Chapter 41

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third person

“FUCK!” The Emperor’s fist came crashing down onto his desk, the force rattling the entire room. Papers and quills scattered, the impact reverberating in the tense silence. Sir Zacharias stood rooted in place, his breath catching in his throat as he tried to mask his nervousness. Meanwhile, Lady Athena flinched violently, nearly losing her balance, her eyes wide with terror.

“Do you have any idea where the hell she is?!” The Emperor’s voice was a venomous growl, each word laced with barely restrained fury. His eyes burned with a malevolent gleam, eyebrows drawn into a fierce scowl, while his lips quivered with rage, threatening to spill forth more vitriol.

Zacharias swallowed hard, feeling the heat of that murderous gaze upon him. “The orb... it’s not responding, Your Majesty. We’ve lost her,” he confessed, his voice a whisper of defeat as he bowed his head deeply, not daring to meet the Emperor’s furious stare.

The Emperor’s fury seemed to ignite further. With a sudden, predatory grace, he surged to his feet and stormed across the room. Before anyone could react, he was upon Lady Athena. His hand swung with brutal swiftness, the resounding slap sending her staggering sideways. She gasped, clutching her stinging cheek, tears pricking the corners of her eyes as she fought to maintain her composure.

“This useless wench,” he spat, seizing her chin in a vise-like grip. His fingers dug painfully into her skin as he yanked her face upwards, forcing her to look into his wrathful eyes. “I gave you a simple order, and yet you failed me. Should I make you the prey we hunt next?” His voice dripped with cruel amusement, a dark promise lingering in his words.

Lady Athena’s heart pounded erratically, her mind racing for a response that would not further provoke his ire. She blinked rapidly, struggling to hold back tears as she felt her world collapsing around her. Her voice was barely a whisper, trembling with fear. “P-Please, Your Royal Majesty... I-I swear I’ll do it right this time. I won’t fail you again...” The tears she had tried so hard to control finally spilled over, trickling down her cheeks as she begged for mercy.

The Emperor sneered, disgust etched across his features. With a sharp, dismissive jerk, he released her, shoving her away like she was nothing more than a discarded toy. Lady Athena stumbled back, only to be caught by Zacharias, who quickly stepped forward to steady her. His hands were gentle, yet his face was pale, beads of sweat forming at his brow as he feared the Emperor’s rage might turn to him next.

“Leave,” the Emperor growled, his voice a low rumble that sent a chill through the room. “Get out of my sight before I decide to make an example of you both.”

Zacharias nodded hastily. “Y-Yes, Your Majesty,” he muttered, turning to Lady Athena with a soft, urgent whisper. “You should go, my lady. Now.”

Lady Athena nodded shakily, her legs almost giving way as she bowed low, trying to make herself as small as possible under the Emperor’s scorching gaze. “Thank you, Your Majesty,” she stammered, barely able to get the words out, before she fled the room as if her life depended on it.

Once outside, she leaned against the door, gasping for breath as she clutched her chest, tears flowing freely.

“Calm down, Reynald,” Zacharias muttered, his voice low as he placed a steadying hand on the Emperor’s shoulder.

“Calm down?” Reynald spat, eyes blazing as he rounded on Zacharias, grabbing him by the shoulders. “Our plan is falling apart, Charlie! And you’re telling me to calm down?!” His voice cracked with fury. He shoved Zacharias back and began pacing the room, fists clenched. “This is all because of that cursed body intruder! And Sebastian—he betrayed us?! How could he turn his back on his friends like that?!”

In a fit of rage, Reynald raked his fingers through his hair, disheveling it wildly, his lower lip caught between his teeth as if he could bite back his frustration.

Zacharias let out a long, weary sigh, his eyes never leaving Reynald’s frenzied form. “Look, maybe he—”

But Reynald cut him off with a sharp gesture. “No, no! This isn’t the first time, Charlie. I warned him before. But just because that bitch cured his illness, he threw everything away and betrayed us?” His voice grew darker, eyes glinting like a predator's in the shadows. “After years—years of planning, he abandoned us for some outsider?!”

The room seemed to tremble with the weight of Reynald’s rage. Zacharias lowered his gaze, his thoughts a turbulent storm. ‘The intruder almost made me betray you too, Reynald,’ he thought, but kept the treacherous confession locked behind his lips. ‘Or did I already have?’

Reynald wiped the sweat beading on his brow with a trembling hand, trying to regain some semblance of control. “We clawed our way into the Imperial Palace because of my power,” he muttered, his voice a strained whisper. “And I won’t back down, not even if Sebastian turns against us.” He moved to his desk and collapsed into his chair, fingers drumming restlessly on the polished surface. “I’ll never forget the suffering we endured during the war. And I swear, I will make every soul in this kingdom suffer a fate far worse than ours.”

Zacharias stepped forward, his expression hardening with grim resolve. “Yes, Reynald. We will see it through.” He placed a firm hand on Reynald’s shoulder, a silent vow between them.

Reynald’s lips curled into a twisted smile. “Good. Now, let’s find that wretched bitch and end this day on our terms.”

