A Trap

That solemn night, Agatha couldn't sleep, so she decided to stay up. Perhaps she might just cook food for tomorrow.

As she walked to the kitchen, she stopped in her tracks when she passed by Liam's room.

It had been four days since his royal family had visited. They hadn't stayed long because of their royal duties and responsibilities. Their visit was actually illegal. It shouldn't be known that the King of the Kingdom was absent from the castle, or else enemies might abruptly attack Fortunalia. It seemed they had just visited to celebrate Liam's birthday.

In the days that followed, Leonel became more occupied with looking for Nysander. They always went out, and someone only slept at Slumber Shack. When Liam and Leonel were gone, two knights guarded Aiden and Agatha so they couldn't escape.

Agatha didn't dare to leave now that the huge gathering at Primotheus Capital was five days away. Liam suspected that Nysander would meet his other allies there.

She couldn't risk it, knowing Nysander desperately needed Aiden's blood to survive longer. Once Liam and Leonel captured him, she and Aiden would escape, so no more danger awaited them.

Agatha neared Liam's door and was about to knock just to check on him, but she hesitated. Yesterday, when Liam came back from his venture, he seemed different.

Agatha couldn't explain it well, but something was unusual about him. He wasn't talking to them, even to Aiden, unlike usual. He stayed the whole day within the confines of his room.

Liam didn't eat his breakfast, lunch, or dinner. When Agatha asked Leonel about him, he just told her to let Liam be alone for a while, assuring her that he'd return to his old self. Liam was just tired with everything happening, he said.

So Agatha did what Leonel asked. She didn't disturb Liam. She left him a tray of food outside his room and knocked twice to let him know it was there.

But after a few hours, when she returned, the food remained untouched.

Agatha was worried that something had happened while they were looking for Nysander, causing Liam to act this way. She asked Leonel for more details, but he didn't divulge anything. He just kept saying Liam would come around once he felt better.

Agatha was anxious the whole night. Maybe Liam was sick and isolating himself. For some reason, Agatha wanted to help him if he was indeed sick. He had already done a lot for them, and she was determined to repay him in any way she could.

Still, she was shy about opening the door. She didn't know what awaited her on the other side. Besides, she knew some people preferred to be alone when they weren't feeling well. She wanted to respect his decision if that was what he really wanted.

After a moment of contemplating whether to knock or not, she decided against it. She was about to return to the kitchen when someone spoke behind her.

"Do you need anything?"

Agatha clutched her chest in surprise, turning around to see Liam standing there. He was only wearing pants, his chest bare and faintly glistening. She immediately looked away toward the wall and almost stumbled against the door.

"It's almost past midnight," said Liam in a hoarse voice. "Why are you still awake?" It was strange for Agatha to see sadness in Liam's eyes. He was trying to hide it, but she had seen it nonetheless.

It seemed he had just cried.

"Are you okay..."

Liam gave Agatha a forced smile that didn't reach his cheeks. "Of course, Aggie..."

Silence stretched between them. Agatha didn't know what else to say but didn't want to leave. She couldn't. She wanted to know if Liam was really okay on her own terms. He seemed down, and she wasn't used to seeing him look depressed, hopeless.

"Is there any problem, L-Liam?" Agatha asked. "You know you can tell me."

But Liam just stared at her, his lips never parting to speak. There was seriousness in his eyes.

After a while, Liam said softly, "You want coffee?" He raised a cup he was holding that Agatha had just noticed. It was still hot based on the steam rising from it.

Agatha absentmindedly nodded. If Liam didn't want to share his problems, she wouldn't pry. It was the least she could do: respect his choices.

Liam walked toward the kitchen, and Agatha followed behind him. It was dim, but the nearby fireplace provided just enough light and warmth to pacify Agatha's cold heart.

Once she sat on a chair, she glanced up at Liam while he brewed the coffee. He was turned away. Agatha could visibly see how his elegant muscles flexed with his every graceful movement. He seemed thoughtful.

