After the great cleansing of the Vasilios Empire, the embers of war died down once again, and an unwilted morning was brought to the citizens. The soldiers who fought in the southern borders returned to their families with tears of joy. And the families of the ones who did not return were blessed by their future king. They were entitled as the heroes by the crown.
And there were these other kind of heroes. History would never know what they did or not as they were still imprisoned in front of the rest of the breathing traitors. The list was longer than the Vassilios River, including Daemon's half-brother, his fiancée, minister Sylvain, and Duke Carmillion.
But only Minister Sylvain was within distance of Daemon's arm. First, he imprisoned him in the cellar. Then, in his study with all his paperwork about the damage controlling of the temple and the city. Daemon could get a rare break in the middle of the busiest time, thanks to him.
"... And then the hunting festival..." Sylvain breathed. He was becoming a walking dead entirely, yet his mouth worked in the meeting. "Since this year, it is overlapping with the founding ceremony... I would be dead by the fall. It was a short yet pure life,"
Becoming the youngest minister in the royal court after his father's death, Nevan Sylvain had no regrets. He was still in his mid-twenties. Right after his wedding to his beloved lover, he had to go to the kingdom of Avalon in secret regarding a well-planned carnage about to take place in the capital.
The crown prince's butler was the big brain behind the crime. He had to deal with this utter care because of that reason. To Daemon, the butler was a second father.
And his second assassin.
The Grand Duke Carmillion was spared. His sons, who knew nothing but went on a rampage according to their father's orders, were promoted and became the guardian angels of the capital.
And all the knights who suddenly became Avalon killers were partying. And the prince who took all the fame was eating tangerines in front of the minister.
As his body was not made to match the steel, Minister Sylvain was as thin as a paper, even though he ate three meals a day when he was imprisoned. Now, his round glasses were bigger than his small face. Sometimes, he looked like a like with long hair.
"Are you complaining, minister?" Daemon asked as he was relaxed in his seat.
"No, Your Highness," His ears dropped. "Oh! My poor Selene. How long has it been?"
"Three years! It's been three years," Daemon answered calmly. "And I am the fool," His darkened aura could lock everyone in the courtroom shut.
"And your Highness took care of the high priest bastard," Sylvain said firmly. "If it was not for you highness-"
Daemon glanced at his aide, Tommy. "That concludes today's meeting," As soon as he announced, the room filled with closing flapping papers, dragging chairs, and whispers.
"Pardon?" The minister did not believe his ears. After all, he was ready to die, but not from the crown prince. He looked at Daemon. He was looking out of the window where the imperial members often spend their leisure time.
It took only a minute for others to run, leaving Sylvain in the palm of the beast. He pushed his glasses up, which slid down. "Her Highness," He jumped out of his skin, hearing Leonard's voice next to him. "Where is she?"
Daemon glared at the blind man.
"Oh! I apologize. I did not see you, sir," Sylvain wiped the sweat on his forehead. " What did you-"
"Princess Azalea. Is she in the Carmillion estate?" Leonard asked firmly as Sylvain's eyes carefully scanned Daemon. The prince also expected an answer.
"You can ask Duke Carmillion about her." He said. "I do not know where she is. And I don't think the duke also knows about her whereabouts, It was written in the manuscript... I mean the agreement. She would go missing in the end. She asked for it,"
"Oh! What?" Daemon scoffed. "I can make the opera go on, minister. It will become thriller and murderous if you do not move your mouth now."
Minister felt blood gushing to his head. He glared at the prince. "Your Highness," He chose words carefully as he was walking on a blade.
"If it were not for Lady Carmillion, your Highness would have married Duke Barton's daughter whom you just cut his neck. You would have poisoned to death with the help of her and your butler. At the right time, I contacted Duke Carmillion, and he suggested the plan. Thanks to her, we could gather more evidence,"
"Hmm..." Daemon nodded. "He must have been very thrilled by the given opportunity. Isn't he? He and his daughter... and you. It must have been a splendid show,"
"How many times do I need to repeat you, Your Highness?" That was his limit. "I did not mean to make a fool out of you, my prince. It was your father's request, and I am very proud of myself for what I did. I serve you, my prince. Sniffle!" Tears fell, and Daemon sighed, still glaring at him.
Tommy gave his handkerchief to the young minister. "Thank you. And I apologize,"
"If!" Sylvain said. "If we had a single chance to contact Your Highness passing all the spies, we would have done that at all means. And Princess did what I asked of her,"
At least her friend taught her to do what the minister wanted.
"But how could his Highness's fiancée run away like this?" Leonard asked. "It is insulting to the imperial family." When he asked, the minister's mouth hung open. He looked at Daemon and Leonard one after another.
"What is it?" Daemon shouted.
"The engagement was annulled when Your Highness requested it when you were fifteen. You asked desperately, and his majesty did so. We just hid the documents. I thought by now someone might have informed..." His voice trailed off, seeing Daemon frozen like a statue. "I apologize for the inconvenience."
What the hell is going on here?
Minister peeked at Daemon. He tilted his head and began to laugh as if he had gone mad. The minister did not know about this impact. Well, nobody did.
"Is she safe?" Leonard said.
"Pardon?... Yes, She did not send any message... which confirmed her safety,"
After hearing the minister, Leonard greeted and exited the room, leaving Sylvain and Prince alone. By then, the prince was leaning back on his seat, covering his eyes with his palm and laughing loudly like a drunk freak.
It was indeed an adventurous life, Selene. Minister thought.
Daemon was obviously going crazy. He thought his anger was towards everyone around him. Liars, cheaters, traitors. He vented it out as he wished. And now his head was heavier than ever, and nightmares chased after him.
How funny?
His crackle faded as he stared at the painting of the goddess on the ceiling.
Was it all fake? Words, flowers, sweets, smile, letters, fragrant, lips... skin that he never claimed. He mumbled. "It can't be,"
"Pardon?"
"Find her," Daemon ordered. "And you'll meet your Selene,"
****
Ezra walked along the hallway with the wall of holes filled with moans to the sparkling floor and entered the ever-dark room. Even though he had forgotten the footpaths, he somehow found the glamorous door of the bathroom.
And without a warning, he opened it. Standing by the door and still holding the doorknob, his glance fell on the overflowing bathtub.
"Come out,"
SLAM!
"... Fuck," Rivienne mumbled.