NOT WORTHY TO BE KING: FEARLESS WARRIOR

46| IT'S PRINCE LOGAN TO YOU

Logan sat in the dimly lit room, his fingers idly tracing the rim of his whiskey glass. He raised the glass to his lips, savouring the rich warmth of the amber liquid as it slid down his throat. His eyes, however, were fixed on the three individuals seated across from him. Among them, it was the young man who had captured Logan's attention the most.

To Logan's surprise, the apparent leader of this enigmatic group appeared no older than Clayton, or perhaps even a year or two younger. It was a startling contrast to the image he had conjured in his mind of a hardened, seasoned criminal mastermind.

Their silent exchange was interrupted by the young leader, who met Logan's gaze with a steady, unflinching look. "You keep looking at me like you want me to say something," he remarked, his voice carrying a hint of challenge.

Logan leaned back in his chair, momentarily taken aback by the boy's assertiveness. "I must admit," he began, choosing his words carefully, "I was expecting someone older."

A flicker of amusement danced in the young boy's eyes as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "And you're disappointed that you met me instead? You think I don't deserve to be their leader?" He gestured casually towards the two individuals seated at his left and right, their expressions revealing a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

Logan quickly dispelled any misunderstandings. "Not exactly."

"Then what is it?" The young leader's curiosity persisted, prompting Logan to offer a more candid explanation.

"I was expecting you to burst out laughing and say that you're just pulling my leg," Logan admitted, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He glanced at his nearly empty glass and pushed it towards the centre of the table. "Now, I'm not here to have a drink with you or speak with you like we're long-lost friends."

His tone grew more serious as he continued, his gaze unwavering. "I just want to know where my wife and her cousin are. If you can tell me right away, we can part ways in peace, and I will overlook the fact that you have your clandestine organisation here in my kingdom."

Anthony, the young leader of the Silver Serpents, exchanged a swift, almost imperceptible look with his companions before refocusing his attention on Logan. "Logan—"

"It's Prince Logan to you," Logan interjected, his voice firm and his posture unyielding. He leaned forward, his piercing gaze locked into Anthony's eyes. "I don't recall granting you the privilege of addressing me casually. Nor have I given you any indication that I am willing to overlook the matter of my royal status." The room seemed to grow heavy with tension as Logan's authority asserted itself.

Anthony cleared his throat, his confidence wavering for a moment. "Prince Logan, I apologise for any perceived disrespect," he stammered, his voice betraying a hint of unease. "I didn't intend to offend you. We are fully aware of your status and the gravity of the situation."

Logan acknowledged the apology with a nod, but his vigilance remained unrelenting. He leaned back in his chair, though his gaze remained fixed on Anthony. "Then, let's not waste any more time. Tell me where they are, and we can resolve this without further conflict.

Anthony hesitated, his eyes darting between Logan and his companions. Logan's presence exuded an undeniable aura of power, and the room's atmosphere grew charged with anticipation.

Finally, Anthony sighed, conceding to the pressure. "Very well, Prince Logan. I will tell you what I know. But you must promise that once you find them, you will consider showing leniency to us. We are not your enemies but desperate individuals pushed to the brink."

Logan's response was swift and unequivocal. "Tell me what you know. If I discover that you have lied or omitted crucial details, I will not bear responsibility for the consequences that follow—for you or your associates."

Anthony cleared his throat and began to speak, his voice carrying the weight of the history he was about to reveal. "I have been a part of this organisation since the day I was born. Even though our actions are deemed unlawful in this kingdom, my father and our members have never dared to provoke the royal family. It's hard to believe, I know, but we have never engaged in malicious activities against the people of this kingdom."

Anthony paused, casting a meaningful look at Logan as if waiting for a response. When none came, he continued.

"Your uncle, however, made sure that we remained nothing but outcasts in this kingdom. And although it may be difficult to fathom, we have never committed acts of harm against the citizens of this kingdom. Our motives have always been rooted in survival. Your uncle has deprived us of the rights we are entitled to as citizens of this kingdom, leaving us with no option but to engage in illegal dealings to put food on our tables and roofs over our heads."

The man seated to Anthony's right, who had remained silent until now, took the opportunity to elaborate further. "The Silver Serpents were founded nearly two decades ago by Anthony's father.” He cast a glance at Anthony, who nodded in acknowledgement.

"When his father passed away five years ago," the man continued, "Anthony, as the eldest son and heir, had no choice but to step into his shoes. He was very young then, as he still is now. My brother and I supported him through the transition."

"We've tried everything in our power to legitimise our operations," Anthony added. "I wanted us to move away from the shadowy realm of crime, but your uncle's regime allowed us no room for change. I understand if you find it hard to believe our words, but you must understand that we haven't kidnapped your wife or her cousin."

