The day of the raid was like a fever dream for Lia. After going back to the Capital with her brother, she was confined to her room for almost the whole day and was only allowed to talk to her family and servants.
The only other person she saw was one of the generals of the Army, the one who gave his brother Aubin permission to take her away and hide her involvement with Underworld. He had come personally to take her statement and learn something about Underworld. Her father raised hell by refusing to accept him inside the home.
"I'm a member of the Council, General Tis. You told my son before telling me?!"
"Sir Comtes, you know I can't give army information without clearance or a strong reason."
"It's a serious matter that my daughter is involved with a syndicate! You should have told me sooner!"
"Father please-" Aubin tried to calm him down.
"You stay quiet! My own son is keeping secrets behind my back. I let you join the army because you begged me. I only agreed because your brother asked me to take the responsibility of leading the family, so you could go and play soldier. This is how you repay us!"
"Your son is a good captain, Sir Comtes. There is no better place for a man with his abilities."
"General Tis, I could have you removed from your position. I have enough votes in the council to strip you of your rank!"
"Father, there is no point. Let the general speak with Lia so we can end this whole matter in peace." Donat interfered. He was bothered by his brother keeping the information hidden, but Lia's mental state was his priority.
His mother agreed and escorted Lia into the room.
She was nervous, but at the same time, the sensation of being in a dream didn't disappear. When she entered the room, all eyes turned to her. Her mother hugged her in a warm embrace. Donat looked at her with worry. Aubin and her father gave her a disappointed look.
"Good afternoon, miss Lia. I'm General Tis. I have come to take your statement. Don't worry, you aren't in trouble. I already know you were a victim of circumstances. Please take a seat."
Her mom took Lia's hand and sat beside her. Like a little kid going to apologize in front of an adult after doing mischief.
"I can only speculate the events that made you have contact with Underworld. If there is anything too uncomfortable, I won't force you to talk, but the more details you can tell me the better." Tis looked into Lia's eyes.
"When did you get in contact with Underworld for the first time?"
Lia was present, but her mind was absent. Her fear and worry for her friends made her head spin. She let a part of her true feelings out, and she spoke with a timid voice.
"Where... Where is Thanatos?"
"LIA!" her father screamed. "You don't have to think about that criminal anymore! Just respond to the questions!"
"Dear please, she's in shock!" Her mother hugged her again. "Can't you see? Those criminals must put her through hell. I'm sorry Lia, is fine. Your mom is here. I won't let anyone hurt you again." She cried thinking about the hell her precious and frail daughter must have gone through.
Hell? No, it wasn't hell. Being around everyone there was so much fun.
The days in Underworld were the most fun she's had in her whole life. It was strange since she also felt terrible and worried every time Thanatos fought someone. But even those battles had become a dear memory.
"Miss Lia, I can't tell you about the operation. For your own good. If you're still shocked, I can return another time."
Lia thought about the general offer. She failed to help Thanatos and everyone else. She wasn't going to let them soil her memory. No one would believe her if she claimed they were nice people or that she was there of her own free will.
"No... I can answer. I met them three months ago." She lied with a calm expression.
She said three months because she wasn't sure how long they had discovered her involvement.
"THREE MONTHS?!" her father screamed. "Why didn't you tell us?"
"I… I'm sorry… They threatened me." she began to cry. "They said if I refused, they would harm mom and you."
"is fine Lia. You're safe now. Sorry for leaving you alone for so long." Her mother bought it completely.
Lia was cry baby; her whole family knew that. She was the gentle type of woman who couldn't hurt a fly. There was no reason to doubt her.
The interrogation proceeded. She had been blackmailed for almost three months. She gave them her store to use as a base. Her history supported the theory that Underworld changed bases after the army began to supervise the ingredients commonly used for potions in the city and after the attack by the Red Dragon.
General Tis was satisfied and left. After that, Lia was prohibited from going outside until her father could hire a bodyguard group and make sure that Underworld was disbanded and Thanatos was dead.
No one doubts the story of poor Lia, so kind and taken advantage of by criminals. Her brother Donat thought about it for a moment, but he quickly discarded the idea.
Lia is not an actress; there is no way for her to fake tears or hide information. He discarded the notion of Lia being an accomplice but not the probability that she was being controlled in some way with magic. Who knew the things an evil necromancer could do?
Two weeks passed, and after having a priest come inside and confirm she wasn't under a spell, Donat and his parents relaxed a bit. The only thing they could do now was to support her and make sure that she forgot the trauma of the last few months.
