“I venture to speculate that you confided in her rather than the rest of your family. I am uncertain about Vera’s condition, but I hope she is well by now. The quantity she ingested should not have been sufficient to be fatal.”
Jayce gazed at her for a moment, seemingly in awe. He reclined his head against the seat and shut his eyes, as though prepared to succumb to slumber. Molly folded her arms and observed him—was she permitted to kick him? Negative, yet it would be immensely gratifying if she were able to.
“Upon reflection,” he exclaimed, leaning towards her once more. Molly momentarily suspended her breath; the carriage was undeniably too confined for them to be in such proximity. “Luna Queen was present when I assembled the guards to communicate the plans. She expressed her desire to thank me for attending, yet she did not depart. Once she finally exited the room, I was able to brief them on the decoy, although it is conceivable that she overheard.”
Molly contemplated while picking at her nails. What is Luna Queen’s motivation for wanting Prince Jayce apprehended by the rogues? The most prevalent rumour that tarnished her reputation was her alleged involvement in the death of Jayce’s birth mother. It was alleged that her jealousy of King Elliott’s affection for her prompted her to poison one of her meals to eliminate her permanently. It has been several decades. Did she despise Jayce sufficiently to orchestrate his demise? However, what is the rationale? She is the Luna Queen, and her son is the crown prince. The Kingdom would eventually be at her disposal. What motivated her to engage in all of this?
Molly found it illogical, yet no alternative explanation existed regarding who could have informed the rogues of their arrival.
Prince Jayce’s gaze shifted to the bag beside her on the seat. “Do you believe Luna Queen surpasses one of my brothers? What of Ashton? I am certain he would have relished the news of my demise.”
“Prince Ashton would never engage in such an act!”
Prince Jayce squinted and leaned closer, his face almost touching hers. She feared to contemplate the consequences of a single jolt with him in such proximity. “What prompts your rapid defence of him despite your limited acquaintance?”
“He has consistently exhibited kindness towards me at the palace; I doubt he would ever degrade himself to inflict harm upon his own brother.”
A tempest intensified in his eyes as she continued to speak. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, and she promptly sealed her lips. “Are you perpetually so foolish towards every man who exhibits kindness?”
His caustic remarks pierced her, embedding themselves deeply in her chest like a wound. How could he provide her with his cloak for warmth one moment and then insult her the next?
Molly shifted the topic, stating, “I still fail to comprehend. Why would she desire your presence in the north? This clearly appears to be a scheme. You must have recognised this, correct? She intended for you to be observed here by the rogues—why did you volunteer to go to the north?”
“Are you more concerned about me or yourself?” Jayce jested. Molly became immobilised, uncertain of how to react.
Prince Jayce merely gazed at her. Seconds elongated into hours as his stare penetrated her skin, poised to dismantle her like paper. “There is no need for concern; I have my own arrangements.”
His words caused Molly to shift uneasily—would he betray his family? His biological siblings? What rationale could compel him to undertake such an action?
Prince Jayce remained silent for hours, and Molly refrained from initiating another conversation. She was beginning to acclimatise to his mood fluctuations and wished to avoid exacerbating another incident that could escalate further.
He periodically glanced out the small window every ten minutes to ensure everything was in order, yet an unsettling feeling enveloped Molly. The silence was excessive. The air was dense, and typically she would appreciate the silence; however, it felt unsettling for some reason.
Molly contemplated whether Jayce had experienced it as well. He had not attempted to sleep at all; rather, he appeared more vigilant than ever. She was concerned that he had been deprived of sleep for nearly two days. How much longer could he endure before exhaustion overwhelmed him?
“Jayce,” Molly said with hesitation. He lowered the curtain and turned to confront her. His eyes exhibited slight redness, and his hair was dishevelled in a manner she deemed attractive. She dispelled those thoughts and cleared her throat. “It may be advisable-“
The carriage abruptly stopped, causing Molly to slide from her seat into his awaiting embrace. They both froze, attempting to detect any voices or movement; he quietly positioned her beside him and slightly parted the curtain to observe outside.
Molly attempted to regulate her breathing, fearful that even the slightest noise might alert a nearby rogue.
A resounding thud struck the side of the carriage, causing it to tremble internally. Jayce pulled the curtain back further to observe a deranged man clinging to the side of the carriage, prompting a gasp from Molly. Was this an aberrant entity?
He exposed his teeth to Jayce and allowed his bloodied fingers to mar everything they contacted. “I detect your presence within, prince. Emergence for recreation is requested.”
The guards swiftly removed him, and she recoiled upon hearing one of them scream. Jayce forcibly opened the door and swiftly closed it behind him to prevent her from following. Molly swiftly moved to draw back the curtain and ascertain the situation.
The man stood in tattered clothing outside the carriage, his hands stained with blood up to his elbows. His entire form merged with the snow; had she not observed the blood, she might have overlooked him completely. He possessed lengthy, white hair and eyes nearly as pale as the earth below him. As he smiled, she observed his incisive teeth protruding from his gums, suggesting an imminent threat to those nearby.
Jayce positioned himself before the carriage door, resembling a sentinel, although she understood that this perception was solely from her vantage point.
“I could detect your noble lineage from a considerable distance, prince,” the man jeered, licking his teeth. The guards encircled him as though he were at the centre of a circle.
