|Ch.54

[Lucy(Luca's sister)]

___________

"Lady Hazel,what do you think about love?"

"Love?"

"Yes"

"What kind of love are you referring to,your highness?"

"Mmm,I don't know. I never really had a chance to experience any sort of love,you know. My parents are the king and Queen so it was impossible for me to ask love from them. And my brother,ah you know what a little shit he is. We only know how to compete against each other for the throne. Romantic love,I don't have any wish to marry so I can't dream about it"

Hazel stared at the princess Beatrice as she listened to her words. She wondered why the princess wanted to talk about such a private topic with her.

They were in the middle of the busting streets filled with shops and vendors. People were hustling here and there as they continued their lives not knowing that a royalty from another country is wandering in streets with only one knight for her protection. And that one knight was enough compared to hundred soldiers.

"Why are you asking me such a question your highness?",Hazel asked adjusting her hood over her head covering her eyes from the crowd of people.

Beatrice lifted up her hood a little bit to look at Hazel and smiled,"I thought you might could tell me about how it feel to be loved? Did it get it wrong? Heard you're the loved youngest in Pendragon family"

Hazel kept her professional blank face as she stared at the princess. Beatrice had done a background check on Hazel and Hazel could say it without even asking. "Yes,that's true"

Beatrice chuckled,"So confident huh? Aren't you scared they might betray you one day?"

Hazel,"Why should I care about that?"

Beatrice was a bit taken back as her eyes shook a little bit. "What?"

"If you love someone,you wouldn't think about betrayal. It would never cross your mind"

Beatrice blinked as she stared at Hazel.

Hazel,"Your highness,love is simple yet complex. It differs from person to person. For me,it is simple. I do anything for them if they can breath another day in this world"

Beatrice,"Anything?"

Hazel nodded,"Anything. When you love,there is nothing you cannot do. And you do some unimaginable things you'd never think you'd ever do"

"It is....not simple. But I can't understand. Why would you do anything if you don't have anything to gain in return?"

Hazel nodded as if she is trying to understand Beatrice's point. It didn't look like Hazel was offended or anything. "As I said earlier,their existence is enough. You only expect something in return when you take their existence for granted"

Beatrice stopped walking and turned to her to face her completely. Her face was unreadable as she stared at Hazel for good few minutes as if she is studying Hazel. Her eyes hardened like a frosty forest. After staring at Hazel's crimson eyes,she spoke,"So,in your eyes,I must look lame and pathetic to you,right? Is that how you see me?"

Hazel didn't lose her calmness when Beatrice's cold voice questioned her. "Not at all your highness. We view the world via different frames. In my frame,I see a different world and that world is my family. In your frame,you see your kingdom and power. There is nothing wrong with that. And there is nothing wrong with living without love. And I think it is better than loving someone. Love is beautiful but at the same time,it burns you. It is painful your highness"

Beatrice's hardened expression loosened,shocked. She looked ahead and continued to walk forward towards a bridge above a public river that transport goods and people to anywhere around the capital. Beatrice leaned towards the fence as she looked down at the river. "So,do you regret? If love is painful,then do you regret loving?"

Hazel smiled softly as she stood beside her,"No. Never. If I had to go back in time,then I'll still choose to love them"

"Hmm,it's interesting. You are willing to feel the pain in the name of love. You're willing to do anything for that love. And .....you will die for that love?"

"Yes",Hazel's tone had no hesitation.

Beatrice had a sad smile planted on her lips. She nodded to herself and looked at Hazel with a teasing smile,"Since we had such a deep conversation,does that make us best friends?"

"No. I only spoke because you're my superior"

"Cold much?"

"My apologies if I offended your highness",Hazel bowed her head slightly.

Beatrice laughed pushing her head back. Her hood fell from her head with her laughter. "I like you,you know? You're mature than you look. It almost felt like you had lived a life time already"

Hazel raised an eyebrow with a smirk,"Who knows"

Beatrice hummed as she turned to look around,"Are you allowed to drink? Let's grab a drink?"

"I'm allowed but I can't right now"

"Because you're on duty?"

