Katherine paced in her room too worried, after she was dropped off at the royal palace a few days ago, she had been on edge. Being in the thoroughly guarded royal palace if she could get kidnapped and then after facing the mind-numbing torture she was dropped back in her room without even making it seems like even a strand of her hair was astray.

She was terrified that one night, out of nowhere she will be abducted by Ocean Ryujin again and he will once again put her into that dark cell and she would watch hell unfold.

She had tried her best but her anxiety was now turning into sharp outbursts. She wouldn’t let anyone around her except for her one lady-in-waiting, Rita, who often brought her warm soups and honey tea. She would stay even when Katherine was screaming at her for something she didn’t do or when she found herself crawled into a corner like a terrified little animal.

She felt reassured by her presence, which is why, apart from Rita, she had forbidden all other personnel from entering her chambers.

***

On the other side, Colette was in shock at her mother’s and even her brother’s dispositions. Both of them seemed like they still believed that they could have their power again. They didn’t think out of the box like her.

Colette smiled as she wrote another letter to Davian, she sprayed her newly imported perfume onto the expensive paper and then attached some flowers and ribbon to the envelope before pasting a kiss mark on it.

She then handed it over to her maid and gestured her to leave.

Colette hadn’t received a single personal response from Davian to her letters. All the expensive gifts she sent were returned, including the letters with the Grand Duchess’s response that the Princess shouldn’t act inappropriately.

That didn’t dishearten her though, she kept sending him letters but today’s letter was special. She had waited for this for long enough and now she had sent this particular letter that would ensure that she and Davian would finally be acknowledged as a couple.

***

Roger sat in his office across from Ocean after his treatment was done and he felt light and relieved.

Ocean watched him with a smile and Roger picked up the refreshing tea taking a sip and breathing deeply.

"I wish I could keep you at my side all the time, Marquis." Roger said and Ocean chuckled.

"I’m still at Your Majesty’s side all the time, one word and I’ll be here right away."

Roger laughed at that and then shook his head, "You and your sweet words, Marquis. No wonder you keep ladies wrapped around your fingers."

Ocean’s eyebrows jumped in mock surprise, "Pardon? What do you mean Your Majesty?"

Roger laughed more at his expression, "Don’t make that innocent face, Marquis. Even without ladies seeing your face the rest of you is enough to charm them."

Ocean shrugged, "I don’t even appear at many events, Your Majesty. How could I possibly do that?"

Roger shook his head, knowing that he wouldn’t be able to win against Ocean’s "humility" talk so, he decided to change the topic.

"So, how is everything at Oasis? And how’s your heir?" He asked.

Ocean smiled, "Everything is going smoothly and my child is also well thanks to Your Majesty."

Roger nodded, satisfied before he leaned back, wondering how the two Princes might be doing, there was still a week left for both of them to return and then the supervisors will have their confidential meeting with him as a witness and then the winner of the Trials would be decided. Roger had decided that he would declare Eric the Crown Prince the moment he was declared at the winner.

He had failed to save Eric’s mother but now he would fail to acknowledge his son who had grown so much despite all the circumstances. Carlos had enjoyed enough power so now he and his mother would have to pay back for everything that they had done.

Thinking of Katherine, his eyebrows suddenly furrowed and he glanced at Ocean who was gracefully sipping his tea.

A couple of days ago, Katherine had rushed to his room dressed in her nightgown, looking like she had seen a ghost. She was terrified, her face was ashen pale and she was speaking so fast that for a moment, Roger thought if she was experiencing some mania.

But after she was calmed down by the maids and the royal physician had administered her some sedatives she told him something that he found both surprising and alarming. Apart from the fact that it looked impossible he couldn’t help but wonder if there was some truth in it.

Roger watched Ocean carefully before he decided to approach this subject.

"I’m afraid for Katherine’s health these days." He started making Ocean lift his eyes to meet his.

"Is she not doing well?" He asked sounding sincere.

Roger licked his lips, leaning ahead, placing his arms on his thighs as he entwined his fingers.

