Chapter 6 - THE KNIGHT'S SECRETSir Roland had guarded the royal family for more than twenty years.
He had fought beside King Edward during three wars.
Protected Queen Isabella during her final illness.
And watched Princess Eleanor grow from a curious child into a brave young woman.
But there was something Roland had never told the king.
Something he had promised Eleanor he would keep secret.
On the night before her disappearance, the princess had visited Roland's quarters.
She wore a dark cloak.
Her golden sun pendant hung around her neck.
She seemed frightened.
"Sir Roland," she whispered, "I need your help."
Roland immediately stood.
"Your Highness?"
Eleanor closed the door.
"I found something beneath the chapel."
Roland frowned.
"What?"
"A room."
He stared.
"There are no rooms beneath the chapel."
Eleanor shook her head.
"There's one the royal records don't mention."
She handed him a small parchment.
It showed a circular stone arch.
Twelve symbols.
And a golden sun.
Roland examined it.
"Where did you find this?"
"In my mother's journals."
Roland froze.
"Queen Isabella?"
Eleanor nodded.
"My mother knew about the Sun Gate."
Roland looked toward the drawing.
"What is it?"
Eleanor hesitated.
"A passage between centuries."
Roland almost laughed.
But the princess's expression stopped him.
She was serious.
Eleanor continued.
"My mother believed someone was using it."
Roland frowned.
"Who?"
Eleanor looked toward the door.
Then whispered:
"My uncle."
Roland stared.
"Prince Adrian is dead."
Eleanor shook her head.
"No."
She explained that she had discovered letters written in Adrian's handwriting.
The letters were dated years after his supposed death.
They described journeys into strange cities.
Buildings made of glass.
Machines that moved without horses.
Lights that burned without flame.
Roland stared.
Eleanor continued.
"He has been traveling through time."
Roland felt cold.
"Why?"
Eleanor hesitated.
"He's searching for something."
Roland looked toward the parchment.
"What?"
The princess lowered her voice.
"A way to change the past."
Roland frowned.
"Change what?"
Eleanor's eyes filled with tears.
"My mother's death."
Roland froze.
Queen Isabella had died after a sudden illness.
The physicians could not save her.
King Edward never recovered from the loss.
Eleanor continued.
"Adrian believes the gate can take someone to the moment before a death."
Roland stared.
"And prevent it?"
Eleanor nodded.
"Yes."
For a moment, Roland understood the temptation.
Who would not want to save someone they loved?
But Eleanor looked terrified.
"There's a cost."
Roland frowned.
"What cost?"
The princess swallowed.
"Every time the past changes, someone else disappears."
Roland stared.
Eleanor continued.
"Adrian has already tried."
"How many times?"
"I don't know."
Roland felt cold.
The princess looked directly at him.
"If I vanish, promise me something."
Roland shook his head.
"Your Highness—"
"Promise."
He bowed his head.
"What must I do?"
Eleanor took his hand.
"Do not let my father enter the Sun Gate."
Roland stared.
"Why?"
Tears filled her eyes.
"Because Adrian needs him."
Roland frowned.
"For what?"
Eleanor looked toward the chapel.
Then whispered:
"To rewrite the royal bloodline."
Roland never forgot those words.
Now, seven years later, Ethan had appeared with proof that Eleanor was alive.
And the photograph showed Adrian standing behind her.
Roland finally understood.
The prince's plan had not ended.
It had only moved into another century.
Roland looked toward King Edward.
"Your Majesty..."
Edward turned.
"What?"
The knight lowered his head.
"I must confess something."
The king frowned.
Roland continued.
"Your daughter asked me to keep you away from the Sun Gate."
Edward stared.
"Why?"
Roland swallowed.
"Because she believed Prince Adrian intended to use you."
The king's expression hardened.
"Use me how?"
Roland hesitated.
Then answered:
"To change who inherits the throne."
Ethan looked toward the photograph.
Adrian.
Eleanor.
The crown.
The damaged throne hall.
Suddenly, the image made more sense.
Adrian was not simply trying to travel through time.
He wanted to alter history itself.
And if he succeeded, King Edward might never have ruled.
May you like
Ethan looked toward the king.
"Your Majesty, I think your brother wants to erase you from history."
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