Surprisingly, Jacob and the others were unconcerned about what would happen in Harmony Palace tonight. With the assassins on the move, they would surely breach the dungeons. Given the many high priests attending the sacred ceremony at Harmony Palace, the Capital Guards and the Garrison Unit would likely be heavily focused on guarding the area. When the assassins were spotted, the people Jacob had in place would cause a commotion and draw the Capital Guards and Garrison Unit's attention. Once inside Harmony Palace, the assassins would head for the dungeon. They knew the residence's layout and where the dungeon entrance was, so they would lead everyone straight in.However, Carissa was puzzled by something. The queen dowager had sent food offerings to support Eleanor, drawing a large crowd. Victoria wouldn't act so arbitrarily. In all the years Carissa had known her, she had never done anything like this. The only one who might orchestrate such an arrangement was Salvador.With J
When the clock struck eight, the assassins made their move.A row of figures dressed in black silently descended upon Harmony Palace, swords at the ready. The priests were reciting their prayers in the main courtyard. By then, the noblewomen had finished burning their copies of the scriptures. Now, some were writing while others continued to chant prayers.Suddenly, a piercing scream shattered the stillness of the night. The ladies fell silent, their voices abruptly cut off."Assassins!"The cry sliced through the air like a dagger, echoing heavily in Eleanor's heart. She was right in the main courtyard, yet hadn't seen any attackers. That meant the assassins must have infiltrated the inner and back courtyards of Harmony Palace.As she prepared to rush outside, Rosalind stood up and seized her arm. "There are assassins out there, Grand Princess Eleanor! It's too dangerous!""Let go of me!" Eleanor spun around with a look fierce enough to shock everyone present.Panic spread am
Barrett noticed the crowded space and the presence of the high priests. If anything were to go wrong, the consequences would be dire. He stepped forward to address Zane, saying, "Sir, it's best if you retreat to a safe place. Once the assassins are captured, you can continue your prayers."Zane shook his head. "There's no need for that. Attend to your duties. This altar is already open tonight, and I will not leave until my prayers are complete.""There are assassins! It's dangerous!" Barrett insisted.With his hands clasped in prayer, Zane replied, "The assassins are not here for me. If they harm me by mistake, then it is simply my fate."Seeing he couldn't persuade the Spirit Elder, Barrett turned to the few remaining guards. "Stay with them and ensure their safety."With that, he drew his sword and rushed deeper into the chaos.Eleanor arrived at the western courtyard and stood her ground. Before her were over thirty guards. This place was the most crucial of the four entr
On the ground lay bundles of arrows and several crossbows. There were also rows of knives and swords, along with a selection of bows. A few large barrels were stacked in one corner.As Rafael approached, the pungent scent of gunpowder wafted toward him. The barrels were sealed tight and covered with several layers of material. Yet, the unmistakable smell of gunpowder lingered in the air.The area where the barrels sat wasn't illuminated. The only source of light was at the entrance to the dungeon.Rafael turned around just as Eleanor's household soldiers arrived. Their eyes widened in shock at the flickering light illuminating the dungeon. Many stood frozen, momentarily forgetting to confront the assassins.Rafael stepped forward with his sword drawn, taking down several household soldiers in quick succession. It was then that he spotted Barrett entering with a handful of capital guards. Barrett barely had time to take in the scene before he charged toward the so-called assassin,
The assassins had already led Michael and Max Lewis into another dungeon.Inside, they discovered Daniel and his family huddled together—along with seven or eight women, some mad and others weak from illness.As soon as Michael laid eyes on Daniel and his family, his expression darkened. "Get them out of here immediately," he ordered. "Escort them with the ladies. There are capital guards and Harmony Palace household soldiers stationed outside. They'll be safe there."Women were also imprisoned in the adjoining cells, but they were all severely disabled. Some had lost arms or legs, others had disfigurements, and some had even been mutilated beyond recognition. Their wounds had been treated carelessly, leaving many infected. One woman's severed leg had already begun to rot.When the capital guards entered and witnessed this scene, they could hardly believe this was a grand princess' residence. It was more fitting to call it hell!Pinching their nose against the terrible stench
The newcomers reeked of filth. Among them were two who seemed utterly mad. They rushed forward to grab the fresh fruit from the offering table, gnawing at it as if they were starving.A few others were so weak that they could only lie on the ground. Their faces were pale and drawn, indicating they had been ill for a long time.Just as the onlookers were trying to comprehend the identities of these unfortunate souls, another group was ushered in.Even before they entered, the stench hit those already in the room. It was nauseating, the foul odor reminiscent of rotting flesh. Molly covered her nose with a handkerchief and retreated to a corner, trying to distance herself from the horrid smell.The high priests opened their eyes. Upon seeing the limping women brought in—missing limbs, battered, and broken—a short prayer slipped from their lips. The high priests were compassionate and had a high level of spiritual practice. Despite that, the sight of such suffering stirred their ange
