“Mother!!!!” Elira screamed.
She held up her skirt and began to run towards her.
“Mother, stop!” she called out again, but Jellah didn’t stop, she didn’t turn around.
Elira didn’t slow down.
She ran as fast as her legs could carry her.
She was tired, and her breathing had become uneven.
Her stomach was already aching, but she ignored it.
She needed to get to her mother before she disappeared again.
Suddenly, Jellah stopped and sighed.
“Elira, you have to stop chasing me around.” “Why should I stop?
Don’t you think of me anymore?
Did you forget you abandoned me in the hands of people who don’t even want to see me?
Did you…” “I never abandoned you, Elira!” Jellah screamed.
“I am not your enemy, daughter, and I will find you again.
Go back!” “No!
I am not going back.
There’s nothing left to go back to!
Take me with you, Mother.” She pleaded through her tears.
But Jellah ignored her and began walking away.
Elira sobbed loudly, calling out to Jellah through her tears.
Just then, she felt an invisible hand grabbing her, and she immediately opened her eyes to find herself on her bed, with someone holding her tightly.
King Zareth!
**** **** After Zareth and General Alaric had left the Queen Dowager’s courtyard, they went to the Court Affairs Office to look into some matters.
“Maron is too clever to be smuggling frostglass,” King Zareth said, looking at the map spread out across the table.
“You are really blind.” General Alaric came closer.
“First, frostglass was invented in Wintergate a couple of months ago, maybe three or four.
And secondly, judging from how strict Duke Velloran was, the frostglass shouldn’t have circulated around the city.
And that is where Maron comes in.” “I see!” Zareth nodded, but Alaric clicked his tongue.
“Of course you don’t see.” He chuckled, and Zareth scowled at him.
“Stop scowling and listen, Your Highness.” They turned back to the map.
“This map is one of four.
Duke Velloran held one.
The priest held one.
Lord Cedric Valmont held one, and the last one was kept in the palace.
Now, what do you think has happened, Your Highness?” King Zareth looked at the map, tracing each line with his fingers.
He knew quite well that the other three maps were kept in safe places.
The Duke would not use the map for such purposes, neither would Lord Cedric.
And the priest?
Not even the king could pry the map out of his grasp.
That meant that whoever was behind this was someone who had access to the Royal Court affairs.
Maron!
Because he was the one who oversaw the kingdom while Zareth was away.
A mischievous smile curled up on his lips as he looked at General Alaric.
Although he had suspected Maron, he was still skeptical.
“You know, your knowledge is the only reason why I keep you beside me.” General Alaric scoffed.
He did not take it to heart.
“You’re welcome.” “Don’t worry.
I will find you a nice wife who isn’t brain-dead.” “Can we not talk about a wife and talk about matters regarding the kingdom?” “Alright.” “Good.” “But a wife is also important…” “Damn it!” Alaric cursed loudly as he glared at Zareth, who quickly raised his hands in surrender.
“So, what made you think he’s doing that?” Zareth questioned, settling onto a chair .
“What else, if not for the same reason?
Prince Maron wants the throne.
And since he has been aligning with the King of Galdor while raising a secret army in Nebuzza, he has to weaken your soldiers.” Alaric explained, and Zareth nodded.
It was exactly what he had in mind.
“I visited the Eldarsh general.” Alaric sat down.
“Things are more complicated than we thought.” “What do you mean?” “He didn’t speak much, but based on the information he gave me, Prince William was responsible for leaking the news of our visit.
But someone else was involved.” “Who?” “He didn’t speak.” “So , how did you know?” “Because something was really off.” Alaric said.
“Things are slipping out of your control, your highness.
Are you going to let Maron roam about until he gets his way?” General Alaric asked with concern.
“Maron is too flawless, General.
If you want to bring him down, you must have enough evidence.” King Zareth said.
“And he’s my brother too,” “Your brother?” Alaric leaned closer.
“Look at me, Your Highness.
Maron won’t hesitate to drive a sword through your heart.
Neither will he hesitate to bring the royal household down to build his own.” “Alaric…” “I didn’t fight my way up just to be a General, Your Highness.
But I also swore an oath to fight for and protect you.
At least, that’s what I promised the late king and you.” Alaric tilted his head to the side.
“It’s either you fight for your throne or…” He paused.
“You fight for your throne.
No third option.” King Zareth was silent.
He kept staring at Alaric, the words stuck in his throat as though he was afraid to say them.
General Alaric knew that look, but he waited for him to speak.
“I’m tired,” Zareth slowly whispered.
“All this wouldn’t have happened if I had wiped Elarion out.” “No.
It would still happen.” Alaric said, then placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Princess Elira isn’t as weak as you thought.
She will survive the palace.
She needs you.
The Queen Dowager needs you.
I need you.
And Nebuzza needs you.
We all need you.
You can’t be tired now.” Zareth sighed.
His kingdom needed him.
The palace needed him.
But Elira… he needed her.
His thoughts drifted back to the day he met her.
Those innocent eyes had captured him and melted his soul.
He wanted to forget her.
He wanted to erase her from his memory.
But her face wouldn’t stop appearing in his head.
