11.

Teak wood eyes stare at the dark hair teen besides her, unweaving. Once assured that the teen is eating her food with no issue, teak wood eyes averts their gaze to the letter in hand. Brown painted fingers break the familiar blue seal before unfolding the letter.

Cold eyes read the words on it, making quick work of dissecting them. Black painted lips release an unimpressed scoff, before the sound of parchment being squeezed fills the carriage.

Liliane proceeds in rolling down the window beside – a small space only meant for her hand to pass through. With her little control of Air Elemental magik, she stops the heavy gush of wind from entering into the carriage. She puts out her fisted hand, the scrunch up parchment still in it.

With the slight narrowing of her eyes, the parchment in her hand combust into flames. Once burnt, she releases the ashes into the air. She wills a small portion of Leona’s water outside, enveloping her entire hand in it. Once the water ball has fully absorb the sooth left from the ashes, she lets it fall, uncaring if the water manages to land on an unsuspecting person.

The Redfyre ward flicks her dry hand before bring it back in, rolling up the window. She sighs through her nose, eyes closing for a moment. When she opens them, it is to inquisitive grey eyes.

Beside her, Leona has paused in her eating, worried gaze boring into her Ward-Sister.

“I’m fine.” Liliane says, a tight smile on her lips.

“I take it you and Aerianna are still fighting then?” Raemon quires with a rough voice, a result of him taking his potions moments ago.

Liliane’s silence is an affirmation to his question.

“Lily…” Leona frowns with worry.

Unsurprisingly, Liliane is still deeply hurt by the letter sent to her by her girlfriend two weeks ago.

Honestly, who wouldn’t? One will feel badly hurt when the person they have been courting for one and a half years sends a letter informing you that they have been contracted into a marriage. A marriage set to take place a few months from now.

Although Aerianna assures her that she doesn’t want to marry anyone other than her and is still deeply in love with her, that doesn’t lighten the pain the Redmoon feels in her heart.

“I’m fine. Really.” Liliane smiles reassuringly at her sister, albeit tightly.

“Lily, you can’t keep ignoring her letters.” Leona chides, eyebrows furrowed. “You both should meet and talk it out like adults. Ignoring her won’t solve anything.”

“The baby lion is right.” Raemon joins in. For once, Leona ignores the pet name, all her attention focused on her sister. “As much as I don’t understand how relationships work, or how much pain you are in for this unforeseen betrayal, I believe you should follow Leona’s advice.”

The braided woman heaves a tired sigh, fingers massaging her temples. “Fine.” She grunts out. “I’ll send her a letter when I get to the palace. We will meet up the day before I leave.” She waves a hand dismissively.

Her reply is met with nods of approval.

“Now,” she continues, staring down at Leona with a terrifying look. “Finish your breakfast.”

The teen squeaks before going her breakfast as instructed – wolfing down the food in record time. Once done, she drinks the bottle of water, rinsing her mouth along the way. She arranges the empty bottle back, dropping the used napkin in the box before closing it and handing it over to Raemon, who opens a small Gate to the sink of the kitchen and dropping it in.

Raemon decides to open his own letter, a frown setting on his brow.

“So,” Liliane begins, “what does it say?” She asks.

“A request from a Prince from a certain kingdom. He wishes to hire my services in killing his father.” He says with a smooth voice, as if talking about the weather. “He says he wants it to look like a natural accident.”

“Hmm. Which kingdom?” Leona asks.

“Aurelo.”

“Ahhh. It’s about time they killed that fool of a King.” Liliane snorts, a pleased smirk finding its way to her lips. “Please tell me you are taking it? If not, I will. Mage Law be damned.”

“Oh, I am, dear cousin.” Raemon smirks, easy and sure. “I still haven’t forgotten what that pig did.”

The trio’s expression darken at the reminder. What that man did to Alfaenia is unforgivable. It’s about time he pays for his sins. And he will do so with his blood.

“Please, do bring back his tongue. I’m sure Alfaenia will love it.” Liliane says with an unholy glint in her eyes.

“Oh don’t worry. I’m bringing back his head.” Raemon smirks evilly, letting out a dark chuckle. His reply makes the two women smirk, pleased with his answer.

Raemon holds out the letter to Liliane, who cast a Fire Spell on the paper. Raemon proceeds in open a small Gate, holding the burning paper over it. The falling ashes fall into the dark portal, never to be seen again.

“So, which day are you meant to assassinate him?” One of his sister asks.

“Two days from now.” Raemon replies, letting go of the almost burnt paper. He closes the gate, relaxing his back into the seat.

“Hmm, a day before I leave.” Liliane comments. “Do you have any other mission after that?”

“Unfortunately, no. Looks like I’ll be playing baby sitter for Miss Overlord here for the time being.” He jerks his head at Leona, a playful smile on his lips. Said Overlord just humps haughtily, turning her nose in the air and facing away from him.

