There Is Light

Chapter Seventeen

__Mephiles followed Elise to the throne room and they were both shocked to see guards standing by each pillar and one guard standing at both sides of the throne. Elise had carefully stepped forward and looked around the room.
__"What's going on here?" She asked carefully.
__Mephiles was still holding Solar as he moved himself closer to Elise. I don't like this at all. He tightened his grip on Solar and examined every guard.
__One of the guards from the pillars took a few steps forward and cleared his throat. "The general has asked us to watch every part of the castle, my princess." He then backed up to his pillar.
__"I was not told of this," Elise had remarked in annoyance.
__The same guard did not make eye contact. "You weren't there to listen apparently," He said calmly.
__Elise then looked down at Mephiles with doubt. It took him a few seconds to lightly shake his head so the other guards wouldn't notice. Elise then looked at the two guards by her throne. "All is fine, but I don't need you two by my throne when I already have Mephiles by my side." She placed her hand on Mephiles' shoulder and didn't break eye contact with the guards.
__The two guards had hesitated before they moved away from the throne and left the room completely. This made all the other guards tense.
__Mephiles quickly followed Elise and stood by her on her throne. He even let Elise hold on to Solar since he didn't want to lose his focus. The way the guards were staring at him made his stomach boil in anger. She's not even safe in her own castle anymore. Why can't we just take her away from the castle? He crossed his arms and moved himself to where his left side touched the golden throne. At this rate, I might have to take some lives.