At that moment, Barrett was gripped by the fear of impending death. Memories of his first battle at Victory Pass flooded his mind, when enemies had surrounded him and he nearly succumbed to their blades. Wyatt Sullivan had saved him, sacrificing an arm in the process. That day, Barrett had also been fraught with the terror of dying.As he was lost in thought, Barrett was suddenly kicked to the ground. Panic surged as he caught sight of a glinting blade rushing toward him. He rolled away desperately, tumbling until he landed at Eleanor's feet."Die!" Eleanor's face twisted in fury as she raised her sword, aiming for his chest.Barrett seized the sword's blade with both hands, hoping to use its momentum to rise, but the household soldiers were already closing in.Just as it seemed all was lost, a throng of capital guards burst in. Michael leaped from the staircase, delivering a swift kick that sent the household soldier aiming a blade at Barrett sprawling. He saved Barrett just
In Harmony Palace, several matriarchs and Rosalind gradually left, leaving only Natalie behind. With so many women in need of treatment, it was essential to have someone in charge, especially since Eleanor had yet to be captured.After Barrett and the others finished their treatment, they waited for the capital and garrison guards to complete their work before sending them back. They were placed on the elevated platform, separated from the women in the building.Once Michael had dealt with the household soldiers and secured the servants of Harmony Palace, he gathered the stewards in one place. He ensured the situation was under control before turning his attention to Barrett and his group."How are you holding up?" Michael asked.Among the five, two were severely injured. Their bleeding had been staunched, but they remained in critical condition. The household physician had advised against moving them, so they were covered with thick blankets. Barrett and the other two had also sus
In banquets like these, no one truly ate with much enthusiasm. Most dishes were merely tasted before being set aside, barely touched before servants whisked them away.But the Nerathians were different. They treated every dish with genuine respect, cleaning their plates entirely, no matter what was served. Their wine glasses, once filled, were immediately emptied again. The palace servants attending to them must have been exhausted, constantly refilling their glasses and replacing empty plates.Violet recalled their meal at Spring Pavilion. Just like tonight, not a single scrap had been left behind. She wanted to say something to Carissa, but the only sound in the hall was the clinking of cutlery and the quiet shifting of plates. Speaking now would be too conspicuous.Still, one glance between them was enough.Violet's thought was clear—the Nerathians' presence at this banquet must be tied to the negotiations. Carissa agreed.However, their exact role remained uncertain. Were they
The banquet began in the late afternoon, with Liam personally escorting the Starhaven delegation to the palace again.As they had suspected, the coronation ceremony had already been held. This evening's gathering was mainly focused on the border negotiations. Upon entering, Carissa and Violet noticed that there were no other foreign emissaries present—only royals, nobles, and officials from various departments.While they showed no hostility toward the Starhaven delegation, they weren't particularly welcoming either. Since a translator was needed for communication, conversations remained minimal, limited to simple greetings.Just as they were settling in, Lisandra turned to the Starhaven delegation and remarked, "Today, we have guests from Nerathia joining us as well. They should be arriving shortly. I believe you will find that you have much in common."Davis' eyes brightened immediately. "Guests from Nerathia? Who might they be?"His excitement was understandable.The weapons t
Lisandra continued, "The irony is, when I was a grand princess, I could call for women to join the ranks of government without hesitation. Now that I am the queen, I must move slowly, cautiously, balancing all the factions, weakening their hostility and wariness toward me. There are so many things to consider and so many forces at play. At times, I grow impatient, and I wish I could simply rid myself of those who oppose me."Carissa thought for a moment before replying, "In truth, whether one is a king or an official, man or woman, I believe their goal is the same, Your Majesty. It's to ensure the long-term stability of the kingdom and the peace and prosperity of the people. "When the nation prospers and war is no longer a threat, any reforms you wish to make will face less resistance. But for now, you must first secure your position, Your Majesty."Her meaning was subtle, but Lisandra understood clearly. The kingdom was still in turmoil, with various factions causing obstacles. Si
