Edward sped his horse up, the cold night air biting at his face as he rode toward the castle. His mind constantly ran back to how Seutsui had reacted to his departure. As he rode, the memory of her tear-streaked face haunted him.
***
"Saitous, I want you to train her not only physically but to harness her powers as well," Edward ordered, his jaw clenched. "I know it's too early to understand exactly what her powers are until she's eighteen, but you need to try."
"What do you mean? Weren't you the one who was going to train her?" Saitous squinted his eyes, baffled. "What changed?" Edward sighed, his expression hardening. "As much as I want to hide the truth from her, I know she'll find out eventually. And when she does..." He took a deep breath. "If she wants revenge, she can't just barge into that hellhole and have it her way. I'm going to pave that path for her."
Saitous's eyes widened in disbelief. "So that means you're going to the castle? What then?" He shot Edward a disapproving look. " I'm gonna earn king's trust and I'm gonna put everything in the right place. Edward put a hand on Saitous shoulder. " so what I want you to do is, You gonna continue our plan by yourself. you have to train our soldiers and be ready until the time is right"
Saitous stared at him, dumbfounded " And I want you to give her the diary when the time is right. " And when would that be" Saitpus raised a brow" Edward smirked. "You will know"
"I'm going to leave today"
"Where are you going, Edward?" Seutsui's voice broke through the conversation, drawing their attention. "Are you leaving?" Her eyes were wet with unshed tears. "You too...?" Edward stood there, watching her every move. She ran to him, clutching his hand. "Take me with you, please."
Edward's face softened for the shortest amount of time; you could have missed it if you had blinked. Then he shooed her har forcefully yet gently.
Edward's face softened for the briefest moment before hardening again. He gently but firmly shooed her away. "You won't change anything. It's already decided, and no, you are not coming with me." Her tears streamed like a brook. Edward sighed. "You are not even eighteen—a child cannot go to a place like that."
"Why not? Just take me with you," she pleaded, reaching for his hand again. "This is not up for discussion, Seutsui." He turned away before she could catch him again, while Saitous tried to hold her back. She gave up, her voice rising in frustration. "So you're going to be the bad person now? I know I'm a child, but that doesn't mean I don't know anything. I know the king is a bad person. And I... I know he's the reason my mother is not alive today," she screamed.
Edward turned to face her, his expression momentarily softening with... worry? Before becoming neutral again. "Don't ask questions you don't need answers to, Seutsui. This is something you don't need to know." He could not let his feelings get in the way. It was either this or nothing.
[Twelew years later]
[Suetsui's P.O.V]
I strolled towards the house from the training ground. "Hey, Ruben, you're staying for dinner tonight?"
He wiped the sweat from his forehead. "No, probably not. After two more sessions with Saitous, I'm going to need to leave, but thank you."
Ruben is a really good guy. He is one of Edward's soldiers—if he is even still part of this mission of ours. Actually, I'm starting to lose faith in that. It's been twelve years since Edward left, and there hasn't been a single letter. Maybe he is in contact with Father—oh, I meant Saitous by that—since he always travels to Gemhill and is so secretive about it. They can hide all they want, but I'm not going to sit by and wait anymore. Tomorrow, I turn eighteen, and I'm going to leave and find out what exactly happened to my mother and confront that halfwit Edward. Why has he been ignoring me for the past twelve years?
Back then, I couldn't understand what I was feeling, but now I know exactly what it was. I'm far too committed to deny it now. Even though I'm not sure, thinking back, I know that Edward felt something too. Ruben has always liked me, treated me well, and wanted me to be his wife. He has proposed more than once, despite Father's likely death threats. I don't know why Father didn't like the idea of me being with him. It was almost as if he thought Ruben wasn't good enough for me, even though he was one of the sweetest guys I knew. It's not like I'm some kind of princess or anything.
Either way, by that time, I knew how I felt about Edward Anselm, and no matter how good a guy Ruben was, I just couldn't get Edward out of my mind.
