Chapter 41: The King Who Never Died

Nobody moved.

Lyra stared at the stranger in disbelief.

“My father is dead.”

The stranger shook their head.

“That’s what everyone was supposed to believe.”

Karl stepped forward.

“Who are you?”

The stranger lowered the hood.

Lyra’s breath caught.

It was Ethan.

The former spy.

The man who had once betrayed Karl’s ranks.

The same man who had later returned wearing the armor of Lunaris.

Lyra’s voice trembled.

“You.”

Ethan looked at her.

“I never stopped searching for the truth.”

Lucien’s sword remained raised.

“You expect us to believe King Alaric is alive?”

“I don’t expect you to believe me.”

Ethan reached inside his coat.

Everyone tensed.

But he slowly pulled out an old silver ring.

Lyra recognized it immediately.

Her father had worn it in the portrait inside the underground chamber.

“The King’s Seal,” Master Thorne whispered.

Lyra stared at it.

“Where did you get that?”

Ethan answered quietly.

“From him.”

A silence fell over the valley.

Lyra stepped closer.

“Where is my father?”

Ethan looked toward the mountains.

“Beyond the Northern Wall.”

Karl frowned.

“The Northern Wall hasn’t been crossed in decades.”

“Exactly.”

Ethan looked at Lyra.

“That’s where they kept him.”

“Who?”

Ethan’s expression darkened.

“The people who wanted everyone to believe the royal family was destroyed.”

Lyra’s hands trembled.

“Why would anyone imprison the King instead of killing him?”

“Because Alaric knew the location of the Heart of the Moon.”

Master Thorne’s face changed.

“So the Heart wasn’t the only secret he protected.”

Ethan nodded.

“Your father knew about the Blood King.”

Lyra looked toward the ruined palace.

“Then why didn’t he stop him?”

“Because he couldn’t.”

Ethan lowered his voice.

“He was betrayed before he could.”

Caelan suddenly stepped forward.

“Who betrayed him?”

Ethan looked at him.

“You know.”

Caelan’s face became pale.

“I don’t.”

“You do.”

Adrian interrupted.

“Enough.”

Ethan turned toward him.

“You were there.”

Adrian stared at him.

“You don’t know what happened that night.”

“I know enough.”

Ethan pulled out another piece of parchment.

“The royal records were altered.”

He handed it to Master Thorne.

Master Thorne unfolded it.

His eyes widened.

“This is the original account of the fall of Lunaris.”

Lyra stepped closer.

“What does it say?”

Master Thorne looked at her.

“It says King Alaric wasn’t killed.”

Lyra’s heart raced.

“What else?”

He swallowed.

“It says the King willingly surrendered.”

“Why?”

Master Thorne looked toward Adrian.

“To protect his daughter.”

Lyra stared at Adrian.

He looked away.

A distant horn sounded.

Everyone turned toward the mountains.

Ethan’s expression changed.

“They found us.”

Karl raised his sword.

“Who?”

“The Northern Guard.”

Lucien frowned.

“The Northern Guard disappeared twenty-one years ago.”

Ethan shook his head.

“They didn’t disappear.”

“They’ve been waiting.”

“For what?”

Ethan looked at Lyra.

“For their Queen to return.”

The ground began to tremble.

From beyond the ruined valley came the sound of hundreds of marching feet.

Then silver banners appeared over the ridge.

The symbol of Lunaris.

Lyra’s heart pounded.

A massive army descended toward them.

At its center was a single carriage.

The doors opened.

An elderly royal guard stepped out.

He knelt.

“Your Majesty.”

Lyra stared at him.

“Where is my father?”

The guard slowly looked toward the mountains.

“He is waiting for you.”

Lyra took a step forward.

“Is he alive?”

The old guard smiled sadly.

“Yes.”

Then his expression became serious.

“But you must hurry.”

“Why?”

The guard looked toward the darkening sky.

“Because the Shadow King has discovered where King Alaric is imprisoned.”

A cold silence fell over everyone.

The guard’s final words sent a chill through Lyra.

“And he is coming for him tonight.”