CHAPTER 24: Caught.

7:31 PM 8/5/2024
Chapter 24: Caught.
Cedrick went back to the castle and continued his pretense. But all of a sudden, the royal guards apprehended him.
"I demand to see the king"

"As you wish"

Soon after, he was brought to the throne room. The king was there, waiting for him. They dropped Cedrick on the floor.
"What is this about?"

The king got up from his throne and stood there looking at him, emotionless. After a while, he smiled. Cedrick felt goosebumps appear all over his body.
"Cedrick, you have asked a wonderful question. But first, let me tell you a story. You see, when Areida went missing, I had this thought 'No one knows the whereabouts of the princess, except of course, the people inside the castle' ".

"That doesn't mean anything. The princess' schedule is never announced", Cedrick interrupted.

The king raised his hand and one of the guards stepped forward and slapped him.
"You don't interrupt a king when he is speaking. As I was speaking, before I was rudely interrupted, because of the possibilities of overhearing where my daughter was going to, I had a meeting with Horace. I told him to watch everyone in this castle. And one person out of everybody stood out. That's you Cedrick".

"So, to answer your question, Horace told me that twice every week, you would disappear. Another thing was also brought to my attention. The reduction of my warlock guards. So, I had someone follow you. Reports came back to me that you would threaten a guard and lead them away. The guard then opens a portal for the two of you to step in but only you comes out. Are you working with a witch on the other side? Cedrick?"

Cedrick was seething with anger at this moment. "You ruined my family. You killed everyone I ever loved. Now it’s your turn", and he lunged at the king.
Unfortunately for him, Cole wasn't just a king, he was a vampire and an able one at that. He met Cedrick in the center and brought him down.

"What do you mean by that, Cedrick?", Cole asked.

"Go and figure it out yourself", he said and spat on Cole's face.

Cole rose and calmly cleaned his face. "Take him to the dungeon. And make sure you torture the truth out of him".

****
Clark ran as fast as he could to his mother's room once he heard the news about Cedrick.
"Mom. The culprit behind Areida's death has finally been caught".

Esmeralda smiled at him. "That's great. But it doesn't help anything. It can't bring my daughters back. It also can't stop this war. Even if your father tries to pin the blame on Cedrick, a witness already identified the culprit as Claressa".

"I understand mom. But it's still good news".

She walked to him and brought him to sit on her bed. Then she embraced him. “Clark, you must promise me one thing. One child is gone and the other is missing. You must promise me that you would never leave me. You're the only child I have left". Tears were flowing down her cheeks as she said this.

"Don't worry, mom. There's no way in hell that I would leave your side. I'm sure Claressa isn't dead. She's alive and kicking somewhere. I can feel it".

"I hope so too, Clark. I hope so".

Chapter end