3rd POV
After being informed of Chairman Zerondale’s decision, Gregory summoned Yuna and Professor Zander in his office, frantic to inform them of the problematic news. He knew the outcome of the mission from Professor Zander’s written report to him, but neither of the three of them knew that the Chairman would label Vana and Jerome as criminals.
It was early in the morning, too early that the sun has yet to rose up. The Chairman had only informed Gregory last midnight but was unable to read his letter that was sent to him after he had fallen asleep. He clucked his tongue as he paced back and forth in his office, waiting for Yuna and Professor Zander to arrive.
The doors burst open, slamming as the two arrived, marching inside with a frenzied expression. “You do not need to inform me, Gregory. I just read it in the newspaper,” Yuna said, striding across the room.
She held a r
3rd POV The lingering summer heat glisten their skin with sweat and the moist autumn winds gush against their back, yet despite that, Gregory remained composed in front of Lady Ailima, walking side by side with her at the gardens of the royal palace after inviting her over. His heart raced that lasted only for a minute before it calmed, the Lady’s presence beginning to be a comforting presence next to him. He smiled at the thought, wishing that her time with her is longer than his busy hours inside of his office. “I’m glad you seem to be enjoying my company, Your Majesty,” Lady Ailima said in a firm ye soft voice, glancing at Gregory as she observes his expression. “Why wouldn’t I? The moment I chose you in the long list of candidates already proves that I wish to enjoy my time with you,” Gregory replied, darting an eye at her. “And I told you to call me by my name when we’re
Vana's POV “Good, there are a lot of things we need to inform you about… including the possible location of the Dragon Egg,” Gregory said. “The location of the Dragon Egg? Did you figured out where it was being hidden?” I exclaimed, taken aback by the news. We returned inside the attic as we call out Ms. Mera and Mr. Klein out from their rooms, waking them up as we gather at the living room of the attic. We sat around the coffee table, listening to the news that Gregory and Yuna has to offer. “Not yet, but we may have a clue,” Yuna answered to my question. Jerome reclined on his seat, with his mind still wandering in our conversation earlier at the rooftop. I doubt he’ll move on from it soon, but I’m certain he’s taking this conversation seriously despite his doziness. At least I hope so. I focused on the conversation, trying to s
Vana “For a small library, this holds too much,” I mentioned as we enter the library in Yuna’s old home. I gaped in awe as I saw the clustered room. The library was small and cramped compared to other libraries I’ve seen, filled with books and bookshelves clustered together in the space. The walls are surrounded by shelves, with two bookshelves adjacent to the left and right walls, standing at the center of the room. The caretaker of the house has been dismissed by Yuna today, the key to the house given to us by Yuna before we rode out to the East Coast. We also handed Yuna the Book of Dragon, which she will hand to Lady Ailima for safety reasons. With only a quick exchange of glances, Jerome and I scooted inside the room, skimming and checking the books one by one in each shelf. I checked the books on the right side of the wall, while Jerome checks the left side of the wall. The book
Vana's POV I groaned, feeling drowsy and sluggish as I blink my eyes open. Where am I? What the hell happened? Flashbacks flooded in my mind as I recollect the last thin that happened before I lost consciousness, snapping as I tried to stand up. Snapping didn’t work at all, though, as I realized that my body is tied up on a chair, with my arms strapped behind the chair and my legs tied on the chair’s legs. My head slumped forward and back, recoiling from my attempt. Damn it, the last thing I remember is Chairman Zerondale catching us and knocking us out in Detective Clorence’s office. Panic rumbled inside me as I gaze at my surroundings, trying to figure out where we are and how to escape. My eyes landed at Jerome, who is also tied on a chair across from me. He’s still unconscious, his head lowered. I tilted my head as far away as I could, searching for anything I can use to
Vana's POV “Bring me a chair. I’ll tell them all about the things I did so they can connect the dots. It’s going to be a long story.” One of his men brought him a chair, and he sat down, heaving a breath as he reclines on his seat. I glowered at his direction, stopping my attempt of escaping as curiosity and my instincts got the best of me. I lowered an eye on my blouse top, glancing down in one of my buttons. “Why don’t we start in the research Clorence, Yerica, and I conducted. I’m certain you’ve learned of that today,” he stated. “The one Duke Highmore funded,” I muttered. “Exactly, and would you believe me that I convinced Duke Highmore to fund the research and to end up taking the land as our territory?” Chairman Zerondale explained, glancing at me. “By the look in your eyes, you did.” Manipulation, acting, and gaslighting ar
Vana's POV “Yes, all those murders you solved. All of it was orchestrated by me.” “What?” I mumbled with a cracking voice. Did he just say that he orchestrated all the missions we’ve been. “What does that mean?” “First off, I initiated the terrorist attack on the ship to keep the public and the Special Unit distracted as I steal the Dragon Egg from the museum,” the Chairman explained. “You bribed Reynolds McValeri.” “I persuaded Reynolds McValeri and Clashing Seasons to start a terrorist attack, while I stea the Dragon Egg from the National Museum of Ashern,” he corrected. “I didn’t bribe him.” “And what about our missions?” I asked, pulling myself forward. “Duke Castiel’s death and the Cindre sisters’ death are necessary for my plans; to shake the kingdom’s pillars and slowly make my way up the ranks,” Chai
Vana's POV “It’s in your office, isn’t it, Chairman,” I chuckled, teasing. “Inside the Magic Council Tower… in Jasper Academy.” Chairman Zerondale heaved a breath, chortling as though our words are a joke. He raised his gaze at us, piercing through us as its cold hollowness sent shivers down my spine. I dared to hold my gaze against him, his façade smile fading from his expression. “I thought you’re just a random pair I needed to threaten, but you’re a more serious to me than I thought,” the Chairman muttered. “Why do you want to get rid of the pillars, Chairman Zerondale? You tried to shake it and get rid of two, why do it?” Jerome asked. Chairman Zerondale turned his cold gaze at Jerome, staring at him. “Obviously, because I was aiming to get my hands on the Sword of Darkness.” Jerome’s brows furrowed in confusion, baffled by th
Vana's POV My consciousness is drowsy when I woke up, vision blur as I adjust to the new place we’ve been relocated in. metal bars lined on my left and a wall against my right. The smell of rotten food and sewage water tickled my nose, the dim surrounding not helping clear my vision. A prison cell; a dungeon. The walls were made of cobblestone, growing with moss and dirt. The dimlight in the dark cave coming from a few torches scattered around the dungeon. I adjusted my eyes on the surrounding, scrunching my eyes. I grunted my hands that are now in front of me, cuffed up on a long chain against the wall. It clang with a loud metal noise, echoing in the empty place like a deafening shriek. So, now we’re locked up until tomorrow. I groaned as my head ached for a moment. Flashbacks of the earlier events came flickering in my head, reminding me of the physical torment Jerome suff