Basin P.O.V

  A stern knock on the door jolted me awake. I turned, opening my eye. The morning sun cast a gray light in through the small window. However, for me, the room was a blurry mess. On top of my bad sight, I had a throbbing headache. I am too old for this. After returning last night, I had a lot to do, ensuring the twins could be escorted out of the country. After delegating tasks, I finally managed to lie down. But It can not have been more than a few hours.

  As the knocks continue, I yell out. "The door is open." I push myself up from the bed, sending the door a hostile glare. Two nights of disrupted sleep have left me in a foul mood. As the door creaks open, the first thing that catches my eye is the vibrant red hair. "You asked for me, Captain," Locklan says.

  "Please, take a seat. This discussion will take some time," I say with a yawn.

  Although I gesture towards the chair, Locklan chooses to sit on the edge of the bed. If it were any other man, it might seem odd or inappropriate. But Luck is my boy. This is far from the first time we have been sitting on the same bed while haveing a conversation. "Is this about Lorelei?" He looks at me with a puzzled expression.

  "She is...a part of it" I take a moment to consider how much I should share. As Captain, I have the authority to tell him everything. However, if King Alfonso disagrees with my decision, could Locklan be in trouble? He did tell me to find someone I trust to guard Lorelei, and I trust Luck.

  "Locklan, you are one of few people whose loyalty I genuinely trust. I am confident that what I am about to tell you will not leave this room. Which is why I am going to reveal one of the greatest secrets of this kingdom."

  Locklan stands up and salutes. "It is me an honour that you are trusting me with the secrets of Martraigh." The gesture is what he is supposed to do. But I know Luck well enough that I would wager on his thought being something like. Oh shit, more work.

  "Sit back down, boy."

  He sits down, expecting me to continue. But I suddenly remember I ain't wearing my eye patch. Even though it's been some time, I still feel uneasy with the empty eye socket I now have.

  I reach for the eye patch on the side table and put it on. "Prince Valor came back last night, and Lorelei was with him."

  "Harbin did tell me they returned together. But I do not understand why she came willingly." Damm it. This news is already spreading. It's only a matter of time before everyone learns that the Prince has returned with a traitor. "The explanation to all this lies in the past."

  "Years ago, an enchantress was captured. She was involved in the rebellion that led to the assassination of Vouri's Queen. She was to be taken back to Vouri to answer for her crimes. All this happened when Queen Nemy was pregnant with Prince Valor. When she was brought before the King and Queen, she cursed the unborn Prince." I tell.

  Locklan raised his hand to stop me. "Wait a moment, are you saying the rumour about the Prince being cursed. Is true?"

  It's no surprise that he caught wind of the rumor. After all, gossip spreads like a wildfire and despite high effort to keep the curse a secret. It happened in sight of numerous guards, servants, and aristocrats.

  "What do you know about the curse?" I inquire.

  "Not much. I always thought it was a made-up story. There are a few of those, such as the one about royals not needing to relieve themselves-" Locklan glances to the left and scratches his neck. "He dosent... I mean... does the Prince actually turn into a snake monster?"

  A snake monster? What other kind of crazy tales have been spread about this curse? "No, the curse does not change the Prince's appearance. It is hidden within his mind. I am not entirely sure of how it works. But there's a voice that torments him, whispering to him, horrible things, trying to persuade him into doing terrible things."

  "That is horrendous. That poor prince. But I do not understand what this has to do with Lorelei?"

  "I am coming to that. The curse has one deterer, when music is played, the curse temporarily ceases. But this effect only lasts as long as the music is being played. That is, until now." I take a moment to collect my thoughts. "Do you recall Lorelei's singing?" I ask.

  "Yes, she has a captivating voice.-" He runs his fingers through his hair, a smile forming on his lips as he reminisces about the times Lorelei sang for him. "She used to sing for me when combing my hair."

  "Somehow, that voice are able to keep the curse gone for hours after she stopped singing."

  "This is a lot to take in. How does she do it?

  "We do not know how, but it is speculated that she may have inherited this magical ability. Her ability to silence the curse, is why Princ Valor have proposed Marriage to Lorelei..."

  "What?" Locklan yells, placing his hands on his head. "Marriage, what the hell. You can not be serious. Is this some kind of test to see how gullible I am?"

  "This is not a test, unfortunately, it is the truth. What Prince Valor is doing is impulsive, and I do not agree with it. However, as guards, we have no authority to object. We are to do our duty. Lorelei too sees the flaws of getting wed, yet she is going along with it in exchange for Neary and Narins freedom."

  "Is this the reason the twins are being deported?" Locklan fidgets with his hands, taking quick breaths.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  "Yes."

  "I can not believe she would agree to this-" Luck has folded his hands and is looking down, "Actually, I can. She has always been so protective of them, as she was for me."

  That's Lorelei, she genuinely cares for them, even a bit too much. Back then, I had to remind her several times that all her care is admirable, but it's crucial she kept focus on her study to become a guard. But honestly, how can you not care about the people who sleeps next to you, you come to rely on them.

  "But why marriage? The Prince does not need to offer her anything, she should be grateful just to be able to live the rest of her life as his servant." Locklan questions.

  "I am certain Lorelei would prefer the marriage would not happen. But Prince Valor believes this is the best way to ensure she won't leave him, and we do not have to understand the Prince choice, all we need is to trust he is doing the right thing."

  Locklan sits straight up. "You are right, The Prince knows what he is doing. Still, I can not help but think, people will have questions. When they find out who she is, they will question the Crown. " I am glad he brought that up. Locklan understands the risk in this situation. This marriage could jeopardize the royal family. The Crown Prince marrying a criminal is scandalous, people are bound to be angry.

