Third Person POV
Cassian growled out an order as he finally got to his carriage and quickly entered.
“Get me out of here immediately!”
As his carriage turned and began to trot down the street, Crown Prince Lysander stared at in a stunned manner but there was soemthing that flickered across his chest as he recalled all tha had just happened mere moments ago.
“What an intriguing fellow,” he mumbled to himself, a small smile playing on his lips as he did so and without turning his gaze towards the crowd, he began to hear something’s that made him a bit surprised.
“Did you hear him when he said all those things earlier?”
“Yes, I didn’t even believe him when he said that that Hans fellow was the one holding most of our kids to sell them out!”
“Isn’t that right?
I mean we’ve known Hans for years but if the boy hadn’t even told us all these, we would have kept believing that evil doer and harming ourselves in the process!!”
“What a despicable man!”
“I pray he rots in jail!”
“No, cut off his head!!”
Hmm, when he had heard that boy say all those things about the bakery owner, he hadn’t believed him at all but then he also heard him talking about the kids too and against all things, he had chose to believe him.
Even thought it didn’t turn out to be the truth but if there was even a tiny bit of lead then there was no reason for him not to check it out.
So he had sent his men to check and voila, they found everything and even got a few more places they could check to make sure the kids weren’t there and the illegals activities that the bakery owner was doing wasn’t being down there.
But all these came down to one thing that puzzled him so much that he couldn’t even understand how it was possible.
“Is it me or….that boy never opened his mouth when he was saying all these things… “and judging from what he had just heard from the people who were already dispersing, they had also heard it too!
Shaking his head, he swiftly got on his horse and left the place with some of his men while ordering the rest to put out the fire.
He rode at top speed back to the castle and quickly slipped into the Hall Of Ascention meant for the morning court session and went straight to whisper something into his fathers ears.
“You don’t hear this everyday.
Who is this boy?” His father asked, a frown on his face as he watched his ministers squirm and nervously pinch themselves as if hoping that whatever had just been reported wasn’t bad news on any of them.
“The Count’s third son.” He whispered and the king nodded with a thoughtful look on his face.
“And you’re absolutely certain about this?” The king asked and he took a moment long to answer, which had the king turning to stare at him.
“There’s no harm in checking and after all, if it really is true….we could put him to use.” He tuned his gaze to the ministers and somehow, they all shivered under that calculating look but some others who were strong held firm.
“Oh, interesting.
You say he has merit right?” Lysander nodded and the king smiled as he turned his attention back to his ministers and he took that as his cue to step away.
“I just received the news that Count Valmont’s third son had been a helpful aid in the discovery of a man involved in illegal possession and use of dangerous substances and also the illegal trafficking of children.” The count stumbled as he rushed forward to kneel before the king and Lysander’s lips twitched.
“Not to worry, my dear minister.
He has merit.
I will reward him with five hundred gold coins, a private carriage of his own, a castle medal, and the decree that he is to attend court every time court is held or every time I order him to.” The king said, careful to word his sentence correctly so as not to raise any suspicion.
But of course, there was bound to be someone who had another different view on the matter and that person just so turned out to be Minister Clovis(Duke Clovis).
“Your Majesty, attending court is not a small matter and the castle medal gives the holder free entry into the castle at anytime they wish.
I suggest changing the rewa—”
“Duke Clovis, do you want me to abdicate the throne and write a decree to pass it to you?” The king’s voice turned cold and some ministers stepped back.
“Of course, not.
That would be treason.
I only implore you to think twic—”
“Going against the king after a decree has been issued is treason, Duke Clovis.
I implore you to think twice before making that mistake.” Prince Trevor said offhandedly from his seat to the side of his brother’s throne and the king almost smiled.
For once, he agreed with his brother.
Duke Clovis saw that his tactic had being turned against him and his jaw tightened before he bowed and deftly retreated back to standby in his former position.
He would have to find out another way to get rid of this boy.
If anyone was to be here then it would be his son and not the son of some count.
“Count Valmont, receive the rewards.” Crown Prince Lysander called out and the count instantly bowed.
“Your humble servant receives your rewards.
Thank you, your majesty.”
After that fiasco, the king gave Lysander a small look right before court ended and Lysander understood exactly why he meant by that.
But as the king and Lysander walked the gardens after morning court session, they heard baffling news coming from the servants who had gathered during their working hours.
“…that the child isn’t the king’s at all!”
“Yes, it has been circulating since yesterday!”
“The king’s fifth concubine?”
“Yes!
That she’s doing the deed with a guard!”
“The king sure plays well!”
Laughter filled the air at that and the king stopped in his tracks, his entire body freezing as he tried to understand what he had just heard.
Fifth concubine?
His favorite concubine?
Concubine Theresa?
Was in the arms of a guard?
Lysander saw his father’s countenance darken and quickly sent his guards to bring the servants to their front immediately.
The four of them were all trembling when they were brought before them and Lysander resisted the urge to shake his head.
He too was shocked but he didn’t even know whether the gossip was true or it was just some false information used by servants to pass time and have fun.
But if there was a rumor then they had to be a few truths in them.
“Repeat what you have just said and tell me where you heard it from or I’ll have your heads for slander!” He said and they all let out fearful squeaks before they all fell to their knees and bowed to the ground
“W-w only h-heard it from the next s-servant.
No one knows where it came f-from.”
“Y-yes.
It has b-been c-circulating around the c-capital since y-yesterday!”
What?
An he hadn’t heard of it?
Just where had this preposterous story come from?
“Ten strokes of the cane for their misstep.
I want the source brought before me before tomorrow’s court!” Father ordered and he nodded before his father turned and left the place with haste.
Probably to go check if the news had any credibility but if anything, Lysander found the whole situation quite amusing and he had an inkling on whom it might be.
But also, he knew that the person had no use for such information so he had to cross him off that list.
Maybe someone seeking to destroy the peace his father had with his harem?
That was highly plausible.
Sighing, he left the gardens behind.