Elias woke up with the sound of his phone beside him. He quickly picked it up and saw one of his men's names. He stood up and glanced at Siel who was still lying on her bed. It was four in the morning.
“What?”
“Sir, you’re brother planning on ambushing and killing nobles.”
Elias’s eyes widened. “WHAT?!”
Siel flinched and her body quickly stood up without any delay. She just came back from Ashriel’s wedding and was tired from all the swaps she made with Ashriel.
“I think you must call Siel back, Sir. Or else she’ll be in danger.”
Elias eyebrows frown. “What? What do you mean?”
“I saw her entering Austere a moment ago, Sir. But since I couldn’t enter the city, I was not able to warn her.”
Elias froze for a moment and glanced at Siel who was alarmed. “Are you sure?”
“A hundred percent, Sir.”
“Very well. I’ll fetch her myself then.” Elias ended the call and before Siel could ever move, Elias pointed his gun at her.
“Who are you?” He asked with his crisp voice. Siel tossed her hand in the air but remained silent.
“Tell me who the hell are you?” Elias asked again, angrier.
“I’m Siel.”
Elias grinned. “One of my men said she saw Siel at Austere. Now you’re telling me you’re Siel?”
He stopped when Siel sniggered. “I see. I wonder why Young Master still disguises herself.”
“W-What?”
Siel sighed deeply and was about to speak when she heard her name being called through her earpiece.
“Siel.”
“Yes, Young Master?”
Elias scowled and his head tilted.
“Are you in his room?”
“Yes.”
“Put him on the line.”
Siel frowned as well but followed Ashriel. She clicked something on his earpiece and said, “All set.”
She glanced at Elias whose face was filled with confusion. What the hell is happening?
“Elias, I know you’re listening.” Elias' eyes widened. How did she know? And wait.. Her voice.
“I want you and Siel to go back to Aparctias as soon as today, you understand?”
“Y-yes, Your Highness.”
“Good.” Ashriel ended the call.
“You heard her so-”
“Tell me what the hell is happening.” Elias demanded, lowering his gun. “How did she know you’re with me?”
“You haven’t noticed it yet? How come you reached this far?”
“Just answer me!”
“Fine, no need to shout. Jeez.” Siel tied her hair and fixed herself before answering Elias.
“Since the hotel incident, if you can still remember, we’ve been switching places. Sometimes, you’re with me and sometimes you’re with her. She used my identity to wander around Seiron and Sephtis freely.”
Elias gape wider. Now everything makes sense for him. That’s why sometimes he felt as if Siel was being capricious or something he couldn’t explain. Even during sparring, sometimes he wins but sometimes she’s extra stronger than him and more witty.
Suddenly, he remembered her first night. Heat rose on his cheeks. Did he just kiss Her Highness?!
“T-Tell me… which among the two of you…” He stopped, almost unable to continue his sentence. Siel waited impatiently. “Is the woman I kissed?”
Siel’s face soured and her blood suddenly boiled. “Seriously? We’re on a serious matter he-”
“Just answer me.”
“Unfortunately,”
Elias gulped.
“That was me.”
Elias sighed in relief. If he learns it was Ashriel, Nathan and Leon will kill him. Ah, no. He’ll probably kill himself first.
***
“Mother!”
Lady Beatrice flinched when Leon raised his voice.
“What’s wrong? Are you ill?” Leon quickly leaned to his mother, feeling her temperature through her forehead. Lady Beatrice felt her son’s warm palm.
“Your temperature’s normal. Oh heavens, mom, tell me you’re not ill. Tell me you’re feeling well.” said Leon, more like pleading. He always had a soft heart when it comes to his mom. But what would he do if he knew that the mom he loved oh so dearly is the enemy of the woman he swore his life to protect?
Lady Beatrice released a nervous chuckle, taking her son’s hand from her forehead. Despite everything, she is a mother. And she loves her children so much.
“My health’s not deteriorating, my boy. Seriously? How come a wolf ring bearer and the future Head of House Norton be this softhearted?” She teased him.
Leon sat back and ate the cookies his mom baked. “You’re my mother so that’s an exemption. Oh well, the Boss, Oriana, and my siblings are exempted as well. Couldn’t help it.” He chuckled.
“I can’t be hard on the people I love the most.”
Hearing his son’s remark, Lady Beatrice bit her lower lip as the smile on her face disappeared. Leon saw it and his eyes narrowed.
“Mom, do you want to say something? I bet you wouldn’t just call me here for a cookie break. You’ve been acting weird as well since the Boss came back alive. What’s the matter?”
