The Chronicles of Nog-Aldo ③ [#FantasyNovelCategory]

Chapter 2: "Prince Lapis"

The three of them did not speak a word until they crossed the border and reached the inn in Niarg. Aiol collapsed onto the bed, ruminating on Ventus's words for a while. That he could be a prince of the Yubel Holy Kingdom... that he was the twin brother of Prince Lazuli... it was impossible to believe.

But it was the truth. He couldn't imagine Ventus telling such an outrageous lie, and if he really was a prince of Yubel, it explained why the Eld soldiers had been chasing them. He just hadn't come to terms with it yet. With his own past.

◇

"Aiol is a prince of Yubel...?"

"That is correct."

"Then you were... a knight of Yubel, Ventus?"

"Yes. I served as the guardian for Prince Lapis in the Yubel Holy Kingdom."

Ventus replied bluntly.

"Why... why did you keep such an important thing a secret from me...!"

"Because it was for Prince Lapis's sake."

Staring into Aiol's bewildered eyes, Ventus began to speak.

"On a stormy day ten years ago, Prince Lapis fell into the river and was swept away by a massive flood. I dove in to save him, but the current was too strong, and we were both swept away."

"And you were washed all the way to Walle, and came ashore near the Grand Company... is that it?"

"That is correct."

Aiol remained silent, listening intently as Ventus spoke.

"I was desperate. Although I managed to reach the shore, the prince had lost consciousness, and I myself was quite exhausted. I looked for a place to take shelter while carrying the prince, but since it was the middle of the night, almost no houses had their lights on. Still, I wanted at least the prince—Prince Lapis—to be saved. With that single thought, I ran through the pitch-black town."

It must have been a painful memory. Both of them noticed Ventus's voice gradually trembling.

"When I thought it was all over, I saw a light in the window of a large mansion. I knocked on the door of the mansion, clinging to it like a drowning man clutching at a straw. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say I pounded on it. The door was unlocked. I opened the door and, using the last of my strength, I shouted. I didn't care what happened to me. Just please, save the prince..."

The memories of ten years ago were vividly recalled. A shouting knight, a slumped child, and Terra and the members of the Grand family rushing about in a panic. However, Aiol alone seemed confused by the story he was hearing for the first time.

"Terra-sama helped us without a word, even though we were strangers who had barged in in the middle of the night. That was not all. Prince Lapis ended up living in an orphanage, and she gave me a job. I truly thought that God existed."

A faint light lit up Ventus's face. However, it immediately clouded over again.

"However, Prince Lapis had lost his memories. I was quite shocked. After all, he didn't remember me, even though I had been by his side every day for the eight years since he was born."

Aiol could only listen to Ventus's story with an apologetic look on his face.

"So, together with Terra-sama, I went to King Zapot to discuss how to proceed. King Zapot allowed us to hide our identities and remain in Walle."

"Wait a minute. Why didn't you return to Yubel immediately? Isn't it a major incident that the prince and you went missing?"

"Queen Aqua."

Queen Aqua was the queen of the Eld Kingdom. He remembered she had died in that great flood, but did that have something to do with it?

"Queen Aqua was swept away along with Prince Lapis. She was likely trying to save Prince Lapis as well."

"How does that explain why you didn't return to Yubel..."

"Queen Aqua passed away."

Tension filled the air between the three of them. Only the sound of a sharp intake of breath cut through the silence.

"Coincidentally, when we visited King Zapot, the news of Queen Aqua's death arrived. Because the Queen had passed away, the Eld Kingdom was furious. From Eld's perspective, it was as if their own queen had died because of the prince of another country. That is why the relationship between Yubel and Eld is so hostile."

Ventus continued his story, occasionally checking Aiol's expression.

"Upon receiving the news of Queen Aqua's death, King Zapot decided to hide Prince Lapis. He said that if we returned to Yubel as we were, there was a high possibility that Prince Lapis's life would be targeted. That is why only the Walle royal family, Terra-sama, and I know Aiol's true identity."

"Don't the Holy King and Queen of Yubel know either?"

"The Queen has already passed away. Even so, I wanted to inform the Holy King. If only I could have."

Ventus gritted his teeth.

"Even back then, Eld was thinking of dominating the entire continent. They were always keeping a close eye on the movements of other countries. If I had sent a messenger carelessly, Eld would have learned that Prince Lapis was alive. Considering that danger, I absolutely could not inform the Yubel royal family."

"But those guys came after me today."

Aiol opened his mouth heavily. Ventus seemed taken aback by the sudden remark, but he answered the reason.

"They must have thought you were Prince Lazuli. You are twins with Prince Lazuli, and you look exactly alike. Besides, if the traveler's story is correct, Prince Lazuli must have visited Eld, so it is no wonder the Eld soldiers would remember his face."

"Wait. Then if they mistook me for Prince Lazuli when they saw Aiol, does that mean Prince Lazuli is not under Eld's control?"

The three of them looked at each other.

"That gorilla-like soldier said, 'We've found the target.' Doesn't that mean they're looking for Prince Lazuli?"

"That may indeed be the case."

"Let's find him."

Aiol stood up.

"I don't have my memories, and I don't really feel like I'm a prince of Yubel. Honestly, I'm incredibly confused right now. But... my twin brother is in trouble, right? Let's find him and save him. The time has come for the swordsmanship I learned from Ventus to be useful."

Aiol drew the sword at his waist and held it up to the sky.

"I agree, Aiol... er, Prince Lapis?"

"Aiol is fine. Ventus, too. Oh, and no honorifics either."

"But..."

"It's harder to be found if I don't act like a prince, right? Besides, it's easier to do things the way we always have. Being addressed with honorifics feels a bit ticklish."

Aiol smiled. Even though he probably hadn't fully accepted his fate yet, Ventus felt his eyes grow hot at his brave demeanor.

"I underst... I understand. But we haven't searched for Prince Lazuli yet. The three of us alone are not enough. First, we will head north and request cooperation from Niarg. Is that alright, Solm, Aiol?"

The three of them, with renewed determination, crossed the border while dragging their exhausted bodies.

◇

Perhaps it was the effect of yesterday's escape and the truth Ventus had told, but Aiol didn't wake up until well past noon. Even though he should have slept for hours, his body felt as heavy as lead. His whole body was aching with muscle pain, and he couldn't even get out of bed. He finally managed to lift his upper body, but he felt no motivation at all. It was as if all the energy needed to live had drained out of his entire body.

Although he had decided to find Prince Lazuli, he still had his doubts. Because he lacked his memories, he couldn't help but feel like it was someone else's problem.

However, no matter how heavy his body felt or how much doubt he had, it didn't matter to Eld. Even while he was doing this, the Yubel Holy Kingdom and Prince Lazuli were falling into crisis.
Aiol managed to lift his stiff body and headed toward the carriage where the other two were waiting.

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