"Yes your highness"

"No one will know",Beatrice winked. "Lead the way to the finest restaurant here"

Hazel bowed slightly and leaded her towards a restaurant. The restaurant was a five story building with a luxury vibe giving off. Only the richest were allowed this kind of restaurant and no commoner lingered around the restaurant. Black and red coloured outer exterior which allowed the building to stand out among the other restaurants. When they were inside,everything was crimson except for gold coloured pillars and walls. Curtains,couches,tables, everything was red. If not red and gold,it was black. No one needed to ask to whom this restaurant belonged.

"Your family runs this?",Beatrice asked slightly surprised from the interior.

"My brother Hoseok owns this place",Hazel answered as she leaded the princess towards the elevator.

Beatrice looked up at the ceiling of the elevator to see four magic stones glued to the four corners. Pendragon symbol was in the middle of the ceiling in black. "This works with magic?"

Hazel,"Yes"

Beatrice let out an amused airy chuckle. Both of them stayed silent until they reached the top floor. Once they were out from the elevator,Hazel guided the princess to a private room. The room was cozy and nice. A bed if the customer wanted to rest,a table set if they wanted to dine,a large window if they are interested in sight seeing,etc. The room was filled with a nice scent of roses to make the customer feel at ease.

"Have a seat your highness. A waitress will soon arrive to take your order"

Beatrice took a seat near the window and looked at Hazel,"You too,have a seat. As I said earlier,I'd like to have a drink with you"

Hazel smiled slightly,"I'd like to refuse"

"Oh come on. Don't tell me you are light weight. Do you get drunk from few drinks?"

Hazel raised an eyebrow,"Still no. My duty time will not allow me to drink"

"The how about this, I'm ordering you to drink with me",Beatrice smiled evily as she removed her cloak. "Are you going to refuse?"

Hazel kept her poker face observing Beatrice's face. "....Alright"

Just then,a knock came from the door way. Hazel opened it to reveal a waiter with a polite smile. She let the waiter take the order from the princess and when the waiter was about to leave,Hazel leaned closer to the waiter's ear.

The waiter's face went red with how close she was.

"Don't disappoint the princess and give her the best service here. Only the best",she whispered yet her voice was loud enough to let the princess know what she was saying.

Once the waiter left,Hazel took a seat on the opposite chair infront of Beatrice.

"How considerate of you"

Hazel smiled softly and bowed slightly accepting her words. "My pleasure to serve you"

"Hmm? So,lady Hazel,I heard a rumour. There is something called an anti Pendragon organisation. Is it true?"

Hazel,"Oh,yes. A bunch of idiots who think they can overthrow us"

"But I had heard that the organisation is going wild every single day. Is it really fine to overlook them?"

Hazel shrugged,"We are not overlooking. They are truly idiots"

Beatrice,"Hmmm, but what if they succeed? Wouldn't it be a big problem? For now,people fear Pendragon so no one will openly harm the Pendragon name. But think,if you were to go down,what will people do? There are way too many enemies you guys had made. Do you think your Pendragon powers will save you from the wrath of people?"

Hazel stared at Beatrice knowing where she is heading with the topic. Still,Hazel decides to play along,"People are stupid too. Our duty is to protect the kingdom. Thus,naturally the political power should belong to us. They expect a better kingdom but they are too much blinded by rage and greed. They just want power,not a better kingdom. Have you seen a country with no poor? Have you seen a person with no greed? People never know the word satisfaction. So they seek power. That's simple. So if they want to get rid of us,then it is their lose. They can go ahead and try to defend the kingdom by themselves"

"What you say is true. No one can guarantee a kingdom full of happiness and riches. It's just a happy illusion given to the poor,so people like me can take advantages from their hopeful smiles. It's disgusting but it's true",....."But do you really think this kingdom has no future without your family? Confident much?"

Hazel,"Yes. If this kingdom can survive without my family,we wouldn't have existed at the first place"

Beatrice chuckled,"So,will you still do nothing when you guys are going down?"

Hazel squinted her eyes,"Your highness,please come straight to the point"

"It seems like you took my hint. Alright,let me go straight to the point. Make an alliance with me. A backup plan would always be useful. Don't you think so?"

Hazel,"....So in return,I must give my alliance to you? To make sure you sit on the throne?"

"You got it"

Just then,a knock came from the door again. Five servants entered with few small trays. Food and drinks were served on the table in between Hazel and Beatrice. When the servants left,Hazel spoke.

