Chapter 3

Headmaster Harriet paused for a while as she stared at the ceiling. She simply needed some time to collect herself before speaking another word.

“Just like what the woman said, the killers wore black capes and hid their faces behind black masks. It’s already obvious given that they got to beat us all but they are highly trained individuals. They are on another level… I must admit that. Plus, they show no mercy at all,” she added. “I do not exactly know what they want from us since they just raided our headquarters and asked for nothing.”

“Could they have probably attacked us due to some old grudge? Or could they probably know about the organization’s existence?” Emery asked.

The headmaster shook her head.

“I do not know but they could be possibilities, but the killings are still rampant so it must be something more serious than a simple grudge.”

As the two continued to speak, Secora came in with a tray of food and water. Emery, then, left and went out to help the others instead of eating. She wanted some time to process all the things she heard before hearing the rest. Room after room, she helped the wounded in changing their bandages before bringing them their meals. Some of them were not crippled but a few assassins had some fingers cut off, especially their thumbs. 

Probably it was for the purpose of not letting them hold a sword ever again. Indeed, doing such a thing was cruel. Tending to them made her realize that only the headmasters were the ones who lost an eye, making her think that their attackers knew who they were and what their position was in the organization. After about an hour, Emery returned to the room where Headmaster Harriet was and found her bandaging her leg.

Taking her seat on the small stool, Emery asked, “I haven’t seen Headmaster Amirah around. Did she go somewhere?”

The headmaster did not reply immediately. She simply finished wrapping her wound before looking at Emery in the eyes.

“She’s dead.”

“W-What?”

“They took her head with them. It’s probably to show their master that they succeeded in destroying our headquarters and almost rendering us all from ever fighting back.”

This time, Emery was left speechless and could only stare back at her with utter surprise.

“Since most of us could not go out for a mission, we would have to rely on you again this time. And aside from getting into the bottom of this, I want you to inform the others who are not here not to return just yet after they are done with their missions. That is if you manage to get in touch with them. We can no longer risk getting hurt.”

“This is just a suspicion, but what if one of us is a traitor?”

Headmaster Harriet clenched her fists upon hearing that. She did not want to consider that possibility ever since the incident happened, however, they cannot really rule it out.

Emery added, “Let’s keep my return a secret so as not to alert this traitor assuming that she is not here at the moment. I will find out who these killers are and bring the necessary information as soon as I can. Since I got everything I need already, I will be heading out immediately tomorrow morning.”

After saying all of that, she stood and was about to leave the room, however, Headmaster Harriet spoke.

“Emery, you are to only gather intel. Do not ever engage in combat or anything. If they find out who you are, you should immediately retreat and come back here.” 

Her tone of voice was firm and her gaze was piercing as if giving Emery a warning.

“Don’t worry. No one will ever find out my real identity.”

Emery, then, left and went to see the girls who were gathered in one room. Their attention settled on their meister and kept quiet even though they had a lot of questions they wanted to ask.

“To give you the gist of what happened, the headquarters was attacked by unknown killers who are still out there killing people so I have to go and investigate and know who they are. Let me remind you that Silex Kingdom is way more vast than Realgar so do not even think of leaving this place without permission. Make use of your time to train with the others and help them in whatever you can.”

The girls were used to seeing their meister serious almost most of the time, but as of the moment, her words and tone of voice were firmer and it came with the feeling of grave danger. They could only say yes to her since she was not giving them any room for objection.

“I will be leaving early tomorrow so if you have any complaints, say it now.”

Mave, the eldest, raised her hand and said, “Can’t some of us go with you? This could be a good training for us-”

“No,” Emery dismissed immediately. “This is too dangerous for any of you to take on. As you have seen, even the skilled assassins of the Arcana took a huge blow from these unknown attackers. No worries, once the headmasters think that you are ready, they will be the one to send you to missions.”

She could see the disappointment in their eyes but this was also for their sake. Emery could not let these budding assassins be handicapped even before they could start their real job. After that brief meeting, Emery left and went to Secora and Cataleena’s room. She found them already lying on their bed but seeing that their eyes were still wide open, she sat on the edge of Secora’s bed.

“You haven’t lost any fingers, have you?” she asked.

Secora smirked and showed both of her hands.

“Fortunately, I didn’t. The same goes with Cataleena.”

This time, Cataleena also showed her hands with a small smile plastered on her face. It was definitely a forced one, Emery could tell. 

“Has Jadeite received the news?” she asked, but the two shook their heads.

“She was just sent to a new mission before the attack happened. We were unable to send her a letter since there is a risk that the attackers could intervene,” Cataleena replied.

Emery had a lot to ask, especially that it had been almost six years since the last time they saw each other. But before she could ask any further, Secora clapped her hands.

“Now, now. Let’s stop talking about these depressing things tonight. Emery…” She poked at her side while wearing a grin. “We heard you are closely acquainted with the handsome prince of Realgar Kingdom. How far have the two of you gone now?”

