Sulivan calmly walked toward the door.
After unlocking, it revealed Loretta the maid.
"Ah it's you," Sulivan muttered. She stood behind a food trolley, her voice low and calm. "Yeah, sorry if I startled you, haha. I'll just leave this here and be on my way then."
She began walking away, but before she took a fourth step, Sulivan said "Actually, I'd like it if you could join us."
"Oh but how could I."
*Servants aren't allowed to meddle with guests.*
"I insist."
*But His Majesty did caution as to "please" them so... I'm not at fault right?*
Loretta gave in to Sulivan's demands and joined them. Now, Eldwyn and Sulivan sat on the bed whilst Aizzy sat on one of the chairs in front of the bed and Loretta on the other.
Sulivan whispered to Aizzy, asking if she could erect a barrier or something which kept eavesdroppers away. Which she replied affirmatively.
After the barrier was cast, Sulivan turned to Loretta. "I'm sure you heard us talking previously right? What can you tell us?"
She swallowed hard, all eyes on her—except for Eldwyn who was busily eating.
In that moment of silence, she recalled what her employer once said *Divoulge inside information to outsiders and that'll be the last time you see and feel the warmth of the sun. In fact, you'll be forced to eatch your brother get dissected.*
She gripped her knee tighter. Hesitant.
"Let me guess, death threat?"
"..."
"Figured as much. But hey you can come with us if you want."
"Really?" Loretta's eyes widened. Then fell again. "I-I have a brother, can he come too? I've never felt comfortable working here but, I needed the money to take care of ourselves. The evils... I-I was ordered to poison some guests before..."
Eldwyn paused, eyes slowly railing toward Loretta.
"Oh no, sorry this one isn't poisoned."
"Loretta," Sulivan said, tapping her shoulder, "we've all made mistakes which we can't always atone for—"
"B-But I got some people killed."
Tears welled up in her eyes as Sulivan stared down at her.
"I can't say you aren't at fault, don't be too hard on yourself. But let that guilt you feel sink in, for it'll be a trigger of caution henceforth."
"He's right y'know." Aizzy added, as Loretta turned to face her. Tears streaming down her cheeks.
"I've always wanted someone to talk to about things... but never got to. Thank you." Her words escaped her lips between sniffs and sobs, one filled with a sense of guilt and the zeal to change.
A while after, Loretta would narrate what she knew about things to them; but little did they know they'd have to leave earlier than they'd want to.
King Lumar's linguist, Zuria Folfen, after leaving the King's side made his way to the Kitchen. His face projecting an unsettling thought. *She's always shown signs of wanting to leave, she's weak why did His Majesty even want her to stay. I only hope that threat shuts those loosed lips of hers.*
He burst into the kitchen, startling the workers present.
"Where's she?" he roared, pacing through the kitchen.
The workers exchanged glances of confusion; the Head Chef stepped forward.
"Who do you mean, Sir?"
"You know who—Loretta. Where the hell is she?"
The chef, sweat dripping down his face due to the heat and pressure, replied "S-She sent the guests' meal to them."
Folfen clenched his fists then smashed it into the tray beside him; leaving a dent.
"I'll deal with you later," he snarled.
He rushed to the guests room, veins pulsating from his head. He knocked on the door twice; but with no one answering, he kicked it down.
He scanned the room; no one was present.
He gritted his teeth as he left. *Don't tell me they've left already... the plan... Lady Rugal. Bloody hell.*
The Head Guard while in the midst of training heard a voice in his head. "Assign the guards and knights around the catle, the guests have escaped. Look for them now!"
He knew it was from Folfen; since it wasn't the first time.
"Y-Yes sir," he replied with a thought.
The guards were instantly mobilized and the search began. The Castle was now in an uproar, guards sprinting from place to place in search of "escapees."
While that went on, Aizzy and they others had safely returned to their hideout in the forests of Axim.
Aizzy sat beside Devin in the courtyard. They watched the children they had sheltered laughing and playing.
"Hey, Aizzy. I've been thinking—what now? The kids I mean. We saved them from dying in obscurity and pain... but what now?"
Aizzy's peerful gaze shifted from one child to another; their smiles and laughter stirring something within her. A thought slipped out "We could establish a school..."
Devin burnt over, eyes locked on the grasses "Well, that's an idea. Although, at the moment we don't have nearly the resources to undertake that," he exhaled.
He sat back up.
"Anyway, how did things go in Uleneria?"
As Aizzy recounted what went on in Uleneria, Eldwyn and Sulivan showed Loretta and her younger brother; who was half her height around.
The moment Aizzy ended her narration, the ghost chase in the castle had come to an abrupt stop.
Folfen and King Lumar sat around a table with Lady Rugal and Zarial.
"Where are they?" Lady Rugal asked.