Investigation 2

The prince shoulder sagged. He was really hoping to get even just a short glimpse, but failed miserably.

He then left in disappointment and turned towards his own chambers. But he stopped short when he heard voices near the servant's stairs. He knew that voice well.

"Unhand me!" a feminine voice resounded.

His heart beat erratically in response to that distressed tone. He had a hunch that something bad is going to happen.

Briar did not waste time in moving towards the narrow servant's passage. When he rounded the corner, he froze. His blood boiled as he witnessed the scene.

"Let go!" Atropa tried to break free from the grasps of a man who was almost twice her size.

Briar eyes darkened in rage as he recognized the noble who had cornered his sister's lady-in-waiting.

Only one person had that build, rounded belly and an almost balding head, Lord Heralf. He was one of his father's advisors.

He really did not know what Reed was thinking allowing this swine to stay here. Since their father had been dethroned, this man was also placed in lower ranks due to embezzlement of funds and other shady dealings.

"Don't worry dear. No one can hear you scream here." When the middle aged lord closed in and tried to steal a kiss, the prince had had enough.

Heralf already had three wives and a couple of mistresses somewhere and yet he had been preying on some of the castle staff.

"It is one in the morning! What the hell is this man doing here!" he seethed as he stomped towards the

But before he could approach and intervene, Atropa managed to free herself when she kneed the arrogant lord between his legs.

"Bloody tarnation!" Gritting his teeth in pain, Heralf cupped his front.

Atropa's chest heaved as she tried to escape, but the middle aged fool was quick to recover.

"Woman, you are going to pay for that!" he launched at the girl and grabbed her by the hair.

Briar's rage increased. He clenched his fist and gritted his teeth. "how dare this man touch whta's mine."

"Even if you tell people of this incident, no one will believe a mere servant. Of course, they would always take a nobleman's word." He muttered as he dragged her.

"No one would believe such a lowly scum like you." Briar's voice boomed as he blocked their path. "Unhand the lady now."

But instead of letting Atropa go, the nobleman held on to the girl tightly.

"I am just punishing this girl for assaulting a noble. No need to stick your head into these matters." He said as he brushed Briar off.

Briar advanced toward them and caught the lord's wrist. Smelling the strong stench of alcohol from the man, he cringed in disgust.

As retaliation on Briar's interference, Heralf roughly shoved the prince. The young royal had stumbled a bit due to the strength of the larger lord.

Using Heralf's distraction, Atropa freed herself by elbowing the huge lord's vulnerable side.

Heralf would have lunged at her again but this time, Briar was ready. The prince caught his arm, angled his body and threw the huge lord off balance using his own weight.

The flaxen haired looked at the surprised face of his opponent. Heralf must have underestimated him since he was half his size.

Although he had a polite smile on, Briar's words carry such a deadly warning.

"You better remove yourself from the palace, my Lord. I know now why you had been stripped off your nobility status and had been place in lower ranks. You are not worthy of being a noble lord of Azalea or even Marjoram."

The middle aged man groaned as he tried to stand but Briar pinned him down by stepping on his chest. The prince needed to get the message across the burly swine.

"You have attacked ladies and women in the palace. Such behavior is unbecoming of a Lord as you." Briar sneered.

"In addition, you even dared to assault royalty. It is quite funny that you could not even recognize the face of your own prince!"

Heralf paled before Briar let him go. The huge lord crawled away and stumbled before getting back on his feet. "I am so…sorry, my… lord. I did… not know…it was you."

But Briar was not listening to his excuses. "You better remove yourself from the premises before I alert all of the guards to throw you in the dungeon. As the current regent in the absence of King Reed, I can sentence you to death for such atrocities!"

With that, Heralf ran away as fast as his oversized legs could take him.

When the prince turned around, he noticed the lady-in-waiting who's just staring at him with wide eyes. "Are you okay?" he asked as he approached the lady.

She nodded, unable to form words. She must have been shaken.

"Would you like something before turning in? You look really shaken."

She shook her head in response. Finally she found her voice. "I really appreciate your help, Prince Briar. But I am all right."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, my lord. If you'll excuse me, I'll return to my quarters to rest. It has been an eventful night." She curtsied before turning to leave.

Briar felt the need to keep her safe, despite knowing that Heralf had already fled. "Atropa, will you give me the honor of escorting you to your chambers?"

The maiden stopped short, as if she was scandalized. "My lord, this is the servant's area." She reminded. "It would be a huge scandal if a member of the royalty such as yourself would be seen with a servant."

Briar internally cursed. He had forgotten that Atropa is a lady-in-waiting. Judging from her reaction, she is not comfortable with his offer.

In the end, he chose to back off since insisting on his offer might give Atropa the idea that he is like Heralf who would do anything to have his way.

"If that is the case, you may go back to your chambers. Please take care along the way."

Atropa curtsied before leaving him. Briar sighed as he trudged towards his own chambers.