He had had Alaric trace her, and things changed the moment he realized who she was.
That was the moment his plans began to change.
He wanted to take her away from her pain, and he did.
But he had done it dishonestly.
The shock on her face still lingered in his mind.
The way she still saw him as Adrian, while he had switched that role to that of a king, hurt him.
“You can still make things right, Your Highness!” Alaric said.
As though compelled by his words, Zareth smiled and leaned back against his chair.
“So, which case do we solve first?” he asked, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.
It was already getting dark outside, and they needed to plan at this hour.
“First, we look into the frostglass.
I will have my spies ready to survey the tunnels first.
I think the tunnels are more likely to be used because they are safer for them.” He looked at Zareth, who nodded in agreement.
“Second, the spies you asked me to prepare are ready.
The first has left for Galdor, and the others are ready to be deployed in Elarion.
I will take care of the Eldarsh problems soon.” “That was fast.” Zareth complimented him.
“And you never told me?” “Such trivial matters shouldn’t bother the king!” General Alaric said and picked up his cloak.
“It’s cold.
How about retiring for the night, Your Highness?
I have work to do.” King Zareth returned to his quarters.
His steps felt heavy as he walked towards his chambers.
The royal guards greeted him as he walked past them.
The cold was enough to freeze, and he wondered what Elira could be doing at that moment.
He freshened up quickly and walked out of his chamber.
He was wearing a thin cloth that hung loosely on his body, paired with a pair of black pants.
The cold air of the dark night hit him, and he shivered slightly, but he did not stop.
Neither did he bother to go back and put on his cloak.
He walked straight towards Elira’s quarters in long strides.
Just as he was about to step into the long corridor that led towards her chambers, he noticed it.
A shadow.
It was moving.
The shadow moved as though it sensed a presence and was trying to escape.
Without wasting a second, King Zareth moved.
He merged with the walls and dashed towards the direction of the shadow.
His steps were like those of the wind.
Even though he was running, not a single sound could be heard.
The assassin kept moving without slowing down, and King Zareth was right behind it.
The person was running towards the short fence that led directly to the garden.
Once he crossed it, he would surely escape, and Zareth wasn’t planning to give him that chance.
Just before the assassin reached the fence, he suddenly stopped and turned towards King Zareth.
Zareth sensing the danger and immediately pulled out his hidden dagger.
Before he could make a move, the assassin was fast.
He shot an arrow towards him, but Zareth was faster.
He dodged it and immediately hurled his dagger, not giving the assassin another chance to shoot a second arrow.
The dagger struck his chest, and Zareth rushed forward, pinning him down.
He pulled out his dagger and held it against his neck.
The assassin’s face came into view.
His face wasn’t familiar, but his badge bore the symbol of Eldarsh.
King Zareth’s eyes darkened.
‘Eldarsh has planted their men within the palace walls of Nebuzza.’ The man was of no use because he was already dead.
Zareth pushed himself up and ran towards the chambers.
The two royal guards were still standing at their posts, laughing and chatting about some unimportant things that didn’t even sound funny.
They bowed to King Zareth immediately when they saw him.
But Zareth didn’t respond.
Instead, he glared at their big heads and walked past them.
Then stopping abruptly, he turned towards them.
“At the hedged path, get rid of that body.
And let it not be heard outside.” Then he kept walking, not minding their confused faces.
Reaching her chamber, he sighed.
“Your Highness!” The other guards guarding the door bowed.
This time, he responded before pushing the door open, being careful not to wake the sleeping beauty.
He stepped in quietly and closed the door behind him.
But before he could turn to look at Elira, someone yanked him with great strength and threw him onto the floor.
A dagger was pressed against his neck.
“His… His Highness!” Nasha sounded terrified.
She hurriedly got off him and knelt down, pleading for forgiveness for her stupidity.
King Zareth couldn’t speak.
He stared at Nasha with a face full of shock.
‘Did General Alaric transfer most of his strength to this little girl, or is it just something that runs in their blood?’ “I’m very sorry, Your…” “Get out!” Zareth ordered, still sprawled on the floor.
She immediately hurried out.
He couldn’t believe the fact that he was thrown to the ground like a sack of potatoes by an eighteen-year-old girl.
Elira was still asleep, and he sighed in relief.
It would have been a disaster if she had seen him in this situation.
The room was very warm.
Nasha had made sure to keep the hearth burning.
He walked towards her bed and lowered himself onto the stool that sat next to it.
He stayed there for how long he didn’t know, simply watching her.
She was beautiful.
He caressed her face, but her brows slightly furrowed.
He withdrew his hand, thinking he had caused her some discomfort.
Then he heard it.
“Mother!” Her soft voice carried through the room.
She was calling for her mother.
He felt a pang in his chest.
But just then, she began to sob softly, and it was at that moment he called out to her while holding her hand, making her open her eyes.
“Zareth…” she whispered.
“Shhh… It’s okay.
I’m here.” He pulled her into a tight embrace.
“You’re safe now.” He climbed onto her bed and lay down, bringing her head to his chest.
He kissed her temple while she snuggled deeper into his embrace.