"Sorry, Your Majesty, I just had to recall in my brain what I saw," Allison said, coughing lightly as she locked eyes with the king.
"Okay, and are you done thinking about what to say, even though it sounds odd to do that?" the king asked, his eyes glued to her.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Allison bowed slightly to him.
And then she started, "The prince was missing from the palace for almost two weeks. That had caused alarm because his disappearance was odd."
"Yes, everyone knows this. Why are you saying it, though? I'm sure you're aware this is not what I want to know, right?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Allison responded, making the king look at her with contempt.
The king's mouth moved as though he was about to speak, but Allison was faster and continued with her words.
"Yes, I know that's not what you want to hear, but it's necessary. I was tasked with the mission to look for the prince wherever he might be—not by you, but by the pact residing within me, which obliges me to protect all royal bloodlines, which includes the prince. You, however, did not instruct me to search for the prince, even when rumors about his disappearance were widespread."
"Yes, so?" the king managed to squeeze out, his eyes narrowing as his patience wore thin.
"For that reason, my master—you—did not appear to give the matter much importance. As a result, I unconsciously followed your lead and did not make it a priority. While I did search for the prince, I didn't put much effort into it. Consequently, I have no idea what happened to him," Allison said, her breath measured and steady.
"So, in summary, you don't know?" the king asked.
"I—" Allison was about to speak, but Cedric interrupted.
"I'm inclined to think you're hiding something with what you've just narrated. How about we do this?" Cedric said.
"Do what? Also, I'm not hiding anything. I have a pact with the king. He would know."
"No, he wouldn't know. The kind of pact you have is somehow limited, as it doesn't truly establish him as your master. He's supposed to be your master, but he can't be because you are far higher in cultivation than him. The only real advantage of your pact is that you are bound not to harm him at will."
"And doesn't that prove I wouldn't dare do anything like harm the king?" Allison said, raising her eyebrows in question.
"I'm afraid not, Allison," Cedric said, his eyes glued to her. "It is rumored that you had a hand in the death of the previous king, which was part of the coup orchestrated by the current king. You assisted in that death. You helped place the current king on the throne, and that means you could do the same to him."
"Hahaha… funny…" Allison said.
Her lips curled into a smile as she added, "If you have all this brainpower, you could put it to better use benefiting the kingdom rather than making stupid assumptions. I assisted the current king because I saw he was the one needed to lead next. Also, aren't you the same? You are supposed to be the kingdom's wizard, protecting the king, but you pledged allegiance to another when—"
"Have you no respect!" the king's voice resonated in the room, the sound of his hand banging on the table filling the space and elevating his tone.
"I sit here in your presence, and you still speak such things. I care not about how the allegiance was obtained, but as long as I'm the king, you'll stay loyal to me," the king said, his breathing heavy.
Facing Allison, he said, "Now, you two should stop sorting out your differences in my presence and do it some other time. I have a job for you."
"Sorry, Your Majesty. It was bad on my part to argue with the chief wizard. What is it that you wish me to do?"
"I need you to check on the prince and report back to me. I believe you are stronger and higher in cultivation than I am. Also, you have this innate ability that lets you see beyond empirical knowledge, so you can definitely discern if the prince is hiding something. Go to him and get this done. I need to know what I'm dealing with so I'll know how to act."
"I'll get it done now," Allison said, bowing her head slightly.
After showing respect to the king, Allison looked at Cedric with an annoyed expression before leaving.
As Allison left, only the king and Cedric remained in the room.
"Your Majesty, you need to be careful around Allison. She seems more than she appears," Cedric said, his eyes staring into the distance where Allison had walked off.
"I know," the king said, his hand tapping against the armrest. "But she's too strong, so I dare not do anything to her. In some ways, she still has some rights to decide things, and it's truly annoying, but it can't be helped."
"I understand," Cedric said. Then, with his hand stroking his beard gently, he added, "You definitely noticed something about her tonight, didn't you?"
"What? What about her?" the king asked, his eyes lighting up as he stared at Cedric, waiting for answers.
"She behaved with modesty and respect, not so proud—almost as though she was hiding something. Or rather, as though she was weak."
"You mean?"
"It seemed as though she wasn't at full strength, and that can only happen if she has used a huge amount of her power on a very strong and dangerous skill or ability. She needs to be watched."
"We need to be careful with her. She could turn out to be a threat," Cedric said.
"What do you suggest I do?" the king asked.
"You should watch for now and confirm what I've just said. Now that she has gone to check on the prince, let's see what she brings back to us. That will determine if she's with us or with the prince," Cedric said, his hand stroking his beard as it rested on his chin.
"A good plan." The king nodded.
_______________
A creak sounded as the door to a room opened slightly. A head peeked in through the small space the door provided.
"Oh… he's in," a voice said, soft yet cold.
The figure at the door then pushed it open fully, the creak sounding loudly. The figure entered the room and walked forward, its steps light and measured, until it reached the bed.
Lionel lay on the bed, sleeping soundly, his face calm.
The figure stretched out its hand toward Lionel and placed it on him. But as soon as it touched Lionel, his eyelids blinked open.
It turned out Lionel had not been asleep.