If I had to choose, could I leave it all behind and let Lucas take the fault? It did not seem right to let an innocent man be executed for a crime he did not commit.
Being sent to the Tower of Light was like being granted a death sentence, "I want to see Lucas," Gardenia said, "I will not decide until I see him."
"Argo can help with that," Jia er handed Gardenia a black veil, "use this to cover yourself. That way, no one will get in your way."
As it turned out, Argo was the guard who had accompanied Jia er outside the palace. Gardenia doubted Argo was his real name, but for now, she would play along.
"Where are you taking me?" Gardenia asked as Argo guided her down a long corridor.
"The third son of the Honeysuckle House is being confined in the dungeon below the temple of Saint Lucia," Argo turned down another corridor. Per your Kingdom's laws, they have yet to move him to the Tower of Light. Anyone entering the Tower of Light must do so when the sun is at its highest; only then will the doors open."
Gardenia wanted to ask more but held her questions for another time; she worried someone would overhear. The dungeon was damp, and hardly any light lit the path. Lucas was locked inside a cage, not even a cell, but a cage gagged like an animal, chains binding his arms against his body. He was a sorry sight to behold.
"What is this?" Gardenia extended a hand, closed her eyes, and pictured the cage opening and the chains falling. Lucas's dazed look seemed to fade; it was as if he could see through the veil.
Gardenia removed the muzzle, "why would they do this to you?"
Even though it had been two days, Lucas looked like he had been imprisoned for years. "They despise that which they do not understand." Lucas's voice was hoarse, as if he had swallowed sand.
"Let me take you away from this place," Gardenia was contemplating how to carry him out when Lucas interrupted. "I do not mind going to the Tower, for that is where they imprisoned my mother."
This was the first Gardenia had heard of Lucas's mother, "Why was your mother sent to the tower?"
"So that the Marchioness could claim her place." Lucas's words dripped venom, "The current Marchioness was my mother's maid. She framed her and took her place."
Gardenia searched her memories but could not recall hearing of a previous Marchioness. "If you despise my mother, why help me?"
Lucas truly looked like the madman he was made out to be. There was an emptiness in his eyes, unbefitting of the living, "because, if I help you, it ruins her plans. If I help you, her infidelity with a demon will be exposed."
"What infidelity do you speak of?" Gardenia asked, even more confused now than when they had first started speaking.
"You are not the Marques daughter," Lucas laughed a bone-chilling laugh. The Marchioness never knew what my ability was," the chains that bound Lucas disintegrated. I have always known you, and I do not share blood," Lucas staggered to his feet. But you insisted on calling me brother, and if even you, a child she bore, could be treated so miserable, then perhaps that child and I were not too different."
Gardenia did not move away, for she was not afraid. She knew Lucas would never hurt her. "You can read minds," Gardenia refused to break eye contact, "do you know who I am?"
Lucas threw his head back with a sigh. "I had my suspicions, for there was one person whose mind I could never read—my sweet Astra."
Argo pulled Gardenia back just in time; an explosion surrounded them. Sunlight filtered through the rubble, making the underground prison far brighter. "I will help you as best I can," Lucas jumped out of the hole created by the explosion. "Be free of this world and its bindings."
Gardenia wanted to follow after Lucas, but Argo's hold on her was ironclad. Argo had to drag her back to Jia er's room.
"The madman escaped," Argo said as he loosened his hold on Gardenia, "and this one wanted to follow after him."
Jia er did not seem surprised by the sudden news of Lucas's escape. It was as if he had expected it.
"Did you help him?" Gardenia asked.
Jia er ignored her question as he finished packing. "There is a change of clothes in the bathing chamber; you can either come with me or stay behind and burn with the palace."
The sudden change in Jia er made Gardenia wonder if it had all been a façade.
"How will I keep my promise to this girl if I leave with you?" Gardenia asked. It seemed even Argo had noticed a change in his master.
Argo took two steps forward then a saber appeared in his hand, "Where is his Imperial Highness?"
As the disguise falls, the stranger lets out a cackle and a beautiful woman stands in place of the High Mage.
"Your Prince summons me to this cursed Kingdom and then takes off, leaving me to fill the void." The raven-haired beauty curls her nose at them, "Do you think I have nothing better to do?"
"High Priestess, your message said you would not arrive until the day after tomorrow," Argo bowed in apology, "I was not informed of any changes."
The High Priestess dug into her sleeve and pulled out a letter, "for you." She shoved it into Argo's hand before beginning her inspection of Gardenia. " Not bad. You can coexist since you were once the same being."
"Can you tell who I am?" Gardenia wanted to trust the new stranger, but the memory of the night she met her demise suddenly resurfaced.
"I can tell many things, but that can wait. My name is San Wol. I am the High Priestess of the Crescent Moon and have been tasked with getting you out of this Kingdom." High Priestess San Wol seemed to be waiting for a response or a refusal, but she got none.
Gardenia walked into the bathing chamber and changed into her new clothes. There were too many things to consider. Should she leave and get her revenge later, or should she stay and end it all in one go?