"I don't know… are you sure?" Luther asks warily.
Emerelda stood up, "Arrange this for me. That is all I ask for." She slowly starts walking away, "If you found your answer, I would come back in three days time for it."
She starts heading off until she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looks back and Luther was looking down at her with the same worried expression before she jumped from the window, "Are you certain, Emerelda?"
Emerelda was more certain then anything, "Yes, yes I am."
Once she was deep into forest, the sun dipping, she realized she might have taken a wrong turn. The path to the cottage was simple if you stayed on the same rout, following the landmarks Emmett pointed out for her. She was so lost in thought she must have not realized she wasn't walking in royal garden of hers, and out in the wild. The brightness of the sun was disappearing with an alarming speed. If it gets completely dark, it would a major problem.
Emerelda looks around, and everything looks the same. The only difference was a tree on her right that hadn't gotten any moss on it. A landmark that indicated the clearing was ahead. Emerelda looked behind her, she could walk backwards, trial her steps from before. But then again, how would she have known if she took that way to arrived here.
She cursed under her breathe. The sunset golden red colors started to fade, and Emerelda started to feel her anxious heart beating in her chest. She was lost, in a forest alone. She went out to the forest many times, all Emmett guiding her through. She had paid attention then. Why haven't she made attention when she came alone?
She needs to calm down that was first. She took several of deep breathes. She could move, walk around, or head straight assuming the cottage was at the center of the forest, although she wasn't sure on that thought. The only thing that was best for her is to not move. Emmett would figure something might have happened if she wouldn't come back. And she promised on that, she said she'd be back.
The sky turned into darkness and Emerelda head over to the nearest tree to sit down. Emmett had the gift of speed; it wouldn't be long until he found her. Assuming she might of taken a wrong turn near the cottage, she would be found soon enough.
Yet…why must she depend on him? She was clearly upset with him, and wanted nothing more with him.
No.
She was upset, but couldn't bring herself to accept the fact he was doing he's own thing that involves with the Midnight Assassin. Or the Judas Group. Or the leader of it. He said he had done it for her, and for her safety. Although what had murdering every single person there had anything to do with her safety? And how did Mr. Leonard knew they were there listening? Emerelda's powers consist of listening to the thoughts that are currently being thought at that moment. Any thoughts of that moment, Emerelda would know. She couldn't access deep hidden thoughts that aren't brought to the surface of that person.
That is why it was hard to find out the truth from Emmett. He was careful of his thinking, and careful not to expose himself.
Why though? Why can't he have told her once it was over? He had acted as if everything was fine, nothing odd, nor the fact he killed anyone. Emerelda silently distance herself, unable to even face him or look at him.
She leaned her head on the tree and sighs deeply. She wanted to leave, move from the cottage. She wanted to stop working along Emmett. She wanted to prove that she didn't need his help and proved his wrongs. However…the more she thought about it, the memory of Emmett on her shoulder in front of the small café keeps appearing before her eyes.
Emmet's past is connected to today's issues. Neither Emerelda nor he could run away from it. She was also now tied to it. Each piece they uncover, it was all connected to Emmett's life at England. She figured if Emmett wanted his past to be silent, knowing well every person they go to knew him, he wouldn't have got Emerelda involved.
She almost screamed. What was truly going on? What did Emmett want from Emerelda? Why isn't he thinking anything, talking, making her understand the sin he had done? Why must she sit here, now in total darkness with the loud sounds of the creatures of the night in her ears, waiting for him?
She heard a sound. It was a distance voice, growing louder as it came towards her. No, not a voice, but low growls. Emerelda shot up on her feet standing and looking round in the darkness. There, three coming ahead of her were wolves. She could make out their figures in the darkness. There was no moon out, the sky clouded and she hadn't brought any weapons at all thinking it was a small friendly conversation and back to the cottage before nightfall. That made her more frustrated in herself.
She never had encountered wolves, and had never thought she'd seen see any in the forest. Hunting in Garlin has now become prohibited as animals here were low in this great small city. They were to be left alone, despite how dangerous they were. That goes for cutting down trees of this forest as well. Most limber came from the outside now, making no excuse for Garlin citizens to bother getting wood fire.
Emerelda stood still. Who can outrun a wolf? She couldn't even see though the night. And even if she found a way to run and climb a tree, she knew she wasn't able to even climb for her life. At this point, she was dead.
Unless.
"EMMETT JACKSON!" She screams. The wolves hesitated confused on what on earth she was doing, but slowly continued to approach her. "EMMETT!" She screamed so loud, she felt her throat growing dry. One of the wolf thought her screaming was a threat and decided to pounce.
