Something was odd. Why did those guards let Orian through and get close to him without attacking him? Were they scared of him? After all, his best friend was a powerful Master Wizard and a formidable fighter.

But still, something was wrong as Orian’s expression seemed… cold. Even though, Ifan couldn’t let himself believe that Orian would hurt him, that he would allow such… horrible things to happen. They were best friends, they grew up together. He trusted him.

As his friend noticed the concerned look on his face and the fact that he didn’t let go of the lance, Orian suddenly softened his expression. “Ifan? What is going on here? Why are you holding a spear? I’m not going to attack you.” He said with a reassuring voice.

But the Elf Prince was still on alert. Something was not right.

“Orian! What is happening?! Why are the guards attacking us and are killing the servants?!” Ifan let out in a more panicked voice than what he intended.

“What are you talking about, Ifan?” Orian chuckled. “Nobody is attacking you.” He said nonchalantly.

The Elf Prince stared at him, then his gaze panned to the corpses of the servants that were lying on the ground behind his best friend. Orian noticed his gaze moving back and forth between him, the guards, and the dead bodies.

“Oh, I see. Don’t worry. They were traitors. We simply stopped them before they could harm you or your family.” Orian softly explained as he took a step forward to the Elf Prince.

But he was lying. Ifan was not stupid enough to believe that. He clearly heard the guards talk about capturing his entire family.

And yet, Orian was his best friend. He had known him since they were children. Why would he lie to him? 

But what he said didn’t even make sense! The royal guards behind him had clearly the intention of hurting him and his little siblings just a moment ago!

Ifan glanced at his best friend and stared at him in the eyes. Orian was keeping his eyes on him as well, giving him a reassuring smile. The situation was out of control for Ifan. He didn’t know what to think or how to react. He simply couldn’t believe Orian would ever hurt him…

But his beliefs quickly shattered when his friend suddenly grabbed the spear Ifan was holding, he had lowered it without realizing it, and he threw it away. Orian had been staring at every of Ifan’s movements since the beginning and simply waited for him to lower his guard.

His best friend then swiftly pulled out his rapier from its sheath and stabbed the Elf Prince’s left flank. Ifan stared in shock at Orian for a moment before collapsing on his knees as he put a hand on his wound. It was the first time he ever felt such pain and he didn’t know how to react.

He was shocked, he was panting, his whole body trembled, and droplets of sweat formed on his pale face. Ifan looked at his trembling hand and saw blood on it; his blood.

What was happening? Why did the only person he trusted just stabbed him? His wound hurt and he was losing blood. He didn’t want to look at Orian, frankly, he was terrified to look at him. He was scared to see what kind of face he would have after betraying him. But he had to see him, to know why his only friend, his best friend, would do something like that. What had Ifan ever done to him? He respected him as his equal, he was always there to support him in everything he did…

He couldn’t believe it. He didn’t want to believe it. He wanted to shout, he wanted to cry, but nothing came out of him. He felt only shock and incomprehension.

“What? Not even a scream? How disappointing.” Ifan heard Orian complain as he finally managed to lift his eyes to look at him.

Orian looked pissed by Ifan’s reaction. He grabbed the Elf Prince’s white silvery hair with force and brought his face close to his. Ifan let out a faint groan as he kept his orange gaze on his friend. 

Orian was just staring at him with such coldness in his eyes. He seemed to wait for him to… react. But Ifan did nothing and the fear he felt turned into hate. This was not the Orian he had known. He betrayed him and was now seeking to hurt his entire family.

“Tch! Even now you find a way to annoy the shit out of me, Ifan.” He irritably said as he pushed him hard on the floor.

The Elf Prince held his side as he curled in a fetal position. The pain was unbearable, but he quickly understood that it was what Orian wanted from him; to show pain. He would never allow that. He wanted to make him pay for his treachery! But he couldn’t… Because yet again, Ifan knew he was powerless. He bit his lower lip out of frustration and to retain the groan of pain that wanted to escape his mouth.

Ifan knew that he was in no state to fight back. He started to believe he would die here. Even if the blade of Orian’s rapier was long and slim and it left a smaller wound than a normal sword would have, he was still losing blood. He doubted anyone would heal him. This was really a coup against the royal family… And the Elf Prince could only lay, curled in pain on the ground, helpless.

His thoughts only went to Kolthen and Ilithya. He prayed for them to have managed to get to the guest room in the east wing or that Athelan or their parents had found them… They were so young yet so brave. He would never forgive himself if something happened to any of his family. 

Ifan started to feel weak, his vision slowly getting blurry.

“No, no, no. You won’t pass out right now, your Highness.” Orian suddenly said as he noticed the Elf Prince was about to faint. He put one knee down and took Ifan’s chin in his hand. “I need you wide awake for the next part of our plan. I’m going to get a nice expression out of you, no matter what.” He wickedly added.

Ifan drew out the little strength he had and kept his composure the best he could even though all he wanted was to hit Orian in the face. Whatever his friend will try to do, he will not give in!

Orian then let go of Ifan’s chin and stood up to face the other guards that were silently watching since he had arrived. “You two, take him. We’re going to the throne room. The rest of you, go find the little prince and princess. I might know where they are.” Orian had turned his head towards Ifan as he got roughly picked up by the two guards, a vile smile on his face.

Ifan’s eyes suddenly widened as he said that. Orian knew! How could he not know where Ilithya and Kolthen were hiding?! He had played with them multiple times since he got back from his training. Ifan cursed at himself and bit his lower lip so hard that he could taste iron in his mouth. He really hoped that Athelan or his parents had found them first.

Ifanthien realized that Orian was watching him intently and immediately got his composure back. He had to control his emotion so this man would not get what he desired from the Elf Prince. He kept his gaze filled with hate locked on Orian, showing him he was not scared of him and would not play his little game. But Ifan was starting to feel so drowsy he had difficulty focusing on the man he once called his friend.

“Oh? That’s an interesting face you just made. I can’t wait to see more.” Orian snickered. “Now, let’s go.” He ordered as he turned his back and started walking towards the throne room.

Ifan helplessly watched Orian instruct the two guards where to find Kolthen and Ilithya as they then headed towards the east wing. He wanted to fight back the traitors that stopped him from going to his little siblings and protect them. But he had no strength, and he knew it would have been pointless to even try. They were trained soldiers and he was just… a powerless Prince…

The sharp pain he had on his left side was making him feel numb and slowly, his vision darkened. He felt himself falling into unconsciousness, then everything went dark and silence fell.