The Shards of War: Balancing Power

Chapter 75

As they wandered through the halls adorned with opulent decorations, Illiyas couldn't shake off the lingering thoughts about the events that had transpired earlier. The near-miss with the sniper and the sudden appearance of his sister had left him feeling both relieved and introspective.

Sumi, sensing her brother's distraction, gently tugged on his sleeve, pulling him out of his reverie. "Is everything alright, Illiyas?" she asked softly, concern evident in her voice.

Illiyas offered her a reassuring smile, though his thoughts still swirled with uncertainty. "Yes, Sumi, everything's fine," he replied, his tone attempting to sound more confident than he felt. "I was just... thinking about something."

Sumi studied her brother's face for a moment, her eyes filled with understanding. "I-if you ever need to talk about it, I'm here for y-you," she said earnestly, her hand reaching out to gently squeeze his.

Illiyas nodded gratefully, feeling a rush of gratitude for his sister's unwavering support. "Thank you, Sumi," he said, his voice soft with emotion. "That means a lot to me."

Together, they continued to explore the palace, their bond as siblings stronger than ever as they faced whatever challenges lay ahead, knowing that they would always have each other's backs.

Then as Princess Emmy and Lady Emilia approached Illiyas and Sumi, Illiyas straightened up, his attention shifting from his sister to the royal pair. Sumi, ever the shy one, offered a small smile and a polite bow as she greeted the princess.

"Hello, Princess Emmy," Sumi said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I-I hope you're enjoying the festivities."

Princess Emmy beamed at Sumi, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Oh, I'm having a wonderful time! I'm so happy that my daddy's back," she exclaimed, her enthusiasm infectious.

Sumi nodded, her own smile widening at the princess's joy. "I'm glad to hear that, Princess," she replied, her voice tinged with genuine warmth.

Princess Emmy then turned to Sumi with a bright grin. "Would you like to play with me, Sumi?" she asked eagerly, extending her hand towards her new friend.

Sumi's eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected invitation, glancing briefly at her brother and Lady Emilia for approval. When she saw their encouraging nods, she returned her attention to the princess and nodded shyly.

"I-I would love to, Princess Emmy," Sumi replied, her voice filled with quiet excitement.

With Lady Emilia offering to keep a watchful eye on the princess, Sumi and Emmy set off together, their laughter echoing through the halls as they embarked on their playful adventure. Left alone once again, Illiyas couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and gratitude for his sister's newfound confidence, knowing that she was in good hands with the princess and Lady Emilia.

Then Illiyas continued "enjoying" the festivities of the king's return, he wished that he would be the one to bring back the king and be the hero, but that wouldn't happen. Then he noticed that Matsu, Calie and Marie had all found a spot to enjoy themselves at, talking and laughing, generally enjoying the occasion.

As Illiyas watched Matsu enjoying himself with Calie and Marie, a mix of emotions swirled within him. He couldn't deny the genuine happiness radiating from Matsu, but at the same time, he couldn't shake the feeling of resentment towards their hidden relationship. He understood their reasons for secrecy, but it irked him nonetheless.

Lost in his thoughts, Illiyas suddenly realized that he had neglected to inform Sumi about the true circumstances of the king's return. Panic washed over him as he scanned the room, but Sumi was nowhere to be seen. She had disappeared along with Princess Emmy and Lady Emilia, leaving Illiyas with a sinking feeling of unease.