While Lincoln was fervently searching for Reginald, the king was as well. But he kept it a secret, not wanting to involve his court. Minister Ky was one of his loyal and trustworthy subordinate so he relied on Ky.
Mason had assured him that that was Reginald's letter, but it still did not sit right to the king.
"John did not return now, did he?" Jonathan muttered soberly Ky inhaled
"I shall send even more men, your highness. Be rest assured that it is my pledge to return the crown prince to London hale and hearty" Ky sounded determined enough.
"Thank you Ky" "an honour to serve your highness".
Ky was dismissed immediately and Wilfred shut the door. He glanced at his king with pity; heavy is the head indeed, that wears the crown.
****
Charlotte watched Reginald with unsettling eyes which he failed to notice. Reginald claimed to be leaving, but he had made no visible preparations. Infact all he did was bathe, and wear the clothes Maisy had given him from her late son's wardrobe. She claimed to see Michael's build when he was in his youth a lot in Reginald and knew all his clothes were going to fit Reginald like they were tailored for him. She was not exactly wrong nor right. The clothes would have been perfect fits if Reginald was not taller. It never looked bad although.
"You don't seem to be leaving today..." "You seem to be too interested in my leaving, almost like you hate me..." "Have I ever claimed the opposite?" She asked in riposte. Reginald nodded as if comprehending something
"Ever since I said I was leaving you hate me..." "You flatter yourself..." "Then what?"
"You never told me who your father is, or your mother...or anything!" Charlotte barked she went on "you never told me how and why you got assassinated, you never told me who assassinated you, you never gave me a surname or anything, and you have put myself and Granny's life at risk." Reginald sighed heavily; those allegations were all true.
"They say you are searched for everywhere, if I weren't living in a rathole of a village like this which no one suspects the actual you to live in, who knows what could have gone wrong..." "What then?" Reginald asked quietly
"I want to know everything."
CHARLOTTE'S POV
I didn't find it hard to believe, I mean asides those whip marks it was very clear. Reginald was the crown prince, and bad ol'Lincoln had assassinated him as well as his aide. He claimed he could not tell me everything, because almost immediately; a train of horses arrived. And dressed in armour was Granny's favourite customer. I almost wanted to gloat, because I was always right. Granny forced me to pay respects which she did as well. It seemed unreal to her, and I was certain she was going to preach to me after his departure why it pays to be good. Our neighbours watched wide eyed. Yes, Reginald was the crown prince in his armour and on that white horse. I was almost ashamed of myself, I had badmouthed his father too much to be punished even.
Just as he was about to leave having kicked the horse, Granny burst into tears. I had to hug her close and pat her. Did she really want Reginald to remain with us forever? Of course he haad to return to his family. I was even more shocked when Reginald disembarked the horse and gave Granny one last hug to the grimacing of the soldiers om their horses. I wanted to strike them, could they not see it was Reginald who wanted to hug?? Of course Granny knew of the 'commons do not touch nobles without permission' rule and was even hesitant.
He left finally, leaving our small cottage empty. I felt bad for being rude to the crown prince, but I could not even apologize. Chi was overwhelmed, she was already feeling like a Lady having spoken to a crown prince. They came for the gossip; to confirm if the young man we were housing was really the crown prince as rumoured and with a heavy heart, Granny always confirmed it true.
****
The train trotted now, not bothered to run as they were already making a stop. It was midnight already. Apollo pointed west
"His house is just behind those trees" he said.
Reginald had come to take his major evidence; one of the assassins who had taken Apollo's offer and decided to make a confession in court. Apollo had assured him that his life was safe, and for making that confession, on the word of the crown prince he would not be getting a sentence, he was also promised a new life in London. It was everything anyone who wanted to become a free man would love to hear.
"Why would anyone live in a secluded place like this, a forest??" Dan who was Apollo's subordinate muttered.
"He is an assassin, he has to live away from people. In seclusion." Reginald replied "ohh" went Dan in realization. Dan was a young soldier aged eighteen, but Apollo could not ignore his capabilities and made him his subordinate despite his age. And boy, he was always curious.
Apollo disembarked his horse, and so did Reginald and Dan.
He knocked five times like he and the assassin had arranged, but they came no sound from inside except the crickets. Then the wild dogs howled making Dan furrow his brows. Reginald noticed it immediately.
