Iftia: Lyx Palace, Rowan's Bedchamber

• Rowan •

Rowan looked over to his side and his hand reached out to tuck wisps of fine hairs away from Elianna's face. She murmured softly, cuddling up closer to him. He didn't understand what she just said but a wide smile broke on his face. His fingers were caught tangled in her soft brown hair and he combed through the length, careful enough to not wake her up.

His thoughts went to moments ago in the bath. She had professed her love to him. At that moment, he swore he forgot how to breathe. He deprived his lungs of air so painfully that it had to force him to take a sharp inhale so that he doesn't suffocate himself to death. Perhaps the happiness was too unmeasurable and unreal that he was afraid that if he was to do anything, reality will strike back at him hard. He didn't even dare to close his eyes right now.

He longed for her for as long as he could remember. He never expected her to reciprocate those feelings of endearment but deep down, he knew that he wanted her to choose him. He wanted to be worthy of her love. Lovestruck like a fool, but he simply couldn't help it.

Then, the door to his bedchambers was pushed ajar. Eyeballing towards that direction, he demanded, "Who's there?"

"Your Highness, it's me," Ilias appeared behind the door and bowed. His gaze remained low and he reported, "Caught the rat."

"Hmm." An amused smile tipped at a corner of his lips.

He propped himself up on one elbow and leaned over to kiss Elianna on her forehead. Slightly inhaling in the smell of cotton and lilac-scented soap, he whispered silently.

I will protect you no matter what.

He pushed himself off the bed and entered the dressing room. In no time, he was ready. Fastening his cufflinks, he spoke to Ilias, "Let's go."

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Thethia: Aster Palace, Study

• Elizabeth •

"What's the message from Iftia about?" Elizabeth exacted.

"The First Prince had turned down the proposal for Royal Marriage," Quinn reported accordingly.

Her fingers closed into tight fists and her jaw tightened. She could feel the vein in her neck pulsed and pounded with utmost annoyance but she gave a tough attempt to keep her composure.

"What about the thing I asked you to find?" She glared at Quinn, demanding for a satisfactory answer this time.

"Elianna Everson was said to be brought back by the First Prince from Thethia," Quinn mentioned.

A frown appeared on her face. Thethia?

Quinn continued, "When we checked through citizenship records, there was no such person from Thethia. Elianna Everson was not in Thethia's records."

Out of frustration, Elizabeth swung her arms and the teacup in her hand flew and shattered upon contact to the ground. I will definitely find out who you are.

"Prepare my carriage, I need to speak to Father."

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Iftia: Lyx Palace, Basement Cells

• Rowan •

"Hello, Wallace," he greeted with a frightening cold humour. He ambled his way to the exquisitely decorated chair that was infamously known as his execution throne by everyone in Lyx. He lowered himself lazily into the chair and folded his legs. Placing his elbow on the arm of the chair, he rested his cheek against the back of his fist. He stared at the butler with a slow fire of anger seething within him.

In front of him, Wallace was perspiring profusely. He jerked his shoulders back and forth in futile attempts to free himself from the robes that tied his arms behind him. He was screaming through the gag tied to his mouth. Nothing comprehensible was heard in those muffled noises but from his eyes, Rowan sensed intense fear and desperate pleading.

"Release his gag," Rowan's voice was piercing but insouciance remained in his tone.

Ilias did as instructed and Wallace immediately begged for his life, "Y-Your Highness! Please have mercy! I-I was b-blinded by g-greed!"

"Mercy?" Rowan scoffed. His eyes narrowed into the eyes of the butler. He saw Wallace shaking and buckled under the consuming pressure of his murderous gaze. Wallace then shifted his gaze towards Ilias who stood beside him and the rage he felt grew tenfold.

"Ilias, step back," Rowan ordered, his voice was low but vehement. At his side, Ilias bowed and retreated behind.

His silence resumed and the tension grew. He kept his stare on Wallace who already crying hysterically and begging for mercy time and over.

"Wallace," Rowan smiled wryly. "Of all people, you knew the rules of Lyx best."

"I-I know, I d-did wrong," Wallace panicked. "I-I will p-pledge m-my loyalty t-to you. P-please! I d-don't want to die."

"Don't want to die?" he coughed a sardonic laugh. "No one gets second chances in Lyx."

Wallace became desperate and he began screaming, "You're psychotic! You're ruthless! All the people you killed will haunt you every day!" His eyes widened as he spoke. Blood-red veins were apparent in his now bloodshot eyes, "If you kill me, I swear I will haunt you!"

At his assertion, Rowan laughed, vociferously with mirth. He placed his hands on both arms of the armchair and pushed himself up. He removed his glove and walked towards the butler. His hand struck to Wallace's neck, throttling him with crushing force. Wallace squirmed in his hold, the trepidation in his eyes was unmistakable.

"I dare you." The smile was evident on his face but there was no hint of kindness in them. He tightened his fist further and there was the sickening crack that forced out a scream from Wallace but did not end his life. His hand glowed and the butler convulsed in his hold.

Wallace's eyes rolled back and blood dripped from every part of his face. He choked as he struggled while his insides boiled gruesomely. When he finally stopped moving, Rowan tossed his dead body aside and the hollow remains of Wallace flumped to the ground. He walked back to the chair to grab a piece of cloth and wiped his hand before putting his glove back on.

"Hang this imbecile on the castle wall," Rowan instructed Ilias. "Let this be a warning that this is what happens when you betray your family."

Rowan stepped over the body but turned his head around slightly to glance at it.

Haunt me? You've got to wait in the long line.

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Thethia: Royal Palace, Throne Room

• Elizabeth •

"I heard that you requested for an audience, Daughter," Wynston mentioned.

"Yes, Father," she nodded, bobbing a curtsey to him. "There's a thing I must ask."

"Please go ahead," Wynston granted.

"Other than Mother and Sister, who else have amber eyes?" she asked.

Wynston flinched and stared at her. His voice shook, "Why did you ask, Daughter?"

"I saw someone with amber eyes when I visited Iftia the other time," she observed as she spoke, carefully detailing all the changes in expression. "I was simply curious, Father."

"Where in Iftia?" Wynston crouched forward, panic marred his tone.

"Lyx Palace. She works for the First Prince as the Royal Doctor."

"It must be her," Wynston smiled wickedly.

"Who?" Elizabeth frowned, hurrying for an answer because she was losing her patience to the suspense. She needed answers.

"Her. Your sister."

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