n

n

n“You just wait. We’re not finished yet.”

nQuince tried to reach out to the familiar silhouette but he was unable to. The magic energy around him was vivid and it lashed out at him.

nThe next time he opened his eyes, he was sleeping inside his room. It seemed as if he just had a vivid dream he could not shake off.

nHe had seen that blue-haired lady as well as her companion in his dream as well.

nBut the offset things had been his and Clove’s game. They appeared to be older than their current self.

n“Quince, can I come in? I have some things I want to discuss with you.”

nIt was Clove who asked. It irked him how she ignored all social antiquated and sought him out in the middle of the night.

nIt would not be a problem for her but Quince would be left with a tone of rumors to clear in her name. He dreaded thinking about the nagging he will have to face because of this.

n“What is it, Clove? Can it not wait until morning? And how many times do I need to tell you not to come here at night?”

n“Oh, and now you’re threatening me? I guess you don’t care if I let some of your matters slip past my lips. I wonder how your father would…”

n“Shut up and come inside.”

nAs soon as Clove began those words Quince opened his door and dragged her inside. He could not allow her to speak her mind in the open like that.

n“Do you know how many rumors will work because of your late-night visit? I just curbed the last batch.”

n“That is your problem. What do these rumors have to do with me?”

nQuince had to remind himself that he could not hurt Clove. Not only will his father kill him but it will also require a lot of post-cleanup.

nSometimes Quince hated his life.

n“Not only did I have to be tortured by you in real life but also my dreams. Why did you get to enjoy life with your lover while I had to work so hard? Even my Pearl got taken in the end.”

n“Wait. What did you say about that dream?”

nQuince was not aware he had been babbling out loud. But the shocked expression on Clove’s face told Quince that something he has said has sparked her interest.

n“Sorry, I was babbling. I just had a weird dream today.”

n“You too, huh? Were you older and in the abyss as well?”

n“You too?”

nIt could have been a coincidence that Quince and Clove have the same dream but it did not feel like that.

nIt felt more like dream magic to Quince. And advance dream magic at that. It had even given Quince feelings he should not have had.

n“So, what else did you do in your dream? Weren’t you with Aurora most of the time?”

nQuince had asked a generic question but Clove went red at his words. And suddenly, Quince realized that he did not want to know what Aurora and Clove did in that dream.

nIgnorance was bliss after all.

n===========================

nThe Northern Palace was as cold as Aurora had expected it to be. But the hallway was tastefully decorated and had an aura filled with magic. The palace represented its history well.

n“So, do we have any idea where we are going or are we wandering around aimlessly?”

nRita was brave to ask this question. Aurora could tell that she was bored and did not regard the Northern Palace as anything special.

n“Of course, I know where we are going. But even I don’t know the palace inside out. That’s why I am taking you to someplace where you can get the map of this palace.”

n“And where might this palace be?”

n“My head maid’s room. She might be called the ‘head maid’ but she’s the one in charge of most operations going on inside this empire. Even as a republic state, the power in the royal family’s hands can not be ignored.”

nAurora had to give it to Natasha. She was as far from an ignorant brat as she could be. Aurora had underestimated her.

nAnd what she said about her head maid also made sense.

nThe royal family could not be ignored in the Northern Republic. It was a symbol of power and protection. And the head maid sounded like someone who knew all this and was taking advantage of this fact.

n“We’re here. I will go and distract her for now. You should take this opportunity to clean her room out.”

nNatasha knocked at the room door and the party hid behind the corner. Rita had cast an invisibility spell but it was not a strong one. All the trio could do was to keep quiet and keep themselves hidden.

nThe study door opened slowly and Aurora held her breath.

n“My lady? What are you doing here this late at night? Did you have a nightmare? Would you like to come in?”

n“No. Actually, I came to ask you if you can take me out for a walk. I am unable to find anyone else to take me.”

nAurora felt all her expectations dash as soon as her eyes landed on the small and fragile lady kneeling in front of Natasha.

nHad she not heard what the true colors of this lady were, Aurora would not have believed her to be the master manipulator Natasha claimed her to be.

n“She looks so normal and weak. I bet I can blow her head out even from here.”

nRita’s words sounded amused. Aurora had a feeling that Rita might follow through on her words if he was not stopped right now.

n“Don’t be an idiot and cause a scene right now. We cannot afford to drag other maids here.”

nAurora agreed with Alexander’s assessment of the situation.

nBesides, she also found it odd that the security around the royal palace was this lax. It was asking for all kinds of trouble, right?

n“Alexander, you go and follow after Natasha. I’m a little worried about her. Rita, let’s comb the study for anything useful inside.”

n“Sure.”

nAlexander disappeared in a swirl. The invisibility spell he had cats was much stronger than Rita’s but it also came with its limitations.

nWith the owner of the study out, it was prime time for Aurora and Rita to get to work.

nThey finally slipped past the door and Aurora felt no magic run around her. But she did feel someone push her into the door and a pair of lips on her own.

n