With that, he pushed himself up from his chair, his rage coiling into a deadly focus. Zacharias nodded, following him out, the Emperor is now driven by a dark purpose that promised no mercy.

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arthemice

I wandered to the mouth of the cave, lowering myself onto the cold, hard ground. Sleep was elusive, my thoughts kept drifting back to the impromptu tea party we had shared. The laughter, the sharp banter, the warmth of Lady Cecelia’s smile—it was a fleeting moment of calm amid the chaos that now filled my life. My lips curled into a faint smile as I recalled the Crown Prince’s reluctant grin, and even Sebastian, the ever-stoic knight, had softened for a moment.

I tilted my head back, my eyes drawn to the starlit sky. The crescent moon hung low, its pale light spilling into the cave entrance, casting shadows that danced on the walls. The night was alive with the scent of earth and moss, the cool breeze brushing my skin like a whisper.

“It’s beautiful,” I muttered to myself, letting my eyes close as the night air caressed my face, offering a momentary illusion of peace.

“Lady Arthemice.” The sudden whisper of my name broke through my thoughts. I tensed, my hand instinctively reaching for the dagger strapped to my thigh. Before I could fully react, a light nudge against my shoulder pulled me back to the present.

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The ability [Evoke] has been activated.

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With a swift motion, I had my dagger pressed against the throat of the intruder. My eyes widened as I realized who it was. “Zacharias,” I hissed, the blade quivering just a hair’s breadth from his skin. “What are you doing here, sneaking up on me like that?”

He lifted his hands slowly, his face pale in the moonlight, though his eyes held steady. “Peace, my lady. I come bearing news, not trouble,” he said, his voice low and urgent.

I didn’t lower the dagger, instead pressing it a bit deeper, just enough to feel the slight resistance of flesh. “You’d better start talking, and fast.”

He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing against the blade. “The Emperor has grown restless. He’s sent out soldiers—he’s intent on finding you. He won’t stop until you’re brought back... dead or alive,” he warned, his voice barely a whisper.

My eyes narrowed. “Is that so?” I leaned in closer, eyes glinting with a dangerous light. “And what makes you think I would run from that fool?”

“It’s not running,” he argued, his tone desperate. “It’s buying time. You’re not at full strength, my lady. Whatever the Emperor did... your powers are weakened. If you face him now, you’ll be walking into a trap.”

A sharp laugh escaped my lips. “So, you’re telling me to hide like a coward? Do you forget who I am?” I stepped back, lowering my dagger but keeping my gaze locked on him.

“No, I am telling you to get stronger,” he insisted. “You’ve lost part of your essence, your holiness. You need time to recover. If not for yourself, then for those who are still loyal to you.”

I paused, scrutinizing him. This wasn’t the Zacharias I knew—the loyal dog of the Emperor. His words carried a weight I wasn’t used to hearing from him. “And why, pray tell, are you helping me?” I asked, arching an eyebrow. “Did the Emperor's leash finally break?”

A shadow crossed his face, and for a moment, he looked almost... broken. “I believed in his cause once,” he admitted, voice raw with something that almost sounded like regret. “But now, his thirst for power has turned into madness. I don’t want to see everything we fought for crumble into ash.”

I let out a low hum, considering his words. The ever-loyal Zacharias, turning against his beloved Emperor? Now, this was interesting. But I couldn’t afford to trust him—not yet.

Before I could respond, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a worn piece of parchment, thrusting it into my hand. “There’s a village far from here. The people there are ordinary, free from the Emperor’s influence. You’ll be safe there while you regain your strength,” he explained, his eyes flicking nervously toward the darkened depths of the cave behind us.

“A map, really?” I drawled, glancing at the paper in my hand. “How quaint.”

“There’s no time to waste,” he pressed. “Please, just go. Gather your strength, then come back and fight. Don’t give him the satisfaction of catching you unprepared.”

I opened my mouth to retort, but the sound of footsteps echoed from the cave’s depths. A familiar figure emerged, his presence filling the space like a storm about to break.

“Well, this is a surprise,” he drawled, his eyes flicking between Zacharias and me. “A secret meeting without me? I’m hurt.”

Zacharias stiffened but managed to keep his composure. “Sebastian,” he greeted, his voice strained but steady. “I was just... delivering a warning.”

“A warning, is it?” Sebastian’s lips curled into a sly smile as he stepped closer. “How very noble of you, Charlie. But don’t think for a moment that I’ve forgotten where your true loyalties lie.”

“Relax, Sebastian,” I interjected with a smirk, stepping between the two of them. “Zacharias was merely informing me of the Emperor’s latest tantrum. It seems our dear leader is eager to see me captured.”

Sebastian’s eyes never left Zacharias, but his tone softened. “Then it’s best we prepare for what’s to come. The Emperor won’t stop until he has what he wants.”

I turned to Zacharias, folding the map and tucking it into my belt. “Fine. I’ll consider your little suggestion. But if this turns out to be a trap...” I leaned in close, my voice dropping to a whisper, “...I’ll make sure you regret ever crossing me.”

