"Then it's up to you and me. We must make a bloody road. You know why I didn't want you to come in the first place, right?" The look in his dark eyes made me shudder, but I nodded. When I looked back at him, I straightened my shoulders.
"Of course I understand. I will be here anyway. We are talking about my sister's life."
Alec shook his head and murmured that the royal family members were too tough, and he couldn't really understand when he went out to talk to the other guards. He turned his neck and pulled his hood over his head. If he decides, I won't be there anymore. I do not care. Even if I give my life for it, I will be by Lily's side. Blood is thicker than water.
"Here." Alec stretched out a sheath and returned. Looking back at him in surprise, I realized what kind of dagger it was.
"A knife?" I asked. He nodded and urged me to accept. When I did this, I unhook the hook and slid the blade out. It shines on my face like moonlight. "Where did you get it?"
"That's your father's. He entrusted it to me. He asked me to give it to you when you are ready. I think now is the best time."
I turned the blade in my hand. It feels warm and full of energy. It is simple and elegant, with runes engraved on the black handle. The belt is wrapped around it to add extra grip. The metal etching on the blade matches the amulet on my neck. It emits a soft light. It is beautiful and humming actively under my skin. I fell in love with it all at once.
"Thank you. I don't know my father has such a thing. I mean, he has his weapon choice, but this... this is different. Do you know what I'm talking about?"
Alec nodded and smiled satisfyingly, which made him look younger in the light of the torch. He turned around, glaring at the aisle.
"You don't know many things about your father. It's a shame that he died before you and your sister got to know him better. He was a talented man. A good friend and mentor." Alec is facing me now, but I can see what he is thinking.
"I wish I could spend more time with him," I whispered, putting the dagger tightly on my chest. "Thank you, Eric. I will treasure it forever."
"This is to protect you. Keep it with you. It will keep you safe." He gestured to the two guards who came back from our reconnaissance tunnel. They signaled that we could continue, and Alec turned his head to look at me, and his resolute soldier's expression appeared again, as if nothing had happened between us. "It's time to go, Ella."
He didn't use my royal title, but called me by my childhood nickname, in case we were monitored. If Mark Thiel’s guards knew they had captured a rival royal family member, they would hold a party. Unless they sentence me to death, I will never listen to it.
"Yes. Let's go."
"Okay." I pointed to the crowd huddled on the roof of the market. It was dark there, and it was difficult to distinguish one person from another, but I could recognize the silhouette of that person no matter where it was. I grew up under that face, and the bitter seeds of betrayal burned my last bit of love for that woman.
Evere looked in the direction I was pointing. Her long black hair is so black, it looks dark blue rather than just black. Her eyes are bright sky blue and her lips are crimson, which is a compliment to them. She is the incarnation of Snow White. No matter how hard she tries to blend into the crowd, I will never miss her. If I didn't know, I would think she was a princess, especially with a beautiful male companion hovering around her. Such a couple must be a noble couple.
"Damn," Averim cursed, taking his eyes away from the couple. The sudden change in his behavior made me feel sick. When I glanced between the handsome men beside him, I felt my face pale from awareness.
"Who is that next to Elise?" I asked, even though I already knew the answer.
"This is no one else, but my brother, Eaton."
When I observed the couple, my eyes widened. The laughter when she touched his arm and listened to him telling jokes made me sick. She lowered her behavior to t, raised her hair, and blinked her black eyelashes at him with pure female charm.
This is disgusting. If anyone can win the best actress award, it must be Elise. She has deceived me all her life, and now she is casting magic on Evelyn's brother.
It is probably for the throne.
No... can she
I squinted my eyes and pointed all the evil in the world at her. She is pursuing the throne of Mark Tier! With my amulet and three other magics, she may be able to get what she wants. This did not answer my question, why she wants the damn throne in the first place. Of course, except for power. For some people, this is enough. She didn't hope to get this position in ArcKnightcourt, but here, everything is in her pocket.
My hatred burned in the depths of my broken heart. That traitor!
I am not the only one who is disturbed by what I see. Efram saw the signs of losing it because we both slipped back out of sight. I don't want to think that this is the problem we face. If she is protected by Yitan, we are done. She is so alert, how can I steal my amulet back? There is a circle of bodyguards around them, mainly to protect Eton College, but hell, it's better to build an iron wall.
"Well, this is our plan to proceed with caution," Ephesus sighed.
"He is your brother. You can certainly persuade him to help us."
Ephesus looked away, frowning. "He won't help us."
"Why not?"
"Since the big pit incident, we have not spoken. We have not seen each other since. I doubt he will help us."
I glared at him, feeling all my hopes of retrieving the amulet drifting away with the breeze.
"you do not know."
"I am willing. Now think of something else, or let's go."
I stood on the roof and paced up and down. There are half walls around to prevent people below from seeing us, so don’t worry about us being spotted. I can't just sit there and watch all hope vanish. There must be a way. Why is he so stubborn
"Okay. Look. She must live somewhere in the palace, right? If I remember correctly, any royal harem is usually built near them for entertainment purposes. Jill had a similar experience, but None of his concubines can ascend to the throne. Raphaela hates that he has a harem. When the girls get engaged, he immediately drives them away, which makes Raphaela feel frustrated. The girls use some special corridors so that You won’t be seen in and out of Jill’s room. Do you have one here? Where do you think he will frame her?"
Evere frowned at the suggestion, but after a while, when a new thought flashed on his face, the thought disappeared.
"You are right. This is exactly what we are going to do. Come on."
"Wait! Where are we going?"
He smiled viciously at me and blinked. "You will understand."
From the palace walls and underground tunnels, I am sure that we will never know where Ethan kept Elise in. I bet that when I was working hard outside, passing through dusty passages, she was living in a luxurious environment, because these passages were secretly inserted into the architectural drawings, so they were not thoroughly cleaned. The large number of spider webs made me want to scream horribly. This thought made me enthusiastic, and I couldn't wait to visit her and show her how much pain she caused me.
First, we must find that place. Fortunately, Ephron is a curious kid who knows these verses well. Now he took us to a part of the royal stronghold, where he thought it would be given to my former best friend. Although it can accommodate a harem, if necessary, the current practice is not in favor. Etan might leave Elise there alone.
Interesting.
"Are we there?" I hissed out in the dark. The only light came from a lone lamp held in Everem's hand. In the other room, he took out a dagger, a Cassinglan. This is a sword he drew before leaving the apartment. I have seen it before. Jill also has an exact same. Only the royal family has this kind of sword, because the metal for casting this kind of sword is extremely rare, and the craftsmanship of making single-edged swords is also extremely professional. Few blacksmiths know how to copy them. I don't even know if there are more people who know how to make those swords.
I have a slightly different design home. I wish I could catch it before being thrown there unceremoniously. When they took me out and slammed the door behind me, Raphaela hadn't even been there. This is a special sword my mother gave me. Metal has a luminous quality. I didn't think of it until now.
It was bitter and sweet to think of how much pressure Raphaela might have put on Jill because she didn't let her say goodbye to me. I hope she is full of contempt for him and the elders.
As we walked along the wet military rank hall, the thought of my sister comforted me. These were made for the royal family to flee in an emergency, but I bet Etan doesn't even remember that they were there. Ever since he told me what he had done to save himself, Ephraim has not said much about his brother. I didn't ask. This may be a painful topic.
"Here." Evrem pulled me to the right and pulled me into a small water bay where there was an old rusty door, just like a stone face. He touched the top of the door frame and took out a dusty key. When he turned the keyhole, the old lock screamed in the silence. In the dark, it sounded like a battleship landing in the center of the city. (To be continued) (End of this chapter)