Lost in Betrayal

Part 4: Arden

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Part 4: Arden
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.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。..・。.・゜✭

Right before my eyes was a bloodbath. Guards and other subjects to Frederick lay bathed in blood on the floor.

"SIR! THERE'S BEEN AN ATTACK! I'M TRYING TO FEND HIM OFF! HE TOOK DOWN THE OTHER GUARDS!" A man who I've never met before shouts at Frederick, covered in blood.

"Arden, move out of the way! You too Astrid. Stand aside." Frederick commands both of us. This 'Arden' ducks for cover beneath a table as Frederick charges up his magic.

"Nogerg des fa!" He chants at the assassin, who manages to dodge it. But on Frederick's next spell, he wasn't so lucky.

I watched as the man in front of me bursts into nothing but an extra pile of blood.

I squirmed at the sight, but I held my tongue and just turned away. I felt uneasy and sick to my stomach but, dare I say, it made me feel... satisfied.

I didn't like how the evil side of my head was showing so much, but I didn't fight it either. I'd rather be sinister than scared. The killer than the watcher, at least I had control in the situation. At least I had a choice.

Frederick comes back towards me, a tired sigh escapes his lips and he walks away from me and Arden.

Still walking away, he tiredly says, "Arden, show her some supper. I need a break. Deal with the mess later."

I was surprised. I expected Frederick to laugh, to say some clever line and tell me that, I too, could do the same. Instead, all it did was show me that my savior isn't as powerful as I thought.

My stomach churns at the thought of food. After that bloodbath, I don't think I'll be able to eat for another ten years.

Arden turns towards me, his clothes and face covered in blood. Even still, his white eyes are brighter than his skin, and his snow-white hair still shines through the blood. I study him a bit. He looks stronger than a dragon, smarter than a kitsune, and the exact opposite of me.

"I'm guessing you aren't hungry, are you?" He asks, his voice sounding tired and exasperated. I nodded, looking back at the bloody mess and silently shuddering.

"Who.. who was that?" I asked, curiously. Arden, still not taking his eyes off of me, sighs.

"An assassin. Ethenia delivers daily assassins to Frederick's doorstep. They know he's always up to no good." He jokes, giving me a half smile.

"I suppose I should introduce myself? I'm, uh, Astrid." I say awkwardly, due to my aching throat. His eyes already told me that he knew that, but instead, he gave out his hand and waited till i shook it. We both completely forget the fact that he's covered in blood and then stained my hands with it.

"And I, Astrid, am Arden Ravenspire." Then, realizing our mistake, he lets go of my hand. I looked at my hand - now covered in cold blood and wiped it on my clothes.

"Sorry, I forgot I'm covered in blood." He apologized, his pale face turning red with embarrassment. I stifled a laugh and shook my head.

"It's fine," I whispered under my breath, "You should go shower though." He lets out a laugh and nods.

"I can't just leave you all by yourself." He smiles,"I'll show you my room if you need me for anything, then I'll take you to yours." I nodded again, and then followed him.

I heard the blood dripping off his clothes, and silently wondered.

Why is he covered in blood if the assassin wasn't dead when we found him?