Chapter 13 THE SCHEMES IGNITE
"Lena is dead?" he asked.
Emelia nodded in acknowledgement.
“You have to talk,” she urged. “Tell them what you remember. Tell them something. Anything.”
Eric shook his head. “I don’t remember, Emelia. That’s the problem.”
She closed her eyes. “Try. Please.”
He stood slowly and approached the door. His fingers wrapped around the cold metal , only an inch from hers.
“I remember walking into Father’s chambers,” he said quietly. “I remember hearing a sound behind me. I turned. Then… i felt dizzy and it was darkness. When I woke up, Father was bleeding on the floor as a dagger fell off my hand. The guards later found me there. That’s everything.”
“But you wouldn’t have hurt him?” Emelia said firmly. “You would never hurt the king right?.”
She searched his eyes, hoping to find even a small spark of hope. But she saw only fear of the unknown, fear of betrayal, fear of what he might be capable of without knowing.
“Eric,” she whispered, her voice trembling, “you are not a murderer.”
He closed his eyes. “Tell that to the council.”
“I will,” she said. “I’ll stand beside you. They can’t silence me.”
"Just let it go. The knife was in my hands. What if i really killed him?" Eric said tiredly.
Emelia reached through the doors and brushed her finger against his hand. He held it tightly, as if holding onto a lifeline.
“You had no reason to. You love father.” she whispered.
“I know, but i really cant explain this,” he said quietly.
She looked at him, startled. “What do you mean?”
Eric hesitated.
“Whoever did this to me… or whoever shot the maid are the same person. They won’t care who falls next but just want to win.”
Her throat tightened.
“You should rest,” Eric said gently. “Please, Emelia before they accuse you of meddling.”
“I don’t care,” she said.
“But I do,” he replied.
For a moment, neither spoke.
She wanted to reassure him, to promise nothing would happen to her but she couldn’t. She felt every wall in the palace shifted around her and every shadow watched her.
Finally, the guard coughed softly. “Your Highness… your time is up.”
Emelia’s eyes filled with tears. “I’ll come again.”
“I know.”
She stepped back, her chest tightening, and watched the door close as it sealed him in once more.
Inside, Eric stood motionless, watching her until she disappeared from view.
Prince Eric had been locked inside for eight days. It was long enough for the rumors to spread far, but not long enough for anyone to discover what really happened.
He sat on the bed staring at the window. A patch of morning light stretched across the floor. He had replayed the night with the King over and over, searching for something he might have missed. But the memory never changed.
He had gone to the meeting with his brother. After then they had a discussion.
"Father, it’s not proper for my older brother to rule alongside me," Eric said, his voice steady but with frustration. He felt the weight of responsibility pressing down on him, heavier than the walls of the council chamber around them.
Before his father could reply.
"Eric" a voice whispered.
He turned around but perceived a faint, sweet scent of perfume drifting through the air which twisted around his senses. He blinked and tried to locate the source, but the world seemed to tilt violently.
The next moment, darkness swallowed him.
When he awoke, the air was cool and damp, and a strange quiet surrounded him. He say his father in his arms as the dagger slipped from his hand. He struggled to recall how he had gotten here as his eyes adjusted. The guards rushed towards him. And chaos began.
A metal clang broke his thoughts. Footsteps approached and Eric stood.
“Your Highness,” One of the guard said from behind the doors. He bowed, though he looked tired and troubled. “You have a visitor.”
Eric’s heart lifted. “Emelia?”
He shook his head. “Prince Adrian.”
Eric’s expression tightened, but he nodded. “Let him in.”
The guard unlocked the door. Adrian entered stiff and tense in his navy cloak. His eyes scanned Eric with a sharp and uneasy suspicion.
“You came,” Eric said quietly.
“I had to,” Adrian replied, folding his arms. “The council wants answers, and you’re the only one who can give them.”
“I’ve told the truth again and again.”
“Maybe so,” Adrian said, “but it doesn't seem the truth is enough.”
Eric studied him. His voice sounded influenced and guided. “Who has been talking to you?”
Adrian hesitated.
“Athalia,” Eric asked.
Adrian didn’t deny it.
“She has supported me through all this,” Adrian said. “She hears what the nobles whisper and she knows what the court fears.”
Eric stepped closer. “And what do they fear? That I will hurt Father? That I brought down the King for the throne? Adrian, it makes no sense.”
Adrian’s eyes dropped. “But Father pointed at you.”
Eric looked away tightening his chest.
The King had woken briefly two days earlier looking weak and confused. Only a few people were with him: physicians, guards, Adrian… and Athalia. Eric was kept outside.
Later he heard what happened: the King whispered one broken word and lifted a shaking hand toward Eric’s name.
It was enough to ignite the entire court.
“Father was delirious,” Eric said. “His words cannot be taken as proof.”
“But people remember them,” Adrian said softly. “They won’t forget. That's another witness against you.”
Eric saw the conflict in his brother’s eyes. “You doubt me.”
“I don’t know what to believe,” Adrian whispered.
“You used to trust me without question.” Eric said
“And times were simpler,” Adrian replied. “Now the kingdom is unstable and every choice matters.”
“Whatever Athalia is telling you...” Eric began.
“She’s protecting the throne,” Adrian snapped. “She’s doing what must be done.”
Eric shook his head. “Or what she wants done.”
Adrian’s jaw tightened. “I didn’t come here to argue.”
“Then why? Why did you come?"
Adrian stepped closer to the bars. “To warn you.”
Eric’s breath caught. “About what?”
Adrian nodded. “The same fragrance found on your cloak was found on Father’s robe.”
Eric’s stomach twisted. “Adrian, I don’t wear perfume.”
“I know,” Adrian said quietly. “But the nobles don’t know you like I do.”
Eric gripped the bars. “Do you truly believe I would harm our father?”
Adrian looked down. “I want to believe you. But this is bigger than us.”
Eric noticed a faint gold shimmer on Adrian’s sleeve. He had seen it before.
“Athalia was with you today,” Eric said.
Adrian froze. “She's my wife?”
Eric swallowed his dread. “Just… be careful.”
Adrian said nothing and walked out. Eric was right to be scared for athalia wasn't done.