masiro and I heard a buzzing sound.

“It's one of my clan members, we can only send emails to each other for now”, Masiro said.

“Is it your squad member or one of the members that's still in the territory?”, I asked.

Masiro pulled over to the side of the road and looked at his phone. A few seconds later, he lifted his head up and glanced back at me.

“It's from Saul, Yeshiva and Jemas father”, he said. “Apparently, the King of Kalpana is in an uproar,” he added.

“We need to hurry back”, I said.

Before Masiro could respond, his phone started to buzz again.

“This time it's Jemas”, Masiro said and looked down at his phone again. “Chief, an unexpected attack will happen somewhere in the kingdom some time tomorrow while everyone is at the conference”, he said as he read out loud.