Chapter 5

Alice

I wore a princess-style gown as I attended Karina's father's trial, where we aimed to prove his innocence. Last night, we managed to find the Magical Bug, and fortunately, it recognized our presence, resulting in the blinding light we witnessed.

Currently, the underground royal room was packed with people, and the living mirror was securely locked away. The Windston Royal family, along with the most trusted royal knights, gathered here.

As the royalties engaged in casual conversation on the left side of the room, I couldn't help but notice Prince Casper's restlessness in the right corner. Karina was bombarding him with questions, and he appeared agitated.

The Royal Knights began arranging the four mirrors to form intersections, one each for the south, north, east, and west. They placed a round table within the mirrors and set the magical bug on top. The room filled with a blinding light as the magical bug reflected in the mirrors.

Prince Casper erupted in anger, spitting accusations at the King while pointing his finger. The royal knights swiftly apprehended him for his audacity, as pointing at the King was a crime in itself.

"Stop it, Dad. If you're innocent, there's no need for you to be concerned. Just follow the King's orders to clear your name," Karina's voice, devoid of emotion, prevented her father from causing a scene.

"Don't make this hard for me, please," she added, almost in a whisper, audible only to me.

"No! I won't allow you to test me when I did nothing wrong. I won't put myself in that thing, and you can't force me to do your bidding. I'm a prince!"

"Why does it seem like you're so afraid? What are you hiding, Casper? I don't care about your title because you would never be a prince if my sister hadn't married you," the King's calm but lethal remark sent shivers through the room.

"Place him in the center and let the bug unearth all his skeletons in the closet."

"NOOOOOOOOO!" Casper's screams filled the room as he struggled against the royal knights.

The King's patience was running thin. "Chain him."

The knights followed the King's command, chaining Prince Casper so tightly that even the slightest movement would cause wounds, as the chains were coated in thorny particles.

'He's undoubtedly looking for trouble. If he's innocent, he wouldn't be acting like this,' my growing suspicion led me to this conclusion.

I glanced at Karina, who seemed exhausted by the unfolding events. Harriet and I walked over to her, offering our support.

"Are you all right, Karina?" Harriet asked, concern etched on her face as she noticed Karina's fatigue.

"No, I'm exhausted by everything that's been going on. I'm not sure who I should defend: my family, my dignity, or the kingdom," Karina confided.

I patted her shoulder, offering my silent support. I might not be good with words, but I could show her I was there for her.

"Allow it to rest, Karina. This, too, shall pass, I believe. If your father is not guilty, that's a good thing. But if he is, well, he's still your father, and I have no say in your decision," Harriet comforted her, holding her hand.

As the living mirror began displaying images and videos of Prince Casper's activities in the past few months, the room fell into silence. My eyes widened as I saw him entering the enemy's kingdom and interacting with their people. He was a Dehovian, but he had promised to cut ties with his lineage upon marrying Princess Cassandra—a promise he had broken.

Karina's sobs diverted my attention. "He did it. I... I can't believe it... I really can't," she said, almost in disbelief.

Harriet consoled the distraught Karina, while I returned my gaze to the mirror, witnessing how Prince Casper manipulated a drunken Princess Cassandra into opening the vault. His devilish smile was etched on his face as he took the gem, leaving Princess Cassandra on the floor, incapacitated.

Is this why he refuses to be tested? He's the thief.

"Get him out and unchain him," the King ordered as the living mirror returned to a clear gold and revealed nothing more.

"Speak," the King demanded, but Casper remained silent, wearing a smirk as if he were proud of his actions. Karina unexpectedly kneeled in front of the King and begged forgiveness for his father's doing. However, she was forced to stand by her father.

"So what if I stole the gemstone, Lexus? Are your knees shuddering in fear now because my King will undoubtedly kill you?" Prince Casper laughs devilishly and mocks the King while clutching Karina tightly. "I don't owe any apology from a feeling-superior king like you," he spits in the King's face.

Unable to bear the disrespect for my father, I drew one of the royal knights' swords and slashed at Prince Casper's hand, causing it to bleed profusely as I severed his finger.

"Who gives you the authority to disrespect the King?"

"You have stolen the Royal Gem, and yet you have the audacity to talk rubbish," I furiously uttered.

None of the royal family had ever disrespected my father like this outsider. It was unacceptable.

"Seize him and put him in the upper portion of the punishment room," I commanded without waiting for my father's approval.

After the royal knights removed the screaming Prince Casper, the King lectured me about my impulsive decision but didn't punish me because he knew it was the right thing to do. If I hadn't acted, he might have killed Casper on the spot.

After the chaos, I didn't hesitate to apologize to Karina for my actions towards her father. She seemed frozen and unable to process what had happened, so I signaled Harriet to assist her.

While we had located the thief, we still needed to track down the gem that had been handed over to the enemy's troops. Once the King of Dehova obtained the gem, he would undoubtedly launch an attack, which concerned me greatly.