Soon, silently, Liam handed her the newly boiled coffee, and the rich aroma filled Agatha's senses. Before, it was a luxury to drink coffee, but now she could drink it every day because of Liam. He provided them not just a place to stay and food to eat, but also comfort and luxury she could never afford on her own.

After a while, Liam gestured for her to follow him as he walked toward the veranda. The cold air embraced her the moment she stepped beside him, staring beyond the horizon, his thoughts miles away from where he was.

Agatha didn't visit this spot every night, so it was only now that she truly appreciated the beautiful scenery of the town. It was still dark, but the lights shimmered like fireflies, like stars. It was enchantingly magnificent to behold.

Liam offered the seat near him, and Agatha sat down while still watching over the horizon. They were at an elevated area of Slumber Shack, overlooking the whole town, including the lake, and further off, the mountains.

Liam cleared his throat audibly. "I'm sorry I didn't come out earlier." His stare was still far away as if reminiscing about something from the past.

Agatha didn't dare to interrupt him, even though she wanted to ask about something that had been bothering her.

"I'm sorry if I made you worry," Liam pressed on, offering a small smile that glinted like moonlight.

Agatha averted her gaze. He had indeed made her worry. For some reason, it bothered her knowing something was wrong with Liam and not knowing what it was or how to help.

"Is there…" Agatha hesitated. "Something happening while you were looking for Nysander?"

Liam shook his head firmly, but he didn't elaborate, so she just waited patiently.

She sipped her coffee, and Liam did the same, both of them looking at the terrain before them, their minds astray.

For a few minutes, no one disturbed the lingering silence. Agatha was almost done with her coffee when Liam spoke.

"It's a beautiful view, isn't it?"

Agatha nodded. "It is…"

"The sparkling lights reminded me of the Crowns," Liam said with a half-laugh.

Agatha made a face. She didn't like the Crowns at all. They reminded her of her nightmares, the past still haunting her future.

"What?" Liam furrowed his brows, noticing Agatha's reaction. "You don't like Crowns?"

Agatha shrugged and didn't reply.

Liam shook his head. "I should've said the lights reminded me of herbal plants to catch your attention."

That made Agatha's lips curve into a smile. "Well, it looks like Stardew Hyacinth after all…"

Liam went silent then.

Agatha continued, "Stardew Hyacinth is a plant that glows gold. It is…"

"I know what kind of plant Stardew Hyacinth is," Liam interrupted in a serious tone. "And I despise that plant."

Agatha raised an eyebrow. "Why so? It's a beautiful plant."

Liam was silent for a while, his eyes darkening. Eventually, he spoke softly. "Our enemies used that plant to fake Hiyasmin's condition. We thought she was cursed by dark sorcery. She was unconscious for weeks, sometimes months, and her lower body was paralyzed."

"Hiyasmin?" Agatha gasped. "Your sister?"

Liam nodded briefly and drank the remaining coffee in one gulp.

Agatha wondered aloud, "Well, you are Blue Blood. Royalties, so you're bound to have many enemies. Especially those who want to take the throne…"

Liam nodded again in agreement. After a pause, he asked, glancing at her, "Is that why you don't like Blue Bloods? Because their lives revolve around trouble? I mean…" Liam sighed. "I noticed how much you want a peaceful life. You don't associate with others, and you always lie to your customers about your real identity."

Agatha was surprised that Liam knew about her lying to her customers, but she didn't let it show. She wondered what else he had observed about her.

"I don't think I've ever met someone who doesn't want peace and freedom."

Liam groaned. "So, is that why you won't accept me, yet?" His eyes were lowered as he played with the empty cup.

Agatha didn't know what to say, so Liam added, "Even though I have Dirty Blood running in my veins, I still can't ignore that I also have Blue Blood. Is the reason you don't want to accept me because I am the King of the Water Fae Kingdom? Because we're doomed from the start?"

There was a flickering fire in Liam's eyes. Agatha was so focused on his face that she didn't notice he had already bridged the distance between them.

