The next day.
Amazarak Fallen Nation.
The summoned heroesā base.
Vane sat behind his desk, his expression calm and composed as the Amazarak chief stood before him, his posture respectful.
"Sir Vane, I have selected two of our best from the secret mountain base. They will be the ones to carry your letters. They are trained, loyal, and will not be easily detected."
"Mm... good." Vane handed over a small, sealed letter. The chief took it carefully, hiding it within his clothes. "Ensure this letter reaches the Elven Nation. Since your people cannot travel openly due to the past conflicts, I trust you will find a way."
The chief bowed deeply. "It will be done, Sir Vane. However, I will need your help to distract the soldiers stationed at the south gate and battlement. My people will use the forest path to reach the elven border, but they must not be spotted."
Vane nodded, his voice steady. "You donāt need to worry about that. It has already been arranged. Just make sure your people complete their task."
"Understood, Sir Vane." The chief bowed once more.
"You may go now."
The chief turned and quietly exited the room, leaving Vane alone with his thoughts.
After the door closed, Vane returned to reviewing his documents, his eyes scanning the pages. But something caught his attention. The cup on the low table near the cushion had moved slightly, as if someone had brushed against it.
"Whoās there?" Vaneās voice was calm, but his eyes sharpened.
He stood up slowly, raising both palms as his twin falcatas materialized in his hands. He shifted into a calm but ready fighting stance, his gaze sweeping the room before settling on the door. He stomped his foot lightly, and a faint magical seal locked the door shut.
"I know youāre here. Step out calmly, and I wonāt have to use force."
A soft, feminine voice responded from the empty space, carrying a hint of amusement.
"Your word choice in front of royalty is rather bold, Sir Vane. Are you always this direct with those of higher standing?"
The air shimmered, and Princess Celine slowly materialized, her fan held gracefully in her hand, a faint smile on her lips.
Vaneās eyes narrowed, his grip tightening on his twin falcatas. "How much did you hear?"
Celine smiled behind her fan, her voice light and airy. "Ara~ I have no idea what youāre talking about, Sir Vane."
"Donāt play dumb, Your Highness." Vaneās voice was cold, his smirk sharp. "Thereās no way you didnāt see or hear anything while hiding in my office."
"Ah~ Dropping the honorific already?" Celineās smile remained, but her eyes sharpened. "I truly have no idea what youāre implying."
Vaneās aura flared, his eyes narrowing into a glare. "Did Julius send you here? Are you one of his conquests? Did he send you to spy on me?"
Celineās face twisted in disgust, her eyes flashing with fury. "Do not compare me to those whores who spread their legs for him. You know nothing about me. So watch your tongue."
"I donāt believe you." Vaneās voice was cold, his mana channeling through his blades, ready to strike. "For all I know, you could be here on Juliusās orders, sent to spy on me and report back to him."
Celineās lips curled into a cold, bitter smile. "If I were one of his whores, do you think I would be here alone, hiding in your office, listening to your secret plans? Use your head, Genius."
Their weapons clashed, sparks flying as Vaneās twin falcatas met Celineās fans.
"Hmph! Not bad, Your Highness. But I canāt let you leave here alive," Vane said, staring down at her eyes as she blocked his attack with ease.
Celineās eyes narrowed, her voice sharp. "Iām not here because Julius sent me!"
She leaped back, then charged again, her fans slashing through the air. Vane blocked both strikes, his movements precise and controlled.
Celine smirked, her tone mocking. "You should be careful, Sir Vane. Raising your weapon against a member of royalty like me... if Ashara and Jiowana hear about this, youāll be in big trouble."
Vaneās expression remained cold. "I know the risk. I know what will happen to me. But under no circumstances will I let anyone ruin my plan, especially not Julius."
Celine took a step back, lowering her fans slightly as she studied him. "Arenāt you Juliusās loyal dog? Why would you hide things from your own leader?"
Vaneās eyes turned cold with disgust. "Donāt you dare call me that bastardās loyal dog. Iāve done everything for him. Covered for him. Planned for him. And yet..."
He gritted his jaw, his grip tightening on his blades.
"He threw me aside like I was nothing. He ignored my advice, dismissed my strategies, and treated me like a disposable pawn. And worst of all... he tried to force himself on Fayna."
Vane gritted his jaw, his eyes still locked onto Celineās. "I canāt let anyone, especially you, report back to Julius."
Celine raised one fan, opening it gracefully to cover her lips, her eyes still sharp. "I didnāt come here to investigate you. Your plans and actions do not interest me. The affairs, squabbles between the summoned heroes are not my concern."
Vaneās glare softened slightly, his stance remained guarded. "If youāre not here to spy for Julius, then why are you here? Sneaking into my office, hiding in the shadows?"
Celine lowered her fan slightly, her voice calm and measured. "I came here to find a safe passage to Armand. A way to reach them without being detected by the heroes or the nobles soldier."
Vaneās eyes narrowed further. "For what purpose? Why would you need to go to Armand?"
"That is not your concern," Celine replied, her voice firm. "It is a direct order from my father, the King. My mission is my own."
Vane slowly deactivated his power, held his falcatas loosely at his sides. "So... youāre not under Juliusās command?"
Celineās lips curled into a faint, cold smile. "Do you think Julius has the power to command my father or me? Do you truly believe he could order a princess of Divinity Nation to do his bidding? You overestimate his influence, Sir Vane."
( End Of Chapter )