The Story Of Us

Imminent Danger

Hello Readers! Sorry for the late update, idk if there are still people who are actually reading this lol, but here you go, a new chapter! Thank you for your support, enjoy!

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Sting Roman's POV

I headed back to headquarters the moment dawn arrived. As I walked down the hallways, a man tapped me by my shoulders. I turned around and saw Orga looking at me with an unreadable expression.

"Sting, you've got new orders." Orga said as he handed me a slip of paper.

I muttered a soft 'thanks' and took the paper from his grasp. I memorised the address and name of my new target before shredding the paper and throwing it into a nearby bin. Unknowingly, my brows were knitted tightly together and my fists being tightly gripped.

I entered my room and took a few knives and threw a cloak over myself. Before exiting the place, I fished out the necklace hidden under my clothes and gazed at the rings once more. I brought it to my lips out of habit and placed it back safely under my shirt after.

I've had it as my safety charm for quite some time now.

I went to the stables and rode my horse to the designated location. I arrived by nightfall and the shadows of large trees looming over the town was masking my presence perfectly. I tied a rope around the bark of a tree to keep the horse from escaping before treading softly on the dead leaves to the small house at the corner of the town.

The wind was blowing coolly and it made my skin feel prickly. I took a few steps nearer to the house and hid myself behind the wall of the house. There were some noises so I took a peek through the window. It was dimly-lit and but I could make out the two silhouettes who were on the bed engaging in a rather steamy exercise.

So she's having an affair.

The moans and pleasured cries of the couple reached my ears and I could not help but feel slightly irked by it. I took out a dagger and aimed it at the woman's body. However her partner's broad back blocked the course of my action. I clicked my tongue in irritation as I adjusted myself to another favourable position.

An opening, there we go.

I raised my dagger once more and aimed it with precision. In a split second, my blade crashed through the glass window and pierced the flesh of that sinful woman. Her pleasured cries turned into hysterical screams almost too quickly. Thick, crimson blood coated the white sheets and the man panicked and was in a frenzy immediately.

He traced the direction of the dagger and turned around to meet my eyes. My face was hidden under my cloak and the dark sky made it even harder to see my features. We just stood there staring at each other for a few seconds. He seemed too terrified to even move a single muscle.

The woman's blood-curdling screams came to a halt as her body lay lifelessly on the bed. I fled the scene quickly after I have confirmed her death. I mounted my horse as we set to return to the headquarters. My hands gripped the reins tightly and I could feel heat leaving my fingers.

Instead of guilt or anguish, I felt empty. Although the weight of the lives I took are still crushing me 'till this day, I can't feel anything anymore.

Because, I'm already numb.

Lucy de Fiore's POV

(it is still in the afternoon. This setting is on the same day, just before Sting carried out his mission.)

I'm out in town to grab some food supplies with Virgo and Capricorn. The town was lively and we're at a bustling area. Shop owners hollered here and there as they tried to reel in customers with their offers. We walked through the sea of people as we tried to grab what we needed as fast as we could. As I carried bags of groceries, Capricorn lifted those with ease off my struggling arms although he was carrying bags of his own.

"Y-You don't have to help me, I can do it." I insisted, although I know how much of a fail I must've appeared in his eyes.

He gave me a reassuring smile and replied, "Just leave it to me Princess."

I nodded meekly and just let him do as he wishes. When we finally got what we wanted, I told Virgo and Capricorn to head back first as I wanted to take a short stroll around the town. They left reluctantly after I've reassured them my safety for the umpteenth time.

I roamed the streets aimlessly as I looked at the smiles on the townspeople's faces.

Today is a good day.

I hummed a tune to myself as I walked on the side of the pavement, so as to avoid blocking the hustling traders and people. The sky dimmed quickly and most of the shop owners are closing up their stalls.

It was dusk and the sky was like a canvas painted in several shades of orange and red. The weather started to cool and the night breeze was slowly wafting in. That was my cue to head back to the inn.

I walked on the same cobbled path as the streets were only weakly illuminated by the old street lamps. The lights flickered from time to time and honestly, I love the ambience. Men and women strolled into pubs with gleeful expressions to make merry after a long day at work. Faint music could be heard playing by street musicians, making the gloomy night seem a little more alive.

I was completely taken in by the whole atmosphere and I could feel myself smiling. My pace was slow as I immersed myself completely into this part of the world.

As I finally arrived to the isolated part of the town where the inn resides, the feeling from before had dissipated completely. Just as I was about to take a right turn to the alley, a short-cut to the inn, men jumped down from the roofs and blocked my way.

My hand automatically reached to my hip, where my rapier was supposed to be. However I've left my only weapon back at the inn.

I cursed inwardly as I started to back up.

The men with masked faces started to close in on me as their cold eyes pierced mine.

"Who are you guys?" I demanded.

There was no reply as I felt a strong force making contact with my abdomen.

"Ugh!" I groaned out in pain.

I fell to the ground as I wrapped my around my torso defensively. I laid on the ground as punches and kicks rained down on me. I curled up my body in hopes of giving myself more protection.

Are they street thugs?

The attacks soon stopped. I peeked up cautiously and saw the men still looking at me. One of them took out a note from his pocket and threw it on the ground casually as they gave me a mocking look.

I glared at them as fiercely as I could but they were not intimidated in the slightest. Within a flash, they disappeared into the dark surroundings. I laid on the dirty floor for a few more seconds before I propped myself up. I took the note and it read:

"Don't think badly of me, I'm only trying to protect Sting."

I clenched my teeth in annoyance as I crushed the paper and threw it as far as I could.

Rogue...

Contradicting feelings built up in me as I tried to stand up with my wobbly legs. I supported myself against the wall as I staggered slowly towards the inn. With each step, I felt as if my legs would give way any second. I licked the cuts on my lips and the metallic taste of blood coated the tip of my tongue.

I can't even bring myself to hate him.

I laughed sardonically to myself.

After all I only have myself to blame.

When I finally arrived at the inn, the bells on the door rang as I stepped into the reception area. I was in tatters and red seemed to be the only prominent colour on me now. Leo descended the stairs and his words were cut short, "Welcome home Pr—" His smile disappeared immediately as he flew down the stairs "Princess!"

My vision blurred as I held my abdomen weakly.

I blinked several times to try and sharpen my vision, however I could feel my conscious slowly slipping away from my grasp. As my body swayed unsteadily towards Leo, I lost control of my legs as I toppled over.

Everything then went black.