Black Ice ✓ | Deathsworn #1

Chapter 30 ∞ Signed

Kora attended to me as I took refuge in the comfort of my bed. He was asking me all sorts of questions; whether I was feeling dizzy or if I was in any other kind of pain. Nonetheless, this wasn't really anything much compared to the physical injuries I got in my past life. It seemed I didn't have any concussion from being slapped so hard, but one side of my face had ballooned up a little.

I was worried about Erenol, most of all. I think my mistresses knew something about this whole ordeal. In fact, this might have something to do with the discussions I have overheard those few nights ago when I snuck out to eavesdrop on another conversation.

"You got yourself in quite the trouble this time, young lady," Kora's face was placid. There was hardly any wrinkle that could unruffle the smooth and straight skin.

I have long since known why he entered this profession when he could very well be something else. He was quite suitable for it. Whenever he dressed up as a woman, he would be much, much prettier than the average lady—worthy of belonging in the lineup of my mistresses. He had sharper and more sturdy features compared to a female, but with the proper look, it would only seem like he was a fierce woman.

This face of his...I only see it whenever he was tending to the broken flowers, to the part of his garden that had wilted or died from disease or unforeseen circumstances. There was no remorse or worry, only realization that everything in the world was in constant peril and that, should any one thing survive a premature death, they were marching to an end of a journey one way or another.

I knew this quite well myself.

"Don't take our being strict with you to heart. We only do it to protect you...from things like this."

"I'm sorry," I said.

"Do you mean that?"

"I could not leave Eren alone though. I'm sorry if I upset you, but if I have to do it again, I will," I said. "I was careful. I made sure to call Captain Leiran the moment we knew we were in bad trouble."

"That doesn't change the fact that you were in real danger. Evy, if something happens to you, your mistresses and I will lose ourselves."

I went silent.

"I had some fun though." I gave him a guilty smile.

"Good dragons above, bless you," he whispered. He looked to the sky as though asking for justice and guidance before looking back down at me. "If that is your idea of fun, we will shortly die of heart attack. I think you take after Veronika on that one. Getting all bruised and blue, but still finding it fun. I don't know what to do with you. I've had to recently patch up a lot of people nowadays. What war is it that I'm not taking part in?"

"Erenol's mom passed away," I stated.

He paused, withdrew, and looked at me. "So that's why..." he muttered. "The trouble in the palace is getting worse this time around. If they're willing to make such a big move trying to abduct one of the children of the Emperor in his own city, that must also mean he's on the brink of his health."

"I don't get it," I whispered. "Who would dare do such a thing?"

Kora looked at me. "Who else? Women in the harem."

I frowned.

"Don't tell your mother I told you," he told me. "The affairs of the palace is very complicated. That's a sticky web we don't want ourselves getting messed up in."

"Will you tell me more later?"

"Maybe. That'll depend on how the whole situation pans out after this. Knowing Hellenia, she would prefer to keep you in the dark."