Emery rolled her eyes as if she had gotten tired of Secora’s teasing but she actually missed it.

Either way, she still answered, “We are simply friends so don’t think of it with maliciousness.”

“Ehh… boring.”

That night, the three tried catching up on what happened to them during the time they were apart. Emery admitted to herself that this was something she missed, leaving a smile on her lips before she had gone to sleep. It helped her temporarily forget their not-so-good current situation. 

The moment she finally drifted off to sleep, Emery found herself in a familiar place. There was a large gate before her and it creaked open after a horn was blown. Looking ahead of her, she saw that familiar staircase leading to a pair of thrones carved with gold, the one being larger than the other. She could not really make out who the person sitting on the larger throne but as she felt like the situation was deja vu, she suspected that it was none other than King Lawson.

Just like their first meeting, he was wearing that stoic expression with his golden eyes staring at her. Emery’s instant reaction was to walk towards him but after only four steps, she stopped in her tracks as she saw two other women beside him. There was Lady Hazel, the king’s first love, sitting on the throne right next to King Lawson while the former princess of Thorine Kingdom, Princess Natalia, was standing on the king’s other side.

“You can never replace me, Emery,” Lady Hazel sneered, her expression clearly mocking her.

“Obviously, he doesn't love you because why would he marry me that easily? Besides, never did he ever believe your words until the end,” the princess added with an amused look on her face.

Even with such words, they were enough to make Emery fold easily. It was as if they could read right through her and were using her insecurities against her. And not to mention… Those were the thoughts that never left her mind ever since she left. 

The next morning, Secora woke up earlier than the others and noticed that Emery was crying in her sleep. She approached her and shook her awake. Upon seeing her open her eyes, she gazed at her with a worried look.

“Is everything okay?” she asked.

Only then, Emery realized that she just cried so she immediately wiped off her tears and nodded. Secora did not further press her with questions since she gave off the look that  it was something she did not want to talk about. The two then started their day with Emery already getting ready to depart. After a while, Secora came and handed her a scroll.

“That’s the list of noble ladies that could possibly be the target of those killers. You can start with them,” she said. “Best of luck on your mission.”

When Secora left, the headmaster came in.

“Did you have a good rest?” Headmaster Harriet asked.

“Yes, headmaster. I am almost ready to leave. Also, once I get a hold of any important information, I will make sure to inform you as soon as possible. And if ever you hear nothing from me for too long, then consider me-”

“You will return, Emery,” Headmaster Harriet said without any hesitation. She simply did not want to hear or make herself think that she would be losing another assassin. She did not want to kill her remaining hope.

With that being said, the headmaster was the only one to see her off.

“Emery,” she called out before Emery could open the door. “Be careful out there. And do watch out because there is a high possibility that you would bump into His Majesty. He had been undercover quite often so meeting him is not close to impossible.”

She nodded before putting on her mask and hood as she headed out from the isolated area in the third circle of the capital. Even though it was early, the streets were already bustling with crowds and the first place she decided to visit was the busy market. It was to, at least, gather some information known by the public before she goes on to check on the noble ladies. But as she started walking around, her heart almost skipped a beat upon hearing a familiar voice behind her.

She pulled the hood of her cloak towards her face, hoping that no one would recognize her.

“Look around the premises and ask if anyone had seen any suspicious people,” Vasmir stated to several soldiers. 

Together with him was none other than General Kyan, the head of the kingdom’s army and the king’s half-brother, wearing his full armor as if he was ready for an upcoming battle. 

“Sorry to have you assigned on this matter,” the general apologized. 

“It’s no big deal. I actually prefer dealing with this one rather than having to deal with the general of the Damas Kingdom.”

“Well, if only the previous queen was here, she could have dealt with Damas Kingdom without much difficulty.”

Damas Kingdom was the one which the Kingdom of Silex once last battled with almost six years ago. Though they had come to a truce when Emery managed to convince their general that they should join hands instead, resulting in the stop of the battle.

Meanwhile, Emery had no idea as to why General Kyan had to deal with Damas Kingdom but the first thing that came into mind was probably… it had something to do with the current murders going on around the kingdom. Not wanting to stay there any longer, she turned to her right so she could leave only to fall on her butt after bumping into someone and even her hood fell behind her.

“Oh god, my apologies,” the woman said as she lent a hand to help her get back up. 

“It’s fine. I was the one at fault, I’m sorry,” she responded with a voice of a higher pitch than her original voice. She had her guard up since she could feel the stares directed on her.

When she wore her hood back, she locked gaze with someone who was also wearing a gray hooded cloak. Even though she stared at him for only a few seconds, she saw a glint of gold in his eyes. Of course, the only one that popped in her mind was no one else but her ex-husband. Emery’s heart was thumping so hard she felt like she would go deaf. Hence, she walked away as far as she could.

At the very last second before she managed to leave the premises. She heard that seemingly chilling phrase.

“Your Majesty.”

Before facing Vasmir, King Lawson stopped in his tracks before turning on his heels since the person who just walked past him looked familiar.