"Isn't that Sariel...!?" - Kaleigh thought quietly, feeling all the memories of studying under his whip coming back. Kaleigh knows she must be looking like she's seeing a ghost. Meanwhile, Emma, looking at Kaleigh's direction, also notices the ominous man.

"Is it because I'm tired or dust or..." Emma glances at Kaleigh and Rio. Both shake their heads.

"No, it's not just you, Emma, we see him too."

...

A heavy silence hangs in the air as Kaleigh squints her eyes then opens it again repeatedly.

"There's no need to act so scared, Kaleigh. I thought we were quite close."

"Eep!!!" Kaleigh yelps, almost falling back on her feet. "S-Sariel...what are you doing here!?"

"Shhh, quiet, all three of you. If you don't stay quiet, there's no telling what I might do..."

Kaleigh and Emma gulps while Rio gets in front of the two ladies.

"What do you want!?" Rio protectively shields Kaleigh and Emma, facing the ominous man. He has black purplish hair with a pair of purple eyes, which makes him look like the very epitome of cunningness and evil. He wears a formal, dark-colored outfit with a whip on his hip. His robe along with his potential weapon has raised quite the concerns among the three - Kaleigh, Emma and Rio.

"Under the current special circumstances, I am required to take you back to the palace, miss Emma. Please understand our next course of action." The man starts speaking, and in an instant, the atmosphere turns cold and chilly. His voice is low and commanding and regal, like that of a person of high position and standing. As for Kaleigh, she knows exactly who he is already.

Kaleigh's shoulders slump in relief. Oh, so Sariel's not here for her then?

Well, Kaleigh is technically exiled, but by living under the identity of a commoner named Kaleigh instead, without the Moran surname, she can still live on the soil of Rhodolite. But if her fake identity is exposed, she might face risks of being kicked out of the country, yet again.

"So...uhhh...this has nothing to do with me, right, sir?"

"No, this has everything to do with you, Kaleigh. Don't call me sir." The man readjusts his glasses slightly, pushing them higher on his nose bridge.

"Call me 'Minister Sariel'. I'm sure you knew better than to address someone you know without their proper title."

Kaleigh pouts discreetly, finding Sariel's attitude irritating. With a snap of his fingers, a bunch of guards appear, and they are ready to abduct anyone here, it seems.

"I shall explain everything when we get to the palace. For now...tie them up, and put them into the coach, please."

"Huh!? Me as well!?" Kaleigh exclaims "and what did sweet Emma even do!?"

"Shh. Don't be so noisy, Kaleigh. Look at how obedient and understanding of the situation Emma is. She doesn't understand anything yet she doesn't ask a thing."

"Hey- mhph!" A guard ties Kaleigh from behind and pushes a piece of cloth inside her mouth.

"Good work. Let's return to the palace then. Oh, and don't let that black-haired girl get her hand on anything. And for the brunette and her dog, have them be taken by a separate carriage."

Before the three of them know what's happening, they're already taken to the regal, imposing imperial palace of Rhodolite. A place that commoners could only look and admire upon yet for Kaleigh, it is where her childhood and teenage memories lie.

Kaleigh sits in defeat with her hands tied and her mouth muffled by the piece of cloth.

As the carriage gets closer and closer to the palace, Kaleigh can't help but feel an urge to escape. She wants to break free and run away from the old memories. Of who she used to be. Of what she could have been. Of the princes who were her rivals and friends - who she could no longer rub shoulders with anymore.

She feels ashamed to ever meet the princes again. Not because she is a commoner now - but because she's no longer a talented, promising diplomat. She's just...Kaleigh. She is not a proper lady - and she doubts she's of any use now to the royal court.

"I'll have to ask Sariel to hide me from the princes..." - Kaleigh thinks quietly to herself as the silhouette of the palace appears bigger and bigger as seen from the window. She also tries to come up with why her friends - Emma and Rio - is taken to the palace. They're her dear friends all in all! She'll protect them with everything she knows!

-end of chapter-