After the morning incident at the castle, Howin went to pick up Ellie and Ray.
"-are you not coming?
-no I will stay with Andrew I need his help with something. I am sure Howin will take good care of you in my absence. Right?" Ray looked intensely and the dark-haired boy who smiled nervously.
"-yeah, her life is my responsibility." Ellie smiled at him and then went back to the castle.
Pryor was more than happy to see her, he didn't allow her to do anything for the rest of the day. She spent it at her room, old room remembering old memories.
She was sleeping and suddenly she felt someone's presence in the dark.
She opened her eyes to look around and the light throw the window reflected on the blade that was going to beheaded her.
Howin was there and he stopped the intruder before he can harm her.
They were fighting each other, and the stranger kicked the black-haired boy in his broken leg, he fell from pain on the ground and was about to get killed.
However, Ellie through her sheet over him and the assassin tried to free himself cutting through the fabric but she punched him. She drew her dagger making a big cut on his arm disarming him.
She then flipped her dagger and pierced through her heart, a big scream was heard but soon faded.
She pulled her blade and the corpse laid down.
"-I think they finally decided to hire more qualified assassins…my bad, are you alright?" she land her hand for Howin who was in total shock of impression.
"-yeah, I should be asking you that?" she giggled at him and the image of the scary skilled huntress from a moment ago faded with her eye smile.
"-you saved me again…I don't know how to pay you.
-teach me how to be good like you.
-it's nothing actually." She laughed shyly and he still doodling looking at her.
But someone have to always break sweet moments, the old man got in and he hugged the red-haired hunter tightly, pushing away the annoyed incubus.
"-what happened?
-not much…I was about to get killed.
-what?" he was shocked and she pointed down and he jumped back afraid since he was stepping on the corpse hand…
******
"-master.
-it better be good news otherwise you should start digging your grave." The man fall on his knees begging for his life but the other didn't care.
"-spit it.
-the twins died…before they…
-stop it. Am I hiring a bunch of losers? You said they were the best assassins for the job. But they couldn't end up two girls…TWO FUCKING GIRLS." He rubbed his temple before pulling his robe and walked past his masked guard and ordered:
"-eliminate him." The amber-eyed boy smirked and answered:
"-with pleasure your highness." The messenger got up running to the locked door.
The masked-guy got behind him and beheaded him, cleaned his blade on his clothes before the guards opened the door and he motioned:
"-clean the mess." And left.
******
"-good morn… ! What the hell happened to you? Why didn't you call for me?" Howin shouted at the limping prince was looking for new clothes to wear.
"-you would stare at me doing nothing.
-I wouldn't do such a thing no mat…
-it was Mal.
-then I will. She really knew how to take revenge." He sighed before adding:
"-They really know what to do.
-who are you talking about?
-Ellie…you should have saw her fighting yesterday. I'm fascinated.
-I have a better show yesterday. Mal is really a legend." They both sighed remembering yesterday even if it was bitter for someone. They quickly looked at each other with widened eyes and shouted in union:
"-yesterday!"
They both limped and sat facing each other on chairs and Howin asked:
"-I didn't thought someone tearing you apart was something to enjoy.
-no stupid…well, I think they ruined her fan when someone send an assassin to kill her.
-that's what happened to Ellie to? Do you think they are trying to eliminate them so you can easily be exposed with no defenses?
-that's a good theory but… what about Ray?
-he didn't go with us, he said he have something to take care of with Andrew and I think they didn't find him.
-they tried to kill my father, Ayana, Mal, Ellie and maybe Ray, You too…but they didn't try anything for me.
-you should be careful, you don't know…" and a slap across Kieran's face by a storming angry huntress.
"-Is giving each other morning slaps are related to marriage rituals…because I don't think I want to get married.
-MAL! Please calm down it's…oh my god! Oh hi Howin. When did you came?" Ayana run trying to stop Mal who already hit roughly the face of the poor guy.
"-I just came…I mean a while ago. Don't mind me now. I think we should leave.
-yeah let's go."
Kieran didn't say anything he just looked back at her angrily expression.
"-what did you do to me yesterday?
-I did nothing I…
-LIAR! I told you not to put a finger on me Kieran or I will…
-STOP WITH YOUR ENDLESS THREATNING!" he stood up fed up with her, he passed his hand through his hair before he answered:
"-I just put you on your damn bed and I didn't touch you after it. So don't make a fuss out of nothing. You have something more important to take care of then yesterday stupid incident.
-so everything I say is stupid now…" she was hurt then before her eyes turned glassy but she buckled her storming emotions.
"-cut it off Mal…they tried to kill Ellie yesterday and you can't bother yourself to listen.
-what?
-eager to hear me out now! Howin think that they try to eliminate everyone to get to me.
-what about Ray?
-he wasn't with them, he stayed at Andrew, I don't think he is secluded from the list though. What do you think?
-well I am not surprised though but you should make a plan. A lot of people are coming today and you don't know who can harm you.
-I have a solution.
-what is it?
-never leave my side.
-as if I have an option.
-not the way you are thinking but I will explain later. You have to get ready, you have to greet the coming guests and in the evening is our engagement party." She nodded and left to get prepared for the party.