***
Almost a month after the raid, Lia was still confined to her room, but not for long. She asked her mom if she could go outside, and her mother confirmed that her father had already hired some bodyguards. They were going to arrive next week.
Her mom assumed she was impatient from being confined for so long. Any proper lady would feel bad in her circumstances, but Lia was actually thinking about materials to make more enchanted cloth. She spent the last three weeks making something.
She knew that she could never give it to him. The only way she could grieve was by making a garment. That's the lesson from Master Yohann and Lady Anna.
During that night, the window opened, and she shed real tears after seeing him.
"Hi. Have you missed me?" Thanatos, with his usual smile in the window frame.
"…!" She walked toward him, with each step more tears coming down her face. She touched him to confirm he was real and not some illusion made by her grieving heart.
"Thanatos." She threw herself at his chest and cried in silence to not alert the maids outside.
Thanatos hugged her and teared up a little bit. He knew she was safe, but seeing and touching her made his heart shake with happiness.
"Yeah, I miss you too…"
They sat in her bed and talked about everything that happened. The raid, their feelings, and the current plan for Underworld.
"So, you lied to your parents. That's surprising."
"Why? They weren't going to accept I was three voluntarily. I also didn't want to give the army more information about you."
"Yeah, that's great, but I don't remember you being such a good liar."
"Maybe I got it from you. All those times you told me you were going to be fine, only to come back wounded or missing limbs."
"Hahaha can't argue with that. About the other point of my plan."
"You're going to leave to the east to find more power, right? I understand. I would like to come with you, but I can't."
"Sorry Lia, this is going to be dangerous and I don't want you to get involved in more trouble. Underworld is going to hide for a while and let this thing pass. I'm too weak to protect you or anyone else."
She grabbed his face and made him look into her precious blue eyes.
"Don't say that. How do you think Castess would feel if he saw you lamenting like a little kid?"
The handkerchief moved outside his pocket and clung to him like a puppy. It was the one that Lia made him.
"See? You need to be more confident. I'm always at your side." She touched the handkerchief and wrapped it around Thanatos' wrist.
The symbol of their love. No matter how far apart they were. Their feelings wouldn't fade.
"We won't be seeing each other for a long time. You're the first person I met here, and I'm so glad I did."
"Just promise to come back safe. I'll wait as long as it takes. You promise to bring the stars down here so we can meet them, hehe."
"Of course."
They sealed their vow with a kiss.
"Wait." Lia moved to her drawer and took something out. An envelope with a blank letter on the inside.
"Give it to Adel or Eric. I want to be in contact with Underworld."
"What's this?"
"I made it, an enchanted envelope that can share a letter with its other side. I have the other copy."
"How do you get an item like this?"
"I made it. I used the last bit of enchanted cloth I had. I wanted to talk to you no matter where you were, but it came out like this. I can help Underworld from the inside."
Thanatos was amazed. "You're incredible. Every time I see you, you get even better at your craft."
He was going to leave, but he stopped and turned around. This was the last chance for Lia to forget about Underworld and live a normal life. If they wanted to be together, he was going to have to take her away from her parents.
"Lia..." he only needed to see her determined look for a moment.
"I'll try to improve and make more useful items for everyone." She has already accepted it. She was going to follow her feelings.
He walked back and kissed her one last time. "Yeah, I love you!"
Just like he came, Thanatos vanished without leaving any trace.
Can you infiltrate the Capital and my house without alerting anyone? And I'm supposed to be the amazing one.
She couldn't help but feel amazed at him again. To Lia, there was no one in this world stronger than him. Not because of magic or other abilities, but because her heart was always at peace when she was near him.
***
After his trip to the Capital Thanatos returned to the demi human village and prepared for his journey. He gave instructions to Adel, who was going to act as leader in his absence. Eric was going to support him.
The other thing was a bit more troublesome.
"Neo, why are you coming with me?"
"Why are you bothered by my presence? Kit is going too, and you didn't say anything."
"Because he asked to follow me as his payment for saving your life!"
"Thanks for letting me accompany Thanatos." Kit wanted to spend more time with him. He wasn't satisfied with the things he had done; he wanted to repay his debt in full.
"You didn't let me go see Lia. She's worried about you. I'm coming to make sure you return in one piece. If you die, it is going to take you decades to come back. She's going to be a granny the next time you two meet. I'm doing you a favor."
"Fine!" It was pointless trying to convince her.
After saying their goodbyes, Thanatos, Kit, and Lia began the journey to the east.