Simpson

"Good evening milady," he said cordially. "Fate has brought us together once more, Kira," the man said, fixing his gaze on her. Kira recognize him as the man she had met before, whose right cheek bore the scar of a deep knife wound.

"Yeah, considering your line of work as a professional kidnapper, it isn't surprising to see you here," she replied politely now with a calmer demeanor.

"You never cease to amaze me, with your quick response, Kira," the man commented, taking in the young woman before him. The last time he had seen her, she was slender and fragile, but now she appeared healthy and strong, one thing that remained unchanged is her sharp wit. "Does the King know who you are, and this side of you?" he asked with a high of curiosity.

"What do you want, Cyph?" Kira grits her teeth, exasperated by the man's deceitful tactics, her hand balled into fists.

"I have no desire but to witness your demise, but Prince Jay demands you remain alive," he said, his expression filled with frustration as he recalled that the woman before him was the cause of the deep scar on his face.

Kira's face turned ashen as she heard Prince Jay's name, realizing he is still alive and that he would not cease his search for her. She heard the man continue,

"Does the King know of your attempted murder?" he asked pretending to sympathize with her. Having a murderer in the castle would certainly, raise suspicions about the King's disappearance, wouldn't you agree, Kira?" he added.

As a group of young women began to gather in the corridor they couldn't help and overhear the unknown man addressing Kira by her name. One of the women stepped forward and inquired,

"Good evening Sir," she greeted politely and extended her hand. "Do you by any chance know, Lady Kira?" Despite her attempt to inquire about Kira, the woman's intention was thinly veiled. Kira had seen the young woman on the castle one morning and they had shared breakfast with the King.

"Yeah, that's correct. Kira and I have been acquainted sometimes back," he responded wearing a satisfied smile, seemingly relishing the opportunity to continue needing Kira.

The woman smiled warmly as she introduces herself. "I'm Grace, I have known Kira since she worked under my mother at the castle," Grace smiled at the man in front of her. 'So she has enemies despite the King's protection in the castle?' Cyph thought.

Kira now remembered that Grace's mother was Elder Leah, the two women shared similar characteristics. She smiled at them as her sharp instincts never failed her. "Yes, I worked as a maid in the castle. If you'll excuse me, I'm here to accompany the royals," Kira said as she walked away, wearing a smug expression.

She didn't care whether the two continued their conversation or not, but she knew that the soldier, Cyph was not interested in making friends. Her hands which were balled into a fist a while ago relaxed at ease as she walked back to her table.

With a surprise written on his face, Cyph watched as the woman in maroon walked back to her table, her stiff shoulders raised as if she had conquered it all. Grace felt embarrassed as she realized she did not arrive in the royal carriage. With a deep sigh, she bowed and entered the powder room quickly.

At the entrance of the powder room, Alex has been watching the man intently, since he saw him approaching Lady Kira. He hesitated for a while after Kira had left before disappearing from there.

When Kira returned the ceremony was almost, complete as everyone was already being served food, she walked over to the pastry table to indulge in some sweets, hoping to lift her mood and forget about the earlier encounter.

As soon as Cyph approached her empty-handed the woman began shouting "How can you mess up something as simple as abducting a weak girl?" she had been waiting outside the carriage for him to bring Kira, and now the man walked out alone. The woman slapped him hard across the face.

The man stood his ground and looked at the woman. "Do you think I will let you disrespect me like that? Go inside and see if you can bring her out here," Cyph retorted. He then grabbed the woman and dragged her back to the ballroom. "Let's see if you can do my job any better," he challenged her.

Kira happily indulges in one sweet pastry after another, ignoring the disapproving looks and fingers pointing from the high society women who were aghast at her lack of proper table manners. She didn't bother to spare them a glance, after all, she was not part of their elite circle.

"You seem to be enjoying your time here in Rivea, Kira Simpson," a voice called out to Kira's forgotten name, causing her to freeze mid-bite of her sweet. She didn't dare turn around, can they let her mourn Drey's disappearance in peace, with nothing but sweet to comfort her?

Kira swallowed the pastry in her hand and braced herself with the woman's sarcastic words. "It's nice to finally meet you, Ms. Simpson. I have heard a lot about your rude behavior," said the woman snidely, speaking near Kira's ear.

Kira turned to face an unfamiliar woman who wore excessive makeup, similar to Cyph. It seems the woman was forced to come after her when Cyph failed to bring her back. "I'm sorry but I don't know you," Kira said, acting coy to the woman who pretended to be friendly, she attempted to walk away. However, the woman blocked her way.

"Sorry but you are coming with me," the woman said, attempting to drag Kira by the hand. Kira quickly tried to withdraw her hand, but the woman's grip was too strong, leaving red lines on Kira's wrist. The pain was unbearable and Kira reluctantly allowed the woman to pull her along. After the woman had threatened to frame her for the King's disappearance.

The woman discreetly led Kira to the back door, avoiding drawing attention. When she attempted to break through the woman struck her on the back of the head, causing her to lose her balance due to the darkness and fall.

"Ahh!" Kira cried out as she stumbled on the

ground.

Realizing the lady is not around Alex followed the scream from the back door. "Milady!" he called out searching for any sign of the young woman. Cyph blocked his way but Alex throw a swift blow directed at his eyes, the man was too heavy to be defeated by one blow when he attacked Alex back.

Moreover, he soon came to terms that the man was not going to surrender easily. Alex pushed him to the ground and forcefully slammed his head onto the pavement. As the carriage began to move away Alex took off after it.