The Blood Of Forgotten

Three

A deep sigh escaped the exhausted teenager’s lips as he realized he had somehow returned to the same place where everything began. He grabbed the slippers he had left behind and slipped them back on before dropping himself onto a nearby chair.

So this was where he would stay until he figured out a way to escape this strange and unfamiliar place.

Andy regretted trusting someone he had only just met. He had been too careless, too desperate—and now look where it got him.

Closing his eyes, he tried to rest for a moment and regain some energy. Sleep was slowly pulling him into darkness when the sound of galloping horses suddenly echoed through the empty streets.

His eyes flew open.

A thick fog had covered the entire area, swallowing even the blue sky above. Then, out of nowhere, a carriage pulled by two black horses emerged from the smoke.

A man sat at the front, holding the reins as he guided the horses forward. He wore a dark cloak, though Andy could still make out the elegant suit beneath it along with a tall magician’s hat resting on his head.

The carriage stopped right in front of him.

Andy stared in awe. He had only ever read about things like this in books. Being f*******n from going outside for most of his life, this was the first time he had ever seen something so surreal with his own eyes.

“You seem lost, young man,” the stranger spoke.

Andy studied him carefully. The man looked like he was in his late thirties, with eyes as blue as the sky and a smile that resembled the grin of the Cheshire Cat from storybooks.

After what happened earlier, Andy hesitated to trust another stranger.

The man only smiled wider.

“You’re doubting me.”

Andy’s eyes widened. How did he know that?

“No, I can’t read minds,” the man said amusedly, as if answering the unspoken question. “I’m simply here to guide you.”

Andy frowned in confusion.

“Can you help me get home?” he asked quietly. “I don’t know how to leave this place.”

The man’s grin deepened.

“Come on. We don’t have much time.”

Suddenly, the carriage door swung open on its own, causing Andy to flinch. Still, he quickly gathered his courage and climbed inside, sitting carefully against the velvet seat.

“Use the cloak to cover yourself,” the man instructed.

Andy immediately obeyed just as the carriage door shut behind him. Moments later, the man cracked the reins, and the horses began to move.

Relief washed over Andy.

For the first time, he found himself missing his uncomfortable little bed back home.

“Do you know why this place was abandoned?” the man suddenly asked.

Andy shook his head. “No. This is my first time being here.”

The man glanced back at him briefly.

“No… it isn’t.”

Then he turned his attention back to the road hidden beneath the fog.

“Many years ago,” he began, “a royal family ruled this land. The people lived peacefully under their reign until one day, the King decided he needed to choose who would inherit the throne.”

Andy listened quietly as the carriage rolled deeper into the mist.

“The King already had someone in mind, but to avoid conflict among his children, he kept his decision a secret. Instead, he gave each of them territories to govern, wanting to see who truly deserved the crown.”

The thick smoke slowly began to thin as they approached a vast forest filled with towering trees and overgrown greenery.

“This land belonged to the King’s youngest son—the very prince who was supposed to inherit the throne.”

The man’s voice lowered.

“But he was accused of conspiracy.”

Andy’s breath caught.

“He and his entire family were sentenced to death.”

The carriage continued deeper into the forest.

“Even his children and descendants were hunted down. The kingdom formed alliances with noble and middle-class families to erase their bloodline completely.”

Suddenly, the horses came to a halt.

Ahead of them stood several royal guards.

“Hide,” the man whispered calmly. “They show no mercy.”

Andy quickly wrapped the cloak tightly around himself while the guards approached the carriage.

“It’s been a while, Mr. Smile,” one of them greeted cheerfully.

The man grinned, and Andy couldn’t help but think again of the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland.

“I haven’t passed through here in years,” Mr. Smile replied smoothly. “Nothing seems to have changed.”

The guards laughed. “The kingdom’s rules never do. Are you visiting?”

Their eyes drifted toward the carriage behind him. Some of them moved closer to inspect it.

“A child?” one guard noticed. “Your new apprentice?”

Mr. Smile shook his head casually.

“Just a random kid I found wandering around. He looked lost, so I offered him a free ride.”

Thankfully, the guards believed him.

Andy silently let out a breath of relief as the carriage was finally allowed to pass. Still, confusion lingered inside him. Why did he need to hide?

Before he could ask, Mr. Smile spoke first.

“You’re a Park, aren’t you?”

Andy froze.

“It’s obvious with that red hair of yours. That color symbolizes your family.”

The man’s voice softened into something almost pitying.

“If they discover who you are, it will mark the end of your family’s bloodline.”

Andy’s hands clenched tightly on the cloak wrapped around him.

“Your blood is considered a curse to this kingdom…” Mr. Smile whispered.

“…but also the greatest blessing it has ever known.”