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CHAPTER 6
His eyes dimmed out further. He did not have any form of responsibility to tell her that information.
Besides, he never needed any form of compensation and wished to be on his journey as quickly as possible.
"It is not important," Zale responded as calmly as he could.
"It is. I wish to know the name of my saviour."
"Pass. Since your family is well-to-do, I think you should return home today. Who knows what these scoundrels would do later should they find you."
Her smile dropped. She disliked when men were being difficult.
She was a princess and beautiful at that. Men threw themselves at her feet but he–he was different and she could sense it.
"I would love to…"
"Save it," Zale cut in sharply. "And let go of my hand."
Smiling at the awkward situation, Scarlet released his hand and dipped her head in. 'My apologies. I did not mean to…"
"Take her home," he interjected sharply, turning his attention to her guard. "I do not need to tell you what is most important. Your injury and her life. Have fun."
To Scarlet's shock, he turned on his heels and immediately returned the way he came, leaving her both shocked, happy and speechless.
"Please tell me your name," she screamed after him but got no reply.
'If we meet again by chance, then I shall tell you.' Zale noted inwardly.
For now, his duty called.
*******
~Silacia~
Deep in the sea, where eyes could not see, far from the other water cities, stood another magnificent palace.
Unlike that of Ashedore, the surrounding did not shimmer as brightly, but every building and living beings were equally just as fine.
Swimming as fast as their fins could take them, the two mermen, Irwin and Dillan rushed into the palace to meet with the king.
Right from when King Storm got mad in Ashedore, everyone knew and suspected something was wrong but they kept the matter of the stolen soul pearl a secret and only delivered the other news.
The last thing Storm wanted was to get everyone worried, scared, and worked up.
It was better this way. He won't be seen as weak by the other cities under him in the four seas.
"My Lord," Dillan called out as soon as both of them entered the King's private building.
This was a matter of utmost urgency, not one to be delayed.
Just as they got into his room, both mermen found him by the window looking out of his room and immediately bowed before him.
"My Lord," they greeted in a hurry and waited for his signal to rise.
The High Duke maintained his position, placing both hands at his back close to his cyan-green tail as his chiseled chest pushed out, showing how properly structured he was.
His narrowed gaze shot far, looking out into his city like a being deep in thoughts but the blank expression on his face spoke a different tale.
"Hmm."
He turned around to see them, his light brown waist-length coloured hair moved with him as he did so, reeling out his handsomeness.
"Rise. What is the matter?" He asked calmly, ignoring the urgency they had come with.
Following his heed, they lifted their heads and cast a glance at each other before spilling the beans.
"The soul pearl is gone."
"What!"
"Not just that High Duke, the Queen is dead," Dillan added.
His face looked ashen with shock at the news he was given.
Amidst all of that, he had bigger problems to think about.
For the next couple of seconds, they awaited a word from him but no matter what he fell silent while his eyes darted in confusion.
"High Duke Poseidon," Irwin called out.
He hoped to get his attention as this was a matter of utmost urgency.
True enough they got his attention alright but what followed made their heart flinch.
"The Queen is dead," he repeated.
"And who cares if the Queen is dead?!" He thundered impatiently to their surprise.
"But Your Lordship..." He held his palm in front of his chest, his forehead furrowing further as the coldness in his eyes seem to worsen, turning up his rage.
"The soul pearl is gone?!"
The water all around them trembled with his might forcing them to look to their sides as more things in the chambers began to call off.
"Who dared to do this!!"
His hair rose in the water, his eyes turning white as his powers began to take shape, forming a pool around his hands.
"Apologies, My Lord but we do not know," Dillan informed and immediately they lowered their backs with both hands held together and placed underneath their head.
"Forgive us, Your Lordship," Irwin added, hoping to abate his rage.
"How dare someone first you two to get the soul pearl? Who in the four seas is as audacious enough to take what belongs to me? Who?!"
"My Lord please, calm down. Do not forget, there can be spies everywhere. His Majesty still thinks you are sick. Please," Dillan reminded him and lifted his head to see him.
"Please."
Listening to their words, Poseidon knew he needed to thread carefully but the thought of losing the soul pearl was as painful as anything.
"Arrghh!" He moved both hands, sending the big ball of water that had gathered around him toward the wall in his chambers.
He needed to vent. He needed to get his rage out.
He was tired but most importantly angry.
After some seconds, the glow in his eyes started to return to normal, slowly at first, till all that remained was his green eyes.
"Fine." He lowered his hands to his side. "For now we've lost but not for long. It only shows not only I want to overthrow the current monarchy."
"Yes, My Lord. Also, no one knows of this fact. We overheard KaiKane say it when we were going to steal the pearl."
"And?"
From the way Dillan spoke, he could tell there was more to the story but he withheld.
"And we felt His Majesty's rage, we had to flee before getting found out."
"We were lucky enough that even when his powers flowed out in the water, he was filled with rage, lest we would have been found out and who knows, maybe blamed for everything."
"Hmm." He swam forward, his brows creased a bit as he placed a finger on his jaw.
"I wonder though, who could be the thief and the mastermind behind it all. What are their goal and purpose?"
"You need answers, My Lord," Dillan said with a bow. "We will find it."
"Yes, my favourite twins," Poseidon nodded with a smile and beckoned on both of them to come over.
"You shall find me the answers I seek," he uttered softly when they came to him.
"And soon!" He thundered with so much power in his voice with his eyes, once more getting darker.
"No more delays and mistakes. Understood?!"