That night, Rebecca held Alex close as he slept, her arms wrapped around him protectively.
He murmured in his sleep, voice soft against her shoulder,
"I'm fine now, Princess Ruby… No more nightmares."
She didn't respond just pulled him closer and closed her eyes.
Some lies are meant to be forgiven.
The next morning, gentle knocking and a cheerful voice broke the silence.
"Alright, sleepyheads! Time for lunch!"
The maid peeked in, hands on her hips, a smile playing on her lips.
Alex stirred, blinking against the light. He looked at her and stretched with a yawn.
"Morning! How's your day going?"
The maid grinned.
"Looks like someone finally slept like a baby. Feeling better?"
Alex nodded, slowly untangling himself from Rebecca's embrace. He walked up to the maid, a soft smile on his face.
"Thanks. For everything."
She chuckled and tousled his hair.
"Don't thank me yet, kid. You haven't met my husband."
Alex blinked.
"Wait what? You're married? Nooo! I missed my chance to marry you?"
The maid burst into laughter and playfully tugged his ear.
"Flirting already? Cheeky brat."
She crouched down to meet his eyes, her voice growing gentle.
"Listen, kid. If you ever take a life for the sake of many... it's called justice. Don't carry regret carry honor. And thank you... for avenging my daughter."
Alex's expression shifted, eyes softening with realization.
"Your daughter…? I'm sorry. But… she went smiling. Peaceful."
He looked down for a moment. Then whispered with a shy smile,
"I wish I could've married someone like her."
The maid smiled warmly and patted his head.
"Then honor her by living a life worth sharing, yeah? Anyway go meet Marlin. He's got something for you."
Alex nodded.
"Alright. I'll go."
Behind him, Rebecca had sat up on the bed, watching the conversation unfold. Her brow furrowed slightly.
"What were you saying, Alex?"
The maid turned to her with a smirk.
"Well, Princess Ruby? Tell this musclehead what you've been holding in."
Alex turned to Rebecca, his smile shy, eyes curious waiting.
Rebecca looked away, blushing just slightly.
But before she could answer, Alex gave her a small nod… and walked off toward the washroom.
He stepped inside, closed the door, and stared at his reflection.
Then, without a word, he began to wash.
after alex came out side , rebecca went inside tha washroom cleaning .
they both finished eating with leo and darcy .
alex look rebecca and say " we are starting to capital ! pack all your cloths ".
ruby nods and say " ok ! it was almost time for meeting grandz !".
alex laugh and say " thanks for remembering and marlin want to meet me !"
he put the infinity bag in rubys hands and say " come down ! i will waiting for you !".
he walk down to stairs , an old man waving hand at alex ,
" may be he was old ladys husband marlin !", he waslk to him with smile .
" thanks for helping me !", he said .
the old man hug alex and say " no kid ! thanks for doing it ! sending off my dead daughter !".
alex smile and say " it's my responsibility for giveing them bettersend off !".
the old take out the black sword belt and start putting it around alex weist . he start adjusting it his way .
" now kid plug in sword inside the two knots and tight!", he said . alex put the sowrd inside two knots to belts and tight .he press a silver button at his edge of belt attached to sword . a small needle absorb alex blood . the sword fall down . he smiling and attaching the sword freely .
" it was cool ! marlin ! thanks ", he said .
" it was mine ! it was pefect no one can touch your belt and your sword !", he said with smile
after rebecca came down , she give a her persnola amblem to maid and say " visit me ! when you have time !".
after they give their send off alex and ruby start walking out to out post .
once they cross the out post , they start flying towars capital .
For the whole day, they soared across skies with insane speed, the wind roaring past like laughter.
Every now and then, they dipped low splashing into rivers, racing wild hawks, tumbling through clouds like kids on holiday. It wasn't just travel. It was freedom in motion.
After two days of relentless flying, they reached it the Capital.
A fortress in the sky, surrounded by massive, spell-forged walls. Warships patrolled like silent predators. The air itself felt heavier here, laced with protocol and politics.
As they descended near the checkpoint, Ruby reached over and grabbed Alex's hand.
Her grip was firm.
"Just… don't mess this up," she muttered. "Act like we belong."
Alex gave her a crooked grin and nodded.
A group of armored guards blocked their path. Spears lowered, eyes sharp.
"Who are you two?" one demanded. "State your business in the capital."
Ruby stepped forward, her smile disarming.
"We're here to meet Maid Ross Tacha. She works in the royal palace."
The guard squinted, then nodded to his comrade. "Alright. State your names to the entry scribe and proceed."
They stepped forward.
"He's Alexander Hope," Ruby said, glancing sideways. "And I'm Ruby Ross."
With credentials noted, the gates creaked open and just like that, they were inside.
