The Princess's Revenge Chapter 129

Valencia’s POV

I woke early the next morning. Sleep had been difficult after Logan and I decided we needed to check for the birthmark. My mind had raced all night.

I took a deep breath. Today I needed to stay calm. I couldn't seem too eager or desperate.

After breakfast, Logan, Ryan, Bastian, and I went to find Albert. Yves led us to his room. When I knocked on the door, my heart was pounding. My palms felt sweaty.

The door opened. Albert stood there looking neat and composed.

"Good morning, Albert," I said, trying to keep my voice light and casual. "We'd like to walk around and learn more about Redstone Canyon Pack. Would you be willing to show us around?"

He looked at me with those cold blue eyes. But he nodded. "I can do that. I don't have anything important scheduled today."

His tone was flat, without any warmth or enthusiasm. But at least he'd agreed. My heart relaxed slightly. At least he was willing to spend time with us.

We left the castle with Albert leading the way. He walked with his back straight and his steps steady. Everything about him showed good upbringing and education.

But he kept a certain distance from us. Not too close, not too far. Like a professional guide with tourists he'd just met.

I walked up beside him, trying to break the silence. "Albert, Soren said you've lived here for fifteen years. Do you like it?"

He glanced at me and nodded. "It's fine. Soren has been good to me. He gave me education and opportunities."

His tone remained flat, like he was stating simple facts. No emotional inflection at all.

Logan tried as well. "What kind of work do you do here?"

"I help Soren with paperwork," Albert said. "Sometimes I assist with managing affairs in the territory."

He paused. "Soren says I have a talent for administration."

I noticed his tone softened very slightly when he mentioned Soren's name. But there was still barely any emotion.

"What do you do in your free time?" I asked. "Do you have any hobbies?"

Albert thought for a moment. "I like reading. Studying history and politics. Sometimes I practice swordplay."

His answer was brief and polite. But it lacked the enthusiasm and energy a twenty-year-old should have. It made my chest ache. Was this really the little boy who used to laugh and follow me everywhere?

Still, as I listened to him describe his life, I felt a small measure of relief. At least he hadn't become a slave like me. He hadn't experienced abuse and humiliation. He'd received a good education and lived a decent life.

That was better than I could have hoped for, given everything.

"I'm glad you have this life," I said sincerely.

Albert looked at me. His expression softened very slightly before returning to its usual calm mask.

We continued walking. My mind kept searching for a way to see the back of his neck. I needed to find the right opportunity.

Logan sent reassurance through our bond. Don't rush. We'll find a moment.

After we'd been walking for a while, the southern sun grew hot. I noticed sweat forming on Albert's forehead. He wiped it away with his hand.

Ryan spoke up at just the right moment. "It's really hot. Should we rest for a bit?"

Albert nodded in agreement.

We found shade under some trees and sat down. Albert removed his doublet, leaving just his linen shirt beneath. He sat on a large stone, tilting his head forward slightly and fanning himself with his hand.

In that moment, his hair shifted slightly. I could see the back of his neck.

My heart nearly stopped.

There, just below his hairline at the back of his neck, was a small dark mark. Crescent-shaped. The birthmark.

It was small but the shape was unmistakable. That was Kai's birthmark.

Tears threatened to spill from my eyes, but I forced them back. Logan noticed my reaction and squeezed my hand.

Is it there? he asked through our mind link.

Yes, I replied, my mental voice shaking with emotion. It's exactly the same. The crescent shape. It's him, Logan. It's really him.

Logan's grip tightened on my hand, steady and grounding.

I wanted to rush over and hug Albert. I wanted to tell him "You're my brother!" But I knew this wasn't the right time.

Albert still didn't remember me. To me, he was my baby brother. But to him, I was just a stranger.

I needed to give him time. We needed to build a connection slowly.

I took several deep breaths, trying to calm myself. But the joy and excitement in my chest were impossible to suppress completely.

After we rested, we continued into the main town area of Redstone Canyon Pack.

I was immediately shocked by how prosperous everything looked. The streets were wide and clean. Shops and stalls lined both sides. People moved everywhere, creating a lively, bustling atmosphere.

Albert led us through a large market. It was full of goods—fresh fruits and vegetables, fine fabrics, handcrafted items, even books and medicinal herbs. The buildings were solid and well-made. The streets were paved with smooth stones. Every so often there were wells and public facilities.

This was far more developed than Cliffwatch Pack.

Albert pointed to some buildings in the distance. "That's the school. Soren established it so all children can receive education, regardless of their status."

He pointed in another direction. "That's the hospital. It's free for all pack members."

I stared at these facilities, surprised. My impression of Soren was beginning to shift. Maybe he really was doing good things?

Around midday, we entered a popular-looking restaurant. It was crowded and smelled wonderful. We found seats and sat down. Albert helped us order some local specialties.

