The magnitude of the chaos that seized Ducroft when the Grand Duke announced he was taking over was by no means small. The borders were shut down, the capital was put in a lockdown and the nobles were forced to pick a side. If it was in the past, there would have been a few loyalist to oppose the Grand Duke but as more crimes of the Crown Prince came out, everyone submitted to the Grand Duke.
Marvis watched all this happen from a distance. With the commotion, it wouldn't be weird if his master had already heard what happened. He did have to go back to report but it wasn't a problem if he didn't go right away. Since he was already in the Forest of Telra, he decided to go to check out the Werecreature's village that was being built. With how long he was gone, it should've been completed.
He traveled for four days, making it there with only tracing the scent that was unique to werewolves. Since there were werewolves with them, he would be able to find them. He finally exited the forest, making it into official Imperial territory. He could recognize the land that had been given to the werewolves and so, he started to search for the village.
He spent a whole day searching but couldn't find a single trace of the werecreatures. The scent he traced was about a week old and the heavy scent of blood that lingered in the air was also about a week old. There were signs of a village being built but it was entirely empty, occupied by rodents and insects.
Assumptions flew in Marvis's head. He didn't want to assume the worst so he teleported to the demolished temple. This time, the scent was fainter. It was like the last time he was there was also the last time they were there. As usual, an Imperial guard appeared before him but something was different this time. Marvis could smell the blood of one of his own on his sword.
"His highness is waiting for you," he said plainly, with a voice devoid of emotions. He was the stak opposite of Marvis, who was brimming with emotion. Marvis appeared behind the curtains as usual but something was different this time. His unbridled, unwavering loyalty was wavering. He came out, kneeling before his kind and benevolent master who saved him from the streets and gave his family a place to call their own in the Empire that rejected them.
"You're finally back. It must've been hard for you to endure for so long. Come drink with your master," the crown prince spread his hands, picking up the second wine goblet. He had the same gentle smile as before. It sometimes turned teasing but never dark. Marvis firmly believed his master was a good person.
"May I ask your highness a question?"
"You desire a reward? Surely we can discuss that after having a drink. You see Marvis, I'm in a good mood today" the crown prince hummed, giving Marvis the goblet. They were special cups made for the crown prince and guests of the highest important. If he brought them out, that meant he was truly in a good mood. But, why?
Marvis didn't see a reason to turn his master down. He hoped that after drinking, the question that was so heavy, it made his chest feel stuffy, would finally be answered. He drank the whole cup almost immediately, placing it back on the table. The wine was sweet, fragrant and strong. It made him feel dizzy right away.
"Your highness….."
"Marvis, do you know about the truth serum concocted by the temple a while back? I had one made and the efficiency increased by a lot. I slipped one in your drink earlier since I want only the absolute truth from you"
"I would never lie to you, master"
"Then why didn't you immediately come back to report to me?"
"I took a detour in the forest and went to the village that was being built but I found nobody there. I came back immediately to ask if you knew something happened to them and to know…..if your highness ordered it"
"Why do you think I ordered it?"
"I smelt the blood of one of my own on your guard's blade, your highness"
"Marvis, you're very…..special to me," the crown prince started, coming closer to Marvis. Marvis's head felt lighter as time went by and he had trouble focusing.
"I was worried that one day you would betray me since you have a clause for serving me. That's why….I decided to test you. What if...you didn't have anyone to protect but me? What if I was your only family, your only support in the world? Wouldn't that be good for the both of us?"
Marvis felt horror wash over him.
"Your highness, what have you done?"
"I took...your family away. Now tell me, my dear Marvis….." the prince drawled, taking Marvis's prized dagger from its sheath, pointing it to his heart. The dagger was a gift from the same person who wielded it against his heart.
"How does that make you feel?"
Those kind eyes that always looked down with compassion suddenly felt like two orbs of darkened evil that represented a demon hidden craftily in the heart of the crown prince. Marvis suddenly felt like he was looking at another person entirely. The person he served all those years, no, the face he served, it had been ripped off. Now that he saw the true face of the person he served, he felt…..
"Hate, anger, sorrow and pity. These are all the emotions that I feel. As long as I lived, there was no way I was going to betray you, your highness. But to think you wouldn't trust me and even try to get rid of my family...you are a disgusting person, your highness"
"It didn't take you long to admit that. I almost feel sad. It sounds like you had been thinking about it for a long time. I have no need for a weapon that has gotten rusty. Be thankful that I am getting rid of you with my own hands, werewolf. This is the end, Marvis Jane"
The dagger plunged into his heart.
Just on the other side of the border, a few days prior, in Countess Quartz's home, two people waited around anxiously. It had been over two hours but there has been no sign that nothing would change. The chaos in the kingdom couldn't compare to the chaos in their hearts.
"It's almost time. Shouldn't we do something?"
"She clearly said wait for the green light and if nothing happened after 12 hours, we are free to return her corpse and bury her. I have faith in her so I would choose to wait"
"She's not going to wake up like that!" Cage exclaimed pointing at the body that slept on the bed. The two snapped, arguing back and forth, failing to notice the green light that emerged from her collar. A smaller version of the already miniature Fairy Mother floated up to her lips. The lips were slightly parted so she slid into her mouth, sliding down to her digestive system where she finally transformed into a pill charged with fairy magic.
A cough brought the argument to a screeching halt. The two of them slowly turned their head and saw that the 'dead' Natalia was coughing and fanning her face with her left hand.
"Your grace! You're alive! I can't believe it!" They exclaimed, all smiles like they weren't just fighting. Natalia looked at her body, felt her throat and her face. They were gradually regaining sensation and color. She could feel she was alive and almost fully healed. And best of all, she was finally free.
"Yes, I'm alive" she smiled, a beautiful, free smile they had never seen on her before. It reinforced her beauty and for some reason, she looked way different and much younger, like her age. The difference was simple. After months of waiting, Natalia was finally free.