__Guards were everywhere in the castle. They blocked the paintings in the halls, surrounded the dining area and ballroom, stood next to every cook in the kitchen, and even stood in the bathrooms and Elise's bedroom. This made both Elise and Mephiles uncomfortable. Mephiles could tell that Elise was scared as well and it made him anxious.
__Mephiles and Elise were walking down one of the halls. Elise was still holding on to Solar as if she was a newborn baby. Mephiles tried to watch the guards without looking at them directly in case something were to happen.
__"Princess Elise," Agatha had come around the corner and quickly walked over to them. She looked uncomfortable with the guards watching her. "You are needed for a conference in the city," She had said. She then motioned with her eyes to the window without moving her head.
__Elise had smiled and nodded. "Yes, I understand. Thank you, Agatha." As Agatha left them, Elise grabbed Mephiles' shoulder and started walking back the way they came.
__They were walking down the stairs from one of the towers, which there were no guards for some reason. This made Mephiles comfortable enough to speak. "I thought you can't leave for conferences," He said in suspicion.
__"I can't," Elise responded without looking at him. She then looked around as if making sure they were alone. 
__They continued walking until they were out in the garden. There weren't any guards there either. Mephiles followed Elise behind the vines and he saw several people around the Chaos' pond. Mephiles was able to identify Athena, Agatha, Dominic, and the twins, but there were two women and one man he did not recognize. One woman had long brown hair with brown eyes and she wore maiden clothing. The other woman had short blonde hair with blue eyes and looked to be wearing a guard's uniform and armor. The man had long black hair with green eyes and was wearing the guard's outfit as well. What caught Mephiles' attention about the man was that he had a long scar starting on his forehead going over his left eye and ending on the bottom of his jaw.
__When Elise gave Mephiles Solar back she smiled at Mephiles' confusion. "Whenever Agatha says I'm needed for a conference, it's like her code word for to come to this area of the garden." She then walked over to the group of people while the chao started surrounding her. "Good afternoon, everyone," She greeted.
__Everyone then muttered back their greeting in either a worried or an annoyed sound. None of them looked happy at all. The three people Mephiles didn't know were all staring at him in suspicion. 
__Mephiles walked over to the princess and looked up at her. "Who are those three?" He asked.
__Elise looked at the maiden and guards before she looked down at Mephiles. "That's Mary," She pointed at the maiden before she pointed at the female guard. "That there is Ailene, and that's Merek," She then pointed to the male guard. 
__Mephiles' eyes had locked on to Ailene. "A female guard?" He questioned.
__Ailene spit on the grass behind her before she scowled at Mephiles. "You got a problem with that, pipsqueak?" She sneered.
__"Excuse me?" Mephiles then glared back at her.
__"Sit down, Mephiles," Athena had said without looking at him. She was sitting on a stone bench with her long tail reaching the grass below her. Her face showed no emotion whatsoever. "We need to discuss what's happening."
__Mephiles did as told and sat down where he was, keeping Solar on his lap. Elise had sat down next to him as well. It was weird that he and Elise were in a group like this, especially with the situation they were in. Mephiles knew none of them seemed to be plotting something at least, so he wasn't too worried.
__Athena had straightened herself and moved her tail to where she was stroking it on her lap. "After I gathered everyone we could trust, I overheard the general talking to one of his guards to send a message to Rodger. It was something about allowing him access to this kingdom."
__"What!?" Both Lacy and Stacy gasped.
__Ailene had pulled a knife out and shot it in the ground with force. "That damn bastard! I can't believe we were working under him!"
__Merek had his arms crossed as he tried to hide his anger. "I knew there was something wrong with him."
__"I'm ashamed to say I didn't," Dominic muttered while looking down at his feet.
__Mary kept herself calm and in good posture, but her eyes showed she was scared. "Why would he do this?"
__Agatha then snorted. "Daniel...that man was loyal in the beginning. I guess something happen that made him do this."
__"Perhaps Rodger bribed him," Athena suggested. "He wants this kingdom so badly that he'll try anything."
__"But how can the rest of the guards follow this!?" Ailene lashed out. "Surely they wouldn't turn on our princess!"
__"Most of them probably don't know," Merek informed. "For sure as hell we didn't."
__"Aye," Dominic sighed. "At least we're not doing what they're doing right now."
__"And what are we to do about this?" Lacy questioned.
__"It's not like we can stop two whole armies," Stacy added in annoyance.
__"Why can't we just take Elise away from the castle?" Mephiles couldn't stop himself from asking.
__"Because they would hunt her down," Agatha growled. "It would make things worse for her running around with a target on her back, and the general could make up some story that'll make her look like she did something wrong."
__"Then what do we do?" Dominic asked worriedly.
__Mephiles looked up at Elise when she repositioned herself in her spot. She looked rather calm. Even her eyes didn't show fear when she spoke. "Sonic was here when Rodger threatened us, and I promised to have him help just in case. Mary," She looked as Mary gave her acknowledgment. "If it comes down to it, I need you to send a message to him. No one would think to stop you if you were actually fleeing the castle."
__Mary nodded and bowed her head. "I'll do my best."
__"Dominic, Ailene, and Merek," Elise turned her head to face them. "You three are the only guards we can trust right now. Try to see if you can get in on Daniel's plans so we're prepared."
__"Yes, Princess," They all bowed their heads.
__"The same goes for you girls," Elise looked over at Lacy and Stacy.
__Lacy looked at her sister worriedly before looking back at the princess. "What can we do!?" She exclaimed. "We're just cooks, and we're not even allowed to cook yet!"
__"And that's why they wouldn't suspect you of anything," Athena informed. "You two are new, and it's not like anyone thinks you're assassins."
__Elise nodded. "Keep following your daily routine, but keep watch for the other guards and what they say."
__"Yeah, sure," Stacy said, now sounding worried.
__"Agatha, I'm expecting a lot from you," Elise grinned as she looked at the old women. "Remember what we discussed when I was little in case there would be an attack?"
__Agatha smiled as she nodded. "Of course. I know exactly what to do."
__Mephiles looked at Agatha in confusion. What can this old bag do? He tightened his grip on Solar as Elise looked over at Athena. 
__"Athena," She said softly. "If a battle does start here, then I want you to stay in the temple."
__Athena's eyes went wide. She threw her tail down beside her and stood up at once. "What!? I can't do that! Please, Elise, let me actually help you!"
__But Elise shook her head. "You are like a sister to me. I want nothing to happen to you if something happens to me," She then looked down at the ground. "If something does happen to me, then I need you to look after the kingdom since I have no spouse or children to take over."
__Athena gritted her teeth and shook her head. "Don't talk like that! You have to let me help you! You of all people know what I'm capable of!"
__"That's enough!" Elise sneered, making everyone stare at her in worry. "I've given you my orders and you will follow them. Are we clear?"
__Athena's ears flatten and her tail drooped down to the ground as she sat back down. "Yes, my princess," She sighed.
__Mephiles had flattened his own ears from the way Elise's tone sounded. The only time he heard her sound like that was on his first day here. She can be assertive when she wants to. Mephiles' ears then perked up when everyone was staring at him and the princess. They seemed to be waiting for Elise to give Mephiles orders as well, and so was he. He looked up at Elise and waited patiently.
__The princess looked down at Mephiles, but this time with a small grin. "Of course you need to stay by me. I expect nothing less from you."
__Mephiles had looked at Athena. She was staring at him with sorrow in her eyes, yet she nodded at him. Mephiles sighed and looked up at Elise. "I...won't let you down," He promised. He then started rubbing Solar's head when he felt this shiver run up his spine. These mortals...why do they care about one another? They're even willing to risk their own lives for each other. He looked down at Solar when she looked up at him and felt his own heart melt. Am I slowly getting to the point where I act like them? This is insane. How can I let myself do this?