"A few days ago, she came running to my chambers at early dawn dressed in her nightgown, completely disheveled and terrified." He said watching out for some signs from Ocean but Ocean simply placed his teacup down and appeared attentive. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"It took some time to calm her down but when she did, she told me this bizarre story."

"What story?" Ocean asked, his face a mask of concern and intrigue.

Roger continued, "She told me that in the middle of the night you abducted her from her room and then brought her to a dark cell and you tortured her."

Roger waited for any sign, even a minor one but he couldn’t see anything.

"Quite a vivid nightmare, I must say." Ocean commented, leaning back as if he was let down in some way.

"A nightmare, huh." Roger mumbled making Ocean tilt his head, giving him an almost innocent expression.

"You really believe that it’s possible, Your Majesty?" Ocean asked, "The Pearl palace is the second most guarded place after your Ruby palace, and how could anyone, let alone myself infiltrate it without getting caught and then even dropping Her Majesty back here? It sounds too farfetched even for fiction."

Roger blinked, he saw it there this time, as Ocean lifted the teacup to his lips. The way his eyes glinted ever so slightly carrying the traces of the danger that lay behind the mask of cordiality.

"You’re right," Roger spoke.

He had given the task of breaking Katherine’s support and power to Ocean in the past, not long ago and it had been a steady decline for Esmertia clan but now that he was presented with the possibility that this man could just hold the power that would surpass his so easily, Roger felt the sense of caution.

"Please don’t be worried, Your Majesty. I am loyal to you," Ocean spoke as if reading Roger’s mind.

"Your enemies are my enemies. I am the weapon that you wield, and this sword won’t turn on its wielder." Ocean spoke with such firm tone of sincerity that Roger was almost blown away.

Ocean’s acting skills were only second to his lying skills, he knew Roger was insecure about his position since years that’s why he had been keeping Katherine by his side but once he knew that Ocean Ryujin had more power he caught up to him. But he still couldn’t let the power slip from his hands so he had to be coaxed and reminded again and again that he need not worry about Ocean’s loyalty.

After all, killing Roger was of no profit to Ocean. Him being in the game was a safe point, with Roger alive he could use that authority to keep Katherine and Esmertia in check while he dealt with the deeper and darker issues that were rearing their heads from their centuries old graves.

"Ah, I forgot to let you know, Your Majesty." Ocean spoke making Roger blink.

"Yes?"

"It’s about Her Highness."

Roger’s eyebrows furrowed as soon as he heard about Alys.

"What about her?"

***

Somewhere deep in the forest in the secret tunnels that ran below Sestia, the Domina of the dark force coven grunted in frustration.

"Why does this bastard have to get in the way of everything? If it wasn’t enough that he’s our headache so, now he’s interfering in other places too."

Reikah stood near the altar as the Domina paced around angrily.

"I will gut him and feed him to the hellhounds!" She hissed and Reikah watched with a detached expression.

"Just wait, Dragon, you won’t know what hit you. We will see how you can save everyone, everything has been set right under your nose. And the day is not far before you will lose everything." She cackled and Reikah glanced at the grimoire that sat on the altar. She had only recently recieved it from an associate and she was already eager enough.

The day that Sestia would be destroyed, wasn’t far.

***

Down at Valmest, it was night time, Carlos had spent his days lounging in his room after he had shown Nyx the state her stepbrother and ex-fiance were in.

Back then, Carlos was taken aback by Ruel’s announcement that everything belonged to him. He wondered if he was talking about himself or Carlos?

"Hey, you meant everything belongs to us, right?" Carlos as when they had returned to their private chambers.

"... Yes, what else would I mean?" Ruel responded.

Carlos hummed before saying, "But Nyx is only mine though, and don’t do that again when you’re out there."

Ruel scoffed, "Don’t worry, I won’t touch your girl. Besides, it’s time."

Carlos frowned a little and then glanced at the clock.

"Ah..."

"The rats must be on the move." Ruel said, "We should make sure everything is lined up so that they wouldn’t doubt anything."

Carlos nodded, "Yes."

It was a necessary step because Ruel was adamant about leaving any loose ends, and also because Carlos had been furious after Kirkland spoke so audaciously to him. They had to teach the lowlife a lesson on what would happen if they dared slander their King.