Chapter Twenty Six

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I don't know much about bravery or cowardice. If I was brave, I would be volunteering to fight Jeff's killers for justice he so deserves. But if I was a coward I wouldn't be mounting up this hill that leads to Rioleo's bar even though I know there are people seeking with red eyes for me.

I don't know what I plan to do, but I do know that Rioleo will give me the answers that I know only she has regarding my powers. These people are not killing anyone else because of me and in order for me to protect them I need to know everything there is to know about my abilities.

I draw my coat closer around my body as I enter the market. The unusually cold weather has been going on for weeks.

I spot Rioleo laughing with a man who's bicep looks larger than my head as I enter her bar.

As if she senses my presence, she turns her head in my direction and her beautiful smile falters.

She beckons to me with her finger.

“Kathryn,” she says when I sit in front of her.

“Can we talk?”

She narrows her eyes and turns to the man. “I'll be back, Wilhelm,” she says and leads me to the storeroom packed with alcohol.

She opens a door at the back of a stack of vodka which leads to a cosy yet dark room that smells neither pleasant nor foul.

“Sit,” she says, pointing to one of three couches which surround a small coffee table. There is a small fire crackling on the far corner of the room.

Rioleo disappears behind an entrance and returns with what appears to be a newspaper.

She hands it to me.

HOC BELLO MEMOREM?

Is this war?” it read. I recognize the Latin and I silently thank Nick for forcing me to study it, but I later realize the article is in English.

“What's this?” I ask.

“Is Magnolia depriving you of news as much as she's depriving you of freedom? Read on.”

As we all know, Jeffery Pacceus was recently killed by unknown attackers, although we all feel that we know who the culprits are.

Jeffery is known to lead this country to peace after the tragic war, alongside his brother, sister and sister-in-law (who now rules this country). He disappeared shortly after the war with lover Sophia Abbas as well as his brother and sister-in-law who, at the time, was carrying a child who currently lives with Magnolia Pacceus and is believed to have great power. The child only returns now after almost eighteen years.

Why, though, did they run away if the country was already at peace? They declared peace two decades ago yet, two years later, they don't view it safe enough to raise their child in it? They chose to raise their daughter in the human world, viewing it safer than their own country that they rule. What does this say about the heroes of our nation? We were oblivious to the fact that Prasinis has another young ruler, but do we really want another Pacceus to rule over our land?

The fact that they ran away proves how selfish they are. If they don't see this country safe enough for they're daughter, than how is it safe for our children?

The country was safe until nine months ago, when Kathryn Pacceus, daughter of Annabell and Joshua Pacceus, was kidnapped by Victor and Anne Acutus. This raised thoughts about a war but these thoughts were soon erased when Magnolia confirmed that the matter was taken care of accordingly and that our people have nothing to worry about.

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