After being asked a thousand questions by both his mother and his so called King’s consort, d assuring them that everything was fine, Alexander took notice of Lord Richard’s absence. That was strange. Whilst everyone else was worried about him in the palace...He almost cursed when he remembered how Richard looked the last time he had seen him.

"Richard. Where is Lord Richar?" He asked facing the already worried pair. If relief was written on their faces a while ago, then why did they look at him like that? They looked at each other before their gazes darted everywhere else but him. Were they avoiding that question?

"Mother? Where is Richard?" He chose to ask Victoria instead. She lifted her gaze to stare at his eyes but immediately regretted. There was just that power in his eyes that held one to his gaze. His would she put this? Lord Richard was like a father to Alex!

Thinking of it alone brought sorrow to Victoria’s healing heart, bringing up those memories of her last moment with Richard. Tears stinger her eyes and she couldn’t control it anymore, letting them wash over her already tired face. Her eyes retained their blood red color making Alexander crease his brows. Why was she crying?

"He’s dead Alex!" She said under her uncontrolled sobs. Roselyn held her for support as she stumbled backwards leaning on a pillar as more tears washed over her face.

Alexander stood still, his mouth slightly open as he processed the statement in his mind. Reality hit him hard. Richard was dead! He had killed Lord Richard! Oh Lord no! He looked at his mother. He had ruined her future! Would she ever forgive him? The guilty was eating him up whole. And for once, he cursed himself for ever existing. He had brought nothing but pain to this family. Why... why did they take him in as their son? He didn’t deserve to be loved. Maybe he should just die! Was that even possible?

"It’s all my fault," he said, drawing in a sharp breath. Victoria shifted her vampire gaze at him, a thousand questions written all over her face. What was he talking about?

"I caused his death mother! I killed him with my powers. I’m cursed!" He said looking at his hands. All this power had brought to him was nothing but the worst. If only there was a way he could get it out of his body... if only there was a way he could die?

"It’s not your fault my son," Victoria said, despite being surprised by the fact that Alex was the one that brought death upon Richard.

"It is mother!" He nearly screamed. "I was unable to control my powers!" His eyes narrowed. That woman, Lylla, she was the cause of all this. Had she not appeared to Alexander that time, this would not have happened. Wait! Was this her aim all along, to kill those close to him? Damn it! He should have seen this coming. He needed to find that woman, and kill her if possible. And with that in mind, he paced out of the hallway headed towards the stables.

"Alexander? Where do you think you are going?" Roselyn, who had been quiet all the while asked, trotting closely behind him. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"That’s none of your business!" Alexander thundered. "Be kind as to stay with my mother," he added without stopping to look at her. Little did he know how hurt Roselyn was by his words. She halted in her tracks, a single tear dropping her face. This was not the Alexander she had known these last few days. He had changed, she could tell it. He didn’t even spare her a glance! She looked down, disappointed before she started walking back to where Victoria was.

"Did he tell you where he was going?" Victoria asked as Roselyn approached looking down, crestfallen.

"No," was all she managed to say. "I’ll be heading to my room now," she added and left without waiting for word from Victoria. She stared at Roselyn’s retreating silhouette, a frown settled on her face. What had just happened between the two? She had so much in her brain to worry about their little fights. Nevertheless, it was the nature of a young couple."

"Your Majesty," the knights near the stables instantly stood when they took notice of their King. But Alexander seemed less interested with their greetings.

"I want my horse," he curtly said. The Knight bowed and rushed into the stable, coming out holding the reins of a white horse. It had the crest of Valoria embedded on the head plate. Alexander drew in closer, touching its mane softly. ’Midnight’. That was the name of the horse. Alexander loved him so much because he was his father’s favorite. They always used to fight for him. He smiled wryly, reminiscing on the old days, before his face was masked with an evil expression. He felt the hilt of his sword on his hip. He was going to spill some blood.

"Your Majesty. If I may ask, where are you going?" The Knight asked disrupting Alexander’s moment with Midnight. He gazed directly into the Knight’s eyes making him swallow in fear. Lord! Their king was reaking of fear and death. "I’m

..sorry," he added, releasing the reins and abruptly leaving the place. No one wanted to face Alexander when he was in a bad mood.

"Alexander hopped on Midnight before he pulled the reins, instantly earning a gallop from him, and before the knights could register what was happening, Alexander was already leaving the palace at lightning speed. Being a prince meant he was one of, if not the best, riders in the kingdom.

"Hey! His Majesty has left without his guards," the knights yelled, some instantly swinging into action and getting horses from the stables in pursuit. They could be held accountable if something bad happened to him.

"Your Majesty? The king has left without informing the palace guards," a knight informed Victoria in her chambers. She stood up surprised by the sudden news. So this was what Alexander chose to do, run away?