The Debt Of Fate-Chapter 301: Kidnapped

"Your Highness, I advise that we abort the plan of traveling separately. This way, we can protect you better," the head guard suggested.

Prince Lucan thought for a moment, then nodded. "Very well."

"Sometimes the best place to hide is in the open," he said calmly. "We will travel together, but I will not ride in the prince’s carriage."

New arrangements were made at once. Prince Lucan, Princess Karen, and their son were placed in an ordinary-looking carriage among many others. Nothing about it stood out. The guards adjusted their positions, spreading themselves evenly throughout the group, their eyes sharp and alert.

After that, the journey continued in peace.

For more than half a month, they traveled without incident. Towns were passed, borders crossed, and roads left behind. Though nothing happened, the guards never relaxed. They watched every stranger, every bend in the road, and every shadow in the trees.

At last, they were less than half a day’s journey from the central city of the Fourth Region.

Messages had already been sent ahead. The nobles of the Fourth Region knew of Prince Lucan’s arrival and were preparing a grand welcome. Roads were being cleared, banners raised, and carriages sent out to greet the royal family.

It seemed the journey was finally coming to an end.

Then the attack came.

It happened fast—far too fast.

Smoke suddenly filled the road ahead, thick and choking. Horses screamed and reared as loud explosions echoed from both sides. Before the guards could fully react, armed men poured out from every direction. Unlike before, these attackers moved with perfect timing.

The guards rushed to form a defense, but confusion spread quickly. More smoke bombs fell, blocking sight and sound. Orders were shouted, then drowned out by chaos.

Then the men who emerged went straight for the prince’s carriage.

"Protect His Highness!" the head guard ordered in a choked voice.

Although the carriage meant for the prince was empty, the more the guards defended it, the more the attackers focused on the wrong target. This was meant to give the prince and his family time to escape unnoticed. Since these men were after the prince, they would not bother with anyone else.

Hearing the fight, Prince Lucan, who had once been a man of war, quickly understood the situation.

"Break the formation and escape toward the central city," he instructed the coachman. "Send the order ahead. Let each carriage move in a different direction."

He knew that if only his carriage fled, it would draw attention. But if the entire formation broke apart, the attackers would continue fighting over the prince’s carriage, giving him enough time to escape.

"At once," the coachman replied, passing the order forward. Soon, the ordinary carriages began to break away, moving in different directions.

In the middle of the chaos, the carriage carrying Prince Lucan was struck hard from the side.

The door was torn open.

Before anyone could react, masked men surged forward. Princess Karen barely had time to hold her son tighter before strong hands dragged them out. Prince Lucan fought back, but he was quickly restrained.

Within moments, ropes were tied, eyes covered, and mouths sealed.

Everything happened too fast. By the time the royal guards realized something was wrong, it was already too late.

The masked men were already retreating. The royal guards rushed toward the direction Prince Lucan’s carriage had gone, but when they reached it, they found it empty.

"We have been tricked. Search every corner—the prince and his family are missing!" the head guard ordered. There was no time to dwell on their mistakes.

All this time, they had believed they were leading the attackers astray. Only now did they realize who had truly been led by the nose.

They also understood that there must be a traitor among them. Unless magic was involved, the attackers could not have identified the prince’s carriage so easily.

Lady Mary, who had just stepped out of her carriage, fainted on the spot when she heard that her second son and his family had been kidnapped.

Indeed, one cannot guard against a thief forever.

The investigation continued for two full days.

Every road was searched. Forests were combed, rivers checked, and nearby villages questioned. Scouts rode far and wide, following every possible trail. Yet no sign of Prince Lucan, Princess Karen, or their son was found.

The attackers had planned their escape well. They erased tracks, crossed hard ground, and split their path more than once. Still, they had been in a hurry, and small mistakes were left behind.

A short distance from the attack site, several bodies were discovered. They were hidden poorly, as if there had been no time to bury them properly. The guards brought the bodies back for closer inspection.

These men were not ordinary bandits.

Their stance, their wounds, and the way they fought showed clear training. Their weapons were well made—strong steel, balanced blades, and finely crafted bows. This level of equipment was rare.

Weapon masters were called in to examine the arms.

After careful study, a troubling truth came to light.

"These weapons were forged and sold by the Lord of the Dark Waters," one expert reported.

The words caused unease to spread through the camp.

The Lord of the Dark Waters was known across many lands. He dealt in high-grade weapons, but his rules were strict. He never sold arms to common men or minor nobles. His trade was limited to royal families of different kingdoms—and only through formal agreements.

This raised many questions.

If these weapons came from him, then the attackers were backed by someone with royal access. Yet no royal house had reported missing arms, nor was there any clear proof linking a kingdom to the attack.

The trail stopped there.

No matter how deeply they searched, the truth refused to show itself. The weapons pointed to power, but not to a name. They revealed influence, but not a face.

"Could it be the people of Krus?" someone suggested. On the eastern border, the Krus people attacked from time to time. They were unlike other kingdoms. They prided themselves on strength and had always wanted to conquer the eastern part of Nexie because of its rich land.

"The Lord of the Dark Waters does not trade weapons with them," someone objected.

"True," others agreed. Across the world, the Krus were seen as barbarians. The Lord of the Dark Waters would certainly have nothing to do with them.

"But those barbarians are good at stealing. Can we guarantee they did not steal the weapons?" the person argued.

"But no report has been heard of missing weapons," another countered.

"Do you think a royal family would announce their shortcomings?" someone asked.

His question made sense. What if a royal family had secretly made peace with the Krus and sold them weapons in exchange for war horses?

"I think this is definitely the Krus people. They are the only ones with a motive. We should send a message to the king and attack to force them to reveal their hand," a guard suggested.

Everyone nodded, though some secretly felt that the king himself was the greater suspect.

"Send a message to the nobles. I want to meet them," Mary said. All they knew about the East came from reports. Although the eastern nobles had sent men to show support over the past few days, she had yet to meet any of them personally. Before taking any action, she needed to hear their opinions.

...

Lady Mary arrived at the grand hall in the central city of the Fourth Region. The hall was decorated with banners and rich tapestries, a clear display of wealth and authority. She was met by the three Dukes of the region, along with several other nobles. Their eyes were calm, polite, and carefully measured.

The Fourth Region was vast and powerful. Ever since the mines had been exposed two years ago during King Edward’s visit, as a prince the three Dukes had been fighting subtly for control of the riches. Each had carved out their own territory and influence, and they did not welcome interference.

Now, the news that Prince Lucan himself was coming—seemingly to assert control—was not well received. They understood perfectly that the prince’s presence would weaken their power. Yet, as expected, they hid their displeasure well. Polite smiles and formal bows masked their true thoughts.

"Welcome, your Grace," the eldest Duke said smoothly, his tone courteous. "We are honored by your presence. I am Albert, the Duke of Mills. This is Louis the Duke of Ode,"

Duke Louis bowed to show respect

Mary returned a measured bow.

"And Alvin Duke of yul," Duke Albert introduced.

Mary smile "I come in peace, to speak with you regarding the stability of this region. The safety and prosperity of your lands are of great importance to the crown."

The Dukes nodded in agreement, though their eyes flickered briefly at one another. Each was calculating how to respond without showing weakness.

"We are well aware of the crown’s interest in this region," Duke Louis said. "Rest assured, we act only in the best interest of the people. And we would help in any way we can to find the Duke of the East" the title testing bitter in his mouth. If Lucan was the Duke of the east were the rest of them decorations.