"We won't deny that we've considered such actions," Anthony continued. "Kidnapping the princesses would have forced the royal family to hear our demands. It was a tempting plan, no doubt. But I couldn't bring myself to do that, for it would have meant repeating the past—a past that haunted my family for years."

With a sense of gravity, Anthony rose from his seat and moved towards a nearby window before continuing. Logan could sense the depth of emotion in his words.

"My mother arrived in this kingdom years ago," Anthony began, his voice tinged with bitterness. "She was an outsider, and her arrival caught the eye of the newly crowned king, your uncle. Even though she was already married to my father and pregnant with me, it didn't deter the king from pursuing her."

Anthony returned to his chair, his gaze fixed on a distant memory. "The king's obsession with my mother nearly led to the death of my father. If it weren't for the then queen's intervention, who challenged the king's intentions, my father would have perished. I wouldn't have known him, and my younger siblings would never have been born."

Anthony's eyes were filled with a mixture of sorrow and determination as he continued his narrative. "My mother's sacrifice ensured our survival, but it also sowed the seeds of resentment within our family. We were outcasts from society, ostracised for a crime we never committed. My father did everything he could to protect us from the wrath of the royal family, and he passed down that burden to me."

Logan couldn't help but sympathise with Anthony's plight. While he had not grown up in the palace, surrounded by luxury and privilege, it was evident that Anthony and his family had endured hardships that he could barely fathom. His initial anger and frustration were now tempered by a growing sense of empathy.

"Tell me more about the origins of the Silver Serpents," Logan found himself asking.

Anthony obliged, his voice measured and reflective. "From what my father told me, the Silver Serpents came into being during a time of great turmoil in the kingdom. Your uncle had just ascended to the throne, and his reign brought about sweeping changes. Many found themselves marginalised and oppressed, including my family."

"My father, the founder of our organisation, saw the suffering of our people and felt compelled to take action. He envisioned a group that could provide for those in need, ensuring that they didn't go hungry or without shelter." He glanced at the man beside him.

The man's voice resonated with a deep sense of pride. "We began as a network of individuals, driven by a common purpose—to survive in a kingdom that had forsaken us. We engaged in activities that allowed us to procure resources for our families and communities. It was a matter of necessity, not choice."

Anthony continued, "Over the years, the Silver Serpents evolved into an entity that operated on the fringes of society. We became skilled at navigating the underground world, forming alliances, and securing resources in unconventional ways. It was the only way to ensure the survival of our people."

Logan pondered the path the Silver Serpents had taken. "It's clear that your organisation has faced immense challenges. Yet, the kingdom's perception of the Silver Serpents is that of criminals. How did this transformation occur?"

Anthony's gaze grew distant as he recounted the events that had led to their current reputation. "As time passed, we became increasingly entangled in illegal activities out of necessity. Your uncle's regime, like I said, Prince Logan, offered us no alternatives. Our legitimate attempts to change our ways were met with relentless opposition."

He cast a pointed glance at Logan. "You must understand, Prince Logan, that we did not willingly embrace a life of crime. It was a survival strategy born of desperation. We engaged in activities that provided us with the means to feed our families and shield them from the harsh realities of our existence."

Logan could feel the weight of Anthony's words, and he couldn't deny the undeniable injustice that had driven the Silver Serpents down this path. It was a stark reminder of the responsibility he bore as a member of the royal family to address the suffering of his people.

Clayton broke the silence. "We've heard your story, Anthony, and I can't deny the hardships your family and the Silver Serpents have faced. But the fact remains that my brother's wife and my fiancé are still missing. Can you provide us with any information about their current whereabouts or how we can locate them?"

Anthony's gaze, no longer clouded by uncertainty, met Clayton's with a newfound resolve. "Of course," he replied. "We have been keeping a watchful eye on the activities in our territory, and while we don't know who kidnapped the princesses, we have gathered some intelligence that might lead us to them."

Logan leaned forward, his eyes narrowing with determination. "Any information you can provide is crucial. We must ensure their safety and bring them back home."

Before leaving, Logan looked at Anthony and spoke again. "I want to thank you for your assistance in bringing my wife and her cousin back safely and even though we are yet to find them, your help will not go unnoticed, and I promise you this: I will personally look into the matters that have led your family and the Silver Serpents down this path. I will do everything in my power to ensure that you are accepted back by the community and provided with opportunities to lead honest lives."

Anthony, his eyes reflecting a mix of gratitude and hope, nodded in response. "Thank you, Prince Logan. Your words mean more to us than you can imagine. We are ready to make amends for our past actions and contribute positively to the kingdom."

“Very well then; I look forward to your assistance. I will not be able to personally come here to gather information whenever you have it but I will have Axel come from time to time.”

“No problem, Your Highness. I wish you all the best with everything. I hope that you find the princesses and that you eventually take your place as the king.”

Logan didn’t say anything; he just nodded and motioned for Clayton and Axel to follow him.