The Cursed Prince

Chapter 895: Invitation To The Royal Palace

"Julian…" Rowena didn't know why, but she sensed that her friend was being a bit prickly all of a sudden. She couldn't understand what the reason for it was, because Prince Liam did seem like a genuinely good person despite everything.

"That seems to be the case, but why not… uh stay for a while?" Prince Liam suddenly offered.

More than anything, he was surprised as well by his words, but he didn't quite want to have Rowena and Julian suddenly leave. So, all of a sudden, he decided to invite them to come with him.

"Um, that sounds good and all…" Rowena started. She then turned to Julian to see his reaction. "But do you think that's a good idea?"

"I don't think your parents will appreciate it if they learned that there's someone else who looks like you. How will you even explain what happened?" Julian said as well.

Prince Liam sighed inwardly, but still managed a smile. "I think my father will be more pleased than anything. Amused even. You don't have to worry about the consequences, I will personally vouch for the two of you."

"Why go through such lengths to invite us?" Rowena asked, a bit uncertain at the sudden idea. She only actually wanted to find Julian and then leave.

Prince Liam scratched his head. "I… Well, there's this thing I want to show you–well, to be completely honest, yesterday was the greatest time I've had in my life for the past nineteen years of my life. I don't want it to end immediately. There's Julian also looking like me too."

"What about it?" Julian raised a brow. "People can look similar to each other. This is just a coincidence."

Prince Liam looked over at Julian. "Well, may I perhaps ask who your parents are? What's your ancestry and bloodline? I believe we may be related by some sort… and are you not curious about that?"

"I…" Julian fell silent and looked away. "I don't know. I don't think we're related. I mean if my family was rich like yours, some kind of second cousin or such, then why would I end up with another family and not mine?"

"That's what you're here for," Prince Liam said and then looked at Rowena. "We can find the answers if the two of you can stay, what do you think?"

Rowena looked at Julian's quiet and distant expression.

Since she had read a lot of books, including about family, she could also tell that there was a familial connection between the two. More than anything though, she also saw that Julian was interested even if he didn't dare admit it aloud.

"Well, as long as we're safe and don't end up in jail, I don't see why not?" Rowena

said at last. If this was something that could help Julian, she was more than willing to stay and figure things out in Verona.

"That's settled then." Prince Liam smiled. "We don't have to go through the dungeon sewers, we can just go through the main gate and you guys can let me handle it."

"Thank you for your help, Your Highness." Rowena thanked him.

"It's not a problem at all." Prince Liam waved his hand nonchalantly and smiled at her. "Also please, there's no need to go through such formalities. You can just call me, Liam."

"O-oh, then you have my gratitude, Liam." Rowena smiled. She liked the fact that Liam's attitude didn't change even though Rowena had found out that he was actually a royalty.

The three of them then headed towards the palace's main gates and their arrival truly caused a huge stir within the palace as the guards saw two 'Liams'.

Although truth be told, Prince Liam didn't care that much.

He was sure that there was bound to be an explanation as to why Julian looked a lot like him, but he was actually more intrigued with Rowena herself now that he figured out her identity.

This was Rowena, the crown princess of Ashland and she was all the way here in Verona.

What kind of crazy coincidence was that?

***

"It has to be some kind of impersonator!" Queen Serena was shocked when the news of Prince Liam arriving with two people, and one who looked like him came through the dining hall.

The queen and king had been waiting for their son to arrive when a messenger came forth and delivered the information to them. It sent Queen Serena into a fit of both rage and hyperventilation.

"This can't be…" Queen Serena said as she looked at her husband desperately. "That person is… You have to handle this. Impersonating a member of the royal family is punishable by death, isn't it?"

The king of Verona looked at his wife and gently held her hand. He coaxed her to calm down and soothe her nerves. "Do not worry about it, my dear… I will go meet with Liam and understand what truly happened."

"Let me go with you!" Queen Serena pulled out from her chair, her hands grabbed her dress tightly into fists. "I want to see this person with my own eyes. It's impossible for anyone to look like my son…"

"Have a seat first." The king of Verona summoned one of the servants to help Queen Serena to sit back down. "Please eat something first, Serena, and then I will return shortly. This won't take too long."

"Come

back quickly." Queen Serena clutched her husband's sleeve, she didn't let it go. "And please don't be fooled. This has to be some kind of trick! Surely it is, right?"

"I'm sure that there's a reasonable explanation for this."

"Like the Elves!" Queen Serena said. "They steal children and replace them with one of their own. Maybe they haven't touched Liam but think they can fool us. This is unacceptable!"

"Yes, I will see you later, Serena and Liam will come to meet you afterward." The king of Verona calmed his wife down before he headed towards the throne hall and asked for his son and his two guests to be brought there.

***