In a small bar at the end of the alley. Filled with people, chattering and getting drunk. Arthur entered the bar, with the hood covering his face. He took a glimpse of the room. There was no sign of his brother.
"You are late." A voice caused him to turn his head towards the right. A petite figure, with a cloak hiding her face.
"Who are you?" Arthur was perplexed by the shift in the situation. He was called here by his brother, then who was this woman?
"Sit down first."
Arthur was dubious yet decided to listen to her. He went over to the table and sat down across from her.
"Who are you?" Arthur glanced up at her, curious to know more about the face hidden behind the veil of shadows.
"An ally, my lord. I heard you are courting the princess of Embermoon." The woman asked, placing her elbow on the table and resting her chin on her palms.
Under the limelight of the candle, her lower face was revealed. Lips red as blood, and a burnt mark on one side of her face.
Arthur was not surprised that she knew about him courting. What was strange for him was that she didn't seem like someone he knew of. A woman with a burn scar was not something that gets away and if she has the power to use his brother's seal, then she is someone who holds power.
"Then did Edgar tell you that she is not the real princess but a ladies' maid of the princess?"
Arthur widened at her statement, he instinctively pulled out his dagger and held it by her throat. "Do you have any proof for your allegations?" Arthur asked, making the chatter around them come to a halt.
The commotion he created, made everyone head turn towards their table, waiting for the drama to unfold. A few people started murmuring among themselves on recognizing Arthur.
"That's the bloodlust prince, isn't it?"
"Don't speak out loud. What if he hears us?"
"I heard he slaughtered the head of the enemy in one blow."
"Who is that woman beside him? Another of his wh*res?"
"Haha, prolly. He is infamous for being a rake."
The chatter among the crowd continued, Arthur didn't focus on them. To him most important was the woman before him. Who was she? What was her plan? And most importantly what power did she have?
The woman smirked at his cautiousness. She lazily picked up the glass of wine on the table and lazily took a sip.
"Funny, isn't it? You are wondering how I know and I am wondering how you don't know anything about Edgar or Adeline?" She continued, getting up from her place and pushing away the dagger on her neck.
Arthur was flustered with what she spoke. What does he don't know about Adeline and Edgar? If what she said was true then why was Adeline there instead of the princess and why was Edgar lying? By the time he came out of his thoughts, she was longer there.
He looked around, running out of the bar and searching for her. But there was no one. Just empty roads, with few beggars sleeping by the footpath and some drunkards passed out by the door of the inn. Whoever it was, Arthur was determined to find her.
***
It was nightfall by the time Xavier and Agatha reached the palace. Agatha got off the carriage stretching her arms in relief. From tomorrow the real journey starts. It wouldn't be easy to ruin Adolphus' plans but Agatha knew if she continued to be a naive lady, all she would get was death, and if she doesn't do something who knows they might do something to Adrian too.
Agatha tried to walk inside the palace when he grabbed her from behind. Xavier pulled her back into his embrace, "Where do you think you are going?"
Agatha recalled the incident from the carriage. She was hoping that he might have forgotten about it. Agatha cursed herself for the teasing. She swore to herself to never tease him again.
Agatha nervously chuckled trying to come up with an excuse," To rest. The journey was so long, you must be tired too."
"No. Not at all. I feel more refreshed than ever." Xavier responded, with a sly smile on his face.
All escape routes for her seem to have been closed. With a defeated sigh, he glared at his sly face. He looked no better than a fox enjoying the struggle of his prey, in her eyes.
"Arse." She muttered under her breath, looking in different directions, with her cheeks pouted in defeat.
Xavier clearly heard her. He grinned, seeing how she was no longer holding back from her first remarks. This was more fun than her acting politely. He pulled her closer to him.
"Since I am an arse, I hope you are prepared to stay awake the whole night." He whispered in her ears.
Agatha's eyes widened by his remarks, even before she could retort. He had already carried her in his arms and was moving towards their chamber.
"How about we have some dinner instead?"
"We had dinner an hour ago, with dessert," Xavier answered, with a victorious grin plastered on his face.
"..." Agatha was out of excuses. It seems it was all futile. What's more was that, unlike Creekisele, the number of servants was way more and the return of the King and Queen made all of them stand by the door greeting them. How embarrassing it was!
Agatha looked at Xavier, who had no hint of shame as they walked past those servants. Someone should learn from him how to be shameless. Being carried like this would be always embarrassing for her no matter how many times he does it. She snuggled her face into his chest, trying to ignore the presence of people around her.
Xavier chuckled seeing her tomato-like red face. That must be the reason for her rebelling. He fastened his speed towards their chamber before she became an actual tomato.