The Change in Gabella 4

Translator: Cinder Translations

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Felix was being escorted by his guards as he ran from the main hall entrance to his residence. Antonio's men continued their relentless pursuit.

During the escape, Felix's guards suffered heavy losses. They had attempted to counterattack at one point, thinking that Antonio's forces were relatively small. However, after one attempt, they dared not try again. Antonio's men were eerily skilled: not only did they wield flames from a distance, but their arrows and bolts struck with deadly accuracy, almost never missing. In close combat, the guards discovered that Antonio's men were clad in incredibly sturdy armor, nearly impervious to their attacks.

Felix was baffled by how Antonio had managed to station such elite soldiers, superior even to the royal guard, within the palace.

"They must have used some kind of dark magic to become so powerful," Felix reluctantly concluded.

Many guards sacrificed themselves to allow Felix to distance himself from the attackers. Gabella's palace was an extensive complex, and, for the moment, the sacrifice of his guards seemed to have paid off. Felix and the few remaining guards managed to escape to his palace quarters. On the way, they attacked anyone they encountered, unsure if they were allies or Antonio's men, leaving behind a trail of casualties among wandering guards, officials, and servants.

"We've made it!" Felix was nearly tearful with relief as he approached his residence. His quarters were relatively isolated, and loyal guards stood watch at the entrance.

Seeing the bloodied Felix and his few guards rushing toward them, the gate guards sensed something was wrong. Only when they saw the bloodstains did they realize that something serious had occurred.

"Quickly, prepare to defend! Don't let anyone through!" Felix shouted, his voice hoarse.

"Yes, Your Highness!" The guards, though anxious, obeyed his order.

Even though many had anticipated a conflict between the two princes, those involved were still taken by surprise when the situation finally erupted.

Just as Felix burst into his quarters, Antonio's forces closed in, surrounding the exits. In addition to the initial group from the palace's main hall, Anbolov, one of the palace guard captains, brought reinforcements, aligning with Antonio.

Riding a white horse, the second prince Antonio appeared at the forefront of his troops, addressing Felix's guards at the door:

"Felix has no hope left; today, he will meet his end. There's no point in following his orders."

"Prince Antonio!" the guard commander at the door responded, "We have sworn loyalty to our prince. If you wish to enter, you'll have to go through us."

Antonio sighed and shook his head before signaling to his troops. "Attack!"

Flames, arrows, and bolts began raining down on Felix's guards defending the entrance.

Inside the palace, Felix sprinted towards the northwest corner of his quarters. There, a hidden room held the entrance to a secret tunnel leading outside the palace. If he could reach it, he'd be able to escape, regroup with the D'Arshi family, and amass the strength to counterattack.

"Your Highness! What's happening? Why are you in such a rush?"

Along the corridor, Felix encountered Lady Kolrich, a royal court attendant who served him. Her elegant silver hair stood out, and she was as graceful and charming as always.

But Felix had no time for courtly manners. He grabbed Kolrich's hand and pulled her along as they ran.

"Your Highness?"

"Kolrich, the Light has truly blessed me to find you here—it's a stroke of pure luck." Felix, gasping for breath, explained, "That bastard Antonio! He's launched a rebellion!"

"Prince Antonio?" Kolrich's tone was full of surprise.

"Yes! That half-breed! That witch's son! How dare he? How could he do this?"

No longer concerned with decorum, Felix cursed the half-brother who might soon cost him his life.

They raced down the long corridors, with Kolrich keeping pace despite her being a woman.

Once they reached the room with the secret tunnel, Felix began issuing instructions, pointing to his guards.

"You, you, you, and you—come with me. The rest of you, stay here and hold them off as long as you can."

Those assigned to defend the room's entrance looked somber; they understood their fate.

"Don't worry, Your Highness!"

Bound by their oaths and with family safety on their minds, they complied with the order.

Felix entered the tunnel with Kolrich and the four chosen guards. With a heavy thud, the stone door closed behind them, cutting off the sounds of battle from above. In the dim tunnel, the only noise was the echo of their footsteps.

"Finally, we can breathe a little easier," Felix said with a sigh of relief.

"Your Highness, I believe it's too early to let your guard down," Lady Kolrich said suddenly.

Felix stopped, surprised. "Hmm? Why do you say that? This tunnel leads to my grandfather's estate. Once we emerge, we'll have the power to strike back."

Lady Kolrich took a few more steps, creating some distance, and then, with her back to him, she asked, "Your Highness, do you despise witches?"

Without hesitation, Felix replied, "Of course. Aren't they all vile creatures?"

"Then… do you like me?"

Felix laughed. "Do you even need to ask? My feelings for you are stronger and more steadfast than that stone door we just passed through."

The elegant court attendant, Lady Kolrich, seemed slightly troubled. "That creates a bit of a contradiction. You can't simultaneously love and despise the same thing, can you?"

"What are you talking about?" Felix asked, puzzled.

Slowly, Lady Kolrich turned around. The dim lighting left half her face in shadow, but the half that Felix could see made him shiver.

Yes, she was as beautiful as ever: flawless skin, a fair and unblemished face, perfect as always. But when Felix looked into her eyes, the warmth and kindness had vanished, replaced by an endless, bone-chilling coldness.

The gaze of "Kolrich" was as piercing as the coldest wind of winter, seeping into Felix's bones.

"You… you…" Felix stammered, pointing at her in horror. His guards quickly drew their weapons, sensing danger.

"Forgive me, Prince Felix," said "Kolrich," her voice as chilling as her eyes.

"I am, after all, a witch."

(End of the Chapter)

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