Infiltrating the Beulah Sacred Temple was not difficult, but it was clear that infiltration could only be carried out by professionals. As a place that is often used for secret political meetings, Beulah is also closely guarded. Ordinary people who want to worship or seek treatment can only enter the center of the building and garden. If you want to go deeper, you must get permission from the local authority.
The Beulah library is divided into two parts. The outside section contains books and all formal records, open to the public-limited. The inner section contains dark forbidden books and records, including records of the Colton family's dirty work, accessible only with permission from the temple, which had a lengthy bureaucracy.
And it was to the inner library that Chas went.
[In short, God never once cursed His people. Those who are able to see and control demons are just ordinary humans with high sacred talent. It's just that their divine ability is not to bring humans closer to God but to keep humans away from the devil's temptations.
These humans are messengers of God to protect His people. They are not to be feared.]
[God is Good, God is Protector. He loves all His people, all His creatures, including the devil. That's why demon controllers were born on our earth; so that humans and demons can coexist. If the demons succeed in influencing someone, we should make it a lesson. Actually all the misfortunes on our earth do not come from the demon, the inability to control the demon, come from controlling demon, or the wrath of God. The misfortunes on our earth are a lesson and a trial to strengthen one's faith.]
[From several sources obtained, it's actually not proper for us to fear demon controllers. They are one of God's messengers. They exist to protect humans.
Evidence that they are messengers loved by God can be seen Pyrs Kingdom. The Pyrs used to think of demon controllers as dangerous black magicians. Then they eliminate all their demon controllers. After that, the demons ran uncontrollably there because no one was able to control them.
…
That's why Pyrs wants to invade Rexton, which is to get demon controllers.]
"Now it all makes sense," Chas muttered, closing the umpteenth book he was reading.
The King really couldn't just kill Rheannon, so she was exiled.
But Rheannon is the only demon controller left now. After all, Rheannon is just an ordinary human who will die someday.
How will this kingdom be after Rheannon's death?
***
[The sun is up, Little. It's already the second day.]
Rheannon opened her eyes slowly. She had never been able to sleep well since being locked up in the Tower of Shadows. Especially now, when she was finally back imprisoned in a narrow space as uncomfortable as the Tower of Shadows.
[The Prince's condition is starting to deteriorate. He's been awake since last night. Poor boy.]
Hold on a little longer, Axelle, Rheannon thought. It may still be nothing.
After this, if all went according to plan, they would come out of the Palace as criminals. Life out there as a criminal will be difficult, there will be a lot of rejection from society. Especially for Axelle himself, that rejection would come from the people he was supposed to lead, who should have supported him but were blinded by the facts. It must be torturous. There was only one place that would truly accept Axelle as he was, but that place was hard to reach.
And, that's not all. If Axelle managed to get out of the Palace, then the struggle for the throne would be inevitable. Axelle Rexton's secret supporters will start moving to take down King Rexton V and raise Axelle to the throne. A bloodbath that Axelle hated was about to happen.
Rheannon's cell door opened. Breakfast time. This time it was delivered by Hadrian himself. The King had been really good to Rheannon in his captivity this time.
"Yesterday Duke Colton came to see His Majesty the King. He came to confirm the rumors," said Hadrian. They glared at each other. "Duke Colton looks like he wants to see you."
"Me too," admitted Rheannon. "Meet Axelle."
"You asked me to meet His Highness?" asked Hadrian to confirm. Rheannon nodded. "Why?"
"Need a friend." Rheannon cleared her throat, trying to clear his throat. "Himself, you."
Rheannon noticed Hadrian glanced the other way as if he didn't want his feelings to be read.
Rheannon smirked. "Afraid?" he snorted. "Feel guilty?"
Hadrian quickly neutralized his expression. "I was only assigned to see you," he said.
You King dog, Rheannon thought. She chose to eat.
"If you want to tell me the whole truth, I'll go and talk to Prince Axelle," Hadrian added in a slightly persuasive tone.
"Forget it," Rheannon said. In her heart, she apologized to Axelle.
"You really care about His Highness, don't you?" asked Hadrian. "Is it because Prince Axelle has saved you?"
"He is nice," said Rheannon.
"If you guys continue to protect each other like this, you'll both die. It'll all be for nothing."
[Tell the King: he will die if he tries to kill me and Axelle.]
***
Hadrian shuts down Rheannon's cell. He then turned to Axelle's prison cell which seemed desolate.
A feeling of guilt overtook him.
All this time Axelle was a good person. He received all of Hadrian's visits to his castle in a friendly manner although it was obvious that Axelle's servants and knights didn't like it. Axelle had also healed him of all the mental turmoil that made his shoulders feel heavy; the red ribbon he had been blessed with really worked.
If Axelle were to die, Hadrian would take all this guilt to his grave.
But…
"He will die if he tries to kill me and Axelle?" Hadrian repeated Rheannon's words.
That woman sounded very confident when she said that. She even threatened the King at times.
