Light from the Shadow

Chapter 36

Ayna could not believe what she was witnessing at the moment. Below the glass window of the room she was held captive in was a large crowd surrounding the square. Every one of them were eager to see what was going to happen in the middle of the plaza that was now heavily guarded by Solbaru soldiers. Her eyes could not move away from the two figures lying in the middle of the square. The two men were blindfolded with their hands tied to the back. One of them looked like he was heavily injured. Ayna almost cried.

"How do you like the view here, Your Highness?" Someone came into the room without knocking.

"You monster!! What are you going to do??!!"

Helten walked to the large window and leaned one side of his body on it. "They conspire with my brother to bring down the empire. What do you think is the right punishment?"

"Do you actually believe what you are saying right now???" Her voice was shaking.

Helten looked at her. His piercing eyes scared the princess a little. "The man you called Rishi. You should know by now who he really is."

Ayna looked away. She had not wanted to think about it. Ever since he found out about the true identity of the man who she thought was just a rude librarian, her mind had been in a mess. They were from Remblan! All these rebellions and wars between clans in Solbaru and the fallen Mehari had nothing to do with them! Nothing to do with Rishi! He was... her people... was what she had been trying to tell herself. But then she was reminded by her conversation with Lord Remwar. About his plan to resuscitate Mehari Empire and made Rishi the emperor.

Was Rishi really planning to take back what was his? Was that his reason to continue staying in Solbaru? To avenge his family? Her eyes were on the figure lying beside the injured man below.

"Let's make an agreement." Helten suddenly spoke, interrupting her thought.

"I'm not making any agreement with you!" Ayna snarled at him.

"Don't you like our Kuan? He is a gentle soul... a righteous man, and because of that he never forgives what our father did to the Mehari." Helten looked a little sad when he spoke about his brother. He sounded different when he told her he wanted to hang Kuan last time. Ayna wondered which his true feeling was.

"I'll let your knight go." Helten said and then added. "If you agree to marry Kuan and produce an heir... for Solbaru."

"What..." Ayna was puzzled. What is he talking about?

"I am not suggesting you to be a Solbaru. You can still be the Queen to Remblan. We simply want your child with my brother raised here, as an heir to the Solbaru throne."

"Why? Shouldn't the right go to your child? The crown prince's children? What are you..." Then it came to Ayna what this was all about. "No... what you really want is..."

"You catch on quick, Your Highness." Helten smiled. "Yes, what we want is the child's power. Remblan's magi."

"You are crazy!! Do you think I'll let you do that?!"

Helten ignored her. "I heard the power runs stronger if they are the direct descendants of the royal family."

Ayna was frightened. The man in front of her was serious. She had to escape from here!

"Choose well, Your Highness."

Ayna clutched on her dress hard, trying not to lose her composure. "Are you not afraid that I can use magi to wipe out Solbaru now?" She did not know if her act convinced Helten. He just stood there watching her in silence.

"Show me then." Helten said, folding his arms.

Ayna cursed herself in her head. She bit her lip. What should she do? It was not like she could use magi anytime she wanted.

"You could die you know?"

"And so could you, and everyone else here." He pointed to the crowd below with his head.

"Bastard..." Ayna muttered.

"Give up, Princess. You can't use your magi now, can you?" Helten chuckled.

"I can!!"

"I remembered you were struggling to use it on that dead scholar."

"I..." Ayna could not retaliate. She was reminded of the horrible night where Qwentine was killed. He knew. Helten knew she could not use her magi... "Then why..."

"I am not doubting your power. You can use magi alright." He paused for a moment. "But... not always."

How does he know.... Ayna's shocked expression had to have been clearly displayed on her face that Helten decided to reveal more.

"Remember the incident in the mountain when you first visited Solbaru?"

What... Her voice could not come out.

"And then you met the man again in the palace? What happened that day?"

Ayna covered her mouth with her hands. Her body was trembling. "It was you..."

"They were people I hired. I need a proof to see if Remblan's magi is a real thing. A pity the experiment failed because he was there. I should have known... it was him." Helten muttered as if he was talking to himself. He turned to Ayna. "How about that night in the palace? What did you do to him? When we found him, his body was completely burned."

Burned? That man is... dead? Her mind went blank.

The crown prince smiled. "Don't you remember? You killed him."

"No..." Ayna could feel her heart throbbing fast.

"How else can you explain the burnt body? There shouldn't be anyone nearby. How did the body suddenly catch fire?" Helten walked towards her.

"No... I did not..." Unbeknown to her, her magi had taken someone's life again? Lies! Ayna was on the verge of crying. "I didn't kill him!! I didn't...." Her right hand felt hot. No! Not now! She dropped to the floor, trying to hide the mark in her hand from Helten.

"What are you doing?" Helten noticed the princess acting strange.

Ayna bit her lip until it bled. She must not lose consciousness here!

Suddenly they heard a loud cheer from below.

"Ah... it's time." Helten lifted Ayna up and walked to the door. "Let's make it easier for you to make your choice, Your Highness."

Ayna stared at him in horror. She had to do something!