"Aggie…" Liam called, cautious with his every move. "You know I will never let anything bad happen to you and Aiden. I will protect you, love you. I don't desire honor or respect. Tell me, once, and I'll relinquish the throne…"

"No!" Agatha yelled. She shook her head as tears welled up in her eyes, the cold breeze on her cheeks. "It's not that…"

It was already too late when Agatha realized what she had just said, but she could no longer take it back. She didn't want him to think it was his fault she wasn't accepting their Fate Bond.

"Then what, Aggie? Do you hate something about me? Is it because I'm lazy? Am I not enough? Too much? Just tell me what it is, so I can become who you want me to be…"

It was barely above a whisper, but there was desperation in Liam's eyes that made Agatha's knees tremble.

Agatha discreetly wiped the coldness off her face. "You really want this Fate thing to work, don't you?" Agatha was almost on the verge of laughing. She was trying to make this conversation light-hearted, but failing.

Liam looked deadly serious, as if this was a matter of life and death to him. "In Quailsham, many creatures live without ever finding their Fates. My mother died without finding hers. So, I consider myself lucky to have found you at all, after everything…"

Agatha's heart began to race. She felt incredibly valued and lucky because of all the care and love Liam had blessed her with. 

But at the same time, she was scared—scared of herself. She feared that once Liam learned what she had done, she would become worthless. She knew she couldn't trick him into accepting her without him knowing her past. That would be unfair to him. She wanted justice, and someone else wanted her to pay for her sins.

"I am lucky to have found you, Aggie…" Liam pressed on firmly. "So I won't waste this opportunity." 

He gently tucked a stray hair behind her ear, and she hoped he didn't feel her heartbeat drumming against his palm.

"The truth is, I am just a temporary King," Liam added. "Once the remaining Water Fae Blue Blood is found, I'll relinquish the throne to the rightful heir so we can live a normal life, like you want. You, me, and Aiden. Together."

Agatha couldn't follow everything Liam was saying. "You will what?"

Liam sighed patiently. "The Water Fae Kingdom isn't really destined for me, Aggie. I live in the Fire Fae Kingdom in Fortunalia. It's just that no one else could possess the Pearl Scepter, so whether I liked it or not, I had no choice. So I became the King. But I will step down, don't worry. We're closer to finding the rightful holder…"

Agatha could hardly believe that Liam would give up the throne, the crown, the power, and the authority for her. So they could…

"I know you need time, and I will give it to you. Just…" Liam's voice flickered with sadness. "Don't. Please promise me you won't try to escape again. I can't afford to lose you once more. That would be my death."

Agatha looked away, unable to commit to what she promised.

"I wonder why you imprisoned yourself in your room?" Agatha asked suddenly, trying to change the topic of conversation.

She didn't want to talk about their Fate Bond again. It made her doubt her previous plans, and she couldn't afford that. Surely, Liam would not let them be hurt. But it seemed he could do nothing if the Ministers themselves enforced the law on her.

Even his crown couldn't save her if that happened, and she couldn't gamble her life on his trust. Aiden needed her most, more than anyone, and she felt the same.

"It's my… it's my mother's death anniversary, so…" Liam couldn't finish what he wanted to say.

Agatha felt awful for accidentally uncovering the problem. "I'm sorry to hear that," she said apologetically. "I didn't know…"

Liam tried to smile to reassure Agatha, but like before, it was forced, not genuine, wide, or bright. "It's okay," he said. "It's me who should apologize."

Liam sat down properly but didn't return to his seat. Instead, he sat beside Agatha. "I should be looking for Nysander as the gathering is approaching. But even though it's been a long time, I'm still grieving. I don't think I ever will." 

Liam rubbed his neck. "You must think I'm such a weakling for holding on to my sorrow even after a decade and a half. But what can I do? This love hurts."

Agatha shook her head. "Everyone has their own version and duration of moving on. I don't think it's supposed to be called that. Maybe moving along is better. Along with grief, with the unspoken love. Everyone has their own process and path of mourning. Just because you're still holding on doesn't mean you're weak. You're crying because you loved them, still love them, will always love them. Besides, what else could we do when we're born? We cry first, and joy only comes second."