Liliane chuckles at her antics. “So, Miss Overlord,” she teases, making Leona to hmph again. “Aren’t you going to read your letter?”

“Oh! Almost forgot.”

Leona reaches into her pocket, taking out the letter. She unseals it and rapidly reads through it.

“Well?” Raemon asks, after a minute or two.

“It’s from Aeron.”

That gets the adults eyes to narrow in disdain.

“He’s inviting the family for lunch tomorrow. By 1pm sharp.” Looks like she’ll be missing classes again tomorrow.

“Everyone?” Liliane asks.

“Everyone.” Leona confirms with a grimace. Her confirmation makes her siblings to groan.

“As if having meals with them at home is not enough.” Liliane moans.

“Well, on the bright side, his siblings are attending to.”

That draws their attention and they look at her in surprise.

“Really?” Liliane asks, excitement clear in her voice.

Leona nods in confirmation, making Liliane to pump her fist in the air with a ‘YES!’ and Raemon to groan again.

“Oh, cheer up cousin!” Liliane grins at him. “Just because he’s going to be there doesn’t mean it’s going to be the end of the world.”

“But Lily, it’s him.” He groans again, making Liliane’s grin to widen the more.

“I so love your despair, cousin mine.” She says with a lopsided grin.

“Of course you would.” Raemon mumbles sourly, aiming a dark glare at her.

“What, who?” Leona frowns in confusion.

Liliane just winks at her, grin still on her lips. “Unfortunately little sister, that’s a secret.”

Leona rolls her eyes at their secrecy. It’s not the first time that they are being secretive about something, and it won’t be the last. The heiress carefully folds the letter and puts it back into her pocket before leaning on the wall of the carriage, looking out the window.

For a good reason, or two, the Vermilion Manor is located outside the Empire walls, on a hill. It is protected by magik – even though her grandmother despises it – and a fortified wall. To get to the main city of the Empire, they have to make use of Gaionleus ridden carriages, and it takes an hour and a half to get to the capital.

Caelum’s daughters and Leona, who are still students at the Royal Academy, are expected to rise very early and leave the Manor before 6am.

Foods are delivered specially. Mobiles –which are carriages which float with the aid of Magik Cyrstals – are used when visiting those close to home and by those inside the Empire.

With the speed they are going at, it didn’t take long for them to reach the capital of the Empire. The heiress looks down through the window, staring down at the bustling city below.

“Leona.”

Liliane calls out, drawing the heiress’s attention to her.

“Come here.” She beacons her with a gesture.

The teens moves over to her, blinking owlishly. Liliane materializes lips moisturizer – from out of nowhere – and applies a generous amount on Leona’s pink lips.

“There.” The bronze skin woman smiles in approval. “With the cold due to the incoming rains, this will prevent your lips from drying up like an unfortunate Queley fish on land.”

It isn’t long before they landed in the palace grounds. They all school their expressions, donning on cold and emotionless masks, before stepping down from the carriage.

Raemon leaves them, walking over to their rider. “Do not wait for us. You may leave. We will get back via teleportation.” He says in a silky tone.

The man nods in understanding.

Before he takes off, Leona walks over to Pae, patting him on his beak.

“See you back home boy.” She says.

The Gaionleus nudges her, giving a huff.

The trio begin their journey over to the meeting hall; the sound of the carriage taking off behind them.

On their, they are met with stares ranging from lust to jealously to disdain. Begin used to them, the trio doesn’t give them or the whispers a lick of attention; their eyes forward.

They reach the doors of the grand hall where all royal meeting takes place; meeting Marbethta and Caelum in front of said doors.

Since she’s still a minor, Leona has to attend meetings along one or two of old and well known and respected member of the family. Seeing as Marbethta and Caelum fit the criteria to the dot, they both decided to accompany her.

“What are they doing here?” Caelum sneers out, while Marbethta just narrow her eyes at them.

“They are my protection.” Leona says matter-of-factly.

“Caelum.” Marbethta says, stopping her son from saying anything else. She throws a pointed look at him, eyes darting from one guard to another stationed at the ends of the door.

Caelum reads the message loud and clear and he nods in understanding.

Behind her, Leona could feel the glare and cold look Liliane and Raemon are leveling at the two before them.

Even after two weeks, her siblings are still furious about their decision, and rightly so. To betroth the person who they consider their little sister, without their knowledge and consent, is an ultimate betrayal to them.

Leona just thanks Helma that they didn’t kill them the next morning; only deciding to tongue lash them. And by the Goddess was it scary.

Leona knows that her siblings are forces to be reckoned with, but she never knew they had such sharp tongue; way sharper than the one she’s accustomed to.

