He saddled his horse and rode it through the back lands of the Garcia territory.
At the bridge, was Harim, with his red hair blowing in the wind and grey eyes holding boredom.
He turned to the approaching horse which carried the Duke on its back and he skipped happily to the horse "Finally! You're here! I thought I'd wait till next month!"
"Put a cork in it. Let's start moving. I don't have time to waste" He slapped the reins of the horse against its back then it fiercely moved passed the bridge, with Harim following behind on his own horse.
In a few minutes they were in the forest which was said to be forbidden as demons from the 'Lord of Nightmares' usually roamed there.
But even at that they continued their conversation as their horses were now moving at the same pace.
"What's the situation of the old geezer?" Crinoel asked.
"He's having a meeting with Lady Sonia. He doesn't know about your visit yet, so the element of surprise is at our advantage. I've bribed some of the guards so we can easily enter his drawing room" Harim said.
"Sonia? She's there? How did she get back so quickly?"
"Well, she got a bit of help from 'that person'"
"It seems 'that person' has got a wind of my plans. Harim, what exactly is the tail?"
"…"
"Speak, Harim" Crinoel caught sight of the walls of the mansion in which he was headed for.
"Well. Just as you have suspected. He has had some kind of relationship with your sister. But it has been for a very long time, even before both of you met"
"Relationship?" Crinoel asked with his eyebrows furrowed at the word which left a bitter taste in his mouth.
Crinoel doubted that 'that person' had met Mareeonel before him because he had known 'that person' before Mareeonel was born.
He understood what Harim meant by 'relationship', but 'that person' was a thorn in his path.
He had accepted 'that persons' sister as part of his plans, because both of them were not on good terms, but 'that person' would remain a mortal enemy.
There was a big reason why he hated 'that person' And it didn't help with the fact that 'that person' resembled one of the many many enemies of the past. But this person had left a mark on his life.
He would never forget the face of that enemy. That enemy who was the mother of 'that person' who stood in his way.
"We'll enter through the stables and climb upwards" Crinoel said as he set his eyes on his destination.
*****
"I have kept the secret for too long. Afraid that you would hate me, just like your brother did. My mother had rapped your father around her finger, a few years before I was born. She had been a great enemy of your mother. The day your father pushed your mother of the balcony my mother stood there laughing down at her death.
But even though she was the one who instigated the pain your family went through, starting with Crinoel your brother who wanted to bring back your mother.
I still can't hate her. She's the mother who cared for me all my life. Instead of taking her life. Take mine"
Mareeonel fell to the ground on her knees as tears fell from her eyes. Her eyes were so red that it seemed like her tears would turn to blood.
She bowed her head as her golden eyes glowed and she turned back to face the person who stood protecting his fainted mother.
His eyes red just like his mothers and black shiny hair just like hers also.
"Max. Run. Away. It's the madness in my blood" Mareeonel held herself back as she could feel herself going insane.
"I'm not going anywhere, Mareeonel. You've stood by me for twenty years so I will not abandon you when you never abandoned me through all this hell.
Fight it, Mareeonel. You are nothing like your father and nothing like your brother who couldn't fight the madness of the Garcia family in your veins. Blood is thicker than water but your blood doesn't define you.
Your heart pumps the blood in your body and your heart is kind and not dark. Mareeonel, I believe in you!" Max said as his red eyes held his love.
She held her head in her hands as she felt herself go insane. Every part of her body seemed to be on fire as it screamed to kill. Screamed to see bloodshed.
"You can overcome it Mareeonel. Once you overcome it. I'll tell you the real reason why the three families fell while Garcia stood. That's what you've always wanted to know right?"
"My lady?" Erionella jolted from her daydream and looked at Sophella who looked at her worriedly and Irliona who stood with her signature blank expression.
"Ah, sorry, guess I just dozed off. You said she'll be here soon, right?"
"Yes, my lady"
"Then please prepare a private place for us to discuss" Erionella sent the maids as she sighed and shook her head.
Why was she daydreaming about a part in the novel? She felt something ominous from the memory of the novel.
She had seen the scene of the end of the first story arc where Mareeonel would overcome the madness in the Garcia blood with help from the male lead, who was Beneditel's half-brother, as they had the same father, but different mothers.
He and Crinoel had shared the same dream of invading Ulenov and defeating the 'Lord of Nightmares' but both had different reasons for their plans.
Erionella heard the faint voices of the maids and the guest who she had invited. She opened the door and went to the room she had reserved for their little meeting.
"I give my greetings to Lady Erionella" Veloryn said with a curtsy.
"I see you, Lady Veloryn" Erionella said the customary greeting for a guest. She sat down and immediately got straight to the point "I saw your letter and you made the right choice. Joining us in the war, is a wise decision"
"Yes. I am joining, but first I need to know the situation."
"Very well. That is what I invited you here for" Erionella said as she smiled gently.
****
In a blank empty void Harlyn stood as hope sparkled in her eyes.
"Yes! She was able to recall that! If only she'll be led to the topic of the 'fall of the 3 great families' then maybe...maybe she'll come to know about what's going to happen!" She clenched her fist in anger as she hated her current state. "Then maybe...she could destroy all of this"