She closed her eyes.
No, she would fight. She opened her eyes, raised her arm, but stopped. The wolf that pounced on her was on the forest floor unmoving. Emerelda almost gasped when a dark figure that was hooded cm and went for the other two wolves. One of them came for him, but he moved a short blade and slashed at it. The wolf yelped in pain and the two retreated back into the forest.
Emerelda frowns, she looked down at the wolf who was still not moving and asked, "Who-who are you?"
He turns and pulled down his hood. Still dark, Emerelda could make out an outline of his. And she remembered this outline. He was shorter then she thought, about a head taller than she was. His eyes were now dark silver, and his dark black hair covered most of it.
"You," She whispers to herself.
He gave her a long look and finally turned around, in a soft low voice he said, "Let's go."
He started walking and Emerelda followed. She peered in his head and all he kept on thinking was 'Emmett's mess, such an idiot.'
She stayed behind him, as he walked with his back straight and with no fear of anything that were to come to them. He walked softly, making no sounds as Emerelda's feet made such loud sounds as she stepped on sticks and leaves.
After what seemed like ten minutes of walking silently, a clearing opened up, and Emerelda saw the cottage. She felt a wave of relief, as a single thought crossed her mind 'Home'.
It wasn't her home however.
She started walking faster, and the cottage door flew open, Emmett, furious, stalked towards them. The cottage light was making his dark figure glow. He reached at them and Emmett grabbed her hand. He pulled her behind him and looked down at the new stranger.
"Where did you find her?" he growled, almost like the wolves.
The figure wasn't surprised, nor amused of Emmet's burst of anger. The stranger looked at him bored, "She took a different turn I suppose. Wolves were involved." He said so little, and yet explained everything with the same low voice, this time with a hint of annoyance.
"Wolves?" Emmet repeats, "I haven't seen them before."
The stranger shrugs, "Me neither." He turns around and stars walking away, back into the trees.
Emmett murmurs something about being such a smart little lad and turned on his heels back to the cottage, his hand still in hers.
Once the door closed, Emmett lets go of her hand and glared at her, "How is that when I'm not around, something so stupid happens?"
Emerelda crossed her arms, "And what is that supposed to mean?"
He shook his head, "I was looking for you everywhere, where were you? How did he find you?"
She shrugged, "Most likely used his gifts."
His eyes still held fury in them, "I looked for you everywhere. I-I thought perhaps you'd still be with Luther. As I was heading there, I saw Elliot, the one who found you, and…" he was struggling to keep his ego, "I asked for his help, as his gift would be helpful. Besides, he knew the forest very well. I went to the manor as he went to the forest. I came back to the cottage thinking you would have returned as Luther said you left way long before I arrived. I was going to check again, and there you were."
Emerelda found this interesting. Emmett was showing a new side of his, and for what? She crossed her arms, mostly hugging herself, "I did call out for you, perhaps he found me with my shouting."
Emmet's eyes soften, "How clumsy are you?"
She looked away, "More of lost in thoughts."
"Are you still upset? You look as if you gave up on being cruel to me."
She looks back to glare at him, "I figured you had your reasons, and those reasons cannot be mentioned. I'll have you know, that I thought over it all and understood your position. That is why I would get my answers from the person who told you to keep it a secret."
Emmett's eyebrows rose, though he didn't look that much surprised, "Mr. Leonard? You are willing to meet him?"
She made a face, "Yes, you look as if your relive."
He smiles, "In fact I am. Mr. Leonard wanted to meet you as well. Everything, including your brother's death, would be explained."
Emerelda was shocked. She frowned, "The midnight assassins…I don't think killing them would be any useful."
Emmett nods, "About that, have you seen the papers? I wanted to discuss to you about it. The killings-"
"Are not from them." She finish off, "I'll read them once you leave the table. I noticed that as well. The midnight assassin kill in a specific way, indicating it was them. And now, now people at random are all dead, and various ways. The Midnight Assassin only killed those who probably knew much of them, or was with the King for warning."
Emmett raised a finger, "I can only assume the Judas Group plays no part in this all. They had a goal, and it was clear to the public eye. However, whoever, them or they, behind these new killings, aren't making it clear on what they want."
"It's also the timing as well," Emerelda murmured thoughtfully, thinking of the gap between these new deaths and the midnight assassin deaths, "The last death was the Midnight Assassin… no Assassins. That was over a month ago. Now, these deaths arose and killings are random but the timing isn't. Close to the Prince Promise coronation."
Emmet's eyes widen, "Of course. The Prince is subjected to hold a Promise ceremony when he comes of age. Meaning if anything were to happen to the King, he would automatically become King as he Promised. A proving his loyalty ceremony."
