Sir Shane sat at my table, sipping from his tea cup.
I walked back and forth, concerned. "So, she sent you to a village where you saw the little boy and his mother, yes? What happened after?"
"I've told you countless times." He placed his cup down. "I found my way back here from the village."
"There must have been something she said to you!" I looked towards him. Shane sighed.
"General Adam, if I may. What makes you think I am even a little bit interested in finding the evil witch?" Sir Shane glared at me. I glared right back.
"Elodie is missing. "I corrected. "And she's been gone for several days. Four, to be exact."
"And?"
I grated my teeth. "She saved your life. That woman, that child, you—you would've been dead if it wasn't for her!"
"She is brash and has no restraint. If we find her—what is to say she won't go on a killing spree? Attack a bunch of soldiers?"
"She has never harmed anyone."
"The Second Prince would say otherwise. I hear he is just barely recovering."
"That wasn't her."
Shane scoffed, shaking his head. "You are far too bewitched, General Adam."
My eyes narrowed. "Excuse me?"
Sir Shane faced me, unyielding. "Whatever spell she has put on you, you must snap out of it for the sake of the Solaria kingdom."
My face flushed in anger. "Let me ask you this, Sir Shane. How long has the Solaria kingdom been in debt?"
"Ever since the war." He answered easily.
"And since, how many tax raises, extravagant balls, and feasts have taken place, hmm?"
His eyes narrowed once again. "What is your point?"
"My point is, this kingdom is in shambles, regardless of whether Elodie is here or not. Now so—more than ever, this should be clear."
"What do you mean?"
"Ever since Elodie's arrival, the royal family has spent more money on food imports and protection than any other factors. It's been a matter of weeks—yet things have only changed for the better."
"What on earth are you talking about?! Citizens live in constant fear--"
"Of a fictional fairytale that is meant to keep them afraid!"
"There are people who she has hurt!"
"Bandits and criminals, Sir Shane."
"As for the royal family?"
I scoffed. "It has been years since the royal family cared for anyone in this kingdom but themselves. I trust you know this very well."
He snarled. "Watch it, General Adam. They are the royal family. Whom of which it is your duty to protect. Have you forgotten who you work for?"
"No. But it is obvious that you have." I stared back at him. "You claim you are a hero for the people, Shane. Why can't you see that Elodie is not--"
"The evil witch killed my father." He spat out furiously.
I paused; we both did. It took me a moment to think of what to do. "Sir Shane-"
"What? Do you wish to tell me I'm misremembering? Huh?" He spoke with hostility.
"Shane. I became a general because of my fight on that battlefield."
"...and?"
I shook my head. "Yet, until now, I still have a deep feeling what everyone has told me about the event on that battle field is a lie."
His eyes widened, and his anger came back faster than it left. "You-"
"-Calm yourself. I never said that what you say isn't true, but the story told is that the three siblings killed the Evil Witch after her reign of terror and torment that day on the battlefield. Do you know what day it was?"
His face grew cold. "It happened the 4th of May, six years ago. I wished my father goodbye at sunrise as he left to fight; they delivered the news at half past noon the next day."
My eyebrows furrowed. "Repeat that."
"They delivered the news he was dead on May 5th, half past noon."
I frowned. "That isn't possible."
"Then what is the truth?" Shane spat out.
I faced him, serious: "Dead soldiers cannot be announced dead until after the battle and once the battle field is searched and stripped."
His eyes got darker. "You're-"
"I dare not." I cut him off. "Shane, you-"
"There must've been a change of protocol or something." His eyes flickered. "I know what happened!"
"Shane. Do you know how unlikely it is that they changed the protocol for this battle? Your father-"
"-Is dead. And it was the evil witch who killed him. Elodie." He declared.
"It couldn't have been her!"
"How do you know that? Huh?"
I pursed my lips. "Listen to me, Shane."
"I will not sit here any longer and listen to you spew lies about my father's death. All for the sake of the woman who has bewitched you." He stood with a scoff, angrily picking up his bag. "I certainly won't allow this evil witch to continue to live freely, harming more people."
My brows furred once more. "Shane. If you try and do anything to her-"
"Goodbye, General Adam." He walked towards my door.
"I won't allow it, Shane." There was a thick silence. "Remember that."
He scoffed. "Goodbye, General Adam."
He left through the front door. I watched unmoving.
"Sir?" Barret approached me, holding a broom and dustpan. "Is everything-"
"Barret. I need to go handle something. You must watch the manor for me."
"Eh? Sir-" He put the brush down, concerned. "Your work has piled since..."
"This is more important." I turned to him. "I will pack clothes and food. I'll be gone for a while. Barret, please just-"
"Your parents left you in my care, sir."
I turned around, facing him. Barret smiled kindly.
"Is this, Lady Victoria, that important to you?"
I hesitated, staring at him. "You- What are you talking about, Barret?"
"If she is truly so important, then... it is time I show you something, sir."
"What is it?" Barret turned around without answering, walking towards the kitchen storage room. I followed him, uneased. "Barret! What do you mean by that? Tell me!"
He reached the storage room, opening the door.
I watched as he walked down the stairs and into the cellar. Only after reaching the bottom did he turn back to face me.
I tensed, growing unease.
"Barret? What are you--"
I was interrupted when he turned, walking farther into the cellar and leaving my field of vision.
I slowly stepped down the stairs, following him.
I arrived in the cellar room, as he had lit the last candle.
"I don't understand Barret." I spoke up. "Why did you bring me down here?"
"To give you this," He said, raising something from around his neck. A pendant that I had seen him in countless times.
A golden light illuminated the room. In the center of the stone cellar, one of thslabsab began rising, lifting from the ground.
There was a glass casing, and within it was a glowing and well-kept silver blade. I recognized it instantly, my heart beating stronger in my chest; memories came back to me.
"This is... father's sword," I finally said.
Barret smiled, taking off the pendant and holding it out to me. The pendant slowly grew, becoming a yellow pyramid paperweight. "The welder used a sacred technique; there are only two welders in the entire kingdom with such beautiful craftsmanship. Strong as it delicate, pliable while unyielding, the sword-"
"The sword of balance..." I looked up at Barret afterwards, watching him nod towards me, "I thought it was lost at the battlefield?"
Barret smiled towards me. "About that."