“You grew.”
The Prince’s eyes filled.
“You got old.”
The King laughed weakly.
The same laugh.
The Prince nearly broke.
The Regent raised one hand.
A blade touched the King’s throat.
“No reunions yet.”
The Queen finally looked at him.
“If you cut him…”
“You will what?”
The Regent smiled.
“Kill me?”
“Yes.”
The answer surprised everyone.
The Regent’s smile faded slightly.
The Queen stepped forward.
“You have lived twelve years believing restraint made me weak.”
Another step.
“You mistook patience for mercy.”
The Regent shoved the King forward.
The King stumbled.
The Prince moved instinctively.
The Captain stopped him.
The Regent pointed.
“The key.”
The Prince tightened his fist.
“Why?”
“Because I want this prison opened.”
The Prince frowned.
“You already control it.”
“Not that prison.”
The Regent looked toward the sea gate.
“This chamber is older than the kingdom.”
The Keeper whispered, “No.”
The Queen turned.
“What?”
The Keeper’s face became terrified.
“The gate does not only open outward.”
The Regent smiled.
“Finally.”
The Prince looked at the machinery.
“What is behind it?”
The King answered.
His voice was weak.
“The First Vault.”
Silence.
The Prince stared.
The myth of the First King returned.
Gold from the bottom of the ocean.
The ancient mask.
The forbidden western sea.
The Regent’s obsession suddenly expanded beyond power.
The King continued.
“Not gold.”
The Regent’s expression hardened.
“Enough.”
The King looked at his son.
“Do not give him the key.”
The Regent pressed the blade closer.
Blood appeared at the King’s throat.
The Prince’s hand shook.
“Why?”
The King spoke through pain.
“Because the vault holds the fleet.”
The Prince frowned.
“What fleet?”
“The one beneath the sea.”
The Regent shouted, “SILENCE!”
The Prince understood nothing.
The Keeper understood too much.
He whispered, “The First King’s ships.”
The Captain stared.
“Those are stories.”
“So was the mask.”
The Regent’s eyes burned.
“Give me the key.”
The Prince looked at his father.
The King shook his head.
The blade cut slightly deeper.
The Queen shouted.
“Stop!”
The Regent looked at her.
She removed her crown.
Everyone stared.
She threw it onto the stone floor.
It rang once.