  "For now, you are to keep quiet about this, The royals will decide when it is appropriate for the public to know, and when that time comes, it wont be the truth. We will have to stand by that lie for the safety of the kingdom. After all, a few lies means nothing if they can make sure our Prince will not become a King controlled by evil."

  Once I finished speaking, Locklan began to express his commitment to not let me down and how honoured he felt to be trusted. But I did not particularly listen. My eyelids felt heavy, and my thoughts clouded. I want nothing more than to go back to sleep. Yet. It won't be long to the twins will be moved onboard a ship. I should come with to ensure that there is no incidents.

  "I need you to do one more thing, keep a close eye on Lorelei. I do not trust her. She does not want this marriage, I fear she may attempt escape the moment she sees a chance."

  He responds with a smile. "I will make sure to follow her closely, she will not disappear on my watch. After all who knows her better than me?"

  He is confident, which worries me. "Luck, it has been three years, do not underestimate her. She is not the loyal guard you once knew. She is a dangerous woman."

  "I know she changed, she attacked me, she killed one of us..."

  "I thought Clovis was only hurt?" It have been a busy few days, but how did I neglect to hear about a guard's death?

  "Not him, Rune.-" That's right, Rune. For a moment I had forgotten Lorelei cut his throat at the Tavern, ending his life. I do not know how I could forget that I was there. Is it because so much has happened, or is it my tired mind? I yawn once again.

  "I should let you get back to sleep." Locklan finish.

  "I wish, but I have duties to attend to. And you need to answer me on one thing more. Lorelei mentioned Lennon again. You knew him better than I, what was their relationship?" Asking Luck is a gamble. I doubt they knew each other at all, but if he knows something, he have to share it.

  He looks away, not wanting to meet my eyes. "They partnered up on duty, nothing more." Locklan have never been a liar, but I understand why he tries to downplay it. Relationships are against the rules of a guard, yet that hasn't stopped them. Some struggle with celibacy. Not that I understand why, as I have never been tempted myself.

  "It is admirable, although stupid you still wish to protect them. But it will not do anything good to keep lying. So I am asking you again, what was Loreleis's relationship with Lennon?"

  "I think this is the first time I ever broken a promise.-" He slouches and avoids eye contact. "She never brought it up with me. Knowing setting words on it could get us both in trouble, but I caught them kissing once. I suspect there may have been more, but I do not know."

  A kiss is more than enough to lead to a dismissal, so I can understand why Locklan never told me. While I understand the need to keep guards focused, as we can't risk that in danger they run to protect their lover and not the Royals. But I never agreed with being discharged for just a kiss. Even if kissing shouldn't happen between unmarried people.

  "Thank you for being honest. If the Prince asks about Lennon, make sure to tell him the truth too." He looks at me, pondering over why the Prince would ask. "Prince Valor heard when Lorelei mentioned him, but she refused to tell him anything," I add

  "I would lie for our Prince, but never to him," Locklan replies.

  The sea is dark and calm, the bright morning sun is reflected in it. The brown horse beneath me makes a few sounds, like me, he likely wishes to be sleeping. At least he can return to sleep when we are done here. Unlike me, who have to guard the wedding, and more importantly, Lorelei.

  The guards I had tasked with finding a ship had done well. The name Mallaory is painted with big letters on it's stern. This ship is a strong one, same for its crew. They are traiders, selling anything they can get their hands on. It wont be traveling far, only to Maria, Vouris habour. The ship is to depart within the hour, all it is missing are the twins. Who are still in the prison wagon. Once everything is in place, I dismount the horse, while another guard unlocks the wagon.

  The twins follow willingly, I keep an eye on them. Neary looks down, taking careful steps while Narin sways when walking, his chest and trousers is stained with blood. He hasn't had the courtesy of being cleaned up.

  In the hull, the twins are tied down. Narin looks straight at me and asks, "Basin, what is going on?" Although he tries to look strong, I can see the pain and confusion in his eyes. "Consider yourself lucky. Our honourable King has chosen to spare your life. However, you are permanently banned from Martraigh. Return here, and it will be with your life as payment."

  The twins look at each other, then at me. Criminals being spared is very uncommon. Pardons do happen, but not to someone without status, and especially not without pleading their case to the King. "Why? Does this have something to do with Lorelei?" Narin ask. "Leave us," I command, my voice firm. It takes the guards a moment to follow the order. But they leave one by one.

  When they're all gone, I walk over to the twins. I would prefer not to tell them anything, but I fear if I don't, they will try to return. "Lorelei has negotiated with Prince Valor. In exchange of letting you go, she will stay with the Prince, to aid in his curse. "

  They both sit in stunned silence, mouths agape. "God damm it, Basin, you can not send us away, you can tell Lorelei we are coming back to save her. No matter how long it takes,." I have no doubt they would try, but they need to understand, Lorelei does not need saving.

  "She is not a prisoner. In just a few hours, she will become the wife of Prince Valor."

  Their already large eyes grew into wide circles, Neary had her lips parted in a silent surprise. "You are lying, that's crazy, that's insane. He wouldn't do that." Narin was rambling.

  "Take care of yourself," I said as I turned to leave. Narin yells after me, but I don't let it stop me. There is nothing else to be said or done. This is where our ways part.

  On the deck, I overhear the guards talk, "Perks of being a Captain I guess, to imagine using that power to have your traitor kids pardoned."

  Do they think I asked for this? How insulting. I would never use my position for my benefit. Yet I can see how they might think that, how else should something like this happen? I do not like being thought of to take advantage of my role to save traitors. But perhaps it might be for the best to let this rumor spread.