Crowns of Heritage

Chapter 80- Leaving the Castle

(SAGE P.O.V)

I was appalled at what I was hearing, the woman in front of me was shivering as she spoke. I could hear Nathan and Valian cursing as they grit their teeths. The woman held on to my hands tightly, as if she didn't want to let go of me.

“Why didn't you tell us about that?”Nathan asked the woman in an upset tone.

“You never mentioned anything about the young duchess," she replied.

Nathan and Valian became quiet for a moment and sighed loudly.

“You're right, we never asked if you knew anything about the attempt on Sage's life. We only asked about his involvement with Count Livens”, Valian said.

“Did you know anything about the Viscount paying assassins to go after the Winter Dukedom’s successor?”Nathan asked.

Angela shook her head, “I haven't, he only visited my room when he wanted sex. The rest of the time, I was enduring his family's abuse towards me”, she said.

“We have to tell Duke Winter and my father”, I said.

“They went to the dining room, let's go”, Nathan said.

Nathan and Valian started to walk off. Rosemary suddenly ran into the room saying she had to change clothes and that she was coming down after she woke up Yeshiva. I followed behind Nathan, Valian and the woman walked beside me.

“I'm sorry, I suddenly grabbed your hands, Young Duchess please forgive me for my rudeness”, Angela said.

“It's fine, just tell my father and everyone else what you told us.”, I said, as I looked at her.

She nodded her head.

We continued to walk until we made it to the stairs. I saw Peyton walking in our direction, and heard Nathan call out to her. She followed us as we walked down the stairs.

“Why does Nathan and Valian look so pissed off?”Peyton whispered in her ear.

“Because they found out someone wanted to sexually harm me”, I said, as I glanced at Peyton.

“Who the fuck dares to touch you”, she said in a pissed off tone.

“A nobleman named Viscount James”, I said.

After making it to the first floor, we walked until we made it to the dining room. When Nathan opened the door, we saw Duke Winter, my father and my mother sitting at the table. They looked over at us as we entered the dining room.

“Duke Winter, Angela told us some disturbing information.”, Nathan said.

“What is it?”, my father asked.

I walked over to the table and stood next to my father and looked over at Duke Winter. Nathan and Peyton walked behind me. A second later, Rosemary and Yeshiva came rushing into the dining room.

“What is going on?”, my mother asked.

I gestured towards the woman, “She suddenly grabbed my hands after Nathan introduced me. She told me someone by the name of Viscount James wanted to sexually harm me”, I said.

Suddenly, mother and father rose out of the chair and Duke Winter looked very angry.

“What do you mean that son of a bitch wanted to harm my daughter sexually?”, father asked in an angry tone.

All of a sudden mother rushed over and grabbed Angela by her throat.

“Explain everything you know right now”, she said.

Nathan, Peyton and Valian tried to calm my father and mother down. Duke Winter stood up and held onto his cane.

“She can't answer if she's gasping for air Natalie”, Valian said as he grabbed mother's right arm.

Mother placed Angela's foot back onto the floor and she gasped for air.

“I only heard the young Duchess name once”, she said, “After Viscount James returned from the previous conference. He suddenly came into my room and forced me to have sex with him. When he was done forcing me. He caressed my face and said he wondered how Princess Sage would taste and how beautiful she was and what he would do to her, if he had the chance”, she said while tears fell down her face.

I watched as everyone became even more angry and felt the room become filled with a murderous atmosphere. Duke Winter started to walk toward the door.

“Sage, eat before we leave. We're leaving in ten minutes”, he said and looked over at my father.

“You three followed me”, he said as gestured to my father, Nathan and Valian.

Valian looked over at Yeshiva and gestured to him.

They followed behind Duke Winter and left the room. While the rest of us remained in the dining room. Mother gestured to Angela to have a seat after apologizing to her again.

(NATALIE'S P.O.V)

I felt my blood boiling after hearing what that woman said. I ended up grabbing her by the throat without thinking. After Valian stopped me, I lost the tunnel vision I had and apologized to her after hearing what she had to say.

Sage and Rosemary sat down at the table across Peyton and I. I gestured to the young woman and she sat next to Rosemary.

“Is that everything you know?” I asked her

She nodded her head and told us about her life while living with the nobleman she mentioned. Hearing that she was abused by his wife and children made me feel pissed off even more.

“Do you know where they hold the sex slaves?”, I asked.

She nodded, “Near the western borders, Marquess Vince Francis posted a job listing for maids. They only accept young women who don't have families. They asked a lot of questions and only chose commoners. He would transport them to other noblemen that he was close with. He and Count Livens are sick monsters and they abused us and called it training”, she said in a sorrowful tone. “I felt uncomfortable mentioning it to the men who brought along with them," she added.

I got up from the table after hearing what she said. “I need to speak with my father again. We need to infiltrate Marquess Vince estate”, I said.

I gestured to Peyton and she nodded her head. I wanted her to stay with them. While I go to talk to my father and Cena.

