One by one, shadowy figures emerged from the ruins, forming a solemn assembly outside Alexa's devastated room. Ludwig, Liam, the Ministers, and Louise stood together, their faces etched with concern as they surveyed the scene, but Alexa was nowhere to be seen.
Tension hung thick in the air, the atmosphere heating up to an almost unbearable degree. The ground beneath them trembled slightly, hinting at the potential for a catastrophic quake. Everyone present knew the danger—Ludwig, in particular, risked losing control once again, potentially causing widespread destruction. However, he exerted all his strength to maintain composure, breathing deliberately and containing the fiery power within him, especially because Louise was nearby.
Ludwig flexed his neck and let out a long, steadying sigh, determined to calm himself and prevent any unnecessary devastation. He didn't want to scare Louise with his volatile temper, let alone harm anyone. Despite his efforts, the sudden disappearance of Alexa added to his internal struggle, making it harder to maintain his composure.
Liam could sense the seething anger emanating from Ludwig, mirroring his own turbulent emotions. His mind raced with thoughts of vengeance, desperate to uncover the truth about what had happened to their cousin Alexa. He harbored a fierce desire to exact justice on whoever was responsible, no matter the cost. However, the uncertainty of Alexa's fate only added to the mounting tension and frustration.
As Louise noticed that there were no other people around, she made a quiet exit, though her eyes revealed the multitude of questions swirling in her mind.
Meanwhile, Minister Isaac and Ksaver attempted to reason with Ludwig, but he was in no state to listen to their pleas. He silently entered the charred room, a sense of urgency driving him to search for something. When he couldn't find what he was looking for, his pent-up emotions exploded into a berserk frenzy.
In a matter of seconds, Minister Isaac and Ksaver swiftly departed from Lancaster Castle without further hesitation or inquiries, leaving the rest of the Ministers behind. Minister Quagmane, undeterred by Ludwig's destructive outburst, entered the room and began to assess the situation, his focus on the surroundings rather than Ludwig's rampage..
Liam, standing at a distance, could only shake his head in frustration. It hadn't even been a minute since Louise had left, and already Ludwig's anger was palpable, threatening to consume him entirely.
Surveying the destruction within Alexa's room, Liam's rage intensified. The once-ornate space lay in ruins, charred remnants of what had once been. Everything inside was destroyed, the walls blackened and smoke still lingering in the air. As Minister Quagmane emerged from the room, deep in thought, Liam couldn't contain the tremors coursing through his body.
Fire. The culprits had used fire, exploiting one of the weaknesses of the Witches. It was clear that they had intended to kill Alexa, and for that, Liam harbored a deep-seated desire for revenge, willing to go to any lengths to make those responsible pay with their lives.
Minister Quagmane spoke cautiously as he examined the fallen door, noting the risky tactics employed by the culprits. "This is a dangerous game they're playing," he remarked. As Minister Wilhelm departed to investigate other affected areas, Minister Quagmane turned his attention to Liam. "Based on our initial investigations, it appears they were deliberately trying to provoke Prince Ludwig. The enemy is well aware of his status as an Ascendant, and they are targeting what you both value the most, hoping to provoke a reaction from you."
A few moments later, Ludwig's rampage came to an end, and the temperature in the room gradually returned to normal. Liam was surprised by Ludwig's ability to regain control so swiftly, a skill he hadn't been aware that Ludwig possessed. Normally, it would take hours and significant damage before Ludwig's anger subsided, but this time, he managed to calm down in a fraction of that time, causing minimal destruction in the process.
Minister Quagmane's voice carried a weight of urgency as he explained, "They want you to react, which is why they targeted Lady Alexa. However, the key to defeating them is to act with caution and avoid any impulsive actions."
"Why are you revealing this to us?" Ludwig asked, his breath still slightly uneven.
Minister Quagmane turned to face Ludwig directly. "I want to assist you in defeating Amelia," he stated firmly. "I want her removed from the equation."
Ludwig's response was nonchalant, but Liam sensed an underlying meaning in his words. "And do you expect us to trust you?" Ludwig's tone held a hint of skepticism.
Minister Quagmane simply shrugged, maintaining a composed demeanor. "I understand your doubts, especially given the current circumstances. But I genuinely want to see Amelia eliminated, by any means necessary." There was a distant expression on his face, as if he was reflecting on something personal to him.
