The morning sky was heavy with thick, gray clouds, blocking out the sun's usual warmth. A cool breeze swept through the air, carrying with it the faint scent of rain. Sevastian woke up rather late today, he was tired due to only sleeping a few hours last night.
They had properly secured the prisoner in the dungeon, she was indeed a very stubborn woman. It took a lot more than imagined to get her to speak, even with blood dripping from her lips and two broken fingers. She always found a way to avoid their questions and divert the conversation.
After hours, Rohan was able to get her to talk. It was then she admitted to planning everything, out of spite for the King. She mentioned that Azreal had killed her brother many years ago, and this was her revenge, she also mentioned she was the one behind the corruption of the Dragons.
Even though she explained how she carried out everything in details, there was something about her story which had a loophole, Sevastian didn't completely believe her. Although he would say nothing about his plight, because he had no proof otherwise. Even Rohan seemed to believe the woman's story, perhaps she was right and Sevastian was thinking too much about it. He still kept a closed mind about her story.
Sevastian had the servants clean up the King's chamber and prepare a specially prepared meal for the King and his Lady's arrival. Dressed in his usual black coat, trousers and gloves. Sevastian went to the King's study to arrange some stack of papers that needed the King's signature.
A gentle knock landed on the door. "Sir, the King's carriage is arriving at the gate." A young guard announced.
"Very well, I will be out soon. Thank you." Sevastian replied politely, to which the guard bowed in acknowledgement and walked away.
A deep sigh escaped Sevastian's lips as he took a look at the study one last time before walking out of it, heading towards the main entrance.
Sevastian and three other guards stood at the main entrance, watching the carriage pass through the gate and come to a halt at the front of the palace.
The footman jumped down from the back of the carriage and opened the door, allowing Azreal to step out, followed by Elysia.
"Welcome back, Your Majesty, Lady Elysia." Sevastian greeted them with a slight bow, the guards beside him did the same.
"Ah, Sevastian, You look the same way I left you." Azreal stated, placing a hand on Sevastian's shoulder.
"I believe that is because you were gone for a few days." Sevastian replied.
"I know that. I told you not to miss me, Sev. Aren't you being obvious with your affection for me?" His brow arched as he spoke.
"Perhaps you were the one who missed me," Sevastian retorted, a hint of playfulness in his voice.
"I am not the one with tears of joy welling in their eyes. I am back, there is no need to cry." His smirk broadened.
The guards had to look away from the men as they controlled the laughter building up in them. "It appears you are quite pleased with your journey," Sevastian stated, as he noticed the King's usually cheerful expression.
"I sure did, I will tell you all about it later." Azreal added.
"Very well, Your Majesty, I can hardly wait to hear of your tales, perhaps, we should head inside. I fear it might begin to rain suddenly." Sevastian announced, shifting his eyes to look at the sky.
They all walked into the palace and down the hallway, as they headed to the dining room, while the servants took the boxes to the King's chamber.
"I believe you are hungry, I had the cook prepare something delicious for you," Sevastian announced, pulling out a chair for Elysia to seat. "How was your journey Elysia?" Sevastian asked.
"It was stressful, but fine. Much better than when we were leaving." Elysia replied, sitting on the chair Sevastian had pulled out for her.
"And why was that? Was it the bad roads?" Sevastian asked, as he moved around to take his seat opposite Elysia.
"Quite the opposite, we were attacked by bandits I presume." Elysia said, her eyes lowering in fear as she vividly recalled all that happened the night of their journey to Nightshade.
"Attacked? Bandits?" Sevastian's brows knotted together in confusion, his eyes shifted to Azreal, who had already began to eat.
"Assassins, they were assassins possibly paid to kill me. Those damned fools really thought they could kill me." Azreal scoffed, a dark chuckle escaping his lips, as if he had said a joke.
"That is quite unfortunate. I had no idea. You should have sent me a letter so I could look into it," Sevastian said.
"I did not see a need for that, besides, it is not the first time people have been paid to kill me. They tried and I always end up killing them all." Azreal said nonchalantly, he was not in a bit bothered by the amateurs who wanted to waste their lives.
"I understand you, Your Majesty," Sevastian turned to Elysia. "I do hope you were not hurt by any of them." He asked.
"I was not, the King saved me before any of them could hurt me." Elysia replied, her voice calm and soft.
"Very well then. I hope you did not encounter any unfortunate condition?" Sevastian asked, looking at Elysia who had her head hung low.
She was deeply ashamed to mention that she was almost killed twice in the Vampire Kingdom. How unlucky did someone have to be to face such fate? She asked herself, biting into her buttom lip.
"Elysia here seems to attract troubles as she was attacked twice in Nightshade, by the Princess and viscount." Azreal replied, cutting open the large meat on his plate.
"Do you jest with me?" Sevastian asked, unable to believe that all of this had happened in just a few days spent outside the palace.