Is it because of her abilities? Hadrian thought as he tapped Axelle's cell which was completely closed without the slightest gap. Not getting any response from inside, he slowly opened it.
Axelle was sitting on the floor, sideways from Hadrian. He kept his head up against the wall without even trying to turn around.
Hadrian's chest ached.
***
The birthday party, which had been prepared long ago, had to be canceled due to the unfavorable situation. Luciell didn't complain because she understood how worried her father was.
This prosperous kingdom would belong to Luciell later. King Rexton V wanted to make sure that this kingdom would still be as prosperous when it was handed to Luciell someday. Luciell herself also didn't want to be handed over to a battered kingdom later on–just like most people, she wanted to hold and enjoy power in peace.
And, unfortunately, the key to the prosperity of this kingdom lies with Lady Whitley.
"I should have known that Father was in a bit of a rush to finish them off," Luciell muttered as she plucked the leaves.
If Rheannon were to run away carelessly, she could have unleashed the demons she controlled to destroy Rexton. But if the kingdom continues to lock her up like now, with the people knowing her whereabouts and confinement, Rheannon might be sentenced to death.
She had to live, but she couldn't go on her own, Luciell thought. But how?
[You're sorry, Little Girl?]
"Get lost," Luciell hissed.
[Oh! What words are not fit for a princess!]
Luciell growled in annoyance with anger.
"It's all your fault, Axelle," Luciell grunted in annoyance. She didn't expect the day to come when her sweet cousin would act recklessly. What did he want to free Lady Whitley? Axelle has absolutely no interest in the throne.
Or, at least that's what King Rexton V thought he knew from Hadrian.
Marquess Hadrian couldn't be lying, Luciell thought. But at their last meeting, he looked strange. Luciell's demonic powers don't seem to work on Hadrian...
"Your Highness the Princess?" One of Luciell's ladies-in-waiting approached her in the garden. "Duke Ithel Colton and Lord Chas Colton pay a visit to the Palace. Lord Chas wants to see you."
Luciell's mind was immediately distracted. "Why is it?"
"Today is Her Highness's birthday. Lord Chas would like to present a gift to Your Highness."
Luciel smiled broadly. "Help me change clothes, quick! The others prepare the hors d'oeuvre!"
I don't know what Chas' motive was for asking to meet without prior notice. Luciel didn't care. What matters is that they meet.
The Duchy of Colton was very close to the Capital Ozera, and Duke Colton himself often visited the Palace to carry out his family's side jobs. It's just that Chas–for God's sake–is so hard to see!
"Your Highness Princess Luciell Rexton," said Chas. The man bowed to him. "Chas Colton came to see you," he said. He kissed Luciell's hand after that.
A real man to the end, Lucielle thought. "Thank you for visiting, Lord Chas," he said. "Have a seat. Would you like a sweet treat? We have a lot of sweet treats at the moment, considering my birthday party had to be canceled."
"I apologize to hear that, Your Highness," Chas commented almost flatly.
Luciel smiled faintly. "And I was looking forward to dancing with you."
They exchanged meaningful glances.
"Sorry for my sudden visit. I'm here to hand over Your Highness' birthday present," said Chas.
Chas gestured for the maid he had brought over to come closer. The maid handed something to Chas. A jewel city. Chas took it and opened it in front of Luciell. There is a brooch with intricately carved flames with bright blue gemstones
"I'm sorry if this gift doesn't please Her Highness," Chas said calmly. "I made it myself."
Luciel smiled. "How would I not like it if I knew Lord Chas made it himself?" he quipped. "I have received a gift from you, Lord Chas. Thank you for this… very beautiful gift."
"You're welcome." Chas smiled back. Not a genuinely happy smile. "I'm glad Your Highness would accept my gift."
"So this is what Lord Chas has been doing all along?" asked Luciel. Her slender fingers traced her brooch carving. "Creating art instead of carrying out duties like other noblemen?"
"With all due respect, Your Highness, I am only the son of a duke who has no title. I have no rights to anything that Father and the Kingdom of Rexton have," Chas explained.
"And you can get the title of Young Duke. At the very least, you can also become a knight. Or..." Luciell took a sip of her tea while glancing at Chas. "You don't want it?"
Chas chuckled. "I'm flattered that Your Highness Princess Luciell cares so much about me being a nobody."
Luciell chuckled back. "Lord Chas certainly knows why."
"Now you embarrass me, Princess Luciell."
Damn it, Luciell thought. Chas' reaction was always like this. He said he was flattered, pleased, and embarrassed, but the look on his face didn't really show it.
What is wrong? What is missing?
What is Chas planning? There was no way he was just playing games with Luciell.
"Thank you for the hors d'oeuvre, Princess Luciell. I think I should leave now. My father must be waiting for me by now," said Chas.
"And why didn't His Grace see me?" asked Luciel.
Chas stood up and stared at Luciell with blatant disgust. Luciell smiled happily at that expression.
"To find the escaped Palace prisoner, of course," said Chas, and then walked away.
"Interesting," Luciell muttered. She sipped her tea alone.