(PRINCE MOISES P.O.V)

We followed my grandfather to the office on the first floor. On the way, we stopped in the hallway after we ended up seeing Masiro who was walking with Na'mah and Cena as they walked in our direction.

I was so pissed that I couldn't focus on anything else. My only thought was wiping out the entire aristocratic faction.

“Sir Masiro, I was just about to get one of my butlers to come get you.”, My grandfather said.

Nathan suddenly stepped forward to Masiro.

“Looks like we need to deal with Viscount James as soon as possible. We learned from Angela that he talked about sexually harming Sage”, Nathan said.

Masiro tilted his head to the side and frowned a bit.

“His death is already accounted for”, he said and looked over at my grandfather. “I'll have one of my squad members surveillance his estate and bring him here after the conference,” he said.

My grandfather nodded, “Place him in the prison quarters, once they bring him to the castle”, he said.

Grandfather looked over at me, “Return immediately after the rebels meeting. Sage and I will be returning some time tonight. During the conference, I shall see who all is involved in the attempt to harm Sage and eliminate one by one. I looked forward to seeing that son of bitch Marquess Francis”, he said as he grit his teeth.

We heard footsteps and looked in the direction it was coming from and saw Natalie walking fast towards us.

“Change of plans, I won't be going to the eastern region”, she said, “Angela told us Marquess Vince Francis is keeping sex slaves near the western border and transporting them throughout the kingdom to other noblemen. I need to infiltrate his estate”, she said and looked over at Cena. “I need you to join me”, she added.

Cena nodded her head.

Grandfather tapped my shoulder, “You, Nathan, Valian and Christian should get going. It's almost time for all of us to leave the castle”, he said.

“I'll go call for Sage”, I said and walked away from them.

I could hear them as they continued to talk amongst themselves as I walked back to the dining room.

When I entered the dining room, Sage and Rosemary were still eating. Peyton was talking to the young woman and they looked in my direction.

“Sage, it's time for you to leave for the conference”, I said.

Sage nodded and got up from the table. Peyton got up as well.and followed behind. Peyton was dressed in a guards uniform, and some of my anger calmed down a bit knowing that she would be by Sage's side while she's at the palace.

“Rosemary, you can keep eating and then head to my grandmother's office on the third floor”, I said.

Rosemary nodded her head and gestured to the woman Angela and told.her to eat something.

Sage, Peyton and I left the dining room.

(DUKE WINTER’S P.O.V)

It confirmed my suspicion, when I heard Marquess Francis was involved in trafficking the young orphan women from the western border. Many of the villagers and the commoners of the small surrounding towns sent many complaints to the castle about the disappearance of several young women.

Duke Pordigase, Morgan and I were looking into it and suspect Count Livens and Marquess Francis had to be involved, since they are relatives. It was a little surprising to find out Viscount James was also involved. A part of me suspects that Prince Marshall doesn't know about the attack on Sage. Which is why, I decided I was going to mention it during the conference.

After Nathan and Valian went to get Christian so they would get ready to leave. Natalie, Na'mah and her daughter Cena walked away while talking amongst themselves.

Masiro and I remained in the hallway while I waited for Sage.

“Are you staying in the castle Sir Masiro? I asked.

“I plan to meet some of my squad members that are stationed in the Kalpana Kingdom. We will meet near the western border where the last attack happened”, he said.

“The conference will last a few hours. I looked forward to seeing Viscount James grieve about his wife during the conference.”, I said, and smirked. I felt no sympathy for that bastard.

Masiro smirked.

A few seconds later, Sage, Moises and Peyton came walking towards us. I turned towards Sage and smiled as little.

Moises kissed Sage on the top of her head, and I loved watching the affection between him.and his daughters. It reminded me of the times I spent with Malaysia before she became a Queen.

“Shall we head to the palace, my young duchess, Captain Capilano is waiting for us.” I said.

Sage nodded her head and we walked towards the door with Peyton following behind us.

We walked out of the castle and made our way to the vehicle. Captain Capilano opened the door for a Sage and I. We sat in the back seat and I could feel Sage's nervousness as she sat next to me.

(SAGE P.O.V)

After Captain Capilano drove towards the castle's gate, I noticed Peyton glancing at me but she didn't say anything.

“Sage, my dear”, Duke Winter said, and I looked over at him.

“Yes, Duke Winter”, I said.

He smiled a little.

“I would like for you to call me grandfather, you can be informal as long as we're not around other nobles.”, he said.

I nodded and called him grandfather, which made him smile even more.

“I have a mission for you my dear,”he said.

“What is it?, I asked, curiously.

“I'm certain Prince Marshall will try to meet you alone after the conference. He may threaten you with Synovial Dukedoms lives on the line. Do not react emotionally, and he is currently keeping the Synovial Dukedom under surveillance. Since you and your mother escape the palace dungeon. He is trying to find out who helped you two escape. Try to keep your relationship with Nashi unknown to him during the conference.”, he said.

