"So please, you can leave now," he said, and she hesitated.
"Can you..." He started, but the girl interrupted with a firm voice.
"No! I wasn't jealous that way. I just saw the way you've been looking at her since you arrived at this palace. You love her, and I know it. Actually, I can help you win her over if that's what you want," she offered, her gaze fixed on him. He recoiled slightly, unable to push her to leave. She wasn't exactly what he desired, but he was surprised by her unexpected kindness. He'd assumed she was the one vying for his affections, and perhaps she still was, but this gesture was baffling. What kind of girl would do such a thing for a man, knowing full well she was in love with him?
Maybe she was hoping that was the only way she could be getting in touch with him, she just needs reason to stay close to her.
"I... I..." he stammered, suddenly overwhelmed. He felt embarrassed and confused, unsure how to respond. Her offer was devastatingly unexpected.
"Are you really sure about what you're saying? You don't mean it, are you just trying to tease me?" he asked, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. He was a bit flustered. Ruth smiled back, a genuine smile that reached her eyes, and stepped closer, taking his hand in hers. She looked into his face, her gaze intense.
"No... not at all. I'm not trying to tease you. I mean what I said. The girl you're looking at, she's my friend, a very close friend. I can help you talk to her. That's what you want, right? That's what will make you happy. If you're happy, then I'm happy too," she said. He smiled, a little incredulous. He couldn't believe she was actually offering to help him get closer to the girl he liked. He didn't know what to say.
He could have easily rejected that offer from Ruth because it's not really good to accept such offer from someone you know she loves you dearly and must surely be doing what she's doing with a broken heart, but the girl was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen, and he hoped to spend some time with her, maybe even court her. If Ruth was the only one who could get him access to her, then so be it.
"Okay then," he said, and she nodded.
"Thank you very much," he said, and she nodded again, still holding his hand. He gently pulled his hand away, thanking her once more.
She gathered the tray of fruit she'd brought him, ready to leave. He'd barely touched it, but now, since he was on good terms with her and not the other way around, he wanted to eat it.
"Excuse me... I'm sorry, but you don't have to take that away now. I think I'll have some. Just keep it here. I'll eat it whenever I'm hungry. Thank you very much for the kind gesture," he said. Ruth smiled at him and returned the tray of fruit to the table.
When she was done, she looked at him again, their eyes meeting. She smiled slightly and nodded. She didn't really want to leave, but she had no choice. Obed wasn't exactly enjoying her company for too long, so she had to go. She glanced at him one last time and started to step out of the room, but Obed called her name again.
"Ruth!"
She looked back.
"Thank you!" he said, and she smiled before leaving.
Obed knew instantly that Ruth was already in love with him. She wouldn't be happy helping him get another girl when she was so clearly smitten with him, but she had no choice. She understood that making him happy was her priority. The truth was, he just didn't feel the same way about her.
He knew it was odd, going to the girl he liked through the girl who liked him. It was the opposite of how things usually worked, and it didn't make sense because it would undoubtedly hurt Ruth. But he didn't really care about that, as long as he wasn't in love with her. He could see her as a friend now, a very good friend, especially since he could benefit from her help so much.
                    • Inner Tower •
The fight for the throne raged on, not just within the palace walls, but also amongst the people outside. Many were vying for the crown, but it was so sad that it was even the Genesis families themselves that were truly battling for the right to rule.
Anyways inside the beautiful tower castle was the Karl family, gathered around a table, were strategizing their takeover from the Genesis family.
"Myth, you and I know that throne is rightfully yours. It's your turn to rule this kingdom. Genesis and I fought for this kingdom, wrested it from the enemy's grasp, and built it into what it is today. The throne should pass from family to family, but they've made it a dead end. He took all the glory and I was never recognized for the good and sacrifices I have made for the kingdom also"
"But It's your turn to take it back, and trust me, you will," Karl, the patriarch, addressed his youngest son, Myth, who sat beside him. His wife and other children, a girl and a boy, listened intently.
"Dad, I know you dream of this for me, and I'm grateful you see me as the rightful heir. But how exactly am I supposed to take the throne? You know I'm powerful, but it seems my abilities aren't enough to defeat the Genesis family. They seem stronger than I'll ever be," Myth responded, reaching for a piece of meat before pausing mid-motion. He wouldn't eat until the conversation was finished. He finally took a bite, chewing thoughtfully.
When Myth made that statement, Karl looked at his wife and the rest of his children. He understood the gravity of his son's words. Starting a war with the Genesis family was akin to suicide. There was something special about the Genesis, a divine aura that surrounded them. They were practically immortal, their power growing with each passing generation. And then there was Dara, their most powerful weapon.
"Yes, I know about that. I've been preparing you for this. There's something you need to know. The Genesis patriarch didn't die of natural causes. He was murdered. And guess where the murder weapon came from?" Karl asked, a glint in his eye.
The family was stunned. They exchanged shocked glances, unable to believe what they were hearing. How could their father, the man who had always been so cautious and strategic, be the one responsible? It was an unexpected revelation. He had acted alone, knowing that if he had consulted them, they would have been paralyzed by fear, convinced that king Genesis would find out. He had taken the risk, and it worked perfectly as he expected showing them that they had nothing to fear as long as they played their cards right.
"I know you're all surprised. I was the one who orchestrated his death. He was killed by his own daughter, who I persuaded to act," Karl declared, his voice steady. The family stared at him, awestruck. How could he have manipulated a daughter against her own father? It seemed impossible. Where had he even started?
"How is that even possible?" Myth asked, his voice filled with disbelief.
"Exactly, they claim to be gods, shouldn't they be immune to death? I mean ordinary deaths like normal human being" Maria, Karl's daughter, chimed in, echoing Myth's sentiment. Karl knew exactly where she was going with this.
"Yes, I know what you're thinking. You're right, they shouldn't be able to die. But I had a weapon, a weapon that could kill gods. And it only works seven times! That was the weapon I used to kill the gods who tried to stop us from standing Genesis during the war of the seven kingdom. It was actually built by Genesis himself, but he lost it after the war. Guess who stole it?" He said taking a breath leaving the sun amazed and surprised, he's just teaching him how the game really works and he's learning from it.
"I gave it to his daughter. She used it to kill him. It's a powerful weapon, you don't need to stab someone with it. You just need to know how to use it. I couldn't teach her that because I didn't had the chance to, but after its seventh kill, the sword will be deactivated forever," Karl explained, his voice calm and matter-of-fact.
"As for how I did it, I discovered that the Genesis children are incredibly jealous of each other, especially the princess. She was desperate to be the heir, not her brother or the child of an unknown mother. She hated that boy. I saw an opportunity. I pretended to be loyal to her, and she fell for it. I promised her that if anything happened, I would stand by her side and make sure she took the throne," Karl continued, his eyes gleaming with cunning. Myth nodded, understanding dawning on his face.
"That's... I just don't know what to call it, but do you think it's time for us to make our move?" Myth asked, uncertainty in his voice.
"No, not yet!" Karl replied firmly. "We still have the legitimate heir to the throne alive. Once he is dead, we can emerge and claim what is rightfully ours. Don't worry; he won't last long. It won't be more than three days, or I should say, probably just 24 hours. we will get the news of his death and then we can strike" He said with a smirk and so as the rest of the family smiling very dangerous.