Kingdom’s Glory

"What do you mean they left?"

Agatha felt crushed by waves of shock from Mingway, Liam's Commander in Chief.

After her talk with Liam, she hadn't seen him all afternoon until midnight. That's why she asked the knights first thing in the morning.

She wanted to ask Leonel, but since he was also absent, she turned to Mingway instead.

"General Leonel left to track the thief who stole the Justice Book in the lands of the Wind Kingdom. The King left yesterday. We have no idea where he went, but someone witnessed him taking his things along with Stella."

Agatha's brow furrowed. "Stella?"

Mingway nodded, certainty in his eyes. "Stella was the king's consort before he found you. I'm sorry you have to know this, Princess, but the King was planning to make Stella the Queen before he met you."

Agatha couldn't believe it. She couldn't even open her lips.

"They left because the King said he didn't want to marry you. He loves Stella, and everyone knows it, especially the knights. They are too scared of the King to speak."

Her heart ached with betrayal. Perhaps it was all just simple assumptions. She had believed in things because she hoped they were true—that someone wanted her despite all her flaws.

Agatha fell to her knees, feeling like her heart was being attacked. It hurt physically, as if a knife was burying itself in her chest because of the Fate Bond. She had heard that when one Fate was betrayed, the other would get hurt physically.

"Are you okay, Princess?" Mingway asked, helping her to a chair in his office.

Agatha asked, "Did you see him leave?"

She badly wanted to close her eyes and wish everything would be okay. She hoped it was just a nightmare and that when she woke up, Liam would be back at the Orient Palace.

But as days passed, Agatha gradually lost hope of his return.

It had been four days, but there was no sign of Liam, not even a shadow. Leonel hadn't come back either. As time passed, what Mingway said was becoming the truth.

She asked the knights, but they were too scared to speak. She had to scare them or pay Galleons just to find out who Stella was.

Agatha stopped thinking when Aiden entered the room.

"Why are you here?" Agatha asked. "I thought you had an examination today?"

Aiden shrugged in response.

"Is something wrong?" Agatha asked when he lay on the bed.

"Why are you sad?" he asked.

Agatha could no longer suppress her tears. For days, she hadn't cried. She was too shocked, confused, and saddened.

But now, her heart was exhausted, and she was struggling to be fine.

Agatha sobbed. "Liam… he's gone. He's already left us here."

Aiden faced her and wiped away her tears. "Where did he go? When will he return?"

She shook her head, wiping her tears. "I don't know where he is," she said. "But he'll never come back again, Aiden…"

She tried to smile at Aiden. He shouldn't see her like this.

"Why?" Aiden asked. "Did something happen? I don't think Liam would leave us."

"But he did."

As much as she wanted to believe him, Liam had been gone for a week.

"I can see that you are very important to Liam. He wouldn't do that."

"I hope so, Aiden," she said. "I really hope."

"Liam won't leave us, I swear."

Like the past days, Agatha couldn't sleep. She kept thinking about Liam. Where he was, if he was well, or if he was happy.

It was almost midnight when Agatha decided to take a walk. Maybe she could tire herself out until she felt sleepy later on.

She first went to Aiden's room. When she saw that he was sleeping peacefully, she proceeded to the corridor. She had been walking for an hour when her feet brought her in front of Liam's room.

For minutes she just stood in silence. The night was cold, and she embraced herself, hoping for warmth.

Agatha saw a few guards patrolling the pathway, but their numbers seemed to be decreasing.

Finally, Agatha gathered the strength and slowly approached the door. Surprisingly, it wasn't locked.

It was dark inside, so she immediately looked for a lamp. She just needed to see it one last time, then she swore she would force herself to move on.

Once the room brightened, she closed the door and looked around.

The room looked pristine as if it had never been used. Her heart ached seeing his room, which reminded her of him.

She was about to leave when she noticed a slightly opened cabinet. She went to close it but saw Liam's clothes inside.

Looking carefully, she saw a brown blanket underneath the stack of clothes.

That made Agatha think. He should have brought it with him as it was the blanket his mother had given him.

When she closed it, her eyes fell on a small table beside it. There were books lying there and a few papers yet to be signed.

At the corner of the room, a small notebook lay open, seemingly moved by the wind. Curiously, she picked it up.

On the first page was Liam's name. The back pages contained his schedule for the entire month.

Agatha studied it repeatedly, realizing it was his handwriting. He had planned everything meticulously—the meetings to attend, and even the day of their wedding.

Deeply hurt, she returned the notebook to the table, but a page fell out. It was folded and appeared to have been cut.

She picked it up and found an unfinished letter.

---

**For my Agatha,**

**I know I should give this gift to you in person, but I really want to give it to you on the day of our wedding. But since it's our tradition not to meet each other the day before the ceremony, I figured I could give it to you this way…**

**This necklace is from my mother. She gave it to me days before she passed away, and since then, it has always been with me. It gave me a sense of comfort, and now, I would like for you to wear it for me…**

**In such a short period of time, you have become so important to me, and I can't wait to see you at the altar later…**

---

Agatha's heart felt gripped with pain. She sank to the floor, crying silently.

She couldn't understand. It didn't make sense. All of this. Unless... Aiden was right.

But if Liam didn't leave, then was he kidnapped? But he was strong. How could he have been gone for six days and still not escaped?

If he was missing, why did Mingway say he left?

Unless he was lying.

But if Liam was missing, the knights and Ministers should have noticed by now. The wedding was supposed to happen two days after he disappeared.

It had been almost a week, but the Ministers hadn't approached her.

Should she hope? That Liam didn't actually abandon them? Should she trust the letter he wrote?

Agatha realized that Liam had never disappointed her before. He always kept his promises. When he said he would protect them from Nysander, he did.