Suddenly, Lady Beatrice’s heartbeat doubled. She glanced at her screenlock wallpaper and looked at her late husband’s lively eyes. Tears started to form in the corner of her eyes. She loved her son dearly that she doesn’ want him to be hurt but she had no choice.
“Mom-”
“A-About Oriana,” she stuttered. Leon straightened his back.
“What’s with her?”
“I ah… I…” She bit her lower lip and Leon somewhat felt nervous. “I want you to… cut ties with her.”
Leon’s eyes widened in shock. “W-What?”
Lady Beatrice’s hands trembled so she hid it under the table. “Cut ties with her.” She repeated with a firmer tone.
“M-Mon, I think… I think I mishear-”
“You heard me right, Leon.”
Leon gaped. “What are you talking about?”
“I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“Mom.” He called with a tone Lady Beatrice hated. “What’s wrong with you?”
“She’s your sister.”
Leon dropped the teacup, shattering it to pieces. His lips turned pale and Lady Beatrice started to palpitate.
“S-She… She’s what?”
Lady Beatrice bit her lower lip as her nails dug her palm, causing it to bleed slightly. She felt agitated.
Leon looked directly at his mother’s eyes that started to shed tears. Anger started to rise as he felt his hand and lips trembled.
“O-Olivia knew?”
Lady Beatrice nodded slowly, lowering her gaze. Leon crumpled his fist as he didn't know what to do. His emotions started to mix and was about to ask how when his phone rang. It was Natsuki.
He took a few deep breaths before picking it up.
“S-Sir?”
Natsuki frowned. He felt the gloom radiating from Leon’s tone.
“Something happened?” He asked but received no answer from Leon. Strange. He was never like that.
“Well, whatever that is, let’s talk about it. Let’s go to the cliff at the top of the mountain where Zillian rests. Olive prepared a picnic for our team.”
Natsuki heard a few deep breaths from the other line before Leon spoke.
“Is Oriana there?” He asked gloomily. Natsuki frowned. Did they fight? He asked himself.
“She will be, so get your butt here. I’m waiting outside your villa.”
“Yes sir.”
Natsuki was shocked when Leon ended the call.
“Weird. He never ends the call first.”
After some time, Leon went down and seeing his face, Natsuki said he would drive, not wanting any accidents to happen. He laughed but Leon didn’t, nor utter any word until they reached the place.
“There you are!” It was Kate who greeted them. “What took you so long?”
“Sorry for that. Where are the others?” Asked Natsuki and glanced at Leon who still didn’t spoke a word nor the gloominess left his aura. Something really bad must have happened for him to act like this.
Natsuki sighed in distress. It was his reaction when he heard of Ashriel’s demise. The only difference is that his anger that time reached the peak that he put holes in almost everything he saw including the training hall’s thick wall.
“Lady Venice and Lady Tory said she’ll be late since they were having some Doctor’s conference.” Kate answered. “She’ll be here in a minute, for sure.”
“I doubt that.” Natsuki laughed but seeing Leon’s gloomy face he patted his back hard, causing Leon to whimper.
“For heaven’s sake cheer up, will you?!’
He grabbed Leon before he could even say anything and let him go only when they reached the cliff where everyone gathered.
“The last time I came here was after the meeting, proclaiming that Oriana will be a part of the First Rank Nobles.” Ashriel mentioned, sniffing the fresh air she always liked. She closed her eyes and imagined Meredith, making her smile.
“Second General and Colonel are here!” Kate announced.
Oriana glanced at them and her eyes met Leon’s eyes which were full of emotions she couldn’t comprehend. Leon stared at her for a while before quickly walking towards her and grabbing her wrist.
“H-Huh? Colo- wait!”
Leon pulled her with force he never used towards her until they reached the dangerous side of the cliff, a few meters away from everyone.
“Huh? What’s with them?” Kate asked.
“LQ, probably.” Raith laughed. “Take care, you two! One wrong move and you’ll fall!” He added.
“Sister! Walk the talk, eh?” Olive sniggered.
“Why are you always calling her ‘sister’?” Xieaniel asked, wrapping his hands to her waist.
“Leon’s my brother so it’s only right for me to call her tha-” She flinched when Xieaniel sniffed her nape and kissed it. That kiss was something she can never get used to.
“What’s the matter?” Oriana asked carefully. Since Leon took her a few meters away from others, she knew it’s something he doesn’t want anyone to get involved in.
