The next day, Lucas and Bianca were called to meet Queen Mira. Queen Mira called them to one of the reception rooms inside the castle. In there, Queen Mira was accompanied by Anna. She let both of them sit down. Queen Mira looked much better than the last time Lucas visited her, her expression was much brighter and her eyes were full of life. Her body was much healthier and she looked much more beautiful than when she was ill. Her beauty captivated Lucas, even though she was in her 40s, she still looked great. Lucas was so absorbed gazing at Queen Mira, she could not help but notice his enthralled gaze.

“I’m sorry, Lord Lucas, is there something in my face?” said Queen Mira with a smile.

“Ah.” Lucas was woken up by his gaze. “I-i’m sorry, if I may be frank, you look beautiful for your age.”

“You must jest, Lord Lucas. How could you say that to a woman with a child… or perhaps you’re into an older woman.”

“Who knows, perhaps I a– ouch!” Before Lucas could finish his sentence, Bianca pinched his arm.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. Lucas was just joking, he didn’t mean any of it,” said Bianca.

“I’m fine with it. A light joke will make our day better,” said Queen Mira, chuckling.

“But, I–”

“Shut up, Lucas.” Bianca pinched his arm again. “Your Majesty, may I check your condition?”

“Of course.”

Bianca immediately went ahead and checked Queen Mira’s condition, she did a physical examination on her. Bianca told her and Anna about Queen Mira’s diet to ensure her health. Meanwhile, Lucas just observed their conversation from where he was seated, he noticed something interesting. With Queen Mira in healthy condition, Lucas noticed a similarity between her face and Anna’s face, especially their eyes; Both of them had the same eye colour. However, Lucas was told the Queen never had a daughter. Lucas thought if she was her daughter with another man, but the colour of Anna's hair was black, the same as the late King’s hair; If she was indeed the late King’s daughter, why would they hide her?

Bianca had finished checking Queen Mira’s condition and she returned to sit next to Lucas.

“You’re very talented, Lady Bianca.”

“It’s nothing, Your Majesty. My knowledge is nothing compared to the rest of the medical professionals in my country.”

“Your country is amazing, I wonder what your country looks like.”

“You’ll be surprised by my country's technology and knowledge. Sadly, we could not return to our country.”

“Right, I heard your ship was broken and you could not return back to your country.”

“That’s indeed correct, Your Majesty.”

“Then, I welcome all of you here. I heard you saved the daughter of Duke Aruburn and saved the city from the besieging rebel army. All of you have done a lot for my people.”

“It was nothing, Your Majesty. We were just doing our jobs helping people in need,” said Lucas.

“That’s not what you said to the Duke. I heard you asked him for rewards.”

“Correct, Your Majesty. We and Duke Aruburn made a deal, to help retake the Capital in exchange for rewards.”

“Then, I will arrange for rewards to be given to all of you. For everything you have done, the disease and the liberation of the city.”

“There is n–”

“No, I insist!”

“Thank you, Your Majesty. We will remember your generosity.”

Queen Mira smiled “Of course, a job well done deserves a reward.”

“Now, Your Majesty, the real purpose of our visit is to ask you about the Crown Prince.”

Queen Mira's expression turned gloomy. “Right, I’ll help you with everything I can.”

“As of right now, the Duke is leading the search. We already have the characteristics of His Highness; Short black hair and purple eyes, and he is in his teens, around 18 years of age.”

“That’s correct, I guess you must have known it from his tutors.”

“Yes.”

“I have told the Duke everything when he met me before. We were separated when we tried to escape the attack inside the castle. I was lucky to escape safely with the knights and later met with Marques Petrova’s soldiers. I do–” Queen Mira started to break down. Tears came out of her eyes.

“You don’t have to tell us more, Your Majesty,” said Bianca.

Queen Mira kept crying, Anna went to console her. Bianca spoke words of consolation to her. However, Her tears and the crying in Lucas' eyes were crocodile tears. It looked like she was hiding something.

“Your Majesty, we need to know where the Crown Prince is!” shouted Lucas.

“Lucas, why are you shouting at her?” said Bianca, annoyed.

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“Because she is lying.”

“What? Lucas, what’s wrong with you?”

“Bianca, there is a woman out there with the late King’s illegitimate son. They are pushing to claim the throne and you know what will happen when they win?”

Bianca's expression turned sour. “Y-yes.”

“Yeah, Her Majesty will probably be thrown out to the street where she once belonged!”

“Lucas, watch your mouth!”

“Lord Lucas, you can be held on the ground of Lèse-majesté!” said Anna. Her expressionless face had turned into anger.

“Go ahead, if that’s what it takes to find the Crown Prince and save this kingdom. And you, Your Majesty, I would very much like your cooperation if you don’t want to return to the gutter, to the place you once belonged, a poor commoner, that’s it if you are lucky and not murdered. Honestly, why did the late King have an affair with a princess from the neighbouring kingdom, was he unsatisfied with his wife or perhaps his wife didn’t do her duty properly, giving him only a child.” snickered Lucas.

