Chapter # 4

“Try to understand Kriss. Zadicus is here and he is planning something big!” Persephone argued, going after Kriss, trying to convince him.

“And how he managed to come?” Kriss asked, stopping in his tracks, turning to her. 

“You are the one who will be held responsible in the first place. It was your duty to secure our land.” He told her the bitter fact but it didn’t falter her determination.

“And I have fulfilled my duties but Zadicus is here, you have to believe me.” She insisted, pulling his arm.

“Oh really? For once I can believe, of all people, he came to see you first but how?” He asked, yanking his hand back, folding his arms at his chest.

“The Prince! He is not Prince Jazeel, He is Zadicus!” She growled, raising her voice, which caused Kriss to cover her mouth.

“For God’s sake, Persephone, Lower your voice!" He whispered-yelled, vexed about her feral behavior. 

"It hadn’t been a single day and you are claiming him to be Zadicus, don't be absurd. On which proof are you making this assumption?" He asked, leaving her, motiong her to calm down, taking a deep breath she replied.

"He told me himself and his scent, it's the same as his. I am not lying, I saw it myself."

"That's it?" He asked, narrowing his eyes, "What? Do you need more?"

"Persephone, It was jasmine. anyone could smell like jasmine." He sighed in disappointment, "And what about what he told me?"

"Listen, Persephone." He breathed out, putting his hand on her shoulder, rubbing them gently.

"No, you have to listen to me, Kriss. Please." She whispered, shaking her head but he smiled gently.

"I know how much he meant to you. He was always present, in the back of your mind, intoxicating you." He tried to make her understand.

"But don't let your heart astray you towards deceptive images, Aziel needs you, I need you. Please, get a hold of yourself."

His smile grew wider, leaning his one hand to her cheek, circling it gentle, trying to console her in his feeble tone.

"I am not imagining, Kriss. You have to believe me." Her voice came out weak.

"I know you feel vulnerable in this matter, I know he is your only weakness but you have to be strong." He assured her, pulling his hands away from her but she held them tightly, not letting go.

"Don't you believe me?" She asked sternly.

"I cannot make decisions upon emotions, Persephone. I am sorry, I have responsibilities as the Prince, as long as you don't have a solid proof, I am afraid, I have to call it your vulnerability." He said apologetically, leaving her hand as she stood there defeated, outraged.

With fuming rage, she stormed out to confront him. He was having lunch with His Majesty and Kriss, talking about the country's 'affairs' for better outcomes and forming alliances.

“Just you watch, I will show them your true face.” She hissed, curling her hands in a fist.

During the lunch, Kriss inspected his demeanor but there was not a single glimpse of distrust in him, his acting, his knowledge, all of it.

It was immaculate leaving no sign for doubt, throwing Persephone at a disadvantage.

After the meeting, she was at the garden again, cursing a rose in her hands, not caring if the thorns hurt her skin or made it bleed.

I know he is your only weakness. "Tsk, He is not. Don't make your damn assumptions." She growled.

"If I am not then why are you perturbed?" He asked mockingly, walking steadily towards her. "You can deceive anyone but not me." She snarled, throwing the rose at his face.

"Darling, I let you know." He smirked, grabbing the smeared petal with a step, "Why?"

"To see this desperation... the urge to prove you are right.." He snickered, tracing the petal over her lips, dangerously close to hers.

"Ah, still hexed under my spell." He hummed, replacing the petal with his thumb but she slapped his hand away. 

"Don't you dare to touch me with your filthy hands." She scowled, turning to leave but he held her wrist.

"Where will you go? Who will believe you?" Deriding, he yanked her back to maintain their intense eye contact. 

"I will do whatever it takes to rip your shadow. People like you don't belong here, go back where you come from; Darkness." She whispered heartlessly. His jaw clenched with visible rage.

"I came from or you threw me? Don't act like a saint after being a sinner." He growled, gripping her neck possessively. 

He is your only weakness. Shutting her eyes, she looked away.

"Why are you talking about what is baseless? You never did but don't worry, I don't want your justifications anymore." Letting out a husky chuckle to hide his ache professionally.

He walked closer, lifting her chin with the hand on her neck, "I will steal the hopes in your eyes.".

“Tonight, My Dear.” He murmured in her ears, her very being stiff.

“On this very night.” Moving down to her neck, he tried to kiss it but she moved her head, refraining to share any intimacy with him.

Chuckling, he moved back, smirking at her hopelessness.

“I will bring this whole land down in a single night, I promise you.” He laughed menacingly. Her eyes widened in disbelief, unaware what he planned to do in a night. 

“You…” She trailed off, not knowing what to say, knowing his position, she knows he could do this but how? what? Where?

“I won’t let you.” She managed to say after a deadly silence.

“I will not let you ruin our lives again, Zadicus!” She yelled, losing her posture, summoning her sword, she tried to attack him but he jumped back.

“Don’t act hastily. Emotions will drown you.” He whispered but ignoring his words, she attacked him again and tried casting a spell as well but a voice called, 

“Persephone!” Halting her steps, when Kriss came, stopping her very body, “His Highness?” She gasped, turning to him, “What the hell are you doing!?” He scolded.

“No, No, It’s okay. I am the one who asked her to show me.” Zadicus said sweetly, waving his hand to shrug it off.

“But-” Kriss tried to argue but she stood stunned realizing no one is going to believe in her.

“Kriss, no..” She whispered, lifting her orbs but he ignored her.

“It’s pleasure to witness your flairs, My Lady. See you tonight.” He smirked, walking away with Kriss as she froze in defeat.

“I apologize for it, Jazeel.” Kriss smiled sweetly.

“Ah, no worries. It was enjoyable.” Zadicus smiled back as the Princes left.

When she was left alone, she threw her sword on the wall, causing it to crack, cursing loudly.

“Fuck!” Punching the wall, she found herself in a weak position.

“I won’t let you destroy our land.” Hissing, she left, tightening the security, securing all points, all possessions of their land from this monster ignorant that-

Zadicus commanders are present in the country already.

“Ah, the signal from My Liege.” Ruth smirked after noticing the change in the formation.

“What signal?” Avin asked. “They are increasing security. It was his signal to execute our plan.” She told him, thrilled to lead a riot in the most powerful land.

Avin smirked darkly, looking at the moon. “So, it’s tonight. ” Emitting a deadly aura, one could see their malicious intentions, ordering.

“Commanders, Spread out! Tonight is going to be Aziel’s last night!”