Counter-plan [2]

Hmm, now that I'm looking at her from this close; she's pretty beautiful!

Her waist-lengthed blonde hair is completely matching with her deep brown coloured eyes.

Right now Mary is sitting in front of me in the same inn I was before, the four royal guards with her are standing straight like a pole behind her.

It's easy to distinguish between the royal guards and normal guards, the royal guards have detailing on their armor with blue colour while normal guards don't have detailing on their armor.

"So, how are you?"

Breaking the awkward silence, which was between us till we met each other, she finally asked.

"Me, uh-h…. I'm fine."

"Oh, it's good then."

…and once again there was silence.

Well, first will anyone tell me why the hell she has royal guards with her!

Actually, leave that, tell me why does she have a freaking armor and sword! Isn't she supposed to be a healer?

I mean, when I met her back in the forest she didn't have a sword with her that time.

Not only the sword, if you look at her now, but she's also a completely different person. Her looks, attitude, behavior, and even her aura feel different.

"Are you also a royal guard or a squad captain? When we meet back in the forest you said that you are a student in the magic academy but, this armor you are wearing doesn't look like a school uniform at all."

"Um, Well…" After hearing my question, she didn't answer immediately, but she said it after thinking a bit.

"My father…It's my father's job, right now he is kind of sick so I'm doing it for him. You know the current situation right? Someone tried to kill his majesty, so all the forces are on high alert."

"Yeah right, the situation." Nodding my head I replied and picked up with her answer.

They are trying their best to prevent the news of the king's assassination to spread in public, maybe she knows about it but is not telling me.

…By the way, is it really possible for someone to do their parent's job in the time of emergency? Sounds fishy!

Umm, not that I care much; if she doesn't want to tell then she must have her reasons, it's not my place to say something.

I have my own problems to deal with! Ahh, how the hell should I meet with the prince!

Wait for a second!

I don't know how exactly but she is somehow related to the royal guards, then she must be able to go inside the castle pretty easily right!

If I take her help then maybe…

It's worth giving a try!

"Mary!" Breaking the silence once again, I called her.

"Huh, yes?" Hearing me call her name out of nowhere, she kind of jumped a little in surprise.

"I wanted your help in something."

"…"

"Actually the thing is, I wanted to meet with the crown prince. I have something important to discuss with him."

"And.." Lifting her brows a bit she impatiently waited for me to finish.

"And I wanted you to help me meet him. You know you can go into the castle easily, and I am an outsider so it's pretty hard for me to go inside."

After hearing my answer, she fell into deep thought. After thinking a bit she asked me while putting her hand on her chin.

"What is it that you want to discuss with him?"

This indeed is a reasonable question, but sorry Mary, I can't tell you that.

"I'm sorry, but it's classified information."

Hearing me reject, disappointment could be seen on her face clearly.

Placing her hand on the table and interlocking her fingers, she had a serious look on her face.

"Hmm, I can't take you in when I don't know the reason you are going for. I am not saying that I don't trust you but if something happened then I will be the one responsible for it."

I can't blame her for this, what she is doing is right from her perspective. If she took me in and helped me meet the crown prince and if, by any chance, something bad happened…

She will be the one responsible for it.

Actually, I'm pretty impressed by the loyalty she has towards her country, she owes me her life and even then she rejected to help me to avoid any possible threat towards her nation is quite amazing.

"I think now it's time for me to leave, I'm sorry for not being able to help you. Please contact me if you need help in anything besides this matter."

Brushing her hair to right with her hand, she said as she stood up to leave.

But sorry, I also have things I need to do.

I didn't want to release this information to you, as it can bring you into trouble. But I think I don't have any other choice, this is less risky compared to sneaking inside the castle and getting caught.

Just as she was about to leave,

"I know that the king is dead, a demon killed him right!" I mumbled to myself in a voice, loud enough for her to hear what I said.

"What!" She screamed as she turned towards me.

"How-"

"Calm down, everyone is watching."

Stopping midway, she took a look around and found that everyone in the area was staring at us.

Realizing her mistake, she sat on the chair which she was sitting on before.

Noticing her quick change in behavior, the royal guards who were standing behind her tried to charge toward me but stopped after they saw Mary giving a signal to them with her eyes.

After stopping the guards, her attention shifted towards me as she saw me with a mixed expression of surprise and caution.

"How do you know about that?"

"So I was right!"

Her face becomes pale after hearing my response from me.

'Did I just get played?' she thought to herself while clicking her tongue.

She fell for it.

I was right, all the people in the government know about the king's death and they are keeping this a secret from the public.

When she asked me {How did *I* know about that}, she openly confirmed that she knew this beforehand.

Now that she fell for my little game, I can easily get into the castle.

Leaning back on my chair and brushing my hair with my hand. I said with a little smirk on my face.

"You see, this is the topic I wanted to discuss with the crown prince."

After making sure no one heard what I said, she slightly leaned toward me she asked.

"Does anyone else know about this?"

"I don't think so"

"What do you mean by that?"

"I haven't told anyone about this by myself."

Suddenly a serious look appeared on my face as I looked directly into her eyes.

"Look, I know you guys are not revealing this information in public because it will cause panic and I don't have any problem with that. But the thing which I want to discuss with the prince is even more sensitive than this and takes top priority."

"You said you wanted to know the reason why I want to meet with him and I told you that. Now, will you take me inside the castle?"

She closed her eyes and begins to massage her forehead as a sigh escaped her mouth.

After thinking a bit she opened her eyes and replied.

"Okay, I trust you."

Hearing her reply a proud and glorious smile appeared on my face declaring my victory in this war.