"You have anything to say?" He asked
"Well, your highness..." "Yes..." Reginald was known for his impatience
"It's a bad omen if a wild dog howls"
"Isn't that what they do?" Reginald asked furrowing his brows Dan shook his head "no, sire. They bark. When it's a howl; it means something bad..."
Apollo quickly stopped Reginald from opening the door, he must have taken Dan's words to heart. He swung the door open and stared at the mess the house was made into. It was always a mess, but not as much as he was seeing. The house had been turned upsidedown. Reginald walked in.
"I think he escaped, he played us" Reginald muttered anger building up.
"I hear something" Dan said walking further inside "what?" Reginald and Apollo asked in unison
Dan nodded walking to the bed, he walked to the other side and gasped.
"What is it?" Apollo asked
"The assassin was assassinated"
Reginald inhaled he was tired of the life he was living. The assassin's throat had been slit and they had only made it in time before he crossed to the other side. Lincoln wanted to silence him.
"I thought you were discreet enough?" He asked Apollo who just finished wrapping a handkerchief around the man's injured neck.
"I was, my Lord"
"Then what?"
"I apologize, my Lord" Apollo was quick to apologize getting on one knee. Reginald nodded gritting his teeth.
"What do we do now?" Dan asked concerned.
"Apollo" Reginald called
"Your highness"
"It is clear someone was trying to get rid of all evidence, and you know who that someone is. We are lucky he still breathes..." Reginald was not sure if he could call it breathing, It was raspy and crooked. He continued nonetheless
"It is the dead of night, and time is not on our side. You shall take him back to Ramsbottom, to Charlotte and tell her to treat him..." "What if she refuses to, your highness?" Apollo asked "she won't..." "She is quite brusque..." "How can you fear a woman Apollo? Are you fit to command my army at all??" Reginald asked widening his eyes
"You told me severally of how scary she is..." "After today... you are getting sacked" Reginald roguishly "Dan will do a better job" Reginald said patting Dan as he walked out of the house.
"Your wish is my command"
****
Homer raised a toast, he averted his gaze to Lincoln who seemed down than ever. Lincoln was known to always be jolly, and to see him sad was a once in a lifetime experience.
"You do not seem to be enjoying the feast I have prepared" Homer muttered Lincoln was left with no choice but to give a dry chuckle which Homer returned
"Well, Lord Homer...I am in no mood to feast..."
"That is very unlike you, you are known to celebrate even in death..." "Are you referring to me as unreasonable?" Lincoln asked clearly offended. Homer had a good laugh, one that did not mock Lincoln. It was clear Lincoln was still grumpy after being given a strike from Luther. "You should be delighted my good friend, you do not want to be in court these days. His highness seems to be swept away by something. And the fact word has still not come from the crown prince since he left for tour. His last letter came from Garrigill I've heard." Homer muttered thoughtfully. He continued ''i think the king worries about the crown prince. How can one be bothered about a child that isn't his?" He shook his head as if in pity "... Jonathan... always wanting to retain his pride. Even God knows he made the wrong decision when he married queen Helen" Homer spat. Lincoln chuckled quietly now. Why was he worried? There was no way Reginald was finding out. The assassins were all taken care of by Rufus and his men. Reginald would only be returning to London as a man who was attacked by unknown robbers, and that only mattered if he was alive.
****
Charlotte inhaled and exhaled as Apollo bowed fully to her.
"Thank you miss" he bowed in Maisy's direction now "thank you granny." He stood upright "I shall leave now..." "bye" Charlotte cut him off entering the house and shutting the door.
Maisy smiled, she had feared Charlotte would not treat the injured man.
"I thought you would reject him" she said
Charlotte wore a slight mope "for ten pounds? No" she muttered
"I know it wasn't all about the money Charlotte, can you not just accept that you are a kind person?" Maisy asked shaking her head. Charlotte shook her head vigorously
"I'm not"
****
Wilfred rushed inside Jonathan's study. Jonathan was surprised at his actions; Wilfred was known to be a composed man, why the sudden outburst. He wore a questioning look "Deere just sent word to me; a tower caught sight of the crown prince, commander Apollo, as well as four more of the crown prince's men" Wilfred said quietly.
Jonathan sat upright. He actually wanted to stand up, but had to hold himself together.
"Send order to him, they should inconspicuously follow the crown prince, and ensure his safety. Until he crosses the moat, they are not allowed to back down" Jonathan ordered. Wilfred bowed and left to do as ordered.