In the chaotic aftermath of the wyverns' assault, the palace teetered on the brink of pandemonium. Although both sides had suffered only minor casualties, the wyverns' triumphant retrieval of their young and subsequent retreat had left the palace's occupants in a state of heightened anxiety. With mere minutes remaining before my stealth skill expired, I seized the opportunity to slip past the guards stationed outside the door, utilizing the last vestiges of my ability to move undetected. The shadows seemed to swallow me whole as I glided effortlessly through the chaos, my heart pounding in my chest. The guards, oblivious to my presence, stood rigidly at attention, their eyes scanning the crowd with a mix of fear and vigilance. I knew I had to act swiftly, before my stealth wore off, I would be exposed, and my mission would be compromised
As I slipped into the room, I effortlessly merged with the crowd, my presence masked by the sea of anxious faces. My stealth ability dissipated, leaving me vulnerable, but I was prepared. Thanks to Lynn's tutelage in spirit magic, I had learned a valuable trick - the ability to manipulate my appearance. With a subtle whisper of magic, I smoothed out my disheveled dress, erasing the signs of my recent escapade.
As I navigated the crowded space, my heart racing with every step, my mind became a maelstrom of dark thoughts. What if someone had noticed my absence? What if someone suspected my involvement in the wyverns' attack? Worst of all, what if the Marquis had discovered my deception? The possibilities swirled in my head like a vortex, threatening to consume me. I forced myself to breathe deeply, pushing aside the doubts that clawed at my sanity. I had to maintain my composure, for one misstep could prove disastrous.
As I waited for the system's confirmation, the air was thick with anxiety and panic. The shelter, meant to provide solace, was instead a cauldron of fear and desperation. Despite magic being an integral part of this world, the majority of the population remained powerless, leaving them feeling vulnerable and helpless. I knew that feeling all too well.
But then, the system's alert flashed, signaling the completion of my quest. Rewards would be forthcoming, and with them, a glimmer of hope. A spark within me ignited, fueled by the possibility of harnessing the system's power to exact revenge on those who had wronged me - the Luciano family and the Viscount. My heart swelled with a mix of sadness and anger as I thought of all I had endured. "Maybe," I whispered to myself, "just maybe, I can make them pay for what they've done." The words hung in the air, a poignant reminder of the long and difficult road ahead.
The crown prince swept into the room, flanked by Celina and Ezekiel, their presence commanding attention. I knew both of them possessed magical abilities - Ezekiel had honed his skills at the academy, while Celina's prodigious talent was innate. The crown prince's gaze scanned the room, inquiring about the well-being of those present. Ezekiel, having surveyed the surroundings, reported back, confirming that everyone was unharmed.
Just then, the emperor stormed in, his countenance darkening the air around him. His eyes blazed with fury, and I knew why. The wyvern he had secretly kept captive had been freed, and returned to its mother. If he discovered that I was the one responsible, my life would be forfeit - he would kill me twice over for my defiance. My heart raced as I shrank into the shadows, hoping to avoid detection, but the emperor's gaze seemed to bore into my very soul.
Ezekiel's gaze swept across the room, his eyes scouring the crowd with an unnerving intensity. "Has anyone seen Lady Ravenwood?" he demanded, his voice low and menacing. "The restriction spell is still active, so where the hell has she gone? Does she think she can take advantage of this chaos and slip away from me?"
A guard spoke up, "Lord Ezekiel, we saw Lady Ravenwood on the terrace earlier. We were with her, and maybe she's still there. If you'd like, we can escort you to the terrace."
Ezekiel's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in anger. "Take me to her," he growled, his voice dripping with malice. "Now." The guards hastened to obey, leading Ezekiel towards the terrace, their footsteps echoing through the tense silence.
"Lady Ravenwood, there you are," Lord Ezekiel said, his voice dripping with false concern. "I was worried sick about you." His eyes, however, told a different story - they gleamed with a sinister intent that made my skin crawl.
"I'm alright, Lord Ezekiel," I replied, trying to sound calm despite the turmoil within. "I just needed some fresh air and lost track of time."
Ezekiel's smile was a thin-lipped lie. "I see," he whispered, his breath cold against my ear. "I commend you for not trying to run away. If you had, I would have torn your limbs apart, piece by piece." His voice sent shivers down my spine. "Now, you've had your fun tonight. It's my turn to have my share. Don't you think, Lady Ravenwood?" The way he spoke, his words dripped with malice, and I knew I was in grave danger.
"Where are we going?" I asked, trying to keep my tone neutral despite the growing unease in my chest.
He chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Aren't you quite quick-witted, Lady Ravenwood? You know we're going somewhere, but I want to savor the surprise. Let's just say it will be a memorable experience."
As we approached the throne room, I spotted the crown prince, his expression tense with concern. "There you are, big brother," Celina said, relief etched on his face. "I was looking all over for you. Do you know what happened while you were searching for her?
Ezekiel's smile turned enigmatic. "Oh, I think I can piece together the events. But first, let's bid our farewells to His Majesty."
The emperor's voice boomed from the throne, his anger palpable. "No one leaves this palace until I've found what I've lost! All guests will be quartered in the east wing until further notice." His Majesty's fury was unmistakable, and I wondered what had sparked such ire.
I knew exactly what the emperor was referring to - the liberation of his captive baby wyvern. My heart sank, realizing I was the prime suspect. It wouldn't be a surprise if he discovered my involvement; after all, I was the one who had defied him.
The emperor's wrath was legendary, and I knew I had to tread carefully to avoid his ire. As a mere slave, I was no match for his power and influence. My biggest concern now was how to evade this crisis and avoid detection. The thought of facing his fury sent shivers down my spine. If he discovered the truth, I would be doomed.
I needed a plan, and fast, to deflect suspicion and protect myself from the emperor's wrath. But for now, I was trapped in the palace, at the mercy of the very man I had deceived. My mind raced with possibilities, but none seemed promising. I was running out of time, and the emperor's patience was wearing thin.
In that desperate moment, I had resigned myself to my fate, but then, like a beacon of hope, the system alert flashed before me. "Rewards have been granted. Accept them?" it asked, offering a glimmer of salvation. With trembling fingers, I selected "yes," and a wave of relief washed over me. I was saved.
The skills bestowed upon me this time seemed tailor-made for my survival:
1. Lie Detection: the ability to discern truth from deception, a powerful tool in the treacherous world of the palace.
2. Stealth: the capacity to move unseen and unheard, a gift that would aid me in evading detection.
3. Poison Nullification: a safeguard against the deadly plots that lurked in every shadow.
4. Ice and Lightning Magic: the promise of untold power, waiting to be unlocked once I gathered enough mana.
With these gifts, I felt a sense of determination renewed. I would not go quietly into the night. I would fight, I would survive, and I would thrive. The system's rewards had given me a second chance, and I vowed to make the most of it.
"Ezekiel, Lady Ravenwood, and Lady Celina, you may stay at the prince's palace," the crown prince declared, his words laced with an unsettling warmth.
I couldn't help but wonder why he was being so accommodating, especially after holding a sword to my neck before he stayed at the Luciano estate. Had he known I was a slave at the time, or was it all just a ruse? The memory of his blade's cold kiss still lingered on my skin, a harsh reminder of the fragile nature of my existence.
How could I ever dare dream of happiness when it was a luxury I could never truly possess? My life was a mere pawn in the games of the powerful, a constant reminder that I was nothing more than a slave, bound to the whims of those who held my fate in their hands. The crown prince's sudden kindness only served to highlight the cruel irony of my situation.
To be continued.