Chapter 121 - Jealousy Incarnation

With the other four guards waiting for the Prince's order, Cayden's anxious face and Felix staring at his most trusted guard who was now a traitor; the room was eerily quiet and the atmosphere was tense.

A minute passed yet Cayden maintained his silence and Felix could felt his patience running dry! Shifting his gaze to the four guards, he finally spoke up.

"Take him away. Don't lay a finger on him." He ordered and retreated to the chair, turning his head away from the scene of Cayden being dragged out by his once comrades.

Propping his elbow in the armrest, he placed his hand on his forehead and covered his eyes. Why must it be Cayden? He was always a great friend and guard whom he trusted the most! There should be some reason. The Cayden he knew won't betray him for money or power.

He was so desperate to know the reason that it was driving him crazy! Cayden had already worked for him for almost a decade and he was always perfect in whatever he did. As his most trusted guard, Cayden knows him well more than anyone, including his likes and dislikes. That's why he rarely made a mistake.

"What will I do?" He muttered to himself, inwardly reminding himself again and again that he should not act recklessly.

By the time the sunset in Edeladon, the Crown Prince already locked himself in the room for more than four hours. All he did was sit and gathering his thoughts, trying to clear his mind. He always regrets when he acted recklessly and he knows more than to repeat the same mistake.

When he was informed that dinner was ready, he abruptly rose from his seat and walked out of the room. He instructed the other guards to go to the room where Cayden was locked up and to bring him to the dining room. The guards were confused but they do as they were told.

Putting away his troubled thoughts, the Prince sat down and waited. In no time, Cayden was brought to him.

Staring at his former right-hand man who stood still at a few feet before him with a lowered head, Felix unconsciously took a deep breath. "Have a seat." He uttered.

Lifting his head, Cayden looked at the Prince with a puzzled face. He raised a brow, failing to understand what he said.

When Cayden stood still, the Prince frowned. "You keep on defying me today. My patience has a limit." His voice calm yet authoritative.

Hearing the Prince's words, Cayden quickly sat on the chair opposite to him. He didn't make another movement nor meeting his gaze.

"Leave us." The order was directed to the other two guards who brought Cayden.

Confused, the two guards exchanged glances with one another. Then one of the guards spoke up. "But Your Highness -"

"Don't make me repeat myself." The Prince snapped. He knew what the two guards worried about. What if Cayden tried to seize the chance and attack him? What if his life was in jeopardy?!

The guards didn't need to be told twice. They bowed and then walked out of the dining room, leaving the Prince alone with Cayden.

"Why did you just sit still? You should eat." Felix simply said while eating his dinner. He glanced back and forth between his food and his former most trusted guard.

Narrowing his eyes at the food, Cayden felt his throat running dry. He nervously clenched his fingers, not looking at the Prince at all. "Your Highness, I cannot do this." He muttered.

Felix halted his movement and withdraw his hands from the table. His calm gaze was fixated on the man opposite to him. "So, you still considered me as your Prince? Then why did you do it? Of all people, you are the one who knows the best just how much this means to me. My 4 years efforts are on the line."

Cayden bit his lip as if it was his way of stopping himself from talking. After a few seconds, he finally muttered, "I owe you my life. You can end it whenever you want. I won't complain." 

"You know that's not the answer to my question. I asked you why you betray me? There should be a reason." Felix made a deliberate paused when the question that crossed his mind pierced his heart. "Do you know the criminal all along? The one who killed Cara." His voice trailed off. "You know the main mastermind behind that phone call."

"Your Highness, I don't -"

"Were you threatened?" Felix deadpanned. "Like Gina Larson." He uttered.

Cayden refused to say anything and keeps on lowering his head. He resembled a man who had given up everything in life!

"I really want to hear everything from you, personally. But you give me no choice." Staring at Cayden who was now looking up at him with a confused yet anxious face. "Matthew." He uttered the name and immediately, the door of the dining room was opened and the young guard made his way inside.

"Your Highness." Matthew bowed, waiting for the Prince's instruction.

Still meeting Cayden's gaze, the Prince ordered, "Bring his family here. Right now."

"No!" With his face full of horror, Cayden abruptly rose from his seat. His eyes swept around the dining room for just a split second.

Felix nodded at Matthew, gesturing him to stop and be still for now. Then he turned his attention back to Cayden.

Feeling the pressure of being cornered, Cayden walked forward and dropped to his knees in front of the Crown Prince. "Please, Your Highness. I beg you."

"What are you afraid of? That I might use your family to threaten you or... I might hear the truth from your family?" Felix asked.

Cayden knew the Prince well. He also knew that among the two questions, he was more afraid of the latter. He knows that no matter how angry the Prince was, even if the darkness in him was aroused, he won't use such a method. He won't harm his innocent family.

His face turned pale with his eyes glued to the floor. He realized that he was not the only one who knows the Prince well. The Prince also knew him well enough. Did the Prince intentionally mentioned his family just to test him?

"So, it's the latter," Felix muttered. "You are threatened with the lives of your family." If not, why would Cayden freak out at the mention of his family? He knows that he won't harm them. But if they knew some information, he would be afraid that they might spill out the truth.

Cayden felt defeated. He should have known this. He had stayed by the Prince's side for many years and he knows that if the Prince was so calm, there was always something beneath it. He was a calm before the storm. 

"Just punish me however you want. I will accept everything." Cayden said to the Prince, closing his eyes. He resigned to his fate but that's not what the Prince had in mind. He had another fate decided for him.

"Take him back to the room." The Prince's order was directed to Matthew who was standing behind Cayden.

Felix's rose from his seat and glanced at Cayden who was still kneeling. "Rest well. By the time the sun rises, you will be willing to open up to me."

Briefly thinking of Cayden's nature, he continued, "Don't you dare try to run away or harm yourself. If that happens, I will be forced to break my principles and go beyond my limits." He warned the man. Then he left the dining room and retreated to his room.

The other guards took Cayden back and Matthew followed the Prince to his room. "Did you check the situation?" Felix asked.

"Yes, Your Highness. There are some men keeping watch on Cayden's family." Matthew replied.

Felix gave a quick thought and stood before the desk. "Let's make a move tonight. I got some plan but you must ensure that the family members are safe while carrying out this plan."

After hearing out the Prince's instruction, Matthew was prepared to left the room to complied with the orders. But when he took a glance at the Prince, he saw the pain beneath his tired face. "Are you alright, Your Highness?" He asked, careful and attentive.

"I'll be fine," Felix muttered and sat down on the chair. 

Matthew bowed and turned around to leave the room but when he suddenly realized something, he halted and then faced the Prince again. "Your Highness, is your phone on silent?" He asked. "The thing is that... " He paused, hesitating to continue.

"What is it?" Felix asked. His chair faced the window which was just behind. He blankly gazed at the outdoors.

"The lady called me about an hour ago. She said she couldn't reach you for the whole day." Matthew was filled with nervousness!

The lady? Felix's eyes widened. "Yelena?" He asked, tilting his head to Matthew to which the latter nodded.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?!" He snapped and immediately grabbed his phone, trying to call the woman in question. All at once, he paused when something crossed his mind and he lifted his head to look at Matthew who was standing.

"You have each other's number?" He shrugged which was very contrast to jealousy burning in his eyes! Was there anything apart from that playful and comfortable conversation between them in that orchard?!

Noticing the Prince's cold eyes filled with jealousy, Matthew could felt the pressure that was causing an unseeable stir in his inside! Nervously standing at his place, he only had two words for the Prince's expression right now.

Jealousy Incarnation!