After successfully leaving the palace alive, Hazel and Eddie boarded a wagon that took them to the organisation where everything was going on as usual.
Throughout the journey, Hazel had the time to think over everything that had happened, and she was confused to say the least. Confused as to how the prince had managed to catch all the arrows, and how she reacted to everything like it was the first time her life was in danger. Or was it because this time she had someone to look up to? Was all the times she had been brave been because she knew there was no one to depend on?
Her gaze flicked over to Eddie's face. Eddie, sensing her stare, turned to her with a solemn look which turned to a full blown smile within a second.
"No need to scowl. We're safe now," he said to her. Hazel frowned, returning her attention to the passing trees.
Once they alighted the wagon, Eddie jumped down and stretched out his hand to help Hazel, but the latter ignored him and jumped down on her own.
"Do you think the prince recognised us? I wonder how he could see that far," Eddie wondered out loud as they walked towards the entrance. After a bit of pondering, he pursed his lips and concluded, "There must be something master Finley didn't tell us."
Hazel didn't say anything to his speculations and only wondered about one thing. "What's the punishment for the crime of attempted murder?"
"Beheading," Eddie replied instantly.
"No imprisonment?" She probed further.
Eddie gave her a curious glance then shook his head. "No imprisonment."
Hazel didn't say anything else. They went straight to master Finley's office, their focused minds failing to notice the curious gazes from James and some other trainees.
Once inside the office, Hazel made herself comfortable on one chair while Eddie sat opposite her on the other. "I got the news." Finley said.
With a slight furrow in her brows, Hazel supported her chin with her hand, elbow planted on the desk. "Is there something you forgot to tell us about the crown prince?"
Finley, seemingly taken aback by the question frowned, shot a glance at Eddie then back to Hazel. "Something like what?"
Hazel sighed. "What news did you get?"
"That the prince isn't dead. I assumed the distance must have been too far and you missed the target."
Hazel sighed again in frustration, closing her eyes momentarily. "I didn't miss the target. The prince caught all four arrows, then I didn't have time to shoot another because we were discovered. Could you explain to me how someone can catch four arrows in a row from several miles away?"
After her ranting, the room was engulfed in pindrop silence. Eddie didn't have anything to add and was even surprised by Hazel's words because she sounded angry, but had remained silent when with him. Was she angry at master Finley, or was she angry that she failed her first mission in the organisation?
On the other hand, Finley couldn't help finding it hard to process Hazel's statement. "I don't understand. What do you mean he caught four arrows?"
Hazel didn't respond, giving him a silent affirmation. Finley was lost for words. He didn't have any explanation to give them because even he couldn't understand what happened.
Even after he dismissed them and the two retired to their respective rooms, he was still deep in thought, wondering what the Greenock family must be hiding. Were they using witchcraft now? But that would be too extreme, wouldn't it? King Tobias was known to have certain principles and he would never engage in things like witchcraft unless… unless the situation was really dire!
Finley's face beamed as he made another speculation. Was the prince laden with an illness? Or were the rumours about a curse true? The royal family surely had some secrets!
****
~ Back at the palace ~
Leocade lay down on his bed, staring at the flickering candlelight on the bedside table. It had already been several minutes, perhaps even hours since he retired to bed ready to sleep, but he just couldn't. He had a lot on his mind, and apart from that, he felt like something was intentionally keeping him awake. Something physical.
As days went by, he could feel his own body changing in ways he couldn't explain. It was barely noticeable, but at times he would find himself suspended in between time. Like he was in the present physically, but his mind was in another era. He was constantly battling to stay sane and it was becoming harder day by day.
He hadn't told his father about the things he was seeing because he didn't want to worry him, and his confidant, Sebastian had no idea about anything. They had decided to keep everything about the curse from him. According to their parents, he should be allowed to continue being the free spirit he was not worrying about things he couldn't control. Leo couldn't agree more.
But left with no other person to confide in, he was left with his own disturbing thoughts.
Trying to empty his mind, the incident from the tournament crossed his mind and his eyes narrowed. He could remember every detail of the incident. From the way he had been feeling restless, to the way he could feel the arrow coming at him before he even saw it. At that time, he knew and was certain, that he wasn't in control of his body anymore.
But then he remembered his attacker. A woman from Hawksley. A thief.
A sly smile slowly curved his lips. The following days were certain to be interesting.
…
By the time morning arrived, Leo had managed to get a wink of sleep but before the dawn could break, he was already up. He took a cold bath, not wanting to disturb the servants, then prepared himself to pay Finley a visit.
When he passed his brother's room, he stopped mid-step and opened the door without knocking. There lay Sebastian on the huge bed, his eyes closed and his lips slightly parted. He was asleep.
Leo lingered at the door a little longer, contemplating whether to question his brother or leave him be. He chose the latter and walked out, quietly closing the door behind him.
When Sebastian heard the door click, he opened his eyes and peeked at the door from under the blanket, sighing in relief.
Leo walked to the stables and rode his black mare to the organisation. He wanted to travel secretly so as not to alert anyone.
It wasn't a long distance to the organisation and he was surprised to find people awake, the building bustling with activity. He was even more surprised to find no guards at the entrance. Was Finley this confident in his students?
Everyone recognised him as soon as he walked into the dining hall where everyone was having breakfast and they greeted him in unison, then one of them offered to escort him to Finley's office.
When he walked in, Finley looked up instinctively, but the next second his eyebrows rose and he stopped what he was doing.
"Rowland," Leo called as he made himself comfortable on the seat opposite Finley's.
"Your Highness?"
…
When Eddie heard that the prince was in master Finley's office, he was having breakfast in the kitchen as usual and he almost spilled the coffee on his cup as his hands shook.
He set his food aside and rushed to Hazel's room, only to find it empty. He panicked when he thought she was in master Finley's office so he rushed there, but his footsteps briefly slowed down when he heard two voices from the other side of the door. His heart going wild in panic, he pressed his ear close to the door and listened in on their conversation. His eyes kept widening the more he listened.
After a long while, the door to the office opened and Eddie barely caught himself from falling forward.
When he looked up, he met Prince Leo's chilling gaze and he gulped softly.
"Eddie," Finley's voice broke the trance. "Go fetch Hazel for me, he ordered.
Eddie nodded and walked down the stairs absentmindedly. He should've known that the prince hadn't gone to the organisation to punish Hazel. If they were going by the books, Hazel would have been taken by the town guards and taken to the scaffold to be beheaded in front of everyone. But at least she wouldn't die. He tried consoling himself on the way.
He found Hazel sitting on a bench outside the dining hall, her gaze drifting to the far distance where the cliffs were covered by fog since it was still very early in the morning. He looked at her desolate figure and her eyes that looked disturbingly empty and felt something shift inside his chest.
Gathering enough courage, Eddie clenched his fists and called out, "Hazel."
Hazel slowly turned around, raising her eyebrows quizzically.
"Master Finley sent for you."