The Exiled Prince

Nesrin fought the rising panic.

An emerald glow emitted from the scimitar the man was holding, it swiftly crawled up him and faded away. His clothes changed, morphed into warlock robes of black and green.

The face of his gradually turned into that of a handsome young man.

It was Prince Eugene, the love interest of Ophelia in the novel.

However, Eugene had never attacked this openly in the novel, he even used a mask until the very end. Only after the climax did he reveal who he really was, then what happened to him this time?

The confidence and anger he held was completely opposite from the Eugene Nesrin had read about.

There was long silence inside the temple, after the moment of astonishment passed everyone looked at Izekiel nervously.

Jeremiah was stunned as he realized no guard inside the temple didn't attacked or apprehended Eugene. They were either charmed or replaced by Eugene's henchman.

The exiled prince was never this strong or sharp.

Nesrin stole a glance at Izekiel, the cold darkness in his gaze and the humorless smile that spread over his lips made her quickly look away.

"Are you forgetting what I said last time?" Izekiel smirked, "I won't be merciful if we meet again."

At his words, Jeremiah pulled out his sword, a red glow surrounding his blade as he lunged towards Eugene, the imperial guards who were no longer under Jeremiah's command created a barrier between the two. Eugene didn't wasted any time and continued to speak,

"The truth shall be revealed today!"

Nesrin noticed that Eugene's eyes were settled over Izekiel. She frowned in confusion, this story was not going how it should be!

Before Eugene could speak any further, Jeremiah reached near him and slashed his sword. The two were engaged in a fight and the words were left unsaid.

Izekiel was never the crown prince of the empire, he was crowned after he murdered his half-brother, Severnus. Severnus was emperor for a week when the former emperor was presumed dead after disappearing in the sea.

Izekiel was only twelve when he killed Severnus as well as thirteen adult ministers who were from influential families.

After taking the throne at a later age, he purged the imperial and royal families. All potential enemies were eliminated, Eugene was exiled after standing against Izekiel.

Eugene had lost his brother and father to Izekiel and he swore vengeance for them.

Nesrin's face became pale as she realized another thing. Soon after Izekiel's secret was revealed, he had killed Johanna.

It was the beginning of Izekiel's true evil nature.

If she can avoid that future, then perhaps she could live.

[New Character Introduced: Elric Winston, the minister of weaponry.]

"Your majesty," Elric said, "We should listen to what his highness has to say-"

Nesrin gave the minister a glare of hatred.

"Are you using a royal title for a traitor?"

Elric widened his eyes, the princess of Iyanora has always been a docile girl.

"Forgive me for that, your highness," Elric bowed, "But we should still-"

Nesrin narrowed her eyes,

"So Lord Winston has faith in the words of a traitor who bears ill will for his majesty?"

Izekiel raised his eyebrow at Nesrin.

Elric's eyes twitched at her behavior but he forced a smile:

"I-uh… I understand."

A loud bang sounded as the gates of the throne room were broken down by their fight, some of the guests hurried out as they were worried about their safety.

The other guests who can fight joined Jeremiah, some did so out of loyalty, while some did this because of fear.

The remaining were curious about the words Eugene spoke so they tried to stay safe.

Izekiel on the other side was very silent, he was watching Eugene closely and there was a calculative look in his eyes.

Nesrin held her breath as she silently prayed for Eugene to be quickly defeated. He shouldn't die so soon since he was the love interest of Ophelia, but if he reveals the truth then the doom would arrive too soon.

"Princess Johanna," Izekiel suddenly spoke, "You seem worried."

"Pri-Eugene seems to be doing well,"

"Are you worried he will harm you?"

There was something strange in the way he worded his words, but Nesrin couldn't quite understand. She carefully replied,

"He won't be able to do much with his majesty here."

"Eugene has grown immensely strong from the last time we met," Izekiel remarked,

"Compared to his majesty, there is nothing exceptional in Eugene," Nesrin smiled, but inside she wanted to choke herself for speaking like this.

Izekiel glanced at her indifferently.

"The two of you attended the elite institute together. I heard you both were close friends, do you not trust in what he has to say?"

"Those-those were the things of the past. After your majesty exiled Eugene, I have stopped having trust in him."

"Why?"

'I trust in living,' her mind said but she chose a better response and replied,

"I trust in your judgement more"

There was a small pause then Izekiel replied nonchalantly.

"You have a way with words,"

Jeremiah has captured the imperial guards with a mana binding rope, but he was also captured inside a magical barrier by Eugene.

Eugene stood straight, his body was exhausted but being the male lead character, his will was still unbroken. With a small triumphant smile he said,

"It's over now..."

Izekiel returned his smile lazily, the eyes of his became dark.

"You're getting on my nerves."

Nesrin internally sighed in relief, she felt bad for Eugene but if he said the truth then a lot of people would end up losing their life.

At least Eugene won't die…

Nesrin bit her lips.

A red translucent screen appeared in front of her, as the AI voice spoke all colors drained from Nesrin's face.

[Warning: A strong killing intent is detected]

[Emergency quest activated]

[Goal: Save Prince Eugene's life from Emperor Izekiel. The love interest shall be saved for the story to progress.

Reward: Splintered Grace

Penalty: Death]