Chapter 17.5: Lady Thea's Death
1192 Words
KIERAN?!
“That is why I had to be wary of him, and of everyone who is impenetrable. They're filled with mystery and secrets. So I apologize if I treated you harshly a while back. I didn't mean to. I know you are a werewolf and I know you have good intentions, but it makes me uneasy that I couldn't see through you,” he explained in gloominess.
I walked closer to the first prince and patted his shoulder. “The Alpha King can read my thoughts, even Ma'am Hasha can. Maybe your seventh sense just doesn't work on anyone. Don't worry, I give you my word that I won't do anything to harm the imperial family.”
Kylo smiled at me. “Be careful with Edevane. He and Thea were very close to each other, but he wouldn't speak every time I ask him about Thea's death. I don't know if he's just traumatized or he has something to do with Thea's death.”
I couldn't imagine Kieran pushing a helpless woman down a steep stone cliff. But that doesn't mean he isn't capable of doing so. Kieran is still a mage. A no-ordinary mage that is almost capable of doing anything. Still, I give him the benefit of the doubt for being so gracious to me.
“I’ll be careful, your grace. Don't worry about me.”
...
Throughout the whole night, everything that Kylo said has been bothering me. I couldn't get myself to sleep!
Even the strange letter that the bat left on the balcony has been messing with my mind. Should I ask Kieran to read it for me? I know he knows how to translate those words into English since he's a mage. That's a no-brainer for him.
I sat down on my bed and pulled the folded paper out of my pocket. I stared at it and wondered why the sender used blood instead of just red ink? The sender could probably be someone from prison who wants to send secret messages but doesn't have a pen.
What am I even thinking??
ne reviens pas
— VK.
Maybe I should keep this letter to myself until I find the true meaning of these words.
But what if this letter isn't meant for me? Well, obviously it isn't!
These three words are even more complicated than my whole life. This might be a secret code to another dimension so I must ask someone to decode it for me immediately. Who knows, this might be the key to all my aspirations in life.
‘Only an imbecile would think about things like that.’
Shut up, you wolf. You really won't side with me on anything I do, huh?
‘What do you mean? You and I are one.’
I must speak to Kieran tomorrow.
...
The next day wasn't how I expected it to be.
I haven't even gotten the chance to talk with Kieran because the moment I woke up, everybody has been panicking with the sudden announcement that the third prince and the princess will finally come home after their two months of vacation in another country.
Then suddenly, I ended up in a carriage with the third prince and his twin sister, the princess. They just kept blabbering and quarreling over petty things the whole trip to the castle! I can't believe Ma'am Hasha told me to look after them! Maybe she did that on purpose so I would return back being deaf with all the noises from these twins.
“Uhm, your graces, please calm down, and let's try to fix—”
“WE’RE CALMED DOWN!”
Okay.
Since you both said so.
Who on Devas would say they are calmed down while screaming right before my face?!
We arrived safely back at the castle and the twins rushed inside to greet their brothers. They seemed to be very gentle and kind now that they are in the imperial abode. Just earlier they were loudly bickering at the carriage.
I went to the garden fountain to wash my hands. Fortunately, I saw Kieran there, playing with the waters using his magic. He didn't notice me approaching.
“Hey, how's the day going?” I asked him as I washed my hands thoroughly.
“Oh! Hi, Eagle! I should be asking you that. I heard you accompanied the twin siblings home. I thought they were still coming back home next month,” he immediately replied and stopped doing magic. “So, how were they?”
I sighed and looked at him with weary and tired eyes. “They’re horrible teens, Kieran. I don't want to crash into them once more!” I complained.
Kieran chuckled and covered his mouth as if he was being giddy.
This is a great time to ask him about Lady Thea. He doesn't seem to be having a sad time right now, so I wonder if the mention of her name would make him sad.
Or should I just tell him about it when he's feeling down?
“Prince Kylo told me about Lady Thea Grashene,” I started the conversation.
Kieran didn't seem to be surprised about it. Maybe he figured out that Kylo was going to tell me about Thea anyway.
I tried to peer into his expression to see traces of sadness or any emotion, but zilch. He wasn't showing any reaction at the mention of her name.
‘Maybe he really killed her—’
Shut up, wolf!
“Thea was a good friend of mine who sadly died so soon. But I do not wish to hear nor speak of her name once again. Please refrain from—”
“Or what? Why do you keep avoiding conversations about her?” I insisted.
Kieran looked at me in disbelief. He probably didn't expect such a response from me. Neither do I. I don't even know why I feel so eager to know about her death.
Is it because I am afraid that it would also happen to me? That I would face the same fate as her for being friends with a mysterious guy?
“You are in no stance to talk about her, Eagle. Go and have some rest now. I know you had a rough and long day.”
“No. You tell me first how Lady Thea died and I will rest whenever I want to.”
Kieran contemplated for a while. He was fidgeting his fingers as he felt on edge.
He suddenly grabbed my waist and pushed me to a wall near the fountain. He doesn't seem enraged but doesn't seem so happy either
It's my first time seeing this expression of his. Just blank and nothing else.
He lowered his face to mine and closed his eyes. I didn't feel any fear at all if that was what he was trying to imply by pushing me harshly here. As soon as he realized what he did, he pulled away and gave me space.
“T-Thea—” he mumbled her name in a soft and brittle voice.
“She died because she discovered my true identity.”
- Writer
