Chapter 60: Don’t drink anything given by someone you don’t know well
Prim’s calm defiance intrigued Cynthia.
“You think I can’t understand why your father exiled you?” she asked, meeting Prim’s steady gaze.
“You’re an outsider,” Prim replied evenly.
“This is royal family business.”
Despite their power gap, her resolve held firm.
“And I have a guess about who’s behind it.”
With Lustia’s help, Prim stood, brushing dust from her dress.
A flicker of sadness crossed her eyes, then relief.
“Since Father issued the order and someone wants us dead, we should vanish.”
“Live in hiding?” Cynthia asked, catching her meaning.
“Why not?” Prim smiled faintly at Lustia.
“I’ll have company.”
“Princess!” Lustia began, but Cynthia cut her off.
“I don’t care where you two go, but are you fine leaving Barlia to outsiders?”
“Outsiders?” Prim frowned.
“My brother will inherit the throne. That’s set.”
Cynthia’s half-smile sharpened.
“Playing dumb?”
Prim’s expression darkened, her tone cooling.
“I’m exiled. What happens next isn’t my concern.”
“Not even the lives of the capital’s thousands?”
Prim froze.
“What do you know?”
She didn’t believe Cynthia was bluffing—not after saving them from the Glorious Canon.
The palace’s recent chaos, her exile, and the Church’s grip all pointed to a deeper plot.
But the lives of thousands?
She couldn’t ignore that, her royal duty weighing heavy.
Cynthia smirked, feigning ignorance.
“What could a vampire know? Just the Church’s odd moves, the king’s strange decrees, your brother’s rise… and Lustia’s research.”
She paused, grinning.
“Oh, and the abnormal magic surge underground. Probably nothing, right?”
“Magic surge?” Prim turned to Lustia, eyes sharp.
“Is she telling the truth?”
Lustia shrank like a scolded deer.
“It’s… true. I didn’t confirm it, so I didn’t tell you…”
Prim sighed, exasperated but fond.
Lustia’s skills were undeniable, her personality… less so.
Cynthia wasn’t lying, though—her knowledge of the underground magic suggested insider intel.
“I’m not blaming you,” Prim said, taking Lustia’s hand gently.
“You’re my dearest friend. Just tell me sooner next time, okay?”
“I will, Your Highness,” Lustia mumbled.
Prim faced Cynthia, her resolve wavering.
“You’ve convinced me. Let’s discuss this ‘repayment.’”
In Celia’s cathedral chamber, Ina fidgeted, uneasy under her mission’s weight.
“Why so nervous?” Celia asked, entering with a tray of black tea.
“Tea to relax?”
“I’m not nervous,” Ina lied, forcing a smile.
Celia poured her a cup, her pink eyes glinting.
“Tell me about your travels.”
Ina stumbled through vague tales, dodging Bazerolle’s details to avoid exposing Cynthia.
Celia listened, marveling, but her thoughtful silence unnerved Ina.
To shift focus, Ina asked, “What’s been happening in the capital? The palace?”
Celia sipped her tea, musing.
“Strange things, especially in the palace.”
Ina’s ears perked up, but as she sipped her tea, dizziness hit.
What’s… happening?
Celia’s gentle smile twisted into something colder.
Ina’s body slumped, consciousness fading.
Careless…
Celia stood, her warmth gone, eyes icy.
“You’ll see what’s happening soon.”
She sneered.
“Borus’s rebellious Church sniffing around? Where’d you get this intel?”