"What makes you think I'd agree to you"

"Because I'll be a Queen?"

"We have so many Kings and Queens under our family name"

"But they are all under your family name. Once they see an opportunity,do you think they'll let you tople them?"

Hazel raised an eyebrow expecting her to continue.

Beatrice,"I will not be under your family name. I'm not willing to be controlled by Pendragons. If I am to gain the power,then I'm going to be a tyrant with no shackles around my neck",...."So,when a bad time comes to your family,you can be my guest. Like a loyal friend"

Hazel poured a drink to a porcelain cup and stared at the drink for few minutes,"A loyal friend?",she let out a humourless smirk. "There is no friendship in politics"

Beatrice shrugged,"You can count on me then,as a political partner"

"You know,I don't believe in loyalty. I always put a leash on things so I will not be betrayed that easily. And I kill if they betray me",Hazel said as she gazed at the alcohol cup. She slightly pushed the cup towards Beatrice,"But let's go for a change..."

Beatrice smirked and took the cup to her hand,"Wise decision",she drank it slowly. Hazel's eyes kept on the alcohol cup waiting till she finished the whole cup. Once Beatrice finished it,Hazel smiled.

The conversation went for a while without a big issue. When the sun was setting down,Beatrice stood up wanting to leave but paused when Hazel didn't stand up. She looked at Hazel,confused.

Hazel,"You see,though I agree to a change, I still don't believe in words of a future tyrant",...."Because you are a tyrant. And I know what it means to be a tyrant. That position will always hold deaths and so many lies"

Beatrice's eyebrows furrowed further not understanding why the sudden mood change. She agreed to their alliance so what's wrong?

Hazel,"If you betray me,no....wait...if you even think of betraying me,then....",she looked at Beatrice's eyes directly with a wide grin which brought thousands of chills to her spine. "You will die"

"....what"

Hazel stood up and took a step forward,"I'm saying...you will die if you have the slightest thought of betraying me. I don't have to be by your side to know what you're upto,because I've already put a leash on you"

Beatrice took a step back with wide eyes. She went pale when the realisation hit her. Hazel was acting all respectful and gentle until she fulfilled what she wanted. She leaded Beatrice to a trap with her little manipulative antics and she didn't even realise until she herself fell into the lion's den.

Beatrice pulled Hazel's sword by her waist and placed the blade on Hazel's neck. "What did you do to me?"

Hazel grinned shrugging her shoulders,"What do you think?"

"Hazel Pendragon! What did you do?!"

Hazel laughed seeing Beatrice's panicked expression,"Hey hey,now don't be so hostile. Weren't we getting along pretty well? Don't worry,nothing will happen as long as you stay loyal to me"

"I asked...what did you do to me",Beatrice deadpanned with a serious expression.

Hazel sighed and rummaged her pant pockets before pulling out a small pocket size glass bottle filled with a transparent liquid. "This is a magic liquid made by my lovely brother Taehyung. We normally give a drop to all our knights when they pledge loyalty to our family. If they were to think of betraying us,they will die from blood choking on their throats"

Beatrice widened her eyes and her skin went from white to blue. She felt sick in her stomach.

"My waiter added a drop to our alcohol bottle before bringing it here. Hey hey hey! Don't panick. I also drank with you,see! I'm fine right? And you will be also fine! Unless....you know",Hazel smirked.

"You are a bitch"

"Well,aren't you one too? Did you think I'll have the risk of getting betrayed by a tyrant Queen? No sweetheart"

Beatrice lowered the sword and chuckled humourlessly. "Damn it. What did I get myself into?",...."I didn't plan on betraying. But this is too much"

"As I said,that liquid will do no harm. Unless you think of betraying me. So if you didn't think of betraying me,then you have no reason to be afraid"

Beatrice let the sword fall onto the ground and looked at Hazel with an amused smile,"Geez,I feel offended. But at the same time,I like you even more"

Hazel smiled. All she needed to do was mixing her true feelings into the conversation and lead her to the alliance talk. Lies would not have manipulated Beatrice because she was too sharp and smart. At the end of the day,Hazel had already been planning this alliance deal even before Beatrice had thought about it.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Hey guys

Hope you enjoyed

See ya soon

Vote and comment