-=Martina's Point of View=-"Finally!" I thought as the time to leave came. It seemed like a long-awaited release, a turning point I had been looking forward to.I took a moment to check my reflection in the mirror to ensure that my appearance was not too casual but also not too formal. As I looked at the image reflecting back at me, a smile instinctively formed on my lips.When I checked the time, it was exactly eight p.m., and I realized Kian was probably waiting for me at our secret rendezvous location. The anticipation of our secret encounter heightened the intensity of the moment.Reflecting on that hidden passage reminded me of the day I dug into the enigma, hoping to discover the truth behind its existence, but only to fail miserably.I still couldn't get any answers about how a secret passage was built inside this castle going to what everyone considered the most dangerous place on this island, but I didn't think much of it anymore because I was ripping the benefits of having
-=Martina's Point of View=-Speechless, I found myself in a state of confusion as Zeke guided me toward the dining room for breakfast, increasing my confusion.He instructed one of the servers to serve my breakfast and feeling hungry, I ate the food in silence, but my mind was working overtime as I secretly observed my surroundings.I didn't feel or see anything out of the ordinary, and Zeke was acting in his usual way, but for some reason, I could tell that there was something off at the moment, especially when Zeke asked me about my morning walk.First and foremost, I haven't seen or spoken to him since I was at Kian's earlier, so it doesn't make sense why he would presume I went for a morning stroll unless he was hiding something.Honestly, I wanted to confront him, but I was having second thoughts about doing that. Since I wasn't caught sneaking out through the secret passageway, I could still keep my secret, so I was still contemplating whether to confront him or act like nothing
-=Martina's Point of View=-I probably stared at her for a couple of minutes, looking at her with a dumbstruck expression on my face, before I finally snapped out of it and managed to speak."You are?" "Yes, let me just change my clothes before we leave, and you might want to tell Zeke that we are heading out," she answered nonchalantly, and even before I could say another word, she just turned around and walked away, just like that.I kept staring at her until she vanished from view, and it seemed to me that I must have been staring at her with awe-struck eyes, like a deer in a spotlight.I surveyed my surroundings, flushed with embarrassment, hoping that no one had witnessed my awkward moment, and thankfully, no one was in sight."Zeke, right," I muttered to myself.I started to walk, trying to locate where Zeke was, when I met one of the maids, who graciously told me where Zeke was.I walked to the second floor of the castle and walked to where Zion's study room was. When I arrive
-=Martina's Point of View=-I could really feel that there was something off with Annie today. Don't get me wrong, she was helping me find Kian, and she was bringing me to places that Kian might have visited, but for some reason, I couldn't shake this feeling that she wasn't really that serious."Duh! Of course, she was feeling guilty helping me look for my lover when she respected and admired Zion, who happened to be my husband," I sarcastically told myself, which was why I was thankful for her help.I know she didn't really want to help Kian considering that he is the man I chose instead of Zion, but she still decided to help me, which only showed how big her heart is."Maybe we should take a break first, Martina," Annie suggested after we tried to check the third location.The sun's rays were blistering, and my vision was practically blurred from sweat. I honestly didn't care because all I wanted was to find and save Kian. However, I couldn't help but feel sorry for Annie, who was
-=Martina's Point of View=-"Good morning, Martina!" I was greeted by Annie's enthusiastic voice when I opened the door after hearing the continuous knocking, and it turned out to be Annie."Why... what are you doing here?" I asked, still sleepy from being jolted awake."Well, I figured that we could leave early, so we can search for Kian, and look, I even brought you your breakfast. Relax; I already talked to Sir Zeke, and he agreed," she explained."He agreed to what exactly?" I asked."He agreed for us to leave the castle again, and he agreed for me to bring you breakfast. Look, I got your favorite," she said.She invited herself in without waiting for my invitation. I just shook my head at her intrusion and felt guilty that I forgot to tell her that I already talked to Kian last night, and it didn't cross my mind to tell her since it was already late and I was really exhausted after searching for Kian almost the whole day.We shared the breakfast she brought, and while she kept on
-=Martina's Point of View=-Just like they said, it was easier said than done, and that was exactly what happened to me.I thought it would be breezy to get the study room's key from Zeke, but it seemed that it was almost impossible.I've been keeping an eye on Zeke every now and then, and in none of those instances did I even see the key from him. It also made me wonder if maybe he wasn't bringing that key all the time, which really frustrates me because if he didn't have that key, then where else could I find it?"Is there something bothering you, Martina?" I was startled when I heard Annie's voice wake me up from my deep thoughts.For a moment, I forgot that she was with me in my room as we were casually talking about things and plans we had for the future."No, it's nothing," I replied with a shake of my head. I heard Annie sigh, and when I looked at her, I saw understanding on her face."You don't have to lie, Martina. I know what was bothering you," she said, making me feel nerv
-=Martina's Point of View=-I took a deep breath while looking where Lucy, the keeper of the keys, bedroom was. I was feeling so nervous that I had half the heart to turn around and forget the whole thing, but I was reminded that Kian needed my help.I honestly didn't remember meeting someone with that name, but then again, there were a lot of helpers in this castle, and it was impossible for me to remember all of their names or even recognize their faces. For all I know, I probably hadn't met her before, or maybe I did, during my arrival on the island, but since I was so nervous, I didn't take a good look at her face.I arranged my visit to Lucy's room without alerting Annie, making sure she was busy charging her electric bike outside the castle and Zeke was nowhere in sight to avoid generating suspicion.I'd wager everything that if he found out I was going to meet Lucy, he'd already know what my goal was, and he could not know it, or else that would be the end of my investigation.
-=Martina's Point of View=-I secretly glanced in Zeke's direction, who was busy giving instructions to one of the maids in the dining room, while I ate in silence.I was trying to gauge if he knew about my visit to Lucy's room. I was kind of worried that Lucy actually told Zeke about it, and the result was Zeke having doubts about my real reason for meeting Lucy. Didn't he already catch me trying to approach Zion's room already?I kept monitoring him, but I didn't notice anything different from him, or maybe he was just good at pretending."Or maybe you were just overthinking, Martina," I cascaded myself, and maybe I was just overthinking things, but can anyone blame me?I mean, I felt like what I was about to do was a make-or-break for me. If I succeeded, then I would be able to help Kian, but in case I am caught, I can already say goodbye to helping Kian with his condition.I had no idea what Zeke had hidden in the drawer on the table in the study room until now, but this instinct