Anna looked frustrated at Lucas’ reply. She pulled out a dagger hidden under her skirt and pointed it at Lucas. “That’s it, you will pay with your life.”

Bianca stood up protecting Lucas and wanted to de-escalate the situation. “Anna put it down!”

“Your Majesty, where is the Crown Prince? Where are you hiding them?” shouted Lucas.

Queen Mira was in shock. “I–i…” The shock made her unable to speak.

“I see that you understand the consequence if your son wasn’t found.”

Bianca looked directly at Lucas. In a calming voice, she said, "Lucas, please hold back, stop it."

Queen Mira was shaking and trembling; She was under heavy stress. Lucas observed her, he sat on the couch waiting for her to speak. Anna was trying to calm the Queen, she had put down the knife and placed it on the table. Bianca was bewildered, she did not expect Lucas to be so harsh at Queen Mira.

After a while, Anna turned and looked at Lucas right at his face. “Do you want to know where the Crown Prince is?”

“Yes, of course,” said Lucas nonchalantly.

“I will tell you. In here.”

Lucas looked visibly confused. “What? You mean in this castle… well, the best place to hide is indeed in the plai–”

“In this room,” said Anna sternly.

Lucas and Bianca turned their heads around to look at their surroundings. “What do you mean? Are you joking, there is no–” Lucas stopped his speech, he understood what she meant.

“It is not a he, but a she. She stood before you.”

Lucas had a hunch about her–and it was correct. Her hair was the same colour as the King and her eyes were the same as the Queen's. No one from the nobility, even Duke Aruburn and Marques Petrova, ever saw the Crown Prince. They did not know his look until they were told by Queen Mira a few weeks ago.

“S-so you’re a Princess, Anna?” asked Bianca.

“My name is Anastasia Romanovia, the only child of King Peter and Queen Mira. The rightful heir to the throne of Romanovia.”

“Anna…” Queen Mira spoke softly.

“It's fine, mother. I have resolved myself... I promise to you, I will lead this country with grace and wisdom, and bring this kingdom to its greatness.”

Queen Mira smiled, she was proud of her. “I know you will.” Queen Mira and Anastasia hugged each other, Queen Mira seemed to have recovered from her breakdown.

“I greet Her Highness Anastasia, the heir of Romanovia.” Lucas bowed to Anastasia.

“Your Highness Anastasia,” Bianca followed Lucas' greeting.

“Lord Lucas, your insolence towards my mother, I will not overlook it. I shall give you punishment later,” said Anastasia.

“I understand. I apologise for all my insolence towards you and your mother.”

“Even with your apology. I won't overlook this.”

“I understand. As I said before, I’m willing to give my life to save this kingdom.”

Anastasia scornfully said, “You really are a smooth talker, aren't you? I hate you!”

Lucas did not answer further, he bowed to her in silence. “I apologise for my cousin's words and actions, he must have been out of his mind,” said Bianca.

“It’s not your fault, Lady Bianca. A man’s fault is his own. Now, let’s end our meeting here.”

Lucas and Bianca left the room. Anastasia and Queen Mira were the only ones in the room. Anastasia cuddled with her mother as if she was a toddler looking for her mother’s affection; Anastasia was lying down on the sofa with her head on Queen Mira’s lap.

“What’s wrong with him, saying horrible things about you!” said Anastasia. She was still mad at Lucas’ words to her mother.

“He knew I was lying and hiding something, I guess he was mad at me.” Queen Mira caressed Anastasia's hair.

“Still, I will punish him!”

“Please, don’t be harsh on him.”

“Why aren’t you mad, mother? Are you seduced by him?”

Queen Mira blushed. “What are you saying, Anna? I’m twice his age and have a child, why do you think he would be interested in me?!”

“I’m fine if you have another husband, but make sure he is different from your father. I want you to be happy.”

“I had enough of love in my life. I was happy with him, even though he changed. I still love him. Why? Because he gave me something precious, you.”

Anastasia smiled. “Thank you, Mother. I promise I will make this country better and I will make the rest of your life happy and safe.”

Queen Mira was glad her daughter had made a resolved to lead her kingdom. Just like the late King wished. “Thank you for fulfilling his last wish.”

After Lucas and Bianca left the room, Bianca immediately nagged Lucas about his attitude towards the Queen.

“What was that?” said Bianca furiously.

“I was trying to get the truth from her, well… honestly I had a guess Anna is the daughter of the Queen, but not THE child.”

“Hah… I thought you were trying to make her your puppet and not your enemy.”

“I didn’t know she would be that furious. I mean, she was always the quiet and expressionless one.”

“A quiet person like her tends to keep her emotions to herself and when she is mad, she is mad.”

“It was my fault, I miscalculated their relationship. I will just follow whatever she gives as my punishment.”

“What if it is the death punishment?”

“Unlucky, I guess.”

Bianca's expression turned worried and concerned. “You should leave this place… No, we should leave together.”

“No, I will not flee from punishment. It is only an obstacle, as we were always taught, Loriens shall not flee in the face of dangerous challenge.”

“Hah... Then, what are we going to tell the others? Should we keep quiet about your stupidity?”

“I leave that to you,” Lucas said with a big smile.