"Meaning since the Prince as passed," she still felt a twinge of pain, "The King has no male heir. And as for I, a female, there isn't a ceremony for Princesses. They do take the throne, unless the King declares that I shall be queen, then the throne is safe, or I am of age, it shall be mine. However, if he pass away and I'm not in the country-"
"There would be a huge debate. You are still young, and it is your right to take on the throne. However, in Garlin, you have apostles. Apostles who make decisions for the Princess since she, or you, are under the age."
"I'm only eighteen." She frowns, "But it doesn't mean I won't turn nineteen in just a few months. All these killings, they are either making the King afraid."
"Or showing that they won't hesitate to kill him." He adds.
Emerelda sighs and ran a hand through her hair, "The King…there is no denying he had done many mistakes that made many people upset. I don't blame them. I can vouch for that, however…how on earth would we stop them? Especially if you add on top that most of the Apostles are traitors."
Emmett raised his eyebrows again, this time surprised, "Stop them?" he repeats, "What about the Midnight Assassins."
"If the Midnight Assassin is under Mr. Leonard, and we would be in the presences of his soon, then they can be held back. They are not the threat right now. Besides…my brother wouldn't want that." She admits in a low voice. She cleared her throat and asked, "What about you? Would you seek revenge?"
Emmett frowns, "I found my answer when we started. I was looking for the Midnight Assassin, now I know where they are, I would seek my revenge soon."
"Did Mr. Leonard kill your parents?"
Emmett's eyes turned hard, "No. Mr. Leonard was great friends with them. One of the Midnight Assassin, they were the one who did. Before Mr. Leonard had control over them."
Emerelda was confused, "I don't understand. Everything is starting to make sense, and yet it isn't."
Emmet sighs, "If you stay out of my head, everything would be less confusing. I'll find the time and date for you to meet with him. Right now, going to clean up is important."
Emerelda was cleaned up. Her hair was still damp as she combed through it with her fingers. The strands were growing longer. She remembers the night she left the Palace. They were in a carriage, and Emerelda said she wanted to stop and get fresh air before they left the city. She looked at the sunset and changed her mind, she wanted to rest instead and they agreed. She went away from those who were resting and changed clothes. Once she gathered her sword, and a few silver and gold changes, she ran off. She stopped to cut her hair short.
It wasn't long before she stepped through the city and fellow drunk men found her. She would have taken them down, although Emmett came.
That night seemed so far away. She was a different person than the girl before. And Emmett was different than the men before. She was peeling new layers of his past when they dig deeper. Emerelda only hope Mr. Leonard could answer everything.
She was going to go to bed when she heard the piano playing. It was the Garlin lullaby. Emerelda opened the bedroom door and peeked. Emmett sat, his side shown to her, as his long fingers glides across the keys. Just like in her vision, he was playing them softly, almost stroking them. The cottage was filled with his music.
Emerelda heard him play many nights, nights on which he would stay and play as he was sure that Emerelda was asleep. She wasn't. And sometimes, his music was what helped her fall asleep.
Emmett had admitted he had his own place, somewhere in Garlin, a place where he changes clothes, refreshes, and a bed where he sleeps. What was this cottage for? A place to hide many things. She was one of the things he hid.
She opened the door wide, and Emmett turned to briefly glance at her, the song not wavering to his surprise. She slowly went to him, and sat at the end of the bench. Why a piano was here, not at Emmett's place he calls home, was something Emerelda would never ask him. Music was her way to escape pain silently. It was probably his too.
"Do you regret killing them all?" she whispers. She wanted to know the reason why he had done it, but she was sure he wouldn't say a word until Mr. Leonard did.
Emmett continued with the same pace, after a brief moment he said, "No."
She listened as the song change and merge swiftly to the song they had played at the café. "If it meant making sure we both got what we wanted, then so be it." He said.
Emerelda hugged herself, "Does Mr. Leonard has all the answers?"
"No, only one person does." He didn't say who, but Emerelda knew exactly who it was.
"Did you see them?"
Emmett took a deep breath as the tone started going higher, "Yes. Gave me instructions before I…it was the least I could do for him."
Emerelda read his mind.
"Well… we live in a cruel world don't we? Killing to get what we want. Pleasure or needs."
"Only Garlin and the underworld," Emmett murmured, "Sometimes it makes things less complicated."
"You're not any better than the Midnight Assassins."
"I never said I was. I am simply a man who is ruthless with their actions." He turns to her, "This song is worthless without the violin."
"The violin only joins when it is needed."
Her brother always said violence isn't the answer. She could see he was wrong.