Peas in a pod

While Hans kept Julius distracted, Darius, Peter, and Tom swiftly exited the tea house and rendezvoused with Annie in an alley near the palace.

"Why do you need my help to enter the palace?" Annie asked, her curiosity laced with suspicion.

Peter, straightforward as ever, replied, "We aim to steal weapons."

"Weapons?" Annie exclaimed, incredulity flashing across her face. She had suspected their plans were reckless, but infiltrating the palace, especially with no knowledge of their enemy’s tactics or security, was sheer madness.

Darius elaborated, "Since we fled the Wellington estate after the Major General's son was supposedly killed, everyone believes we’re fugitives. To protect Julius and the others, we need arms."

Annie shook her head, frustration evident. "I can't assist you in sneaking into the palace. I thought you needed my help to plead your innocence to the queen. But stealing weapons? That's suicide. You can't take on them all—it’s certain death!"

"Believe me, if there was another way to find peace I wouldn’t be doing this. But this is the only way we can protect ourselves and the people who depend on us!" Darius insisted. "The Major General won’t stop hunting us after what we did to his son!"

"Henry is alive!" Annie interjected. "I’ll ask the princess to persuade the Major General to resolve this without bloodshed."

Peter’s eyes widened. "Henry’s alive? Are you certain?"

"I saw him today at the palace. Go back to Flisk's tea house for now. I’ll talk to the princess and see if she can help. Just wait." Annie didn’t give them a chance to argue and hurried off toward the palace, leaving the group to reconsider their plans.

Realizing the near impossibility of infiltrating the palace without internal help, Darius, Peter, and Tom decided to bide their time and collaborate with Erick.

________________________________________

Days later, Katherine who also went through a perilous journey of her own, arrived at the palace, determined to seek the queen's help. While navigating the corridors, she unexpectedly crossed paths with Lameck Griffin, a commander of the security officers at the palace and the son of Erick Griffin.

Despite Erick’s efforts to secure a prestigious match for Lameck, the young man had never taken interest in romance until now. Enchanted by Katherine’s beauty, Lameck resolved to win her over.

"Who is she?" Lameck asked a nearby guard.

"Katherine Harrison, the last of the Harrisons along with her brother. You were classmates during primary lessons," the guard informed him.

A spark of recognition lit Lameck’s eyes. "That haughty girl! How fortunate to run into her now."

He approached her confidently. "Katherine Harrison, what a delightful surprise!"

Katherine, preoccupied, barely looked at him. "Hello sir. I’m looking for my brother, Titus Harrison! Have you seen him?"

Lameck flashed a charming smile. "Do you not remember me? It’s Lameck! We were in primary lessons together. You’ve grown so... exquisite!"

"What? Um…Thank you, but I’m in a hurry. If you know where my brother is, please guide me to him—it’s urgent."

"Of course. Follow me," he offered, walking alongside her.

During their search, Lameck tried to engage her. "How have you been?"

"Good. And you?" she replied, clearly uninterested.

"Busy, mostly. No time for much else. Marriage is a concern these days. Are you... involved with someone?"

"Engaged," she replied curtly. "You should make time for dating. Love is beautiful."

Lameck hesitated but continued, "You know, it’s about more than looks. It’s about connection. You and I are alike, coming from similar backgrounds. We’re like peas in a pod."

Katherine frowned. "I don’t think so. Love transcends wealth or status."

Sensing her indifference, Lameck reluctantly sped up and guided her to Titus.

________________________________________

Unbeknownst to Katherine, Henry, her former fiancé, was also present with Titus. Upon seeing her, Henry greeted her warmly, planting a kiss on her cheek.

Caught off guard, Katherine asked awkwardly, "Henry? What are you doing here?"

He smirked. "Did you receive my letter?"

Katherine stiffened. "The engagement termination notice? Yes. I’m serious—I won’t marry you."

Henry chuckled dismissively. "I thought it was a joke. Surely, you didn’t expect me to accept that nonsense."

"It’s not a joke," she retorted.

"Katherine!" Titus intervened, clearly uncomfortable with her defiance.

Henry, unfazed, addressed her brother. "It’s fine. Disagreements happen in relationships. But let’s not confuse reality with fiction. I’m real. He, however,"—Henry gestured toward Darius’s wanted poster—"is a man I’ll see dead soon."

Katherine’s eyes flared. "Touch a hair on his head, and I’ll make you regret being born!"

Henry’s grin widened. "Surprising! I didn’t know you had such fire. It only makes you more intriguing." Henry and Titus were set on capturing the rebels.

________________________________________

Meanwhile, Logan awoke tied to a bed, his surroundings a grotesque display of human organs stored in bizarre machines. The sight filled him with horror.

"let me out of here!" he screamed, thrashing against his restraints.

A man in a white coat approached, his smile eerily calm. "Relax. Soon, you’ll be part of something greater... well, in a way."

Logan’s blood ran cold. He realized, with a sinking dread, that he was face-to-face with death itself