I need answers, so I'm going to ask Father about going to Gemhill. If Edward can be a spy, so can I. It's not only his life that turned upside down because of that demon of a king. I need Saitous in a good mood tonight. If he goes against my idea, I'll go to Gemhill with or without his blessing.
"Is there anything you want tonight, Father?" I asked. "I can make it for you."
"No, sweetie, just practice some of your powers. You'll get them at full strength when you turn eighteen," he sighed. "So you need to be prepared."
I have no idea why I'm the only one with powers around here while others don't. But for twelve years, I've practiced so much, and we've figured out two powers: one where I can use musical instruments as weapons and another where I can see the past of any living thing if I come into contact with their blood. How amazing is that, right? So, to go and be a spy, I think I'm more than capable. I always have a small flute with me, which is the last thing I got from Edward as a present.
Anyway, tomorrow, I'll have my powers at full strength, so I'm not going to stop this time. I'm going to Gemhill.
***
"Father, why not?" I sighed, frustration knotting in my chest. "You let Edward go. Why not me?" Saitous slammed his dining utensils on the table. Living with him for years, I knew how protective he was of me, much like Edward used to be when we were young. Convincing him to let me go was going to be one heck of a task.
"He is your older brother, Seutsui, and you are still a child, for God's sake," he stood up, his voice firm. "And don't you remember what Edward said before he left? You need to listen to me and stay here."
I matched his momentum, standing up to face him squarely. "First of all, Father, he is not my brother. And no, I don't remember what he said. He's been in Gemhill for years, and not once did he bother to visit."
Deep down, despite his attitude, I still cared for Edward. He was one of the main reasons I wanted to go to Gemhill, but everything I told Father was true. "And Father, he was barely sixteen when he went there. Now, I'm almost eighteen."
"But you're still not ready, sweetie," he sighed, his expression softening. "I know you've been practicing your powers for the last twelve years, but Suetsui, he does care about us, especially you."
"Yeah, right," I retorted sarcastically. "If he cared, he would have visited at least once, don't you think?"
"And even though you don't know, he visited you more than once," Father added gently.
"Sure, Father," I replied, my tone still tinged with disbelief. "Just like how you always say I'm the most beautiful, kind, smart, and intelligent girl you've ever known, right?"
He sighed, nodding in agreement. "Right."
"Then let me do this, Father, please," I pleaded.
"Okay, but before you leave, I have something to give you." He walked towards his room and returned with an old diary. "What is this?" I asked, dumbfounded.
"This is your mother's diary. I need you to read it, not now, but when the time is right," he explained cryptically. "When will that be?" I pressed.
"You'll know," he said simply.
And just like that, the next morning, I set off for Gemhill, eager and apprehensive to finally confront Edward.
***
[Edward's P.O.V]
"Please... please, sir... give me more..." Her voice pleaded, cutting through the haze of my thoughts like a desperate plea in the night. She was a temporary escape, a fleeting indulgence to momentarily quiet the tumult of my double life.
Today, I watched Suetsui from a discreet distance at Saitous's residence, my heart pounding with longing. As a spy deeply entrenched in Adelio's loyal forces, I meticulously orchestrated the downfall of the king I had served for twelve long years. Suetsui, however, remained my true obsession—an alluring and dangerous distraction that haunted my every waking thought.
"Yes," I grunted, momentarily allowing the woman beneath me to divert my attention from Suetsui. "Please, sir," she whimpered, as I sought a physical release, pounding into her with a fervor fueled by the image of Suetsui in my mind.
Afterward, she looked up at me with a coy smile, oblivious to the turmoil raging within me. "Would you care to dine with me tonight?" she asked, her voice tinged with a hint of expectation. Every woman desired the King's General, but I had no intention of entangling myself further. Frustration surged through me; I threw a bag of coins at her. "Leave," I commanded sharply. She hastily gathered her clothes, slamming the door in frustration as she departed. I felt no remorse.
For the past twelve years, Suetsui had consumed my thoughts, a forbidden temptation I couldn't resist. She was mine, and no one else's, least of all that soldier Ruben. For now, I bided my time, prioritizing her safety above all else.