She was confused. If Liam hadn't run away with someone, then it meant one thing: Mingway lied, and the whole army was with him.

Her head felt light as she walked down the hallway, heading back to her room. She still couldn't believe this was happening. She was alone with Aiden. How was she supposed to save Liam?

"Your Highness…"

Agatha jumped at the sudden sound of Mingway's voice. She had been so deep in thought she hadn't noticed his presence.

"It's late, why are you not asleep yet?" he asked.

Agatha tried to calm herself, though her heart was racing. "No, I just can't sleep, that's all."

Mingway's hawk-like eyes studied her.

"Just that," Agatha added. "I still can't get rid of the anger and pain. How could Liam leave me like this?"

She hoped her acting was convincing. She had never tried to act and pretend before, but she needed to. If her suspicion was right, Mingway knew where Liam really was.

"There are men who focus on their desires, not their minds. Stella was an Ethereal seductress, and she enchanted many. We couldn't believe even the King was the same."

Agatha snickered. "That jerk. When was the last time you saw him, Commander Mingway?"

He thought for a moment. "At the foot of the forest, toward the border facing Primotheus Capital. He was holding Stella, so we left them alone. We didn't know he would leave."

Agatha asked, "Did you see them enter the forest?"

Mingway nodded hesitantly. "Holding hands, yes."

With feigned gratitude, she smiled at Mingway. "Thanks, Captain. You don't know how much I appreciate it. Good thing I didn't marry that bastard."

Mingway smiled too. "You're always welcome, Your Highness."

Agatha's eyes narrowed when she saw dirt on Mingway's black boots. It was dried out, so it didn't leave a trail, but its different color caught her eye immediately.

"Where are you stationed today, Commander? And what are you doing right now?"

He sighed. "I'm just here at the palace, Your Highness. Because the King is absent, I'm temporarily handling his responsibilities, so I don't have much time to help with external matters."

"But I thought you were in charge of capturing the thieves who stole the Justice Book. Where were they last seen? At the forest, right?"

"I have no idea," Mingway said.

"Really?" Agatha feigned disappointment. "You haven't been to the forest then?"

There was a light nod. "I charged someone else with the search because my time is filled with the kingdom's work."

"Well, it's good that I can trust you, Commander. I don't know if I could do it all alone without your help, not that I know much about governing."

Agatha flashed her most innocent smile at him.

"You can always rely on me, Your Highness."

The next day, Agatha and Aiden went to the town. Based on Mingway's answers, she became more suspicious.

Although her time in Etherealis when she was young was long past, she still knew that the red mud she had seen on Mingway's boots could only be found in the middle of the forest.

Once they reached the heart of the town, it was noticeable that knights were following them. Mingway had said it was for their protection.

Agatha nodded at Aiden, and they entered a bookstore at the edge of town. They pretended to browse books while Aiden wandered around, playing with other children.

When the children ran away after seeing Aiden's horse, Aiden sat on the street until he saw Mr. Quaint.

From where she stood, Agatha couldn't see clearly, but she pretended to be busy, not looking at them.

Agatha's plan was based on hope. Once she learned the knights were following them, her plan was ruined. She knew she couldn't go to Mr. Quaint because she wasn't buying a boat.

She selected a few books when Aiden returned to her, carrying some toys he had bought. She knew he didn't like toys, so she asked, "Why are you carrying them?"

Aiden hugged her and pressed his face into her shoulder to hide it.

"I asked Mr. Quaint to help buy these so they wouldn't suspect I was talking to him," he whispered.

Agatha smiled. "Good job, Aiden."

It took a whole day before Lady Alexa's new pet arrived, bringing what Agatha needed. It was what she had asked Mr. Quaint to do for them since she couldn't send a message to Alexa herself without the knights knowing.

She was really scared and nervous, but rereading Liam's letter made her confident.

She needed to do this.

After a few seconds, she looked at the dove, wondering if it had brought a letter. When it flew away, a feather fell and suddenly transformed into a letter.

Aiden's eyes widened as he stared at the white paper on the floor.

Agatha took it and ensured the room was closed before opening the letter with Aiden.

"Got it," it said.

It was only two words, but Agatha felt immense relief. Knowing she wasn't alone made her feel secure.

Agatha took ten tablets and immediately went to the kitchen. She instructed the cooks to prepare a delicious meal for the guards, which surprised them. But they did it without hesitation.

Agatha called for the high-ranking knights and invited them to eat. They were unsure at first but, after a few moments of her insisting with a reason for celebration, they accepted. She also mentioned she had something to announce.

The dining hall was grand and adorned with embellishments and paintings. The gold decorations almost blinded her, temporarily distracting her from her nervousness.

More than ten uniformed servants stood at the ready, easily called upon if needed.

When the third course was served, Agatha sat up straight with a fake smile. She tried to exude confidence, though her knees were trembling. She didn't know if this would work, but she hoped it would. It was the plan she had.

"About what I need to tell all of you," Agatha began when she saw the white wine was finally served. She had ordered Aiden to enter the kitchen and discreetly put the tablets in the wine.

"I just want to inform you that I am planning to change your positions."

The knights suddenly fell silent. She had their full attention.

She added, "I noted that when the King left, you took on important decisions, all for the growth of the kingdom. So, I want to widen the scope of your powers and authority to help me lead the entire Water Fae Kingdom properly. As you can see, I am very inexperienced in leading. So I will need all your help. Can I trust in your cooperation?"

They nodded consecutively, and it seemed most agreed. Everyone was excited, even Mingway, standing in the far corner.

"Well," Agatha added, "I'm happy everyone is agreeing. To the Water Kingdom's glory!"

She shouted, holding up her own cup of water.

Everyone held their wine glasses and cheered in unison, "To the Water Fae Kingdom's glory!"