When Jarvis and the other knights finally went down into the dungeons to take Julian away and kill him, the sight of the two guards asleep on the floor was what alerted them of the boy's missing presence and the prison cell left ajar.

It was with much hesitance that they reported it to the king and was soon under the ire of the man. 

"What do you mean he has escaped?" King Draco seethed at the knights in a tempestuous tone. "How could something like this happen?"

"Your Majesty, according to the guards, they believe that the boy has an ally with one of the maids–"

"Do not remind me of this incompetence!" the king raged. "Where are the two?"

"In the infirmary, Your Majesty. They're currently–"

"Drag them here." King Draco spat. He barely managed to hold back his wrath when the unexpected happened and he learned that Rowena spent the night with the peasant but now the boy escaped?

This was unforgivable!

The two guards were summoned and the other knights only looked on grimly when King Draco unsheathed his sword and beheaded the two guards before they could even make their excuse and plea.

Everything soon descended into chaos after that. Numerous servants were in disarray and avoided King Draco who suddenly made his way down to Rowena's room. Everyone fled when the king slammed open the door.

He caught Rowena and Lady Liz during their tea party.

"Your Majesty." Lady Liz stood up but then trembled when the man's unflinchingly terrifying gaze settled on her. She finally noticed that the king brandished his sword and it was still coated with the fresh blood of the guards he killed.

Rowena's eyes widened and she threw a look at Lady Liz.

Her heart pounded and she frantically stood up and curtsied. Rowena made sure to put herself in between Lady Liz and the path of the king. 

"What brings you here, father?"

"You may as well know very well what has happened, Rowena." King Draco's voice was filled with fury as he stared down at his daughter.

Rowena trembled in place and mustered up her courage. She had to protect the people she cared about and intervene. "Forgive me, but if you could clarify…" 

"You." King Draco's gaze swept back to Lady Liz.

"Father!" Rowena's eyes widened.

"Leave." King Draco barely stopped himself from pointing the sword at Lady Liz, but he maintained a shred of decorum and said. "I will be having a private conversation with my daughter."

Lady Liz threw one look at Rowena and knew very well that the king did not have the right of mind. However, Rowena sent a pleading look towards her and begged for Lady Liz to leave the chambers.

Reluctantly, the older woman gave one last look at the princess and then rushed out of the room.

Once Lady Liz was gone, Rowena barely managed to not breathe a sigh in relief.

It was better to show that she didn't care about Lady Liz so as to not put her in further danger. She didn't know why her father stormed here, but she expected that it had something to do with Julian. 

Wait, did those guards figure out who her identity was?

No, it couldn't be.

"That boy who was supposed to die happened to live and escaped the castle just today," King Draco said. "The boy who you insisted was innocent."

"What?!" Rowena said in disbelief. She wanted to act surprised, but she didn't have to act because genuine emotions filled her chest. A part of her was afraid that a seventeen year old thief would not succeed in escaping, but somehow, he did.

It caused enough shock that made her expression seem genuine.

"Do not be secretly happy. My men will hunt him down until he is dead," King Draco spoke curtly. "But as for you… and the incomeptent men and women who let me down when it came to guarding you, a punishment is in order."

"Father, it was my own actions that led to the incident!" Rowena tried to say. "I left them because I was distracted and chased a thief who stole my purse."

"They will serve their punishment and live another day," he said with a frown. "Their deaths will have no bearing on you, that much I'm aware of and it is a waste to let the knights and that lady who was with you suffer."

"I see…" Rowena's lips trembled. Her mind was frantic, thinking of ways to save herself. If her father decided not to kill her knights and governess today... then, what did the king have in mind to punish Rowena?

King Draco narrowed his eyes on his daughter. He was still a practical man. Peasants were many, but strong and powerful knights… and even Lady Liz was an essential asset to his kingdom. 

There would be some backlash if he hurt the woman and it would diminish his influence in the kingdom. He still had a reputation that he liked to uphold in this world. 

King Draco's gaze swept across the room and landed on Lucent.

That was why he had gifted the phoenix for his daughter.

King Draco walked past Rowena and headed towards the beautiful phoenix whose wings were starting to burst up in flames. He stood unaffected by the intense heat that attempted to hurt. The king simply raised his sword.

"Fa-father.... what are you doing?" Rowena gasped when she realized what her father was intending to do. Her face was filled with an expression of horror.

"This useless bird didn't even seem to have lent a hand in finding you. A magical beast that has no purpose. A waste," King Draco said. "Its death will serve you a lesson, Rowena."

Rowena's eyes widened and before her father swung the sword, she moved forward and intercepted the king's actions. 

Rowena raised her arms and blocked the path to Lucent without a hint of fear. The young girl was very well aware that even her father wouldn't dare touch her so she'd maintain her beauty and perfectness that the man wanted her to be. 

Since King Draco was an excellent swordsman, he'd stop before he'd actually hurt her.

She was sure of that much. 

Her father's reflexes were fast enough for that.

Rowena trusted that.

SWOOSH!

Unfortunately, her faith in her father's capabilities failed her. Perhaps in his prime, Draco might have effectively halted his actions when he swung his blade at Lucent and his daughter came in his way… 

However, this time, his honed reflexes failed him.

"Aaah...!"

King Draco tried to stop his movement when he noticed Rowena suddenly jumped toward Lucent to protect that damned bird.

However, it was too late.

The blade's edge still grazed against his daughter's cheek. A thin line that soon oozed with blood and slowly trickled down her face. Rowena's voice hitched as she stared up at her father.

Someone else might have been impressed.

If King Draco was any less skilled, he might have killed his only daughter by accident. Others would call it a blessing in disguise that Rowena was safe despite the harm done on her. 

However, the small injury sent a shock through both King Draco and Rowena.

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