Campbell Palace — The Royal Distress Bell
The moment William collapsed, the sound did not remain inside the council hall.
BOOOONG…
A deep bell rang across the palace towers.
BOOOONG…
Then again.
BOOOONG…
The sound rolled through the capital, echoing across busy streets, rooftops, and distant hills.
This was no ordinary alarm.
It was older than the palace itself, reserved exclusively for emergencies involving the royal bloodline.
Something had happened to the First Prince of Campbell.
And the entire kingdom would soon know.
---
Campbell Palace — Council Hall
Only seconds earlier, Prince William had been standing before the council table.
A report remained in his hand. Ministers stood around him, discussing border security, royal expenses, and the kingdom's responsibilities.
Minister: "Your Highness, regarding the northern border—"
William said nothing.
His fingers slowly loosened.
The paper slipped from his hand.
And then—
THUD!
The First Prince fell forward without a sound.
Guard: "YOUR HIGHNESS!"
One guard rushed forward and caught him before his head struck the floor. Another immediately called for the royal physicians.
The ministers froze.
Minister: "Prince William?!"
Nobody received an answer.
William's eyes remained closed.
His breathing continued, but he showed no sign of waking.
For a man who controlled every detail of his life, his sudden stillness was terrifying.
Guard: "Send for the royal physician! NOW!"
Within moments, the council hall descended into controlled chaos.
And outside, the royal distress bell began ringing.
---
The Lower Corridor
Rowan had been walking through the lower corridor when the first bell sounded.
He stopped immediately.
His playful expression disappeared.
Rowan: "…That's the royal distress bell." 😨
Leo, who had been standing nearby, turned towards the palace towers.
His face became serious.
Leo: "It only rings for three reasons. All of them severe."
Kristen looked between the brothers.
Kristen: "What happened?"
Neither brother answered immediately.
Then Leo started moving.
Leo: "We're going back to the council hall."
He glanced at Kristen.
Leo: "You, too. Come with us."
Kristen nodded and followed.
However, they had barely reached the next corridor when two guards blocked their path.
Guard: "Your Highnesses may proceed. The Ramrizz girl cannot enter."
Kristen raised an eyebrow.
Kristen: "The Ramrizz girl has a name."
Guard: "Royal protocol, miss."
Kristen: "Wonderful. Your protocol is apparently more important than whatever emergency is happening." 😑
Rowan turned towards the guards.
Rowan: "She's coming with us!"
Guard: "Prince Rowan, we cannot—"
Rowan: "I'M THE SECOND PRINCE!"
The guards exchanged uncomfortable looks.
Leo: "And I'm the third. Move."
They reluctantly stepped aside.
Kristen followed the brothers through the corridor.
Rowan hurried ahead, worry written across his face.
Rowan: "He was fine yesterday!" 😭
Leo's expression remained tense.
Leo: "He hasn't been fine for weeks."
Rowan looked at him.
Leo: "He's been carrying the kingdom's responsibilities almost alone. Meetings, reports, border disputes, royal affairs… he barely sleeps."
Rowan: "But William never complains."
Leo: "Exactly. He never admits when he's reached his limit."
For once, Rowan had no joke to offer.
He simply ran faster.
---
Council Hall — Moments Later
By the time they arrived, royal physicians had gathered around William.
The formal council arrangement had been abandoned. Chairs stood scattered across the floor, maps lay forgotten on the table, and ministers whispered anxiously near the walls.
William lay on a temporary cot, still dressed in his immaculate council attire.
Even unconscious, his posture remained unnaturally composed.
But his eyes did not open.
Physician: "His pulse is stable, but he remains unresponsive." 😟
Rowan rushed towards the cot.
Rowan: "Then wake him!"
The physician looked troubled.
Physician: "We've tried calling his name and using appropriate stimuli. He hasn't responded."
Leo stepped closer.
His jaw tightened.
Leo: "…When did this begin?"
Physician: "During a report. His Highness paused, reread a line, and suddenly collapsed without warning."
Kristen stood silently behind the brothers, studying William's pale face.
Something about the situation felt wrong.
She remembered the glowing pendant.
The letters.
FIND THE HEIRS. BREAK THE CURSE.
Her fingers slowly closed around the pendant beneath her clothes.
Kristen (thinking): Could this be connected to the curse?
Suddenly, William's fingers twitched.
Everyone fell silent.
The physician leaned forward.
Physician: "Your Highness?"
William didn't wake.
Instead, a faint dark mark appeared near his wrist.
Kristen's eyes widened.
She recognized the symbol.
It was the same crown-and-wolf crest she had seen on Rowan and Leo.
Except this one was slowly turning black.
Kristen (whispering): "…What is happening to him?"
The pendant beneath her clothes began to glow.
And somewhere deep within Campbell Palace, an ancient clock started ticking.
To be continued....