“I would like to ascertain the prince’s presence in my domain, as I have yet to enquire directly. Sir Antony maintained his gaze on Jayce, leaving Molly to feel increasingly invisible.” “Did you not receive any of my invitations for a private meeting? I was starting to suspect that my messenger was retaining them for personal gain.”
“I did. I did not anticipate their utility for me,” Jayce stated calmly. Molly gazed at him, astonished. She was unaware that he had been disregarding an invitation from the founder of the rogues. Molly had not observed Sir Antony exiting his cabin since her arrival; she presumed he was merely unwell.
What did he imply by stating that a meeting would not be beneficial to him? She could conceive of nothing more advantageous than having the founder of rogues as an ally.
Sir Antony presented a diminutive, melancholic smile. “I am aware that you are the cause of my people’s division. You owe me an explanation, at the very least.”
“I would presume you are the one indebted to me,” Jayce remarked with an air of indifference towards his surroundings. The disrespect was evident, yet Sir Antony appeared merely entertained by Jayce’s demeanour.
“Jayce, what are you referring to? I believed you—” Jayce silenced Molly with a glance that could have severed her.” She squinted at him and clenched her fists at her sides.
“I arrived to reconcile the rogues with the kingdom, yet not all are pleased with this notion,” Jayce uttered, as though Molly had coerced him into expressing it. “I sought tranquilly between our territories.”
“Oh, truly? How do you anticipate accomplishing that?” Sir Antony enquired with curiosity.
“Upon ascending to the throne, I will implement measures to ensure peace with the rogues. Any form of mistreatment will be unequivocally prohibited under my command. My primary requirement is the rogues’ consent and backing; however, it appears that the majority are unwilling to remain still long enough to engage in dialogue.”
“Are you suggesting that you will ascend to the throne? I was led to believe that your elder brother is the heir apparent,” Sir Antony enquired, tilting his head. She appreciated his calmness and kindness in speech, even amidst his own confusion.
“My brother lacks the discernment necessary for the kingdom. He merely replicates our father’s shortcomings; his reign will yield neither peace nor virtue. The rogues will continue to be treated unjustly should he ascend to the throne-” Jayce inhaled deeply. “I possess the capability to be the monarch these territories merit, and I have arrived to demonstrate it. I merely require an opportunity to persuade them.”
Sir Antony acknowledged with a nod. “I am uncertain about the method you will employ to obtain their approval, yet you may certainly attempt it.”
Molly enquired whether the villagers had been transported to Life Pharmacy.
“I believe they were. There is no other location sufficiently large to accommodate them.” Sir Antony patted the back of one of the horses. “You should depart promptly before they attempt to render a decision independently.”
“Will you not assist?” Jayce enquired with a sneer. Molly desired to crush his foot, as he was not exerting sufficient effort to gain the rogue’s favour.
“My dear boy, I am no longer suited for horseback riding. Furthermore, I sense that this is an endeavour you must undertake independently.”
“Thank you for squandering our time,” Jayce muttered as he proceeded to mount a horse independently. Molly disregarded his extended hand and struggled to mount her own horse.
Upon her arrival, she acknowledged Sir Antony with a nod. “I appreciate your time and hope to see you again prior to our departure.”
“I am confident you will,” Sir Antony remarked with a smile.
Molly gently signalled for her horse to exit the stables. Jayce remained silent as he urged his horse to accelerate. Molly glowered at the back of his head and attempted to position her own closely behind.
Molly clutched the reins firmly, striving to maintain her balance and avoid embarrassment while trailing Jayce along the path. It was her inaugural experience guiding her own horse; however, she was sufficiently adept at maintaining her grip, and her horse appeared inclined to pursue Jayce’s.
He failed to glance back to confirm her presence, which only intensified her anger towards him. He addressed her as though she would perpetually remain present, irrespective of his actions or words, and she eagerly anticipated demonstrating his error upon their return to the palace.
Upon the sighting of Life Pharmacy, Jayce significantly reduced his horse’s speed. He abruptly turned his head and veered off down a path that diverged in the opposite direction. Molly nearly fell from her horse while attempting to pursue him. She grasped the horse’s neck and attempted to direct him towards Jayce once more.
The haughty prince neglected to ascertain her well-being as he hastily pursued a new route. Molly exerted considerable effort to catch up, and fortunately, her horse possessed sufficient speed. He came to a stop ahead. Molly reined in her horse, causing a plume of snow to erupt from the ground.
Molly exclaimed, “What is it?” through her trousers. He cast a scornful glance at her for her outburst, yet she remained indifferent. She was on the verge of locating a nearby rock to hurl at his head.
“Jayce? Molly?” a voice called from the adjacent trees.
“Beckham?” Jayce enquired. He emerged from the trees, appearing as though he had been pulled through the mud. Jayce dismounted his horse and embraced his friend as though he believed he had perished. Molly gradually dismounted her horse and nearly stumbled into the mud-encrusted snow. A number of additional palace guards emerged behind him, and Molly experienced a modicum of relief upon realising they had survived.
“What transpired? We attended the camp-”
“Colton was captured from Life Pharmacy, labelled a traitor, and administered a substance that incapacitated him.” Jayce looked at Molly, and they both understood what he had been injected with. That implies he was entirely vulnerable to them at that moment without his wolf.
“We observed their approach and departed prior to being apprehended. We arrived here in anticipation of locating you, as the church was already vacant upon our arrival,” Beckham elucidated. He acknowledged Molly with a brief nod, to which she responded with merely a smile.
“We must extricate him from that location. I am certain of his destination,” Molly stated.
“It is excessively perilous. All of their sentinels have retreated and returned here. We lack sufficient personnel to assist.” Beckham remarked nonchalantly. Molly exhaled audibly.
“He is there due to our actions. The minimum we can do is assist them. We possess the capability to help. Jayce, you understand that we must undertake this.”
Jayce averted his gaze in contemplation. “Assisting his escape is all we would accomplish; we cannot bear the burden of this conflict alone.”
Molly stated, “If we assist him, he may be able to regain their attention.” Jayce elevated his eyebrow. “We might deceive the rogues into pursuing us to an alternate location, where you can disclose your peace plans.”
