As the commotion around the unconscious server and Brie's decisive actions began to settle, Duchess Celina stepped forward, addressing the gathered nobles with an air of calm authority."Please, do not let this unfortunate incident disrupt our evening," Celina urged, her voice steady and reassuring. "Continue to enjoy the gala. We must also prepare to welcome His Majesty, King Richard, with the respect and honor he deserves."There was a murmur of agreement among the guests, and slowly, the atmosphere of the gala began to return to its previous state of festive celebration.Brie, ever the vigilant protector, spoke up. "Your Grace, I'll conduct another round of security checks and personally interrogate the staff. We can't take any chances, especially with the King's imminent arrival."Celina nodded in approval, grateful for Brie's diligence. "Very well, Captain Brie. Ensure our security is impenetrable."As Brie moved off to begin her security sweep, Lyra discreetly made her way towar
Xander and Lyra moved with stealth and urgency, navigating the labyrinthine corridors of the palace toward Duchess Celina's private chambers. The chaos of the gala, still unfolding behind them, provided the perfect cover for their covert movements.As they neared the chambers, they could hear voices – Brie and a man with a commanding presence, undoubtedly Riyon, the King's Royal Guard. Riyon was a tall, muscular man, his posture radiating authority. He wore the distinctive armor of the royal guard, polished to a shine, and his sharp eyes scanned the surroundings with a vigilant gaze.Lyra and Xander paused just out of sight, listening to Brie and Riyon discuss the heightened security measures in the wake of the chandelier incident."We need to double the guard at every entrance," Riyon was saying, his voice firm. "And increase patrols throughout the palace. Whoever caused this may still be here."Brie nodded in agreement, her expression stern. "I'll have my best women on it. We can't
Suddenly, the tranquil atmosphere of Duchess Celina's chambers was shattered when Xander, with the agility and stealth of a seasoned predator, climbed into the room through the window. His sudden appearance took both King Richard and Celina by complete surprise.Celina, recovering from her initial shock, demanded sharply, "Who are you?" Her hand subtly reached for the dagger concealed in her dress, her eyes narrowing at the intruder.King Richard, ever the protector, instinctively reached for his sword, his movements deliberate and ready for confrontation.But before either of them could act, Xander dashed forward with startling speed. In a fluid, almost inhuman motion, he snatched the dagger from Celina's grasp and secured her in a firm hold, the blade pressed against her throat."If you utter a single word, I'll slit her throat open," Xander growled at the King, his voice laced with a menacing threat.Both the King and Celina were taken aback by his speed and ferocity, which seemed
The room erupted into a violent dance, with Celina exhibiting a level of combat skill that belied her aristocratic demeanor. Her movements were agile and precise, her attacks coming in quick, relentless succession. Xander, equally adept, met her strikes with deft blocks and counterattacks, his own combat experience evident in every move.King Richard, witnessing the ferocious battle, exclaimed, "Stop this madness, both of you!"Xander, while parrying a particularly vicious strike from Celina, called out to the King without taking his eyes off her. "Your Majesty, do not call the guards. This is about your kingdom's future."Celina, her eyes blazing with fury, saw an opportunity in the King's presence. She wanted to kill him, and with her initial plan of poisoning thwarted, she decided to seize the moment. "If I can't poison you, I'll do it by my own hands!" she declared, lunging towards the King with daggers raised.Xander, anticipating her move, swiftly stepped in between Celina and t
As Celina lunged at Xander with a swift, overhead strike, he anticipated her move. With precise timing, Xander ducked to the side and delivered a powerful punch to her midsection. Celina's movement, a calculated blend of aggression and grace, was interrupted by the unexpected blow, forcing her to stagger back.She spat out a mouthful of blood, then smirked defiantly, wiping her lip with the back of her hand. "Is that all you've got?" she taunted, regaining her stance.The battle escalated into a high-octane clash, both fighters exchanging violent and bloody blows. Xander's attacks became more aggressive, matching Celina's ferocity with his own ruthless efficiency. Each strike from Celina was met with a counter from Xander, the two locked in a deadly dance.In the midst of their fight, a knock sounded at the door. Riyon's voice came through, laced with concern, "Is everything alright in there, Your Majesty?"King Richard, watching the fierce battle unfold, hesitated. He knew that calli
Xander's grip on Celina tightened as he leaned in closer, his voice cold and unwavering. "I don't give a damn about your grand schemes, Duchess," he stated bluntly. "Dismantling the Hidden Hands? That's just a secondary objective for me. My main objective is vengeance."As he spoke, his canines slowly extended into fangs, the physical manifestation of his blood mage nature becoming apparent. His smile was chilling, a predator baring his teeth before the strike.King Richard, who had been observing the exchange with growing apprehension, recoiled slightly in shock. "So the rumors are true," he muttered, his voice barely more than a whisper. The realization that Xander was indeed a blood mage, a being of immense power and danger, dawned on him.Xander, however, paid no heed to the King's reaction. His focus was solely on Celina, who was now staring at him with a mix of fear and defiance. "Your father took someone very dear to me," Xander said, his voice laced with a simmering rage. "An
Celina, pinned against the wall by Xander, had a defiant gleam in her eye. "Did you really think I wouldn't have backup plans?" she questioned, her tone laced with both menace and confidence.Lyra's frown deepened, her instincts alerting her to the gravity of Celina's words. "What are you saying?" she demanded, her voice tinged with both curiosity and apprehension.With a deliberate, slow movement, Celina cracked her neck menacingly. "I have someone you care about," she revealed, her words deliberate and calculated. "It would be such a pity if you lost that person, wouldn't it?"Xander's reaction was immediate and visceral. He snarled, his voice barely controlled, "Who?"His mind raced, thoughts involuntarily drifting to Atheria, the woman he had seen killed and tossed overboard by Duke Marvin, Celina's real father. The memory was a painful reminder of a loss that had left a deep, unhealed wound in his heart.Celina, observing Xander's reaction, smirked knowingly. "You're right," she
Two weeks ago, in the dense forest near the shoreline where Atheria had been thrown overboard, a tracker moved with silent purpose. His name was Caelum, a man with sharp, brown hair and a rugged appearance that spoke of years spent in the wilderness. A trained hunter, Caelum's keen eyes missed little in the natural world. Perched on his shoulder was his faithful companion, an eagle named Skye, whose sharp vision complemented his tracking skills.Caelum crouched near the water's edge, examining the faint footprints partially washed away by the tide. "She came ashore here, Skye," he murmured, his voice low but clear. "But these prints are uneven. She's wounded."Skye let out a soft screech, her eyes scanning the surroundings from her vantage point on Caelum's shoulder. The bird had been with Caelum for years, and their bond was one of deep mutual understanding.The tracker stood up, his gaze following the trail of footprints leading into the forest. "She's trying to cover her tracks, bu