Leon bit his lower lip and tightened his grip to Oriana’s wrist. He was about to speak when Olive raised her voice.
“Boss, may I ask you something?” Olive’s tone was somewhat mocking, taking Leon’s attention.
“What is it?”
“Why… Did you even come back?”
Xieaniel and the rest were shocked. “Ruby, what the hell are you-”
“I’m not talking to you, Xieaniel. And for hell’s sake don’t call me that.”
Xieaniel’s eyes widened as he swallowed his tongue. It was as if… he was talking to a different woman.
“My plan was about to be completed. Everything was moving according to my plan so why… Why the hell did you come back?!”
“Olive-” Leon stopped when Oriana grabbed his hand. “Huh?”
“Leon.” She called, causing Leon to freeze. She never called him that. “Do you really think you can hide it forever?”
“W-What?” His attention diverted from Olive to Oriana.
“Do you really think I wouldn’t know that your bastard father killed my parents?!”
“What the hell is happening?!” Raith shouted, unable to remain calm.
They stopped when Olive’s phone rang. She grinned and answered it. No one moved. It was as if their bodies were paralyzed.
“Oy, boss?”
Raith and Kate’s eyes widened in disbelief. It was the same tone she used when they were bickering at the Royal Kitchen. By “boss,” who is she pertaining to now that the “Real Boss” is in front of her?
“Catch her? Oh well, lemme give it a try.” Olive grinned and fished out a dagger. Everyone became alarmed, especially Leon. He was about to run to cover Ashriel but Oriana grabbed him. Olive glanced at them.
“You really are a fool… brother.”
“Oria-”
“Colonel Leon!” Kate shouted when Oriana pushed him to the cliff as strong as she could.
Leon’s eyes widened and felt his world turn silent.
“Diana! Ezekiel!”
“Dang it!” Kate and Raith hissed before running down the mountain into the ocean to save Leon who was probably… dead.
“Oriana what the hell?!” Natsuki exclaimed and fetched his gun but stopped when Olive threw the dagger at Ashriel. Nathan’s eyes widened and was about to run but,
“Argh!”
“Xieaniel!”
Olive’s eyes popped out and her hand trembled. The dagger went straight to Xieaniel’s back when he covered Ashriel. Dark red fluid started to drip.
“Call Venice!” Ashriel shouted and only then did Olive come back to her senses. Natsuki quickly called his twin and Nathan assisted Xieaniel.
“Lady!” Oriana shouted, grabbing Olive’s hand. “Let’s go!”
Olive glanced at Xieaniel who was bleeding heavily for the last time before running down the other side of the mountain where she prepared their escaping car.
“Carsillion.” With Ashriel’s cue, Nathan quickly run and followed the two. “Follow him, brother.”
Natsuki hesitated and looked at Xieanile.
“Follow him for pete’s sake, I can handle this.”
He nodded and ran to follow the three deep in the mountain. Xieaniel groaned. The dagger dug deeper than she anticipated.
“Hey, don’t sleep.” Ashriel said, slapping Xieaniel’s cheeks. She felt her heartbeat double but she ignored it. She needs to be calm.
“Silly, I can dodge that easily. Why did you catch it for me?”
Xieaniel released a faint chuckle, silently groaning. “W-What will happen n-now?” He stuttered, feeling a little weak.
“You didn’t realize you’re in the worst shape now? Don’t think about that for now and stay alive.” She commanded but it was more like pleading.
She turned her head when she heard quick footsteps from behind.
“We lost them!” Natsuki shouted angrily.
“Lock the gate-” Ashriel stopped, suddenly remembering Xieaniel who was assigned to the security system was here, and Oriana who was assigned to the air forces betrayed them. Olive, who knew almost everything, betrayed them as well.
“Crap. Call the Elders and inform Lady Kitori to lock the gates.”
Suddenly, a helicopter hovered above them. Venice and Tory quickly jump out followed by John and Shadrach. Seeing his brother’s condition, John quickly ran towards Leon. His face was filled with anxiousness.
“What on earth happened?!” Venice shouted, panicking.
“He’s alive but I think his left hand was fractured.” Raith reported, pushing his hair back. “Please treat him as soon as possi- what the heck?!” He cursed upon seeing Xieaniel lying in his chest with a dagger dug on his back, and dragged inside the helicopter.
“I’ll explain later. Save them.”
Venice and Tory nodded and quickly went inside the helicopter. The rest traveled by land.
“They escaped via helicopter. Oriana used her position, I suppose.” Natsuki hissed.