Ruby leaned in and whispered, "What now, Alex?"
But Alex… was staring.
At a food stall.
Skewers sizzling. Dumplings steaming. Spices curling in the air like magic.
Ruby groaned.
"You're impossible."
She dragged him into the restaurant. They ordered everything. Sat in a corner. Ate like they hadn't tasted warmth in days.
Once their plates were wiped clean, she asked again, "So? What now?"
Alex leaned back in his chair, stretched, and said with a smirk, "Now… we shop."
"What?! We're in the middle of a mission!" she hissed.
"Exactly," Alex replied, standing. "And we look like peasants. The whole capital's staring. If we want to blend in we need to shine. Let's play the part."
They paid and stepped out into the heart of the city.
The market was alive crystal lanterns overhead, vendors shouting, silk flowing like water from stalls. Alex bought them each a set of crisp, tailored clothes neutral, refined, blending local nobility with common style.
Later, they found an inn not far from the palace a quiet place with heavy curtains and a view of the tower spires.
Inside their room, Alex changed quickly into his new outfit. Tightened his belt. Adjusted the cuffs. Checked the mirror.
"Alright, Ruby," he said, grabbing his pouch. "I'm going to meet Grandz. Get some rest. Lay low."
Ruby nodded. "Be careful."
Alex left, weaving through streets until he found it:
Arclight Library.
A towering structure made of white stone and stained glass. Inside, chandeliers hung like constellations, and the air smelled of ink, dust, and time.
Nobles, scholars, and mages filled the aisles quietly browsing tomes.
He approached an older man in uniform.
"Hey, sir. Where can I find the myths section? My friend said the Myth Archive has the good stuff."
The man raised a brow but smiled. "Far end of the right wing. Second floor. Can't miss it."
Alex thanked him and ascended the stairs, each step taking him closer to secrets long buried… and truths the world had tried to forget.
As Alex reached the second floor of the Arclight Library, he found himself surrounded by towering shelves, each heavy with ancient scrolls and timeworn tomes. The air was still, humming with knowledge and the silent breaths of curious minds.
He made his way to the far right wing labeled "MYTH ARCHIVE", where the oldest tales slept buried in dust and warnings.
At a table near the window, an old man in a navy cloak sat reading with unnerving focus. It was Grandz.
Alex approached, grabbed a random book to keep up appearances, and sat beside him. With a subtle flick of his fingers, he formed an invisible sound barrier, sealing them in a bubble of silence.
"Hey, Grandz," he said under his breath. "What's the news?"
Grandz didn't look up. He simply turned the page and whispered, "It's a bigger mess than we thought, Sir Alex. The assassination… it's not just one group. Multiple hands were in play."
Alex's eyes sharpened. "Any leads?"
"Plenty," Grandz murmured. "Two royal ministers are confirmed dead. Killed by a man in a black mask silent, precise. The Tax Minister, Hower… burned alive in his mansion. Nothing left but ash."
Alex exhaled slowly. "That was me. Hower raised red flags early. I made the call."
Grandz nodded grimly. "Good call. But the deeper I dig, the more it unravels. I tailed several individuals connected to the plot. They entered the Knight's Training House at night… but exited miles away, in the opposite direction. No records. No witnesses."
"Anyone worth noting?"
"Two names: Galahad and Grim Roirar. Galahad's a known face staying in the Knight's barracks. But Grim…" Grandz leaned closer. "No one speaks of him. Those who do lower their voices. I couldn't trace his location. It's like he exists in whispers."
Alex's voice lowered. "Anything else suspicious?"
Grandz's eyes darkened. "Three royal ministers and eight influential nobles dead. The only thread connecting them? Prince Lucian Arclight."
Alex blinked. "Lucian? The playboy prince?"
"Exactly," Grandz replied. "Officially, he's a second-rank knight. Lazy. A flirt. Always lounging in the romance section of the library. But when I followed him... he wasn't reading love stories."
"What then?"
"Tactical warfare. Advanced magic theory. Combat strategy manuals. Books even generals don't touch. Most royals mock him, but a few just a few seem afraid of him."
Alex was still absorbing this when Grandz suddenly stopped speaking. His eyes widened, staring past Alex's shoulder.
Alex turned and there he was.
Prince Lucian Arclight, strolling toward them with a casual grace, a half-smile playing on his lips.
The moment was sharp.
Alex dropped the barrier and stood up, arms open.
"Luke! How are you doing, man?"
Lucian laughed and pulled him into a brief hug. "What are you doing here, Alex?"
"Just… pretending to read books I don't understand," Alex grinned.
Lucian raised an eyebrow. "Prince of what country again?"
"What kind of prince plays adventurer in a world built to kill him? ".