The royal palace of Orivenia stood resplendent and imposing, its golden architecture gleaming under the night sky, exuding an air of solemn grandeur.Upon passing through the first palace gate, the carriage rolled smoothly along the wide palace path, its spaciousness a stark contrast to the more cramped streets outside. However, what stood out the most was the abundance of lamps. It seemed as if oil was no object, for the palace grounds were lit up as though the night itself had been banished. As they got out of the carriage and walked along the winding corridor, the large trees ahead were hung with many lamps. Anyone trying to hide in the trees wouldn't stand a chance; they would be seen immediately.Liam led the way. As they approached a grand palace hall, two female attendants stepped forward. They exchanged a few words with Liam in the Westic before smiling and nodding to Carissa and Violet."Ladies, Her Majesty invites you to enter the palace," Liam said with a polite gesture
By the time they reached the capital of Orivenia, it was the 13th of August. A full month had passed since they left Starhaven.The afternoon sun shone brightly, and Kendrick lay back in the carriage as they entered the city.Since entering Orivenia's borders, they had endured seven assassination attempts. The last one had been particularly brutal, likely involving suicide soldiers. Many of the Mystic Army were injured, and even Violet had been grazed on the shoulder. Thankfully, it hadn't struck anything vital.Kendrick's fear was understandable. The attack had come when he was emerging from the washroom. The assassin's sword had pierced his chest, nearly plunging in completely. It was Carissa who noticed in time and swiftly turned, driving her spear into the assassin's chest before dragging him back with the hooked tip of her dagger, saving Kendrick's life.Though the injuries were minor, Kendrick reacted as if he had been mortally wounded. He howled in agony for half the night b
Kendrick had been shaken by the attack, and the royal physician had already been called to prepare a sedative to calm his nerves.When Carissa visited him, it was a pitiful sight. His face was as pale as paper, drained of all color. His lips trembled, and he shakily asked if the assassins were gone.She reassured him, saying they had gone, and only then did his trembling subside slightly.The people around him had already informed him that the assassins were driven off, but he hadn't believed them. He needed to hear it from Carissa to feel any sense of security.Carissa reminded him to rest and recuperate before she left.Meanwhile, Davis was busy comforting the others. As the Defense Minister, he had seen his fair share of chaos and remained calm. Also, he trusted Carissa and the Mystic Army. He didn't think there was much to fear—at worst, they had just risked losing a head.It was Meadow Ridge's members who gathered together, speculating that the black-clad figures they had en
At the break of dawn, the large procession set out for Orivenia.Carissa didn't feel much regret in leaving. After all, they would pass through Victory Pass on the way back, and she would have the chance to meet with her grandfather and his family again.Once they had left Victory Pass, the road grew rougher. Many sections were full of deep potholes or had been intentionally damaged, making it difficult for the carriages to move forward.However, Kendrick was determined not to ride a horse again. Even after days of rest, his legs were still sore from the relentless friction of the saddle. Walking was manageable, but sitting on horseback? That was pure agony.So, despite having earned his merit at Victory Pass for establishing an orphanage there, Kendrick insisted on traveling by carriage. When the wheels got stuck or the path became too treacherous, the Mystic Army soldiers dismounted and pushed the carriage forward, inching their way through the difficult terrain.Fortunately,
Wallace gave the order, and Barrett was tasked with the job of investigating. He led a group to search the area.Barrett was aware that Carissa had arrived at Victory Pass. He had been there to greet the group. However, he had stayed at a distance, watching from afar without approaching. From that distance, he hadn't been able to make out any faces, only a vague silhouette that seemed to resemble hers.He had thought his actions unnecessary. After all, what business did he have with her? The affairs of the capital were nothing for him to involve himself with.While the diplomatic envoy rested in Victory Pass, they spent their time discussing strategies and rehearsing their approach. Everyone understood that while this negotiation might seem easier compared to the last, it was by no means a simple task.Lisandra had long kept this matter at the forefront of her mind and would not easily yield to any compromises.The Sullivan family also feared that someone might infiltrate the envo
Spring Pavilion was full that day.The restaurant wasn't very big to begin with, and it usually had some customers. The black-clad men that lady brought had taken up all the remaining seats.Carissa, Violet, and Travis had to sit at a small table the owner had set up at the last minute, separate from the others.The man's voice, soft and apologetic, reached Carissa's ear. It was warm and pleasant. "These are my brothers-in-arms. We've been traveling since last night and haven't had a bite to eat. If it troubles you, I can have them wait outside and just pass them some bread each when we're done."Violet paused, surprised, but quickly shook her head. "No need for that. Please, let them stay. They can sit where they like and order what they wish."The man smiled kindly. "You are kind-hearted, miss. In that case, we'll order freely, and we'll take extra.""Alright… That's fine," Violet replied, casting a glance at the sea of black. The men were dressed in a way that suggested some