Zacharias bowed his head slightly. “I understand, my lady. I only hope you see this as an opportunity, not a threat.”

“Let’s hope you’re right,” I said, turning my back on him. “Now, let’s end this night. We have a kingdom to bring to its knees.”

“What is this commotion all about?” a deep, groggy voice cut through the quiet cave. I turned to see the Crown Prince and Lady Cecelia finally emerging from their slumber, their expressions a mix of confusion and concern.

Zacharias quickly bowed his head, his tone urgent as he spoke. “I will take my leave, my lady. Ensure you depart soon after me.” He gave me a meaningful look before disappearing into the shadows, his form melting into the darkness until he was completely out of sight. The echo of his footsteps faded, leaving only the distant sound of the wind howling outside the cave.

I sighed and muttered under my breath, “Well, Zacharias insisted I must regain my strength and travel to some faraway place...” I handed the worn map to the Crown Prince, who furrowed his brows as he unfurled it. Lady Cecelia, still groggy, rubbed her eyes and leaned in to take a closer look.

“This... this is the Valtherion Empire,” the Crown Prince murmured, his dark eyes widening slightly. “A distant kingdom, far beyond our borders.” He glanced up at me, his expression a mix of surprise and concern.

I nodded slowly, mulling over Zacharias’s words. So he hadn’t lied after all—his intentions, however shrouded in mystery, seemed genuine.

Lady Cecelia tilted her head, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. “How do you know of this kingdom, Lumi?” she asked, her voice soft but insistent.

The Crown Prince gave a half-smile, a hint of mischief in his eyes. “We traded jewels with them once, a long time ago. But we never ventured back.”

“Why not?” she pressed.

His smile widened into a playful grin. “Because the Emperor there is... terrifying,” he said in a mockingly dramatic whisper. Then, with a chuckle, he added, “No, truthfully, it’s just too far away. Not worth the journey.”

I couldn’t help but smile at his teasing tone, though my mind remained preoccupied with the task ahead.

The Crown Prince’s expression turned serious again as he folded the map and returned it to me. “Zacharias was right. You need to go there, my lady. As I recall, once your hair and eyes return to their original color, you will regain your full strength. Until then, you must remain hidden.”

He stepped closer, his fingers brushing a stray lock of hair away from my face with an unexpected gentleness. “While you’re away, I will handle things here. I promise you, Arthemice, I won’t let the Emperor destroy what we have left.” His voice was soft, almost tender, as he caressed my hair. The unexpected warmth in his touch made my heart skip a beat, and I forced myself to fake a cough, breaking the moment.

“I will come visit you there,” he added, his gaze lingering on mine for a moment too long before he pulled away, returning to his princely demeanor. I noticed Sebastian standing behind him, his eyes narrowing slightly, a flicker of jealousy betraying his usual stoic expression.

Lady Cecelia, still looking unconvinced, stepped forward. “Should we at least see you off?” she asked, her voice tinged with concern.

“No,” I said firmly, taking her hands in mine. “You and His Highness must leave me here. I won’t risk dragging you both into this mess.”

“But—” she began, her voice wavering with worry.

The Crown Prince gently placed a hand on her shoulder, his gaze steady. “Let’s go, Ceci,” he said softly, a reassuring smile curving his lips. “Lady Arthemice will be back before you know it. Trust her.”

I forced a smile, nodding at them both. “Now, go. Before it’s too late.”

They hesitated but finally turned to leave. “Be careful, Lady Arthemice,” they called back in unison, their voices echoing in the cave. The Crown Prince gave one last command to Sebastian, “Escort her well, Sir Kyle,” his tone half-serious, half-teasing.

Sebastian’s lips quirked into a small smirk. “As if I needed reminding,” he muttered under his breath, casting a brief glare at the Prince before turning to me.

I watched as their figures disappeared into the shadows, leaving me alone with Sebastian. His emerald eyes glinted with a mix of concern and curiosity as he stepped forward, extending his hand. “Shall we, my lady?”

I nodded, placing my hand in his. “Yes, Sebastian. Let’s go.”

As we began walking, he glanced at the map, then back at me. “We can travel through doors, using my ability, but we must find a safe exit first. I’ll need the map to ensure we reach the right place.”

I handed him the map, watching as he studied it with a thoughtful expression. “Hmm... not too bad,” he muttered, scratching his jaw. We were getting closer to the city’s outskirts, the faint glow of distant lanterns flickering through the trees.

“Let’s make our way to the nearest door. It’s the quickest way to get you out of here,” he said, his tone confident.

I nodded, too drained to speak. My strength was waning, and every step felt heavier than the last. I couldn’t shake the feeling that leaving this place marked the beginning of something far more dangerous.

Suddenly, a cold voice cut through the air, freezing us in our tracks.

“Going somewhere?”

fin.

A/N: Hello everyone! It’s been a week since my last update, but I’m excited to announce that I’ll be publishing two new chapters right after this! The story’s end is near, so stay tuned! Thank you so much for reading and supporting my work. Wishing you all a fantastic day ahead! XOXO!