Michel fell silent after finishing his story, his eyes brimming with tears. Kayden could not speak; the silence was heavier than any words.
Kayden (whispering in disbelief): "Maxwell... killed my master?"
Michel closed his eyes and nodded slowly. At that moment, the room was filled with a deadly silence, but inside Kayden, a raging storm of anger, sadness, and a desire for revenge was brewing.
After Michel's talk and the shocking revelation about William's murder, Kayden felt suffocated inside the room. He needed some air, so he decided to head to the balcony. He opened the door quietly and went out to lean against the stone railing, contemplating the night sky that had grown even darker.
But before he could drown in his thoughts, he heard light footsteps behind him. He turned slightly to find Fiona standing at the door, hesitating for a moment before approaching him.
Fiona said in a quiet voice: "Can I join you?"
Kayden, with distress evident on his features: "Of course."
She stood beside him, looking at the dark city, then said in a low voice:
Fiona: "I feel like you're carrying a lot inside you, Kayden."
Kayden: "Isn't it obvious?"
Fiona: "I know this feeling well... to feel that the world is against you, and that those closest to you have let you down."
Kayden turned to her with interest, so she continued in a sad tone:
Fiona: "My younger brother, the heir to the throne... he was always respected by everyone, but I know his true nature. He is corrupt, prioritizing his personal interests over everything else. He exploits his power without the slightest sense of responsibility."
A moment of silence passed before Kayden added, looking at the city below them:
Kayden: "You know? Before I traveled, I saw your brother myself. He was bullying a vendor just because he gave him the same price he sells to the commoners."
Fiona's eyes widened with suppressed anger, but she didn't show surprise, only nodding slowly.
Fiona: "I'm not surprised by that... and what happened after that?"
Kayden: "Margaret stopped me before I could beat him up; she intervened before things escalated."
A faint smile appeared on Fiona's face, and she said in a tone carrying a mix of sarcasm and regret:
Fiona: "See? As I told you. Corruption runs in his blood, but not everyone around him is like him."
Kayden, bitterly: "It seems corruption runs in the blood of nobles."
Fiona (with a sigh): "Not all of them..."
A moment of silence reigned before Kayden added:
Kayden: "My father wasn't corrupt, but he wasn't brave enough to face injustice. I wish he had been stronger, to fight instead of watching in silence."
Before the conversation could continue, they heard the room door open suddenly. They turned to find Baron Declan entering with firm steps. He wore his dark coat, his eyes scanning the place sharply.
Baron Declan, calmly: "So, everyone is here."
But before he could finish, he spotted Michel and Eugene sitting by the balcony, watching silently. When their eyes met, they gestured to him quickly, putting their fingers to their lips, saying: "Shhh!"
The Baron raised one eyebrow, then slowly lowered the other, as if trying to understand the situation. Then he sighed, as if this situation didn't entirely surprise him.
Baron Declan: "Nothing has changed; you still act like children."
Michel and Eugene laughed softly, while Kayden stole a glance at Fiona, who was trying to stifle her laughter as well. After the atmosphere calmed down a bit, Kayden turned to Fiona and said in a serious voice:
Kayden: "I must leave soon... there are people I must meet to execute the plan of Valerian, the advisor of the Kingdom of Peace."
Immediately, the mirth vanished from Fiona's features, replaced by sincere concern. She looked at him with eyes full of emotion, then stepped toward him without thinking and hugged him tightly.
Fiona (in a low voice full of emotion): "Return safely... I will always be waiting for you."
Kayden felt the warmth of her words, but he couldn't reply. He only closed his eyes for a moment, sensing the emotions he didn't think he needed... but now realized how precious they were.
Kayden and Eugene sat before the Baron, who looked at them sharply before asking in a calm but sternly questioning tone:
Declan (with narrowed eyes and hands clasped on the table): "What is the book you took that caused all this commotion about?"
Kayden and Eugene exchanged quick glances before Eugene answered firmly, his voice full of conviction:
Eugene, looking directly at Declan with serious features: "About the Emperor's scandals. He is guilty of much, and my father was able to uncover all of that with documented evidence in the book."
Declan raised his eyebrows in surprise before leaning forward slightly on his chair: "But... in the drawing King Arthur made, there was a weapon on the book cover."
Kayden furrowed his brows, his voice tinged with astonishment: "Yes, there is a design for a strange weapon we haven't seen before, but... a drawing?"
Declan shook his head slowly, as if recalling the memory: "Yes, a drawing William made himself, bearing the shape of the same weapon. What confirmed it even more was William's signature on it, and that's what made things move so quickly."
Silence reigned for moments, then Kayden and Eugene exchanged looks again before saying at the same time, their voices tense and full of shock: "Impossible!"
Declan crossed his arms, smiling slightly as if expecting this response: "Well! We all said that too."
Eugene: "There is indeed a weapon, but we have been unable to find anyone who can forge it."
At that moment, a loud sound echoed in the room as the door opened. Everyone turned quickly to see a tall girl with wavy brown hair and blue eyes walking confidently toward them.
Declan smiled, waving his hand toward the girl: "Kayden, this is Mariana, one of my best warriors. She will assist you on your journey from this moment on, and I hope you trust her."
Mariana looked at Kayden intently before offering a slight smile and nodding respectfully. Kayden looked at her, then at Declan, murmuring hesitantly before saying calmly: "Very well, Baron. Thank you..."
But his features weren't entirely at ease, as if he were trying to find the right words for what he wanted to say. Declan noticed this, raised an eyebrow, and asked him directly:
Declan, in a low but sharp voice: "What is it?"
Kayden sighed before raising his head and looking at Declan directly: "In fact... I have collaborated with Freeze during this period."
Declan immediately furrowed his brows, his tone sharp and full of surprise: "Freeze?! The Freeze we know?"
Kayden nodded, as if preparing to explain something complex: "Yes, he helped me with the help of one of his men, who was disguised under a hood the whole time."
Declan leaned forward a bit, his voice becoming more attentive: "This is a stroke of fantasy that he would help you for nothing. So, what's the problem?"
Kayden took a deep breath, then spoke slowly: "When the ship approached us, he helped Eugene and me escape. But during that, his hood fell, and I discovered he is my uncle! Before we parted, he asked me to tell my father that he is sorry."
Silence suddenly fell, as if the room had frozen for moments. Declan stared at Kayden as if trying to process what he heard, then said in a faint voice charged with shock:
Declan, narrowing his eyes and muttering in shock: "Harry?! How could he be here? He was exiled years ago..."
Then he froze for a moment as if an idea struck him, straightening up quickly in his seat while staring at Kayden seriously:
Declan, in a low but sharp voice: "Wait! If he was with Freeze, then that means he could be here!"
Kayden looked at him expectantly, as if waiting for an explanation, then asked in a quiet but suspenseful voice:
Kayden, sitting upright, his eyes shining with inquiry: "So, can you tell me anything about him?"
Declan took a deep breath, then looked at Kayden directly and said seriously:
Declan, in a quiet voice heavy with secrets: "I don't know what happened to your uncle, but I can tell you
What little I—and the rest of the world—know about Freeze."