I was quiet for a moment.

“I understand, I will try my best”, I said. I just hope Nashi could do the same. Remembering his behavior from the previous conference, I thought to myself.

He placed his hand on my shoulder, “I plan to let the attack on you and your sister be known to everyone in the conference. Are you familiar with reading someone's body language?”, he asked.

I nodded.

“Great, pay attention to Duke Haverhill's body language. Duke Haverhill doesn't know Count Livens murdered his sister. So he can also be a part of the attempt on your life. He still believes your father killed his sister”, he mentioned.

On our way to the palace, Duke Winter asked me questions and asked if I remembered everyone that attended the last conference.

I shook my head, and for the next three hours. He reminded me about the twenty people who attended the previous conference and told me to pay attention to their body languages.

(ROSEMARY P.O.V)

After I was done with my breakfast, some of the butlers started to clean off the table. The door to the dining room opened and Lucy the head maid walked into the room. She told me Duchess Mary was expecting me and then told Angela that a guest room was ready for her to rest in.

Angela seemed a little hesitant to follow behind one of the maids Lucy brought with her and I offered to walk with her before I head to the office. On the way to the stairs, I saw my father, Nathan, Prince Christian and uncle Valian walking towards the front door.

My father and Nathan gestured to me at the same time and they chuckled after they noticed. I walked over to them and they both hugged me and told me they were about to leave. My father mentioned that my mother decided to stay in the castle for a bit.

They left the castle and I continued to walk upstairs behind Lucy and Angela followed behind me. We walked toward the left wing of the castle where the guest rooms were. Angela's room happened to be across from Nathan and grandfather's room. Once Angela settled into the room, Lucy and I left and made our way to the third floor to the Duchess office's.

When I entered the office, I saw the seamstress sitting on the couch across from Duchess Mary.

When the hell did she arrive, I thought to myself.

“Rosemary, my dear, I'm happy that you've recovered well.”, she said with the brightest smile on her face.

She gestured for me to have a seat and I walked over and sat next to her.

“I contacted the seamstress to see if you and Sage's dresses were ready for fitting. She arrived about an hour ago. Since Sage will be gone for a couple of hours. We should go ahead and start preparing you for the debutante.``, she said.

I nodded my head, I felt a little excited that I would be occupied for the time being. Even so, I was still feeling a little worried about Sage. But I'm sure I could keep myself busy for a while.

“Shall we head to the dressing room, Princess?”, the seamstress asked.

I nodded. I stood up after Duchess Mary and the seamstress got up from their seats and I followed behind them out of the office.

Duchess Mary led us to one of the dressing rooms on the third floor. It was a couple rooms down from her office. She told me that Sage and I's dresses were already in the room.

We entered the dressing room, and I followed Lucy to one of the large mirrors but stood in the opposite direction. Lucy and the seamstress started to help me undress. I was left standing with my bra and panties on.

All of a sudden, Lucy told me to hold in my breath and placed something around my abdominal area.

“What is this?”, I asked as she tightened it.

“A corset, most of the nobles wear it under their dresses”, she said.

I'm starting to rethink this noble lifestyle, I thought to myself and I tried to breathe.

(PRINCE MOISES P.O.V)

It was around 12:00 pm, when we left the castle, we rode in one of my grandfather's vehicles after one of the butlers handed me the keys. Valian offered to drive, and I suggested to Nathan that he should rest since we would be traveling for the next six hours.

Valian, Christian, and I talked amongst ourselves while Nathan had fallen asleep.

“We should make it in time for the meeting, but I wonder when the attack will happen. Could the attack take place at the eastern rebels meeting”, Christian said, while sitting in the backseat with Nathan.

“It could be, but there's a rebel group in each region so it's possible it could be any of those groups”, Valian said.

I thought to myself for a moment, I need to travel to each region to visit the groups and set up an urgent meeting with all of the rebel leaders. I don't know how long we have until the Kalpana Kingdom decides to make their moves, I thought to myself.

“Is there a way to gather all the leaders of the rebel groups?”, I asked Valian.

“My guess is contacting your brother Prince Morgan, since he was the one who secretly started everything and gathered members”, he replied.

“He'll be visiting the castle soon, I'll talk to him about it”, I said.

Suddenly, I heard a loud buzzing sound and I glanced over at Valian and then at Nathan who was waking up. The buzzing sound was coming from both of them.

“Nathan what is it?”Valian asked, as he continued to drive without looking at his phone.

I was confused, “What's going on?”, I asked.

“Since both of our phones buzzed, it means someone just requested a bounty hunter.”, he replied.

A second later, we heard Nathan gasp.

“Holy shit, it is a request for a bounty hunter”, Nathan said.

I looked back at him and reached out his phone to me.

“Doesn't the description of the person sound familiar?”, he said as I grabbed the phone.

I looked at the phone and read the message Nathan received. My eyes widened as I read it.

“Shit, it's Serbia, Marshall is definitely looking for her”, I said.