The Reborn Magus and His Prince

Chapter 29

With almost a quarter of the city's knights thundered their way to the estate of the marquis, the residents lit their lamps and could not help but look out their window and see the commotions. Those who lived near the manor had a faint idea that something had occurred with the lord's celebration of his birthday. 

One of the leading knights saw that the citizens had started to come out from their houses, he motioned for his men. A section of their formation broke out and instructed those residents to remain at their homes. And those people knew nothing good would come to them if they defy the authority so they remained at their doors but kept their windows opened and peered for a chance to witness something worth gossiping about in the morning. 

Not long after, knights on the back of gallant horses and several carriages bearing their symbol galloped into the streets. Several people on their windows craned their necks to follow the fast moving vehicles hoping to catch a glimpse of who's inside them. But the structure of the knights' vehicles made for them to be able not to discern anything inside. They could only give up and return their attention to the streets, the night was long and by the way the knights below still keep a guarded stance, there's plenty to come for their gossip materials.

Yulian parted the curtain that covered the back window that had only the size of an average book. He saw several knights planking their carriage and meters away from theirs was the vehicle containing the unconscious Tim. They bound him with chanted chains that only the key figures could unlock. While Theodore's body had been taken by the forensic team for further investigation. He had been both unsuccessful in obtaining the dead's body as well as getting Tim's to remove his memory of their encounters. 

The guards kept tight security around the instigators of the incident and he could not teleport to Tim's vehicle when a certain prince had not left his side the moment he had completed his treatment of Minnie. 

The captain of the knights though remained emotionless had certain disapproval passed through his eyes when Alex insisted that Yulian had to board the same carriage as his. Face with the stubbornness of a royal, the captain obeyed and gave them the most secure and comfortable carriage. The captain who's always been uptight and never engaged in baseless talks thought that the prince must have a deep friendship with the little lad for him to value him that much. Even the sons of the duke whom he had grown up with did not have the same preferential treatment. After the prince checked their conditions and confirmed their safety, they were taken by a group of knights that their father had dispatched. The prince then turned his whole attention to the lad beside him.  

"Don't worry, he won't be able to escape those chains," Alex had to pull the curtain close when Yulian appeared to be distracted by the carriage at the back.

He grabbed a black leather flask inside a small compartment at his side. He removed the lid and put the flask on Yulian's hand "Drink this, it will help you relax." 

He had requested this drink from a knight near him to fetch inside the manor before they departed.

Yulian seeing the concern on Alex's face accepted the flask and drink its content. A warm sweet liquid made its way to his throat, it taste like honey with a hint of a tangerine. Though not thirsty, the drink helped calm his nerves.

For now, his hands were tied, and could not make a move at the moment. He'll have to wait patiently for a chance to slip away.

"Where are they taking us?" He asked when he almost gulped half the content of the flask.

"The knight's headquarters," Alex answered as Yulian returned the flask in his hand. He revealed a slight frown when he saw the unfinished drink. 

Alex's expression did not escape Yulian's eyes. 

"You drink the rest." The terrified look of Alex still lingered at the back of his mind. He wanted to ask him about it but now's not the right time. There's a subtle tension going on with the prince no matter how he tried to hide it. He could feel how taut his body was when he went and touch him. 

Alex stared for a second at the flask on his hand before bringing it to his mouth. 

Yulian watched him tilt his head upward, his adam's apple bobbed up and down as he gulped every last drop of the drink. Alex then put it aside where he took it.

After intently watching him drink, Yulian casually put his hand to Alex's arm. Whatever the drink was, it seemed to be highly effective. He could feel how his muscle ease up under his touch.

Alex notice his little action but did not comment, thinking that Yulian was only seeking comfort. His other hand reached out and pulled him to lie down on his lap. 

"Why don't you take a nap? It will be a while before we reach the headquarters." 

Yulian was stunned with wide eyes at his action but when the comfort brought by his pillow made him loosen up and did not struggle. He then wiggled his body for a better position and made himself comfortable. He eyed the prince who also closed his eyes and leaned back on the seat. The hand which pulled him had gone to his head and was slowly stroking his hair. 

Yulian's lashes flattered and hard as he try, his eyes were getting heavy, and soon after sleep claimed him with Alex's other arm never been freed from his clutches.

Yulian first heard a distant noise, then sense his body being lifted gently. He felt that he had only closed his eyes before opening them again. A closeup view of Alex's face greeted him. His jaws were taut and there's a vigilant look on his eyes. 

"Alex? You..." 

"There's an emergency." 

Alex only gave that response before getting down from the carriage with him in his arms. Yulian soon grasped that something was wrong. In front of them stood a building that he guessed was the headquarters. Seeing that the knights had again plank their path, Yulian wanted to walk on his own so he pulled Alex's collar to get his attention but he took no notice as he took large strides to get inside.

They have then ushered to a room brims with protective spells. Two knights stood guard outside. 

"What happened?" He asked once Alex set him down on a couch.  

Alex sat beside him and took his hand. "I had no idea how it happened but Timothy Dan's was found dead inside the carriage."

"Dead?!" Yulian sprang up at the news. He expected anything but this. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. The captain confirmed it. Along the way, he wanted to inspect the situation inside Dan's carriage but the two knights assigned to guard Dan did not respond. So they pulled over and when they opened the door, they found the knights no longer breathing so was the prisoner."

Yulian felt a headache coming as he knitted his brows. This can't be... if what the captain reported was the truth then was it a "Suicide?" He did not notice that he has spoken out loud.

Nevertheless, Alex replied. " Yes as the initial report said. There are wounds found on the body of the two knights as well as the prisoner. Dan had woken up, taken a sword from one of his guards and killed them, then committed suicide. However, the captain could not grasp how he's able to move with the restricted chains on his hands and how the excellent knights got overpowered."

Yulian sat down again. There's something not sitting right here. Tim's not supposed to be awake. He needs to make sure. 

Yulian turned to Alex. " Can I see his body?"

Alex frowned in disapproval. "I know that he's your dorm mate and a friend but Yul, anything related to him will be investigated including you. So it's better for you to not care too much about him."

Yulian knew Alex's concern for him but he needed to at least see the body, he needed to confirm the facts. 

He took Alex's hand to his just like the prince did earlier. "Like what you said, he was my friend. I just want to see him one last time and besides won't you accompany me? Or better yet have the captain at the side to dispel any suspicions."

Guilts keep piling up at his chest, using Alex's friendship to get what he wants seemed to be occurring frequently. He planned in his mind that he'll apologize and come clean with him once everything's over. He will make sure to find and capture the fallen god of darkness and return to Alex's side in peace. But for that scenario to materialize, he needed first to get to the bottom of the Dan brothers' case.

Alex on the other hand had seen the determination in his eyes and had mistaken it for wanting to see his dead friend badly. He sighed and consented to his request.

"Alright. I'll talk to the captain."