With a roll of her eyes – due to how the two geezers cowered before her siblings’ gazes, Leona steps forward and the guards move to open the doors.

She enters into the room, Liliane and Raemon flanking behind her at both sides; Marbethta and Caelum following them with a displeased frown. They are met with unimpressed and disdainful stares.

As usual, the threesome didn’t pay much attention to them.

“We sincerely apologize for coming late, Your Majesty.” Leona says with a sweet mirthless smile, taking her seat a few feet away from Emperor Caelem. “I was occupied with an issue which couldn’t wait.” She lies, staring straight and unweaving into his eyes.

“Occupied with what? Finishing your homework?” One of the Lords barks shrewdly, a mocking grin on his lips.

Leona just throws a cold glance at him through the corner of her eye before dismissing him as unimportant. That gets him frowning and gritting his teeth in irritation.

“Once again, I apologize.” Leona continues with an incline of her head. That has some lords smirking in amusement. The Lord she dismissed glares at her.

“It’s quite alright, Lady Leona.” The Emperor waves dismissively. “There has to be a first time for everything.” He grins. “Everyone in this room, even I, has come late once or twice to a meeting. Don’t beat yourself up.”

“Father, you shouldn’t dismiss such behavior.” The Prince speaks up, drawing attention to himself. The boy was looking at Leona with eyes filled with disdain. “You are only going to fill her ego.”

“Trust me your highness, compared to some people in this room, my ego is the size of a mustard seed.” She gives him a sweet smile, but that makes his eyebrow to twitch in annoyance.

“Unsurprising that you know them.” He sneers.

“Why, of course! I am looking at one after all.” Her smile becomes sweeter.

Behind her, Liliane’s lips twitch, while the corners of Raemon’s eyes crinkle a little. The Prince’s face pinches into a frown, his eyes glaring at the still smiling Vermilion. The five Ladies, and a few Lords, look on with amusement.

The Prince opens his mouth – knowing him, he’s about to say something derogative – and closes it back with the look his father sent him. That makes Leona smirk in amusement, making his glare prominent.

“As fun as it is seeing you two banter like two school kids,” Lady Rose speaks up, drawing two dry looks at her. They are still school kids. “We are here for something important.” She continues. “And I for one don’t want to make this meeting longer than it should be.”

“As expected, Lady Rose is right.” Leona says with a smile, now facing the Emperor. “It’s best if we go on with the reason with the reason we are gathered today. We are all on a time schedule, if my guess is correct.”

“Yes.” The Emperor clears his throat. “Let’s proceed.”

“Before we start, your majesty, I will like to ask that the young Lady remove her… siblings before we proceed. They are simply too many Vermilions in this room.” Lord Nobaerat states.

Leona coldly stares at him, and so does Liliane and Raemon. The cold looks and their equally flat expressions makes him squirm a little in discomfort. When his eyes meets Raemon grey ones, devoid of any emotion and being its usual dead self, he inaudibly gulps.

His eyes… they are simply cold. Even though Nobaerat possess no magik, he could feel the deadly aura whiffing from the boy. It got so heavy that even the other council members were throwing wary glances at the Sanguine Lord.

“I’m afraid that won’t be possible, Lord Nobaerat.” Leona says with a cold, wide smile. “Currently, they are serving as my body guards and are here to see to my safety.” She opens her closed eyes, looking at him through silted eyes. “But if they bother you and everyone so much…” Leona flicks her hand, still looking at the occupants before her.

Raemon body flicks and he suddenly appears by an edge of the room, still behind Leona’s back. He backtracks, walking into the shadow behind him. His body seems to melt into it, leaving only his eyes. Said eyes glow brightly and eerily, intensifying the grey of them.

Liliane turns and walks over to an open window. She makes herself comfortable on the large sill, back leaning on the side, and crosses her legs. She folds her arms – making her toned biceps to bulge out – before turning her head and looking at the council. The moment Liliane shits down, Raemon’s eyes disappears. It’s as if he wasn’t there anymore; but people knew otherwise.

“I see you brought your protection, my Prince.” Leona comments with a sly smile, eyes pinpointed on the Assassin few feet away behind him. “Hello, Rumiroyu. Long time no see.” The council members either stare at her or the area her eyes were trained on in alarm. “I wonder if Lord Nobaerat will protest against you being here.” She glances at the Lord with a side eye, donning an innocent look.

The Prince and the Emperor, as one, level their eyes on him. Lord Nobaerat shrinks under their stare. He couldn’t meet their eyes, optioning to stare at the table.

“Well?” The Emperor arches an eyebrow at him. “Do you have anything to say?”

“No, my Lord!” Nobaerat hurriedly replies.

“Good.” The Emperor stares down at him for a moment before looking away, making the man to breath a silent sigh of relief before he throws a glare at the smirking Leona. “Let’s begin this session.”