Chapter 41: Effort
Eric stood facing the Baron on the wide marble steps of the mansion. He felt small and alone, despite his princely title. He noticed more soldiers appearing, seemingly from nowhere. Some emerged from side doors of the mansion, others seemed to materialize from the gardens on either side.
The number of armed guards surrounding them was growing rapidly, forty now, all wearing the Baron’s colors, their faces hard and unfriendly.
Beside him, Alina noticed the growing number of soldiers too. Fear flashed in her eyes. She quickly grabbed the sleeve of Eric’s simple training tunic, tugging at it urgently, trying to get his attention. "Prince Eric! Look!" she whispered frantically. "More soldiers! They’re surrounding us!"
But Eric’s attention was fixed entirely on the Baron standing calmly on the steps above them. He hadn’t noticed the reinforcements quietly closing in. He was focused on the man responsible for Alina’s troubles.
"Baron," Eric repeated, his voice ringing out again, trying to sound commanding despite the growing unease he felt. "I asked you a question. You kidnapped this girl’s family! Release them now!"
The Baron simply stared down at Eric for a long moment, his face unreadable. Then, a slow, cold smile spread across his lips. "Kidnapped?" the Baron repeated, his voice smooth and mocking. "Whose family are you talking about, Your Highness? I assure you, I have no kidnapped individuals within my household." He sounded perfectly reasonable, perfectly innocent.
Eric felt a surge of frustration. "Don’t play dumb with me!" he retorted, gesturing behind him towards Alina. "This girl! Alina! You attacked her, and you captured her mother and brother! Admit it!"
The Baron’s smile widened slightly. "Ah, the girl," he said thoughtfully. "The one who trespassed on my property a few days ago?" He raised an eyebrow. "And you claim I attacked her and captured her family?" He chuckled softly, a sound that sent a chill down Eric’s spine. "Third Prince, those are very serious accusations. Do you have any proof? Any evidence at all to support these wild claims you are making against me, a loyal nobleman of this kingdom?"
Eric felt confident for a split second. "Yes! I do have proof!" he declared loudly. "She is right here! She will tell you herself!" He turned around triumphantly, ready to present Alina as his witness.
But Alina wasn’t standing behind him anymore.
In the few seconds Eric had been focused on the Baron, two of the Baron’s soldiers had moved silently and swiftly. They now held Alina firmly between them, one soldier gripping each of her arms. Another soldier stood directly behind her, pressing the flat side of a cold steel sword blade against her throat. Not enough to cut, but enough to keep her terrified and silent, a clear threat.