Chapter 80: The Noble Truth
It was quiet for a while.
Finally, Raphael broke the silence.
"Gabriel," he called him. "Before you charge into this ridiculous plan, there’s something you need to know. About the Order."
Gabriel, who had been sharpening his sword, turned to see him.
His eyes narrowed, and he gave his attention to Raphael.
"What about the Order?"
Raphael smirked faintly, though there was no humor in it.
"The whipping, the pain, the blood. I enjoyed it."
Lirian’s breath caught in her throat, her heart started sinking.
"You what?" she asked, lowly and trembling.
Raphael shrugged, leaning back against the tree behind him.
"I enjoyed watching people break. Their screams, their fear... it was satisfying. Don’t look so surprised, Lirian. It’s not as though I ever pretended to be a saint."
Gabriel’s hand tightened on his sword hilt, the vein in his neck pulses.
"You disgust me."
"I’m not finished," Raphael said sharply.
"Yes, I indulged in it. But the Order? The real monster behind it wasn’t me. It was my father."
"Your father?" Pedro interrupted again, quite skeptical.
"Yes," Raphael confirmed, his lips forming into a bitter smile.
"The king created the Order. It was his idea to use it as a tool of fear and control. I simply inherited it when he died. But I never led it. Not really."
Lirian frowned, her arms crossed.
"Then why didn’t you stop it? If you knew it was wrong, why not put an end to it?"
Raphael looked away, his jaw tightened immediately.
"Because I was tired," he admitted after a moment.
"Tired of fighting battles I couldn’t win. The nobles... they worshiped the Order. They saw it as a means of keeping their power. If I dismantled it, I would have turned them against me. And frankly..."
He looked up, meeting her eyes. "I didn’t care enough to try."
Gabriel stood abruptly, his wood tipped over behind him.
"You’re a coward."
"Maybe," Raphael said, unflinching. "But what about you, Gabriel? You’re not innocent. Half the nobles in this kingdom are dead because of you."
’True story,’ Lirian thought silently.
"I killed them because they deserved it. They were complicit in every sin the Order committed. And your father—your king—he got what he deserved too."
"And now the nobles who survived are allied with Meylo," Raphael countered.
"They want revenge, Gabriel. On you. On her." He nodded toward Lirian. "They’ve made it their mission to destroy you."
Lirian’s voice trembled as she spoke. "You knew all this? And you did nothing?"
Raphael’s eyes flew to hers, and for the first time, there was something like regret in his eyes.
"What would you have had me do, Lirian? Throw myself into the flames for a kingdom that hates me? For nobles who would slit my throat the moment I stepped out of line?"
He let out a bitter laugh. "I did what I had to do to survive."
Gabriel took a step toward him, his fists clenched.
"You let them thrive. You let them torment innocent people while you sat on your throne, watching. I should kill you where you stand."
"Gabriel, stop," Lirian said, stepping between them.
"Killing him won’t fix anything. It won’t undo what’s been done."
Gabriel’s chest heaved.
"Then what do you suggest, Lirian? Letting him go? Letting him hide behind his excuses while Meylo’s forces tear us apart?"
"No," Lirian said, hardening her tone.
"But we need him. Like it or not, he’s the key to getting into that castle and stopping Meylo."
Gabriel’s eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, some weird energy surrounded them.
Then, with a sharp exhale, he stepped back.
"Fine. But make no mistake, Raphael," he said, pointing a finger at the prince.
"When this is over, I’m coming for the rest of them. Every noble who stood with your father. Every coward who turned their back on justice. I’ll burn them all to ash."
The Next Morning~
The sun rose over the forest, and the group prepared to leave.
Raphael stood off to the side, adjusting his cloak and muttering under his breath.
Kael approached him. "Sleep well, Your Highness?"
"Like a baby," Raphael said dryly.
Kael chuckled. "Good, because today’s going to be a long one. Ready to play nice?"
Raphael glared at him but said nothing.
Gabriel, Lirian, and Pedro joined them.
"Change of plans," Gabriel said. "We’re not staging some fake bounty hunter charade. Raphael’s given the order for us to enter the castle without interference. We’re walking in as ourselves."
Pedro blinked. "Wait, what? That’s the plan? Just... stroll in?"
"Yes," Gabriel said simply.
Lirian frowned. "And what if someone decides to test Raphael’s authority?"
"They won’t," Raphael said confidently, adjusting his cloak. "My word is law in that castle. No one will dare question it."
Pedro muttered under his breath, "This is either genius or suicidal."
The group approached the giant gates of the castle, drawing the attention of the guards stationed above.
"Halt!" one of them called down. "State your business!"
Before Gabriel or anyone else could respond, Raphael stepped forward, commanding.
"Open the gates."
The guards hesitated, glancing at each other.
One of them leaned forward, squinting. "Prince Raphael? Is that you?"
"Yes, it’s me," Raphael snapped. "Now open the gates before I have you all dismissed for insubordination."
The guards scrambled to obey, the heavy gates opened.
Pedro leaned toward Kael. "Well, I’ll be damned. He wasn’t lying."
Kael smirked. "Even snakes have their uses."
As they entered the castle grounds, the group was met with curious stares from the servants and guards milling about.
Whispers followed them, but no one dared to stop them.
Raphael led the way.
He glanced over his shoulder at Gabriel. "There. You’re in. Now what?"
Gabriel’s expression darkened. "Now, we find Meylo’s dog."
Lirian touched his arm gently. "And then?"
Gabriel didn’t look at her as he spoke. "Then we end this."
"Right..." She replied. ’We’re so doomed!’ Invisible tears fell down her cheeks.
"By the way, prince," Pedro interrupted, "when is your caronation?"
"In one week..."
"Too bad..."
"Why?"
"Because everything will be over by that time, including your legacy."