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nNatasha was curious about the information Aurora and that assassin were talking about. She was also envious of Aurora for getting the information instead of Natasha.

nNatasha did not know why she was feeling like this. It was true that she was still a child while Aurora was much older and was just stuck in a child’s body because of a curse.

nBut feelings were rather irrational like that. Natasha had felt like she had shown her sincerity but to still be tossed aside easily hurt.

n‘I wish I could do something else while those two are talking. I want to take my mind off this topic.’

nNatasha was leaning against the other door when she saw a glance of red in the distance. It looked like someone was running away while being chased.

nIt looked like Rita was in trouble and Natasha decided to help her.

nShe took one last glance at the door behind her. Aurora had told her not to leave this place and to call for her if something happened.

nBut Natasha did not want to disturb her. And Natasha also wanted to prove her capabilities in combat.

nNatasha might not have killed the assassins before but she had lent a hand in the assassination.

nSo despite knowing that she should not, Natasha decided to leave her place and follow after Rita.

nShe ran toward the corridor she had watched Rita disappear into and quickly dashed through with a light spell ready in hand…

n…only to be met with a blade at her throat as angry red eyes blinked at her.

n“Natasha? Thank god I stopped in time.”

nRita breathed a sigh of relief as she dropped her sword. Her eyes looked tired but lively to see Natasha alive.

n“Ah,..yes. Rita. Are you alright? I thought you were in trouble so I followed after you. But where are the maids who were after you just now?”

nNatasha was sure she had seen a few maids headed this way. But once she had gotten to this place, there was no one but Rita in sight.

n“Oh them? I dealt with them already. They were annoying me to death but I did not want to kill them out in the open. It is not something you should be worried about anyway.”

nNatasha breathed a sigh of relief she had not even known she had been holding. She was not sure why she was so relieved to hear this news.

n“I see. I was just with Aurora when I ran into you. She is nearby as well so let’s go and find her.”

nNatasha tried to change the subject but she did not get to walk away before Rita clasped a hand on her mouth.

n“Don’t make any noise. I can hear someone headed this way.”

nRita was not breathing behind her. Natasha could not feel the moment of her chest anywhere and it made her panic.

nHer mind knew that Rita was alive and well but the nerves of the moment made Rita’s head spin. She could not decide what she should do.

nThe footsteps came closer and Natasha saw Rita’s weapon rise in front of her face. It was held right in front of her and the gleam caused Natasha to close her eyes.

nRita lashed out just as the footsteps turned the corner.

nMetal met metal before Rita’s grip on her faded.

n“It’s just you? Can you make your presence known next time? You gave me a heart attack.”

nNatasha was let go and she opened her eyes to see the familiar black-haired man. He was a member of Aurora’s party but Natasha had not seen him often.

n“You should work on your situational awareness. I send Aurora ahead so that I could regroup with you. There is a change in plans. We will be heading to the train plaza and take a train out of here.”

nNatasha was surprised but not shocked at the turn of events. Ever since that assassin had introduced himself, Natasha had a feeling that things were bound to change.

n“Huh? What’s this all of a sudden change? Why would we risk exposing ourselves like that?”

n“Because it had become necessary. Even if we do manage to escape in secret, things will not turn out for the better. We will need to make a public scene of us taking Lady Natasha away. The Republicans will help us out.”

n“Alright, fine. I don’t even care why or how you decided this but how are we going to do that? It took us so much effort to get into this royal palace.”

nNatasha was aware of how much effort it had taken. And Rita’s complaints made sense to anyone not involved with this fiasco.

n“Oh, that? We will be stealing those suits still and everything. Only our destination has changed ahead of time.”

n“Fine. If you are here then I expect you to lead the way. I tried to find the way and all but I got lost in the process. The map is not easy to navigate at all.”

nNatasha had lived her whole life in this castle and there had been many passaged even she had never seen before.

n“I know. The palace was built with the help of magic and there is not much we know. But we know the way to our destination now due to inside help. Don’t worry, I won’t lead you to your death.”

n“Somehow you saying that does not spark a feeling of confidence in me.”

nNatasha had not wanted to laugh but the smile escaped her lips regardless. Even in such a tense situation, these two people were content to bicker. It seemed as if they did not worry about the world.

n“You two seem close.”

nNatasha commented in between her giggles. She felt envious of their easy relationship. She wanted to have something like this in the future as well.

n“Close? No change. We are just stuck with each other due to the circumstances around us.”

n“True. Who would want to be close to a violent chimpanzee like this red-head here? All she does is cause problems for us.”

n“Y-You? Why are you picking fights with me? I feel like you remind me of someone else (Ava)”

n“Oh really? Then I would like to meet this amazing person in the future. I have a feeling we will get along.”

nThe bickering between the pair was amusing but all amusing things should come to an end.

nAnd this time, it happened because of the interruption caused by a small but sharp-eyes lady.

n“You! You are not getting away from this castle alive.”

nIt was the head maid who had arrived on the scene.

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