Ludwig and Liam were taken aback by Minister Quagmane's revelation. His words hung heavy in the air as he spoke of Amelia's alleged involvement in the death of his mother.
"Amelia killed your mother?" Liam repeated, disbelief evident in his voice.
Minister Quagmane nodded solemnly. "Yes, but I lacked concrete evidence at the time. By the time I gathered some, she had ascended to the throne, making it difficult to hold her accountable."
As Minister Quagmane paced back and forth, Liam and Ludwig tried to process the gravity of the situation. "It appears they strategically targeted Lady Alexa within the castle grounds," Minister Quagmane continued. "They are confident in their offensive moves, which means we must act defensively and be cautious."
Ludwig exchanged a glance with Liam, a newfound sense of urgency settling over them. The stakes were higher than they had realized, and with Minister Quagmane's revelation, they understood the need to proceed with caution and strategic planning.
Minister Quagmane halted his pacing, his gaze unwavering as he addressed Ludwig and Liam. "The destruction inside the room suggests an internal explosion. There were no signs of explosives in the surrounding areas or passageways, indicating that the source was within the room itself. Considering Lady Alexa's abilities as a Witch, it's improbable that she wouldn't have sensed the presence of the attackers or the explosives they brought."
Liam's jaw tightened, a mix of frustration and realization dawning on him. Ludwig, too, grasped the implication of Minister Quagmane's words. "If the explosives were brought from within Lancaster Castle, it explains why Alexa didn't detect the threat," Ludwig added, aligning with Minister Quagmane's analysis.
Minister Quagmane nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Exactly. It suggests an insider threat, someone with access to the castle's resources and who could bypass Lady Alexa's vigilance. We must tread carefully and consider all possibilities."
Liam offered his own analysis. "So, are you suggesting that the enemy forces have already mobilized within the castle, anticipating that we would soon uncover their spies? They didn't need spies anymore because they are preparing for an imminent attack," Liam surmised, his tone reflecting a sense of urgency.
Ludwig nodded in agreement. "They are ready to strike at any moment," he added, his mind racing with strategic considerations.
"We need to be smart, swift, and cautious," Minister Quagmane emphasized, his voice taking on a tone of urgency and determination. "Trust in ourselves and act accordingly."
Before Liam and Ludwig could respond or delve deeper into their plans, Minister Quagmane suddenly vanished, leaving them with the arrival of King Philippe and Princess Amethyst. The timing was uncanny, signaling the beginning of a critical phase where they would need to navigate a web of deception and betrayal within their own kingdom.
As Princess Amethyst blocked Ludwig's path, feigning distress over trivial wedding decorations, it became clear to Liam that she was stalling, intentionally diverting attention from the urgent task of finding Alexa.
Unable to tolerate the charade any longer, Liam abruptly excused himself and made his way to the library. There, he accessed a secret passage leading to the underground of the castle. Moments later, Ludwig followed suit, a determined look in his eyes.
"We need to find her," Liam asserted as Ludwig approached.
Ludwig hesitated, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "You should stay," he urged, implying that Liam's presence was crucial for their plan.
However, Liam understood his responsibility to locate Alexa. Despite the grim possibility of her demise due to the fire, they couldn't give up hope until they had tangible evidence.
Re-entering the room where the explosion occurred for several times, they found no trace of Alexa's ashes or any sign of her presence. This absence of evidence offered a glimmer of hope amidst the grim circumstances.
"Alexa is missing, Ludwig," Liam emphasized. "Perhaps she's in another part of Quailsham, not here at Fortunalia. While she's powerful, she wouldn't harm anyone intentionally."
Liam's words resonated with Ludwig, causing a flicker of concern to cross his features. Deep down, they both acknowledged the validity of Liam's observation. Liam vividly recalled Alexa's distress when she inadvertently ended a life before. Despite the target being a vile creature deserving punishment, Alexa had still mourned for days over the incident.
"You have a point," Ludwig conceded with a heavy breath. "Alexa's power is tied to this fortress. If she's beyond these walls, especially in Amelia's hands, she'd be in grave danger."
Liam nodded gravely. "Exactly. The forces allied with Amelia are merciless, and Alexa would be at their mercy."
The weight of the situation hung heavily in the air as they grappled with the potential ramifications for Alexa. The idea of her facing harm or worse under Amelia's control spurred them into action, intensifying their resolve to locate her swiftly before any irreparable harm could befall her.