The restaurant owner was a middle-aged man. When he saw Albert, his face lit up. "Albert! It's been a while! You brought friends today?"

Albert nodded and briefly introduced us.

The owner became even more enthusiastic. "It's an honor to serve Alpha Logan and Luna Valencia!"

While we waited for our food, the owner started chatting. "You must take a good look around our pack. Alpha Soren has managed this place so well. Our lives keep getting better."

His tone was filled with genuine gratitude. "I used to be just an ordinary cook. Alpha Soren gave me the funding to open this restaurant. Now business is so good, and it's all thanks to him."

When the food arrived, a female server joined the conversation. "Alpha Soren is truly a good man. He's adopted so many war orphans and given them food, clothing, and education. My niece was adopted by him. Now she works in the castle and lives very well."

She looked at Albert. "Albert is also one of Alpha Soren's adopted children. Look how respectable he is now!"

After we left the restaurant, people we encountered along the way all praised Soren enthusiastically.

A cloth merchant said Soren had lowered taxes, giving merchants more profit.

A school teacher said Soren valued education and provided ample resources for schools.

Hearing so many people sincerely praise Soren, my doubts began to waver.

Maybe Logan and I had been wrong last night? Maybe Soren really was a kind Alpha who genuinely cared about charity?

Later, when Logan and I had a moment alone, I whispered to him. "Maybe we were wrong. The people here seem genuinely grateful to Soren."

Logan was quiet for a moment, then nodded. "The prosperity here is real. The happiness on people's faces is real. Maybe Soren does have a kind side."

But then he added. "Still, we should stay alert. A person can do both good things and bad things."

He looked at me. "But at least now we know Kai lived well here. He wasn't abused or mistreated."

I nodded. A huge weight lifted from my chest.

Walking through the prosperous streets, seeing the smiles on people's faces, I felt my mood lighten. Maybe this journey would have a good ending after all.

We had plenty of time to slowly build a relationship with Albert. Maybe he would gradually accept me as his sister.

By evening, we returned to the castle. Albert politely said goodbye to us at the entrance.

"I should rest now," he said. "I'll continue showing you around tomorrow if you'd like."

"That would be wonderful," I said. "Thank you for today."

He nodded and walked away toward his room.

Back in our guest room, I sat on the edge of the bed and let out a long sigh. Logan sat beside me and wrapped his arm around my shoulders.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

I leaned against him. "He's Kai. I know he is. But he's so cold, so formal. Nothing like the happy, playful little boy I remember."

"Valencia, he's eighteen years old now," Logan said gently. "And to you, he's your brother. But to him, you're just a stranger he met yesterday. It's natural for him to be reserved and distant."

He stroked my hair. "And don't forget what he went through. He witnessed his entire pack being massacred when he was three years old. Then he lost all his memories. That kind of trauma changes a person."

I knew he was right, but it still hurt.

Logan continued. "Also, eighteen-year-old boys are at an awkward age. They always want to appear mature and composed. They don't show emotions easily, especially around strangers."

He smiled slightly. "When I was eighteen, I was the same way. I always kept a serious face because I thought it made me look dignified and strong."

I looked up at him. "You're right. I can't expect him to immediately treat me like his sister."

I took a deep breath. "We still have time. When he comes back to Cliffwatch Pack with us, we'll have more opportunities to spend time together. We can build our relationship slowly."

Logan nodded. "Exactly. And no matter what he's like now, at least you found him. That alone is a miracle."

I nodded, feeling hope bloom in my chest. "We'll take it slow."

We spent another day with Kai. On the fourth morning, we prepared to leave and bring Kai back to Cliffwatch Pack with us.

I got up and started packing our belongings. Logan woke up shortly after and came over to help me organize everything.

"Excited?" he asked.

"Nervous," I admitted. "But yes, excited too."

We went downstairs for breakfast. The castle dining hall already had quite a few people in it. I looked around, hoping to see Kai, but he wasn't there yet.

He's probably still packing his things, I thought.

Just as we were eating, Ryan entered the dining hall. His expression was serious. He walked straight to our table, holding a letter in his hand.

"Alpha, Luna," he said quietly. "A messenger just arrived from Cliffwatch Pack. He brought an urgent letter."

Logan took the letter and examined the envelope. His brow furrowed. "This is Amara's handwriting."

I met his eyes, feeling confused. Amara was sending us a letter? Our relationship had improved after the duel, but we weren't close enough for her to suddenly write to us, especially while we were away from the pack.

A sense of dread crept into my chest. Logan tore open the envelope and began reading. His expression grew more and more serious. His brow furrowed deeper with each line.

My heart started racing. That feeling of dread intensified. Something was wrong. Something was very wrong.

"What does it say?" I asked, unable to keep the anxiety out of my voice.