Agatha reached for Liam's hand and intertwined it with hers. It was soft, fitting perfectly. Liam stared at their hands, and a brief, genuine laughter echoed from his chest. This time, it was genuine, free, contagious.

"Well, I guess you're right," Liam said. "I am still grieving because I love my mother. I think the reason I'll never move on is that I feel guilty. I just can't accept that I did nothing when she was murdered."

Agatha gasped, her heart aching as memories flooded back. His sentiments sounded painfully familiar.

"She died because I failed her…"

"No, Liam." Agatha immediately shook her head. "Don't ever say that. Don't blame yourself for her loss."

"But you don't understand, Aggie," Liam argued. "I am the reason why my mother died." He looked away as his eyes glistened with unshed tears. "I was only seven years old, and I had to steal to eat. Of course, my mother disapproved, but because she was imprisoned inside a room, she could do nothing. You see, like you, I also hate Blue Bloods."

Pain and regret filled Liam's eyes. Even though it was dark, Agatha could see his suffering.

"My mother was very kind. She always wanted me to do good deeds, to grow up kind, helpful, and with principles that couldn't be easily swayed. She was also very beautiful. She had long blond hair, ocean-blue eyes, and flawless skin. That's why a Royalty took an interest in her, but because he was already married, he made her his mistress. My mother did nothing to encourage his desires. She was just a slave. But to me, she was not. Yet, he treated her worse than an animal, even putting a leash around her neck…"

Agatha saw the tears Liam had been holding back fall from his eyes.

"When he was done with her, he sold her to an Ogre. As her son, I begged him not to. I kneeled. But he had already spent the payment and could do nothing. He told me to find another woman named Isabelle, a beautiful Nymph. If I brought her to him, he would free my mother, exchanging Isabelle with the Ogre…"

Agatha listened in silence, captivated by Liam's sorrow-filled voice.

"He said no one would suspect a child, so I approached Isabelle and poisoned her drink. I was so desperate to free my mother that I did it. She was unconscious for a few days, and although I was little, I dragged her body across the forest toward the Royal's home. It took me a week."

Agatha swallowed hard as memories of her Auntie Isa's disappearance in Etherealis resurfaced. Before her father died, Auntie Isa had been missing for almost two weeks.

"But when we neared the house, guilt overwhelmed me. I couldn't go through with it. I couldn't trade one innocent life for another, knowing my mother would be saved at the cost of Isabelle's life. So, when Isabelle awoke, I let her go…"

Agatha tried to arrange her thoughts to form a coherent sentence, but her mind was blank.

"So I made another plan," Liam continued. "I tried to free my mother myself. I snuck in at midnight. I thought I was capable, invincible. But it was too late. My mother died in front of me because I was too weak, too small. I failed to protect the one I loved most. If only I had rushed. If only I had done it earlier. She could have been alive. We could have lived peacefully together. If only…"

Agatha embraced him, knowing words couldn't make him feel better. "It's not your fault, Liam. If anyone is to blame, it's the one who sold your mother," she whispered, stroking his shuddering back.

"I know," Liam said after a brief sob. "That's why I tracked him down."

Agatha released Liam and faced him. He seemed to crave a longer embrace, leaning in close. "Did you capture him?"

Liam weakly shook his head. "When my mother died, I didn't want to live either. Why should I? That's probably why I became so lazy. I didn't see the point of existing if my mother was gone. I wandered the streets until an old man took me in. He also took in another boy about my age named Rivalz. His parents had been killed too."

Liam sat straighter, a calm expression on his face as if the memory was somewhat joyful.

"Because the old man who took us in was also poor, Rivalz and I stole to live. When I was thirteen, we found Leonel, who was six years old and covered in blood in the forest. His parents were murdered too. We took him in and became brothers. We pledged to each other. When I turned sixteen, someone came looking for me and brought me to Fortunalia. I met my other cousins and learned that my absent father was a Prince. As much as I didn't want to leave Rivalz and Leonel, I realized that becoming a Prince could help us all live better lives. We could treat the old man who took us in. We could be happier."

Liam grabbed Agatha's hand and played with her fingers as he finished his tale.

