Chapter 17: The King knew The Impersonator
As they journeyed on, Raven, the mysterious stranger, seemed to be hiding something.
Prince Kyrian and Princess Maria exchanged curious glances, sensing that he was not revealing his full story.
They had welcomed him into their group, trusting him with their lives, but now they wondered if they had made a mistake.
One evening, as they camped in a secluded valley, Raven finally opened up. "I have something to confess," he said, his voice low and mysterious. "I know who the fake prince is, and I know his true intentions."
Princess Maria's eyes widened, and Prince Kyrian leaned in, eager to hear the truth. "Who is he?" Prince Kyrian asked, his voice firm.
Raven hesitated, glancing around the campsite as if fearing eavesdroppers. "He is a powerful sorcerer, one who has mastered the dark arts. His name is Malakai, and he seeks to conquer not just our kingdom but all the surrounding lands."
Duke Setsomer, Princess Maria's stepfather, frowned, his expression grave. "Malakai? I've heard rumors of his dark magic, but I never thought he'd dare to impersonate our prince."
Raven nodded. "Malakai has a personal vendetta against Prince Kyrian and your family, Duke Setsomer. He seeks revenge for a past defeat and will stop at nothing to achieve his goal."
The group fell silent, digesting the weight of Raven's words. They knew they had to act swiftly to prevent Malakai's evil plans from unfolding. Elara, Princess Maria's maid, spoke up, "But why would he go to such great lengths? What could be his motivation?"
Raven's expression turned somber. "Malakai was once a trusted advisor to the king, but he was corrupted by his thirst for power and knowledge. He sought to overthrow the king and take the throne for himself, but Prince Kyrian and his father foiled his plans. Now, he seeks revenge."
Peter and Patrick, Princess Maria's personal guards, exchanged a concerned glance. They had heard rumors of Malakai's dark magic but had never imagined he would stoop to impersonating the prince.