ENDGAME ECLIPSES

Chapter 4

Back in the dimly lit room, Morana advanced slowly toward the princess and the viscount's daughter. Her movements were deliberate, her presence menacing. With a graceful precision that belied her intent, she drew her sword, the metallic rasp cutting through the tense silence like a blade through silk.

She knelt before them, the sword held firmly in her grasp. "I, Morana, am taking an oath to serve her highness forever," she declared, her voice resolute.

Aurelia Scott, the viscount's daughter, let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "Did you know how scared I was when you drew your sword?"

Morana met her gaze, her expression unwavering. "I will only hear the princess from now on."

Princess Marcaria's eyes narrowed slightly, her curiosity piqued. "If you want to serve me, why did you come in the middle of the night?"

"I came as early as possible," Morana replied simply.

Marcaria's gaze bore into her. "Why did you choose this job?"

Morana hesitated, the question catching her off guard. It was not something she had ever questioned deeply-it had been a path dictated by necessity, a path she had been forced to walk because of her ailing mother. "It was just shoved down my throat because of my old mother," she finally admitted.

Marcaria leaned forward, her interest sharpening. "Tell me honestly. Or I can't take you under my wing."

Morana's voice softened, a hint of vulnerability breaking through her stoic demeanor. "My mother is sick."

"How much is the medical cost? I know most of your money goes to the guild leader," Marcaria pressed.

"Around two copper coins," Morana replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Marcaria's expression hardened, and she turned sharply. "Eve! Get your ass here!"

Eve, a loyal servant, appeared almost instantly, her eyes wide with concern as she took in the scene.

"She is going to take care of the western side of my palace from tomorrow," Marcaria commanded. "I will pay you a hundred copper coins for your mother. Get a good doctor and good medicine."

Morana's eyes widened in surprise and gratitude. "Thank you, your highness," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "I will not fail you."

She left with the other maid.

Marcaria and Aurelia sat there, the weight of their next move pressing down on them. Marcaria broke the silence first. "According to the story, the old duchess is Killian's stepmother, and she tried to kill him on the day of his return from the second dragon expedition. Why would she do that?"

Aurelia's brow furrowed. "And she arranged for Morana, the assassin."

Marcaria suggested, "Maybe she found out about his true identity. And I, too, will try to kill him in the future by poison. If it goes like this, our whole life would be ruined."

Aurelia leaned closer, her voice gentle yet firm. "Buddy, we must make a good impression in front of the Duke. You are the one who panics the most. Don't think about anything. Keep your head empty."

Marcaria shook her head, frustration clear in her eyes. "I can't do that. Now that you have told me about his identity, I can't stop thinking about it. How can I not panic?"

Aurelia reached out, her hand resting on Marcaria's arm. "It's late. Let me stay here. We will make a plan after we take some rest."

Marcaria sighed, nodding. "Okay. You stay here. I will get some sleep. Maids! Arrange a room for my friend."

As the maids hurried to comply, Marcaria and Aurelia shared a weary but determined look. They fell asleep as they were both exhausted.

In the outskirts of a village, flames devoured the small settlement. A hooded woman emerged from the inferno, untouched by the flames. A cat perched on her shoulder, its eyes gleaming with a strange intelligence, spoke in a sardonic tone. "What a bad idea to burn a witch. Flames don't burn her. The agony in her heart does."

The witch patted the cat, which purred softly under her touch. "We have to find another village to live," she murmured.

With that, she disappeared into the woods, leaving the burning village behind her.

The days passed in a blur of anxiety and preparation. Marcaria and Aurelia planned their escape meticulously. Three days before Princess Marcaria's wedding, there would be a grand banquet with elite guests. When the party ended, a carriage would wait outside the palace. They would sneak through the temple library and use the teleportation magic hidden within to escape to another city. This way, no one would guess where they had gone.

Morana and the grand duchess were informed of the plan. They too played their parts, ensuring that everything was set in motion.

The grand banquet began, but Killian couldn't attend as he had to go for an inspection. The night was filled with laughter and the clinking of glasses, but beneath the surface, tension simmered. As the party ended, Marcaria, Aurelia, the old duchess, and Morana slipped away.

They made their way to the library, their footsteps echoing in the silence. Using the teleportation magic, they hoped to escape to another city. But as the spell completed, they found themselves in front of the fairy again.

The fairy looked at them with disappointment. "What you did was wrong," she said, her voice echoing in the quiet of the library. With a wave of her hand, they were transported back to the same library from where their journey had started.

They arrived at the palace at dawn, unseen by the tired guests.

As the first light of dawn illuminated the sprawling palace grounds, Duke Killian Huxley approached with a sense of purpose. The early morning air was crisp, and the palace, though awakening, still held an air of serenity. Killian's stride was steady, his mind already focused on the day's tasks as he entered the grand halls.

Upon stepping into the ornate corridors, he was met by his stepmother, Adeline, who appeared poised to leave. Her elegant dress flowed around her as she turned to face him.

"You are still here?" Killian asked, a hint of surprise in his voice.

Adeline offered a graceful smile, her eyes sparkling with a hint of amusement. "Oh... the queen and I were having a little talk. By the way, your fiancée is cute."

Killian's brow furrowed slightly at her remark. "What do you mean by that?" he inquired, but Adeline only gave a cryptic smile before making her exit.

Putting the conversation out of his mind, Killian proceeded to the council chamber for his court meeting. The discussions were long and intricate, his findings meticulously presented to the king. Yet, a sense of melancholy lingered within him. The absence of Marcaria, his beloved fiancée, weighed heavily on his heart. Each day seemed to stretch endlessly without her presence, and he longed for the moment when he could see her again.

Days passed in a blur of duties and meetings, each one blending into the next.