The army began to move before sunrise.
A thin mist covered the Third Region as soldiers lined up in rows. Horses stamped their feet against the cold ground. Armor clinked softly in the quiet morning air.
Ernest mounted his horse without ceremony.
"I leave the third region to your care," Ernest said to a commander who was standing by the side.
"Your highness, rest assured all the Lord’s has bend the knee. The third region only listento you," the commander said.
Ernest was pleased with what he heard. He nodded his head. And steady himself on the horse. Ernest was not wearing royal robes. He wore dark armor, simple but strong. A deep blue cloak rested on his shoulders, moving lightly in the wind.
They were marching toward the royal city.
As they left the Third Region, news spread ahead of them like wildfire.
In small villages, farrs stopped their work to watch the long line of soldiers pass.
So knelt quietly.
So whispered, "It is Prince Ernest."
"The one the chosen,"
Others said nothing—but hope flickered in their eyes.
Ernest did not slow down.
His mind was not on glory.
It was on Anastasia.
Every mile felt long.
By the fourth day, they reached the border of the Second Region.
The regional lord had already heard the news. Most of them we loyal to the royal family but they were scared of Ernest.
The gates were closed.
Soldiers stood on the walls, nervous and uncertain.
Ernest rode forward with only a small guard.
"I did not co to slaughter," he called out calmly. "Open the gates. I seek justice, not blood. I am heading over to the royal city as the king asked," Ernest voice was calm.
The n on the wall looked at one another.
They had heard about the Third and Fourth Regions.
They had heard about the Queen Mother’s arrest.
Most people in the second region believed that King Edward was already rejected but the nobles were to loyal to the royal family they did not dare bow without a fight.
A guard sent a ssage and shortly after returned.
"We would open the gate but only a few selected n can co in with prince Ernest," the ssager said.
Ernest agreed. He did not have plans for his soilders to match in. Seeing her agreed, a small gate was slowly open to let him enter.
The regional lords ca out to welco Ernest and his n to a small residence.
"Prince Ernest, I apologize for not opening the gate for you, but we at the second region are loyal to the crown," the leader said.
"I am only answering the king’s sumore not here for war," Ernest answered.
"But..." The lord and nobles found it had to believe.
*I am not attacking today does not an I will not attack tomorrow. Everything depends on what his Majesty has to say about my family. You all are also loyal n, would you bow to the man who hurt your sons and wife?" Ernest asked.
The Lord’s all lowered their head, who could not understand Ernest pain. He had left his family under the care of the royal city. He was loyal to court, yet his wife and children were attacked.
"His father killed my parents but I thought there was no point to drag the old generation grudge but this, I can not le good."
"We know you are a man of noble character," the Lord and nobles all felt moved. Indeed the king had been too harsh. He should not have laid a hand on Ernest family when he was still loyal to court.
Ernest stopped speaking, He carefully tasted the wine that was presented to him. Sure that it was not poisoned he too too a small sip.
The royal city was now only days away.
Behind those high walls—
Edward waited.
And Anastasia.
His hands tightened slightly at his sides.
He had planned for more than ten years.
He had prepared for war.
He had prepared for betrayal.
But he had not prepared for the fear he now felt.
Fear that he might be too late. Fear that Anastasia’s injury wereore serious than he was told.
A commander approached and bowed.
"Your Highness, scouts report that the royal city has strengthened its gates. More soldiers are gathering."
Ernest nodded. He had expected this, Edward was never a man that played fair.
His eyes lifted toward the distant south.
"Send word to the soilders that would be stationed at the border of the second region," he ordered. "No looting. No harm to the people. Any soldier who disobeys will be punished."
He had planned so carefully because he wanted to reduce the harm of war as much as possible.
Far ahead, in the royal city, smoke from chimneys rose into the sky.
"You majesty, prince Ernest arrived the second region at midday," a ssager reported.
"How many n did he move with?" King Edward asked.
"We are not sure," the ssager said.
Edward frowned when he heard.
King Edward’s face grew dark.
"Not sure?" he asked coldly.
The ssenger lowered his head. "Your Majesty, his army is spread out. So remain in the Third Region. So are at the border of the Second. He moves carefully. We cannot see the full number."
Edward’s fingers tapped the arm of his throne.
Careful.
That ant Ernest was not reckless.
He had a plan which did not surprise him , if Ernest acted carelessly he would have been worried.
"Strengthen the south gate," Edward ordered. "Double the night watch. No one enters or leaves without my command." Edward was unwilling to take chances.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The royal city beca tense.
Shops closed earlier than usual.
Guards stood at every corner.
The people whispered in low voices.
The na Ernest moved through the streets like wind.
Two days later—
Dust rose on the southern road.
From the high walls of the royal city, soldiers saw them first.
A long line of n in dark armor.
Blue banners moving in the wind.
The gates did not open.
The drums did not sound.
The city waited.
Ernest rode at the front.
He did not rush forward.
He stopped his horse a distance away from the gate.
Behind him stood a small selected guard. The rest of his army remained farther back, outside bow range.
He had no plan to storm the gate.
At least not yet.
A captain on the wall shouted down, "Prince Ernest! State your purpose!"
Ernest looked up calmly.
"I have co in answer to the king’s summons," he said. His voice was clear and steady. "Open the gates."
The guards hesitated.
Inside the walls, a ssenger ran quickly toward the palace.
In the throne hall, the news arrived.
"Your Majesty, Prince Ernest has arrived."
Edward stood up at once.
"How many n?"
"Only a small group at the gate. The rest remain outside the city."
Edward narrowed his eyes, Ernest was acting too obedient.
Or was this just like a hunter waiting.
After a long silence, Edward spoke.
"Open the south gate. Let him enter—with no more than twenty n."
The council looked uneasy.
But no one dared object.
The heavy gates of the royal city slowly opened.
The sound echoed through the streets.
Citizens peeked from behind doors and windows.
Ernest rode in.
His eyes moved over the familiar streets.
Nothing had changed.
Yet everything had changed.
The city where his wife was now held.
His hands tightened slightly on the reins.
He showed no anger.
No fear.
The gates closed behind him.
Steel against steel.
Inside the palace, King Edward waited.
Just then, a guard arrived. "Your majesty, lady Anastasia’ is awake," an eunch ca forward and whispered m
King Edward raised his brows, he had done everything to try to wake Anastasia’ up but she had remained unconscious but she woke up the mont Ernest’ arrived.
"Keep an eye on her,let her dress up, have her watch. She is an important piece to today’s negotiation," Edward instructed.
The Eunuch bowed and walked away. At the sa ti, Ernest arrived at the Great hall.
"You would have to drop your weapon before going inside," a guard said.
"Then, I will stand here and discuss with the king from here," Ernest said. It was already risky to co into the royal palace with just twenty n.
If he went inside and the king decided to act mad and kill him then all his planing would have been for nothing.
The guard did not know what to say, he could only send a ssage to the king.
Edward raised his brows, he did not expect Ernest to cooperate to this point but suddenly resist.
"Let him in," king Edward commanded after thinking of everything. If he refuses to grant Ernest entrance now, he could escape the palace and accuse him of murder and continue to fight on a moral high grand.
"Your majesty, this is risky," a Lord rejected the idea.
"What do you suggest?" King Edward asked.
The Lord open his mouth to speak but realize he did not have a better suggestion. Ernest had obey till this point, and so every steps had to be calculated carefully.
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