Night.

The sky was completely dark. But it would occasionally light up as longing flashed through the sky.

The Royal Palace of Nemphis.

Evelyn was busy with paperwork in her study, while Maria, her cousin, was beside her- helping her with the work.

It was not Evelyn who asked for help but it was Maria who approached with the intention of forcefully helping Evelyn.

Though they have been working together for quite the time now, they barely shared a word among themselves. Maria could not take it anymore.

“Eve! What’s wrong with you?” She blurted out. “You have barely spoken a word for the last few weeks.”

Evelyn went on with skimming through the papers. She did not even give Maria a look as she answered, “I was busy.”

“Hmph!” Maria snorted. “You did not have the time to converse with your dear cousin, but you had the time to finger yourself, is that it?”

The Queen squinted as she finally gave her cousin a look. “We’re you spying on me?”

“No…” Maria looked away. “Well… yes. But that is not the point!” She looked back at the newly crowned Queen. “You…” She sighed. “You changed.”

Evelyn let go of the frown. She sighed, and a wry smile formed on her face. “You have no idea, sis. Everything changed.”

‘I don’t even own myself anymore.’ She extended in her mind.

Maria frowned, not expecting this answer. But before she could say anything.

*Knock. Knock*

“Come in.” Evelyn composed herself.

Maria also took a noble posture.

The royal door opened. A young man wearing the uniform of an official came in with a letter in his hands.

“We received a letter with the seal of the kidnapped Royal Advisor. I was ordered to directly to pass it to your majesty.” The man bowed and brought forth the sealed letter in his hand.

Evelyn took a deep breath and looked at Maria. Maria nodded and stood up, fetching that letter from the official.

The man stood up and bowed one last time before leaving through the room, closing the door behind.

Princess Maria passed the letter to Queen Evelyn. She checked the seal for a few seconds before nodding and opening the envelope. Her knitted eyes expressed her seriousness.

Maria adopted a serious expression herself. Though she was informed of Adrian’s kidnapping, she was sure he was fine thanks to her cousin’s nonchalance about this matter. But she was also curious of what he was up to.

Evelyn brought out a piece of paper from the sealed envelope and read through the texts. A wry smile formed on her face again.

The letters were scribbled as if he wrote it in a rush with trembling hands. All there was written was that he needed help and and an address of a location.

But she heaved a sigh of relief nonetheless. That bastard was safe at least. But soon, her brows knitted as she looked ahead. “Call in the Guardian Commander!” She ordered valiantly.

******

Nine days after the decree reached the small kingdom of Kraten. A caravan of four carriages stormed into the city of Arkel, the city of Kraten situated closest to Elesborg forest.

The squad of high level guardians, led by another vice commander of the Royal Guardians, was able to find Adrian Darkheart, the Royal Advisor of their nation. But unfortunately, the kidnappers were nowhere to be found.

But it did not matter since their goal was to rescue the royal official and they succeeded. Fortunately, the kidnappers were not too cruel and he was somewhat in a safe and healthy condition.

When asked about who the Kidnappers were, Adrian answered that the the ones were most probably imperials whose goal was to cause conflicts inside the Confederation.

The guardians easily accepted his statement since it was a completely valid and legitimate motive of crime. But it was not their duty to investigate further. It was now their objective to follow and escort Adrian Darkheart all the way through his journey, until he reaches the Royal Palace of Nemphis.

But before that, the vice commander had another task at hand. The newly sent vice commander was young; she was not even thirty years old and she looked even younger. Her brown hair and black eyes contrasted that of the majority’s. The reason she was able to take on the position of vice commander of the Royal guardians was very simple- she was a generational talent, someone that came once in the Confederation every ten years- a tier 5.

And her task was to inform the Royal family of Kraten that the previous Decree was now rendered null.

Adrian boarded the newly sent Royal Emerald Coach while the squad occupied the other three. The vice commander herself was inside the carriage vanguard.

The next morning, the Royal convoy set off for Darkshore, the Kingdom with the greatest martial might.

******

Adrian was relaxing inside the luxurious carriage. The entire trip was fun and tiring at the same time. If possible, he would have loved to stay every day and night lying on the bed. But unfortunately, he had goals.

After a whole day of journey, they finally reached their destination- Kradis, the capital city of the Kingdom of Darkshore, the motherland of Adrian Darkheart.

The strict guards of the city gates, welcomed the convoy with utmost fervour. Why wouldn’t they? Adrian Darkheart was now the pride of all of Darkshore.

They might not have the friendliest relations with Nemphis. But they were not enemies either. So, a Nemphian taking the highest official post in the mighty Nemphis was indeed a matter of pride for the Darkshoric people.

The horses, along with the carriages they were pulling, slowed down inside the empty road of the night city. Nemphis might be stronger, but it was etiquette. Both of them were participants of the same organisation after all.

“Young sir.” The window leading to the coachman’s spot opened again, the old man’s elegant voice came in. “Shall we wait for the morning to come or go to the Royal Palace now?”

“I have been missing them from years now.” Adrian smirked. “Now.”