Chapter 3

I traveled without rest, pushing myself to the limit. By the time I reached the palace gates, it was already deep into the night.

The gates were shut tight, and the heavy darkness of the night pressed down so hard that it felt hard to breathe.

As I stood before the gates, it felt as if an invisible hand had clenched around my heart, making my breathing shaky.

Inside my heart, I prayed to every god out there.

"Don't let it be him. Please don't let it be him…"

Alvin still had to be in the palace, ruling above all others as the prince regent. How could he possibly be that pile of broken bones?

With trembling hands, I pulled out the token he had pressed into my hand just a few days ago.

When he gave it to me, his eyes were shining brightly, and his tone was full of pride. "Jace, with this token, you can go anywhere in the palace. If you miss me, come anytime."

But when I presented the token now, the young chamberlain at the gate only glanced at it before letting out a sneer.

His voice dripped with scorn as he asked, "Where did this bumpkin come from? This is nothing but the lowest-ranking servant's pass. And you dare act up at the palace gates? Get lost!"

My fingers stiffened, and a chill shot from the soles of my feet to the top of my head. Shock flooded my chest in a violent wave.

This token was a fake?

Then the person in the palace who had smiled and called me Jace… Was he a fake too?

The chamberlain was still prattling on. His chin was lifted arrogantly, and his eyes were filled with disdain.

My lips curved into a cold, murderous smile, and all warmth disappeared from my gaze as a chilling energy surged outward from my body.

The owl circling overhead sensed my mood and let out a low screech.

I raised my hand and flicked it, causing the Soulbinding Needle to flash at my fingertips.

I was about to rip out the soul of the arrogant chamberlain when I heard a sharp shout.

"How dare you! Are you blind? This is the Prince Regent's elder brother, and you dare to stop him? Get down on your knees and apologize immediately!"

The chief chamberlain came rushing over in a panic and knelt before me. He slammed his head against the ground, saying, "Please forgive us, sir! We deserve death! That blind fool failed to recognize you!

"Please don't be angry. I will bring you into the palace at once!"

The young chamberlain's face turned ashen with fear. He groveled on the ground, begging for his life.

"Sir, please spare me! I was a fool for not recognizing who you were and slighting you! Please show mercy!"

The weight in my chest finally lifted a little. So the token was real.

Then, did that mean that Alvin…

I let out a cold snort, not even bothering to look at that chamberlain again. I simply hurried into the palace, each step heavy and fast.

The chief chamberlain scrambled to his feet and trotted after me.

Meanwhile, my owl flapped its wings and vanished into the darkness, stirring up a rustle in its wake.

I sneered inwardly. The news of my late-night intrusion would have surely reached the main palace by now.

The palace was brightly lit, and inside the hall, Susan was gently comforting Alvin. She was sitting beside him, personally peeling grapes.

She said indulgently, "Alvin, you're in poor health. Don't push yourself. I'm here."

The man lifted his head and smiled gently. When he spoke, his voice was the same as I remembered.

"With Your Majesty here, of course I'm at ease."

His expression, his tone, his subtle gestures—everything matched the Alvin I knew perfectly. There wasn't a single flaw.

My hands shook uncontrollably.

Could I… have been mistaken? Was the body at the bottom of the cliff just someone who happened to look like Alvin?

He was right here, alive and well. He was still the Prince Regent who wielded overwhelming power.

How could he be dead in a place like that?