"So I talked with Leonel and Rivalz," said Liam, chuckling as he reminisced. "And we had a bloody fight."

"After a lot of arguing, explaining, and conning, they eventually agreed. It took me a couple of years to gain power in the castle and receive the wealth from my father. Once the old man who took us in died, I brought Leonel and Rivalz with me."

Agatha wondered aloud, "Where's Rivalz, by the way? Is he at the castle? I haven't seen him even once."

Liam shook his head. "Rivalz… he's somewhere far away. But I know he'll return. He must return."

Agatha nodded, even though she didn't fully understand. "So that's why you and Leonel are so close."

Liam smiled. "We're brothers. We keep our promises. Us against the world. Once I had the authority, I used all my resources and Galleons to track down the monsters who killed our parents. We found the ones who killed Leonel's parents and delivered justice ourselves." Liam had a satisfied grin on his face. "But it's been harder to find the monster who killed my mother. We're still searching. We won't stop until justice is served."

Liam leaned on her shoulder, and oddly, it didn't feel awkward.

"We helped each other to defeat them. But when we fought the monster who killed my mother, he escaped before we could finish him. Now, he's nowhere to be found. Probably hiding, or worse, killing more. But I won't rest. All sins should be punished."

There was absolute determination in Liam's blazing eyes.

"My parents died too," Agatha said softly, "right in front of my eyes." She didn't know why she said that.

Agatha didn't usually open up to anyone. Not even to Camilla and Albus, whom she had known for years. But Liam was different. She felt that sharing her story might ease his sorrow and show him he wasn't alone.

Another reason was that Agatha had been bottling up her sadness for a very long time. Maybe this was the right time to release all those contained emotions. Her heart needed to breathe.

Liam was silent for a while, waiting for Agatha to continue. When he saw she was struggling to speak, he hugged her tightly.

They stayed like that for a long time, so long that dawn seemed about to break. No one spoke, no one moved. They simply embraced each other. Agatha hadn't known that Liam shared a similar tragic experience. They were both so young when they watched their loved ones die.

"I think I was around your age when my father was killed by the one he trusted the most," Agatha whispered. "My mother was killed too, by a woman she trusted. And I couldn't do anything to save them. But instead of imprisoning myself in the past, I used that experience to guide my future. I learned from my hardships and vowed to protect Aiden with all my might. My parents trusted people too much, and it led to their deaths. I won't make the same mistakes. Only I should be trusted."

Liam seemed to understand. "So that's why you can't trust me?"

Agatha paused, unsure what to say. It was true that her past made her wary, and she didn't want to lie to him. Liam deserved the truth, even if it was hard to speak honestly.

"It's okay, Aggie," Liam said gently. "I understand. It's natural to find it hard to trust again after losing your parents because they trusted the wrong people. But don't worry, I'll work hard to earn your trust. And I promise I won't break it." He whispered in Agatha's ear while still hugging her.

Agatha hadn't realized how much she needed to hear that from Liam. His words were spoken in a way that made her feel relieved.

Liam was about to kiss her, and she was about to let him, when suddenly, something fell beside them.

Agatha jumped to her feet as Liam rose, shielding her with his large frame. She felt his power surge instantly.

"Leonel?" Liam rushed to Leonel, who was lying on the ground, covered in scratches and bruises, bathed in his own blood.

"What happened?" Liam asked, immediately using his power to hasten Leonel's healing.

Leonel coughed twice before speaking. "I-it's a t-trap…" He looked seriously injured.

Agatha tried to help, examining Leonel's arms.

"T-the hideout… a trap," Leonel struggled to breathe. "He's here. N-Nysander. A-Aiden…"

Coldness enveloped Agatha as she ran towards Aiden's room on trembling legs.

It couldn't be. She couldn't lose Aiden too.

The run felt like an eternity, even though the room was just a few doors away. She reached the room, panting and holding the wall for support. She frantically searched for Aiden, but he wasn't on the bed or anywhere in the room.

Agatha's heart sank when she saw the swaying curtains and the broken glass near the window. Blood was scattered around.

"N-no…" she gasped. "Aiden."