Solisel - Book 1: Kitsuneyō's Prince and the Eternal King

Chapter 15

-Wait... What exactly do you want to... sort out? Asked Akai.

-Just follow us.

The guard hit the ground with a silver lance as she walked back towards the castle, followed by the other two guards and the group.

Pyrex looked back up at the sun-lit mountain. "Maybe he would have shot us instead..." He thought as he walked faster to reach the others. It was chilly outside, and thunderclouds were near. Aeryx pulled Xerenade's sleeve as he pointed towards the mountain.
The fox shaped statue on the roof of the palace blocked the sun rays, leaving a fox shadow over the portal. The Maid didn't reply.

Once they reached the palace, King Chi was standing on the stairs. He sighed as he saw them arrive.

-Guards, I thought I was clear. I want Miss Riko here. Not anyone you just picked up here.

The guards bowed.

-We are so so sorry Your Highness. We found Riko dead in front of the portal. We brought suspects... I think they killed her...

King Chi sighed once more.

-Come in. Order, not request.

The guards got up and forced the group inside of King Chi's office.

He sat on his chair.

-Where were you when Riko was killed?

-Next to her. She was shot by someone in the mountains, not us. Replied Pyrex.

Pyrex's dad looked at him in the eyes as he slid a piece of paper on the desk. His son walked back to read it as Xerenade hit the desk with her fist, arguing. The gray haired Kitsune unfolded the message.

"Stay here with me once your friends leave."

He looked at the message again before looking back at his dad and his friends.
Xerenade was screaming her lungs out.

-I KNOW IT, YOU KNOW VERY WELL IT'S NOT US, BUT YOU'RE STILL ARRESTING US CAUSE YOU'RE BIASED.

Chikara stretched.

-But you were behind the wall, and now you're close to a murder that left each and every single one of you unharmed. I have my rights to be suspicious.

Aoi walked back to Pyrex.

-Why did Cecilia bring us here in the first place, yet? Sighed the Bloodthorn.

The young Kitsune's ear twitched.

-Maybe it WAS a trap afterall. She knows it's hell in here nowadays and so she took the opportunity to get herself arrested and get me to be the king instead... It's me or her and she's clearly aware of it.
Aoi blinked fast.

-Ugh... But now you're also getting arrested, so I guess you two are exempted-...

Pyrex looked up at him.

-Ahah, no. She had no idea in the first place that I'd get arrested. She said, when we were coming back to Kitsuneyō, that she had no chance to be the Queen. But when we walked inside of the Palace, she was suddenly saying the exact opposite. So she's been sketchy all along. And if Xerenade continues defending us I won't be exempted, too. She should just give up...

The Bloodthorn leaned back on the wall, crossing his arms.

-Xerenade is just doing her job. You can't blame her. To ask us to throw us all in prison to save only you in the long run is selfish.

"He called me selfish!"

Pyrex hissed quietly before looking back up at Aoi, who seemed disappointed.

-I get why you would want to sacrifice Cecilia if this really is a trap but I thought that you would at least stand up for us. I know I wouldn't be able to let you down, but you probably could.