CHAPTER 120: FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN

Lord Kane got up early in the morning and decided to take his evening walk that morning instead, as he knew he was going to have a busy day.

He went on the walk with his personal guard accompanying him. He followed the mountain route, enjoying the scenic views of the leaves falling to the ground in the autumn weather.

Lord Kane sighed. "It's a shame this will all be lost in the winter. Although I personally prefer winter, probably due to our nature, but still, the view over the vegetation in autumn is spectacular."

"It sure is my lord. I anticipate the winter season," lord Kane's personal guard said.

Having taken his usual route, he returned back to the palace, took his bath, and got prepared for a council meeting that was scheduled for noon that day.

When he was done, he headed to the council room. As he walked there, he bumped into Prince Tristan being trotted out by Jon.

"Good morning, my Lord," Lord Kane greeted, smiling.

"Lord Kane, good morning," Prince Tristan replied. "You seem to be in good spirits."

"Oh wow, it's that obvious isn't it?" he replied smiling.

"It's written all over you," Prince Tristan responded, and they both chuckled.

"So, how are finding your new status, with Lady Blossom?" lord Kane enquired.

"Well, it's not been bad. She's okay," Prince Tristan shrugged.

"I know she can never be Olexa to you, but since you made the choice to be joined to her, you're going to have to be committed to making it work. That's the only way you'll survive being joined to her, and it'll be good for your future offspring as well," Lord Kane counseled.

"I'll do my best," Prince Tristan replied. He smiled softly because lord Kane had no idea about the agreement he had with Blossom. But he wasn't going to divulge that to him, yet.

Shortly after, they arrived at the council room. He gestured that the Prince go in first, and he would follow after him. Jon trotted the Prince into the council room and lord Kane followed after him.

Jon took the Prince to his usual position, which was right beside the King's seat. He bowed and exited the room. Lord Kane also took his seat appropriately.

"Prince Tristan, good morning," Lord Corin greeted.

"Good morning, Lord Corin," he replied.

"I didn't think you'd be here right now. Wouldn't your wife be missing you dearly?"

Prince Tristan chuckled. "She is, most definitely. But she also knows I have obligations, other than being a husband."

"Always so diligent!" Lord Arius complimented.

Lord Corin scoffed, rolling his eyes.

Just then, the doors of the council room swung open, and the King walked through, heading to his seat. The lords got up greeting him.

"Good morning, fellow lords," the King responded. "Please, sit down."

They all took their seats calmly. Prince Tristan looked and saw that General Klaus was still not back from wherever he went to.

"So, let's get into the business of the day. I'd like to-"

"Excuse me, your Majesty," Prince Tristan interrupted.

"What is it?" the King asked.

"I've noticed General Klaus has been absent for quite a while now. Even during the marriage ceremony. No lord of the First kingdom is to be absent at such a day," Prince Tristan stated.

The King gulped, feeling uncomfortable and irked at that statement.

"And there has been no official report of what he's been absent doing, all these while. So, where is he? What's so important that's been keeping him away?" Prince Tristan enquired, unafraid.

Lord Kane looked at the King keenly, noticing his body language. He was tense and knew that it was definitely something dubiously evil that the General was up to.

"Well, he uh- He and the Legion needed to take some time to go through a training course, far away from the First kingdom, to enhance their preparedness for situations such as the one you so heroically stepped in and saved the day, here at the palace," he lied.

"I see," Prince Tristan nodded. "Thank you for letting us know, your Majesty. I believe this is how it ought to be. We're all leaders of this great Kingdom."

"Of course, Prince Tristan," the King cracked up a smile, but he was full of loathsome rage. He tried to mask it with a smile.

The meeting went on as scheduled and most of the things being discussed annoyed the Prince, as it mostly segregated the minorities, the humans and witches.

Finally, the meeting came to an end and the Prince couldn't have been more thankful that it did. The King quickly left the council room heading back to his chamber. Prince Tristan followed right after he left.

As he was being trotted by Jon, a servant who was part of The Rebellion, walked past him and handed Jon a note. Jon waited till they got to the Prince's chamber before he handed it over to him when they were both in.

Prince Tristan got up from his wheelchair and read through the note.

"What does it say, my Lord?" Jon was curious to know.

"The Juror requested that we see later that night," Prince Tristan replied.

"What for?" Jon asked.

"I don't know. He didn't state it," he replied.

"Hmm," Jon sighed.

Prince Tristan read through the letter one more time and found that the handwriting was that of the Juror, but some alphabets seemed a bit off. He furrowed his brow, wondering why. But he shrugged it off.

***

While Lord Kane made his way back to his chamber, he was stunned at the person he suddenly bumped into.

"Lord Kane," General Klaus greeted. Lord Kane comported himself.

"General. I see you're back."

"Yes, I am."

"You missed the Prince's marriage. Where have you been?"

"Here and there. Doing what's good for our kind."

"I see," lord Kane nodded. He knew for certain that the King and General were up to no good.

"Glad to have you back," Lord Kane said and walked past him.

"How is your family, back in NorthHill?" General Klaus asked.

Lord Kane halted, musing on what he was just asked.

"They are okay. Why do you ask?"

"Oh, it's nothing." The General shrugged. "I just wanted to be sure they were okay. I'm sure that fire must have scared them a lot. Just wanted to make sure that nothing of such has happened while they've been there."

Lord Kane's eyes widened in shock and welled up with anger. He walked towards the General and grabbed him by the chest slamming him against the wall.

The soldiers wanted to restrain Lord Kane, but General Klaus stretched his hand, stopping them.

"You bastard! What did you do to my family?"

General Klaus smirked derogatorily. "I didn't do anything."

Lord Kane slammed him against the wall again and hurried off.

General Klaus chuckled, as Lord Kane hurried off.