The Great Endeavor

"If you don't want to say it, then don't put me in a position that it'll be but jeopardy." Anasthasia glared at him, contesting his.

Daniel hissed in a low tone, "You dare! Don't make me do something you will never like!"

Anasthasia did the same thing; with this, they won't arouse suspicion from their disputes.

"You are in no position to threaten me!" she refuted with indignation, "Can't you even see how much of a disadvantaged position you are in? Did you know what kind of a demon you're dealing with?!"

Anasthasia rushed towards him and gripped him by the collar, pulling close to him as she scowled, "To the point that it would also harm your Father?! Huh! Is that what you want?!"

"I never knew, Ana! I never—I… All I knew was nothing deemed wrong as I only did what's right—and that's for my Father to recover!"

Blake and Michael moved quickly to let go of her hold. She thrashed a little, in retaliation, but never pushed them aside or it'll create an uproar.

"Yet you clung to that sliver of hope, without even weighing the future and consequences, are you blinded enough to snap yourself from reality and only fixate to one solution?!"

"I—" Stumped by her questions, it dawned unto him how his actions dug the King's grave deeper. He went on his knees, trembling, as he propped in all fours. "I tried all that I could, and I was losing hope, Ana. I never knew nor cared about his plans, but I have to find my way…"

"Blake, Michael, let go of me…"

Michael did per her request. He moved closer to Daniel, and he bent his knees as though he tried to pick him up, but Daniel arched his neck, facing her. His grey eyes gleamed, and she knew it well.

"Ana, I'm desperate…" he croaked as Michael helped him stand up for himself.

She kneaded her forehead's temple. At the moment, she somewhat knew what effects of the symbol engraved on his chest. Still, she had ought herself to clarify.

'We should be fine, somehow. I'm sure I've held the upper hand, for now."

'I will have to hold on to this idea and try my best to balance the King's health and the palace's status quo, or it'll be all for naught… Not now…' she contemplated.

"The good side is, he is in the better spectrum." Anasthasia jerked her thumb at the back as he eyed Daniel's sudden elation on his face. "I can only do this much to protect ourselves and limit their activities."

He suddenly grabbed her hand, and his eyes glimmered with hope. "Thank you, Ana. My heartfelt gratitude goes all the way—" His lips sealed from a prod of her finger.

She gave a hushed sound. "It's too early to celebrate. Keep your feet on the ground and work on your predicament." Her eyes darted over the symbol on his chest. "I don't know how you'd try to move from now on."

"Don't worry! I can assure myself no harm will come your way!"

Anasthasia nodded. "Now, we shouldn't stay here for much longer. It's about time we have to leave this place."

She had reached for them and cast the same spell once more, which turned them undetectable. Then, lastly, she did unto herself, and while at it, she looked back at the bedridden King and pondered deep.

'This is just the physical aspect of your turmoil, King of Navarre Kingdom. What I'm worried about is after you recover, which I never revealed to them. How long will it take for you to wake up? Will you be able to live from then on?'

Her struts drove her to move forth and leave the King's chamber behind. Daniel led on and opened the door as though he gestured to them to leave, although not too obvious for the guards to wonder. Her eyes gaped at the now amiable look of him.

Anasthasia felt a pang in her heart after seeing his face, like a child who received a hefty treat from doing good things. Except that he really is one. She had a subtle nibble in her bottom lip as she thought of it. Unbeknownst to him, alas, she met his downward gaze.

'I don't intend to hide this information, but I have to, most especially to you. I'll see how this would all turn out, but after we plucked the culprit out.'

Then Daniel closed the door with a clack.

They prowled their way back to the secret passage and, finally, out of the royal palace's premises. No voice uttered, and thuds heard from them and could only advance their way out.

Anasthasia reverted back and slowly reappeared themselves and bathed in the bright sunset lighting. She dusted and smoothed her cloak as she quipped her voice, "This passage is convenient. I'm digging this for the rest of my life."

Michael chuckled. "I'm glad it is to your liking, Tasha."

However, Blake cleared his throat and darted his eyes at them, back and forth.

"Miss Ana, where do you plan to go after this?"

"That's a good question." She propped her hands on her chin, rubbing ever-so-slightly. "I plan to visit your residence if you don't mind."

Blake was taken aback but snapped out of it. He made a resolve and gave a curtsy towards her.

"That would be an honor for the Empress to visit one's humbly residence—"

"I told you to stop that, Blake. If you keep on doing that, It'll be awkward for the Crown Prince over here." She jerked her head to the side and pointed at Michael. "Your loyalty is questionable—"

"Don't worry, Tasha. Master always has this autonomous side of him, and the best part of all these is he was never a threat to the kingdom, so he's an incredible asset to the people living here. There's nothing more I could have asked for." He flashed a lopsided grin.

She gave a light shrug. "If you think that way, then I have no qualms about it—"

"I know where my loyalty lies, Miss Ana. It's always been the empire."

She furrowed her brows from Blake's utterance. It continuously rang her mind that she could help turn it into a mantra in her thoughts.

'What exactly does he mean by that? I'd rather believe my empire has flushed out entirely…'

"I'm pretty sure once you visited this humble one's residence, the answers would be for you to see for yourself."

Anasthasia wondered how he stood upright with a confident tone dripping every word of it. She was, instead, compelled and gave it a shot to believe him for now. Her feet began to saunter when Michael reminded her.

"Why don't we check Lucy and the rest on their progress first? Then, if it's alright with Master for us to have a look as well in his place." He politely glanced at Blake.

He hummed while he rolled his shoulders and adjusted his faux fur cape. His gaze fixated at Anasthasia, who beamed a smile to his way. He heaved a sigh of defeat.

"Fine, they can come."

Michael, who had his grin from ear to ear, pumped a fist as he cheered. "That's incredibly a fantastic idea! For the first time, we would be able to see his place so freely."

Anasthasia laughed. "Oh? So he never showed to that degree? I bet some things never changed and passed unto the successors."

He squinted his eyes from her remarks. "What are you implying, Miss Ana?"

"Nothing, don't mind it too much." Inwardly, she giggled and faced Michael. "Do you have any idea where the Beastmaster Council is located?"

"I do; we can go there this time."

She made a steeple in her hands as she pranced. "That's wonderful news! Goodness, how can I forget such an important day for Lucy and Fried to be in quite a bond—interesting enough—I can't wait how this all would turn out!"

With her prattles, Blake couldn't help but lean forward while glancing at her and his eyebrows creased from it.

"Miss Ana, I beg your pardon, but… Lucy and who?"

"Fried—! Oh!" She covered her mouth with her fingertips as realization dawned upon her. "Right, I have never introduced him to you. You're going to love that quirky beast."

"Perhaps it's no ordinary one."

Anasthasia's eyes flashed with astonishment. She couldn't help but ask what had made him think that way, "Why do you think so?"

"Knowing you… and knowing that little lady. Things seem to mismatch—but if it's you, I'm more inclined and compelled to believe something into a reality, Miss Ana…" his voice dropped to a whisper once he shivered and noticed the sudden temperature drop from the side.

This time, it was hers to make a squint in her eyes, staring daggers, and if looks could kill, then he was as though stabbed numerous times beyond any help.

"Oh really?"