Chapter # 2

“My Lady, Please spare some m-mercy.. W-We are sorry.. Please..”

The criminals cried hopelessly as the Army Commander Persephone Sage dragged them through the hallways, their blood staining the path of her lavishing mansion.

“We are sorry..!!” They cried, crawling back but the chain didn’t let them, throwing them in her training grounds, which halted other soldiers who saw their commander.

The strongest warrior of Aziel; Persephone Sage, the fiery fire of Phoenix, notorious throughout the lands for her ruthlessness but never telling what converted her heart into a storm.

“Should have watched your actions before.” She replied coldly, kicking down their bloody bodies. 

“Soldiers! Etch this in your minds! Traitors are given a life worse than death. You love where you live, what do you lack in our blessed land?!" She called.

"Yet, look where your greed led you. It is our duty to keep our grounds safe from scum like them. A traitor will remain a traitor and we must deal with them accordingly.” The last sentence was her own consolation.

She growled after her enunciation and without a warning she slit their throats, reminding who they are and what they should do.. 

“Clean up this mess.” She ordered her men before wiping her sword with a handkerchief, throwing it away and leaving unaffectedly.

“Randall.” She called her right hand man. “Yes, My Lady?” He came after her.

“I want thorough reports about them, whatever they do, all their hideouts, their leader. Everything. We will wipe out this trash within a week, I cannot bear rebels in our land. You hear me?” She commanded.

“Yes.” He bowed out of respect and with a hum, she left, going back inside her mansion not far from the grounds. 

But the moment she entered, she threw the nearby vase, cursing under his breath. “Goddammit!” Her rage silenced every worker, worried about their lady who left furiously.

“Traitors will remain traitors. A sinner is a sinner. Stop recalling what you have lost, Persephone. He won’t return… Nor can you allow it. Throw him out of your heart, he no longer holds a place here.”

She reminded herself, closing her eyes to feel the darkness until a tender voice called her, dragging her out from her agony.

“I know I will find you here, Commander.” Looking down she saw Prince Kriss Emmett, the next in-line King of their land, smiling sweetly at her.

His blue eyes shining gently but the muscular buildup made him arresting.

“His Highness?” She asked, bowing before him. “If you are done with the formalities, then stand up.” He chuckled, she hummed, shaking her head,

.“So, what brings you here, Kriss?” She asked, shaking her head quickly to avoid her mind from wandering to wrong thoughts.

“Father called, Lord Chester desires to form an alliance after twirling into darkness hopelessly, willing to accept all our terms. And we have to deal with this matter and ensure our favors.” He sighed.

“Lord Chester? Haven’t heard his name in ages. What lust brought him here?” She asked, narrowing her in suspicion.

“You know the condition of the continent. Rogues are afflicting this land, he must have faced unavoidable upheaval leading him to bow.” He explained, trying to avoid the exact core of their problem.

Rogues which especially meant Zadicus.

“I agree. They curse everyone around them. ” She scoffed, mixing her personal feelings in between, “That’s not true..” He responded faintly, making a tight fist.

“They do. You are too kind to comprehend a painful fact." She replied coldly, not meeting his gaze.

“But it’s reality, Kriss, the ones near your heart are the most untrustworthy ones.” She growled, refusing to believe anything.

Shaking her head, “Anyways, what do I have to do?” She asked again, holding her hands at her back as they walked in her exquisite garden.

“Nothing, I will attend to him and you will accompany me.” She nodded, “So… When will he be arriving?” She asked casually. “In a week." He told her, seriousness coming on his face.

"And we have to prepare." She scoffed, "What preparation? I don't think I even need to sharpen my blade to slit his weak throat." 

"For any kind of threat. No one from there is to be trusted and when it happens, your hands must not tremble to hurt him." He told her strictly, wiping her expressions, inducing waver.

Hurting him..?

 "We are unaware of the threat he could bring along. We cannot allow Dark Wizards to enter our land and it is your duty to prevent it."

She stiffed for a second when he continued speaking the painful fact, constricting her beats, 

"And in the worst scenario, the threat has to be eliminated, even if it is heart wrenching." She could feel her heart crack but knowing her position.

“You do understand, Persephone?” He asked sternly and closed her eyes and she nodded.

“Yes, I do, His Highness.” Her voice lost strength for a second, averting her gaze but the pain of losing him struck her hard and harsh.

“I understand my duties.” She breathed out, letting out the determined words she has given herself for all these years.

"I will take his breaths even if it costs me taking mine along."

Next Week, The lavishing embellishment was set up in honor for the Prince Jazeel to uphold the traditions of Aziel, to welcome both rulers and forge a bind.

 “All preparations done?” Kriss asked her, looking around.

“Yes. The rest entrances have been sealed with maximum security. Even if it turned out to be an ambush it would result in their death. We are completely safe." She reassured him, assigning jobs.

"Good to know. Let's just hope this goes well." He breathed out, rubbing his cold hands together.

"Why are you nervous? I am certain you won't disappoint His Majesty. You can do this, Kriss. I believe in you." She whispered, giving his shoulder a tap.

"Thanks." He whispered back.

"Now, they will be here any moment, let's go." He ordered, clearing his throat.

"Yes. His Highness." She smiled genuinely, bowing before him as they went to the entrance to greet their guest.

And after eight years, the paths never supposed to collide met.