CHAPTER 17 - THE FIRST

Two weeks have passed and doors were unlocked. No one tries to get out of their rooms. The whole building was quiet. Lady Samson was at the hall with Sheldon while waiting for them to come out.

"Do you think they know that the rooms were unlocked?" Sheldon asked.

"We haven't locked the rooms, Sheldon," Lady Samson cleared her throat, "It was the power of their minds. That's how powerful their thoughts can be."

"You should be happy about that right? You will not train them that long anymore since you know how their minds were."

"I have to change the controls of this island—" she wasn't able to finish what she was saying when a familiar face suddenly appeared, "Who are you?"

"Me?" she smiled, "I am Bella Mercuria."

"Of the Southeast. Greetings Princess," she slightly bowed her head, "What brings you here? Aren't you aware that this is a Mythical Island and you can just get in and out at your convenience?"

"I really don't know how I managed to enter. I guess you are the Head of this island?"

"Yes, I'm sorry. Let me introduce myself. I am Lady Samson, the Head Mistress. This is Sheldon, the house manager."

"Oh, I see. Nice to meet you. I will not stay any longer. I just came by to leave this message for Ace," she gave Sheldon an envelope, "I hope it will reach him, okay?"

"He will surely do. I guess you are his fiance?"

"How did you know? Is he telling you guys? I'm so flattered. Well. Yeah! I am his fiance and inside that envelope is the invitation to our wedding. I want him to see it too."

"Congratulations and best wishes in advance. I hope you two will live happily—"

"Yes, we will," Bella interrupted her, "But, without ending and after," then Bella disappeared.

"She can disappear too? Do you have the same ancestors?" Sheldon asked.

Samson rolled her eyes, "Are you insane? Anyone could learn those things. Not as good as mine but anyone can. I won't be surprised if most of the trainees can do it already."

"I wish I can also do that. So I can easily get what you ask for."

"You are too noisy! Prepare the foods for them. They were about to come."

"Actually I am here already," Snow unveiled herself.

"I know, My Dear. That's why—"

"That's why you held back with the things you are about to say with that girl?"

"Oh gosh! Why am I always being interrupted? Can't I just finish it?" she took out a deep breath and faced Snow, "I did not. Okay? I have nothing to do with his fiance or whatever!"

They heard screaming.

"If I am not mistaken that was Friean," they were all looking upstairs and they saw all the trainees form the countries run towards Stephen's room.

They hurriedly went upstairs and saw Stephen lying on his own blood.

"What happened?" Ace asked.

"He doesn't know how to use guns. And this room is filled with guns. Especially that cabinet," Roi pointed at it.

Ace glared at Lady Samson and she raised her shoulder once mouthing "She did nothing."

"But why of all the days, Stephen got shot today?" Roi asked.

"That is what I am going to ask. Who was the first one to see him in this state?" it was David.

"Well, duh! Probably it's me! Because I am the one who screamed and got your attention right? But it doesn't mean that I have done that! Who's an idiot who will let herself be caught in the scene," Friean defended.

"That's true. She too doesn't know how to use weapons," Rex supported her.

Ace came nearer to Stephen's body, "He was dead two hours ago. This was probably not a suicide. Look at the position of the gun and the bullet that pierced through his chest," he lifted the gun up, "If it was a suicide, the gun would fell on his side not here."

"Where the hell did you learned that?" Snow asked.

"I have been training for the armed forces and different defense-related troupes. I have seen this kind of situation. It was intentional," he stood up and faced Lady Samson, "It was going according to your plan. Don't you like it? What will you do now?"

"I did not want this to happen," Lady Samson covered her face, "I will make sure to punish whoever did this."

They all went to the dining hall. Tosh and Hoax were happily eating. Roi on the side tastes all the desserts.

"Seriously? How can you guys eat like that when you lose one of your allies?" Friean asked and threw her glass on the side.

"Hey, Princess!" Hoax tried to finish the food inside his mouth, "Why starve yourself, huh? He will not come back to life if you don't eat. I have been forced to eat a little since we were confined in that room so why would I bother not to eat if the foods were these festive, right?"

"Yes, he is correct," Roi answered. Friean looked at him unbelievably, "He will not be alive again even if we mourn. Lady Samson said that he arrived safely at North. I guess there is nothing to worry about."

"You are his brother for God's sake! How can you be so calm?"

"That's enough!" Snow interfered, "Respect the food. Come with me instead," she held his hand to Friean.

They were now in the garden. Friean burst out a loud cry.

"It's fine. I know you are shocked. Let it all out," Snow was trying to comfort her.

"H-how cou-could be that easy to-to talk a-a-about it that casually? It-it w-was like Stephen was a-a b-bear that was pierced."

"I know, but one thing is for sure. This was all planned."

Friean looked into her eyes, "I know what you are thinking. La-lady Sa-Samson has nothing to do with it. She-she's good."

A part of Snow wants to believe her because she was talking to Lady Samson at the time Friean saw Stephen's body. But Ace said that it has been two hours since Stephen died.

"We will soon know the truth. We should know how to leave this island as soon as we can. Before anything got worst."

Stephen was the first. no one should come next. Hopefully.