Chapter 5

The king wanted her to stay longer and speak with her. And not to mention, she seemed to be looking into something… he thought that they could probably work together and he could use that as an excuse to be with her.

“If you are here to look into the murders going on, then why don’t we exchange information?” he offered.

It was a tempting offer for Emery, especially that she did not have much of a solid lead yet, but she was unsure if it was a good idea to be involved with him again.

“Don’t worry, After this, I won’t bother you anymore,” he added.

The king seemed to be sincere and this was a win-win situation for the both of them. Emery thought of the condition that the Arcana was in and somehow, it pushed her to set her pride aside. After a while of deliberation, she finally gave in and turned on her heels.

“Sounds good to me,” she said.

After their agreement, King Lawson took the lead and they both headed to a restaurant where the king rented a private room where they could comfortably discuss matters. 

Upon settling down, Emery removed her hood and mask before facing the king.

“Tell me what you know first and after that, I will tell mine,” she said with her business tone of voice.

She, then, received a piece of paper from him and upon looking at it, it contained all the information she also currently knew. However, there was one thing that caught her attention.

She pointed at it and asked, “Varmore Empire? Isn’t that the empire across the ocean? How can they possibly be involved in this matter?”

Putting down his tea, King Lawson replied, “Before the killings started last year, a messenger from the Varmore Empire came and brought a letter written by the emperor himself. They wanted to have an alliance. It is a tempting offer to become an ally of such a strong nation but knowing that the emperor was still active in conquering lands, I have postponed our meeting. We still do not have enough evidence to prove if this is a threat from them but it is still a possibility.”

“That doesn’t quite add up.”

“What do you mean?”

Emery leaned closer to him and motioned him to draw close to her as if to make sure that no one would ever hear them.

With a lower tone of voice, she said, “One of the witnesses stated that the killers are looking for a maiden that is most likely known by the kingdom’s army, hence, they are being targeted.”

This puzzled the king as he looked at her at a closer distance. Looking into her eyes, he felt like he’d get lost in them if he stared longer. Even if a year had passed since he last saw her, she seemed to have just grown fiercer and prettier in his eyes.

As he admired her up close in a daze, Emery noticed it and immediately slapped him on the cheek to bring him back to his senses.

“Here is a list of the noble ladies that could be their target. Take a good look at it and tell me if something comes to mind. And check on them as well, just in case.”

“You never change,” he mumbled to himself before focusing on the list, though Emery heard it.

For a few minutes, the two were quiet. King Lawson knew all the noble ladies on the list since they were the daughters of the kingdom’s ministers and some were even from known and rich families of business owners. And not to mention, most of them were introduced to him when the ministers were once again suggesting him to find a woman who would fill the position of the queen. With that said, some of them were familiar with the soldiers.

“I’m not sure if one of them is popular among the soldiers but I will have these ladies under surveillance for their safety. I’ll consult the soldiers as well about this matter. But…”

Emery knitted her forehead.

“But what?”

“The one who is surely popular in the army is you, Emery. I am not even exaggerating. After the battle against the kingdoms of Damas and Thorine, they have always looked up to you up until now since you are the only woman, and queen at that, who led them to the battlefield and brought home victory.”

Those brought back memories and even though they were victorious at that time, Emery still felt like she was somehow defeated because she was unable to get the support of her king. It was bittersweet.

“And yet their king never believed the queen whom he easily removed from her position.” She could not help but say those words bitterly, especially that she felt like the wounds from yesterday were being opened.

King Lawson looked away and said, “I’m sorry.”

She shrugged. “Never mind. It’s not like things can be undone. Anyway, what is your point in bringing that up?”

“Haven’t you considered that you could be the maiden they are looking for if that was indeed the case?”

This made Emery pause and think for a moment. It was just that… There could also be a chance that she was the target, especially that even the Arcana was dragged into the matter. But then again, if she was the one they were after, they should be aware that she was not in the Kingdom of Silex. ALmost everyone knew that after the battle six years ago, Emery left and disappeared without a trace.

Thus, she shook her head.

“That’s not possible. If it was me, then they should not be looking for me in the kingdom given that I left after the war. Everyone knows that.”

Considering her point, the king nodded but he still could not rule out that possibility. Who knows? The person behind the killings could possibly be planning to use Emery against him, and take advantage of her great skill and smart mind.

“By the way,” Emery added, “I overheard a while ago that General Kyan had some business to do with the Damas Kingdom. Is there something going on with them again?”

For a second, that question reminded King Lawson of the times when he and Emery would discuss governmental affairs even past midnight. But then again, it was all in the past and he knew too well that it was something he couldn't bring back.

Still putting on his usual serious expression, he smirked at Emery’s sudden display of interest and concern.

“That is a confidential matter, Emery. If you wish to know the details of the kingdom’s affairs, be my queen again. The position will only be reserved for you anyway.”

The assassin could not believe what she just heard that she ended up scoffing at how brazen he was to say those words.

“Besides, you are getting involved with the ongoing murders because you are concerned with the kingdom and people, right/”

This time, it was Emery’s turn to grin.

With a sharp gaze, she replied, “That is where you are wrong, Your Majesty. I did not return for the sake of the kingdom or for the people. I came back for a personal reason and it had nothing to do with you as well. You know how selfish I am. Be reminded that I am no longer the queen so don’t misunderstand.”

Just then, their conversation was interrupted when there was a sudden knock on the door.

“Your Majesty, I have come to report,” Vasmir announced.

Emery immediately got on her feet and put on her mask. She walked towards the window to escape but King Lawson tightly gripped her arm.

“Bring me this shop’s finest wine first, then you can come in,” he said.

“Right away, Your Majesty.”

When Vasmir left, the king faced Emery but before he could say another word, she grabbed his hand and gave him something that felt a bit cold.

“I found this button at the crime scene this morning. I am not confident about it but I hope it would lead to the killers. Find out if this button was made by any skilled worker here in the kingdom. And keep your promise, Your Majesty. After this, you and I have nothing else to do with each other.”

Before she could once again escape from his grasp, King Lawson held both of her shoulders and pulled her closer. He planted a kiss on her forehead to show how much he had missed her and that no matter what, he was still willing to wait for her. 

“I’ll keep my promise, but if you are in need of my help, I will be here ready to help you in any way I can.”

He simply received a blank expression from her. He could only watch her walk towards the window, but she immediately halted as if she had forgotten something.

WIthout facing him, Emery said, “This may be out of the blue, but Your Majesty, you should find yourself a fitting wife and queen. Don’t let that position be empty for far too long.”