74: 74 I Need An Answer

74 I Need An Answer

It was late at night and the entire palace was immersed in a profound slumber. However, I still couldn't sleep. I took off my nightgown and slipped into a simple dress, then picked up my black hood, quietly awaiting the arrival of that person. 2

The cool moonlight shone through the garden, casting a glow upon the dressing table beside the window. Concealed in the dark corner by the curtains, I saw my pearl necklace carefully stored in a box.

"Meow~" A feeble meow resonated, breaking the silence of the night, acting as a peculiar warning.

"How can there be a cat in the palace? Guards! Quickly remove these intruders!" Susanna's stern voice carried through the night.

Without any delay, the sound of guards' footsteps echoed down the corridor.

Seizing the opportunity, I pushed open the window and concealed myself beneath the black hood. Just before I made my escape through the window, an inexplicable impulse compelled me to take the necklace with me.

I minimized the sound of my footsteps. The guards had all left the corridors, leaving me hidden behind the column, without a trace for anyone to discover.

Except for a witch who could turn invisible.

"Delia," a soft voice blew in my ear. Startled, I quickly turned my head, only to find a person wrapped in silver robes standing behind me.

"Vivian, you could have informed me of your arrival in a different way," I sighed, shaking my wrist to indicate the small bell I always wore, suggesting that she could have gently let me know she was there instead of using this frightening method.

Her silver robes appeared even more mysterious in the night, enveloping her body like mist. She extended her hand, taking off her hood, and revealed a pair of emerald eyes beneath her golden hair, winking at me.

"But you said our actions had to be secret. I must remain quiet and not let anyone discover us," she whispered softly.

"What I actually meant was secrecy, not silence," I intended to explain, but seeing Vivian's innocent eyes, I could only swallow the rest of my words.

"Never mind. Vivian, did you get what we needed?" I quickly scanned the surroundings, making sure none of the guards had returned to the corridor.

"Of course," Vivian smiled. She reached into her pocket, searching for a moment before a small key hung from her fingertips.

"I can assure you that Alen won't notice anything missing until tomorrow," she chuckled, then placed the key in the palm of my hand. The touch of the brass felt as cold as ice.

"Well done, Vivian. Do you still remember how to get to that place?" I smiled contentedly.

"Of course, no one knows I've been discreetly tailing Alen. I mean, I am an excellent witch, after all," she playfully winked at me.

Ever since Kral ordered the trial of my father today, I had used the bell to instruct Vivian to track his whereabouts and meet me in the evening.

However, I underestimated Vivian's abilities. Her silver robe opened towards me, and an ethereal mist rushed towards me. I felt as though I was being swallowed by her garment, and everything before me became obscured, as if viewed through a veil of mist.

The exterior of her silver robe seemed inconspicuous, but as soon as I entered its confines, I discovered it was entirely different. I saw sparkling stars and symbols intertwined, freely flowing above my head.

Despite the shadows and mist, I could still see the guards returning to their original positions. However, their senses of sight and smell seemed sealed off, completely unaware of Vivian's and my presence.

"Delia, let me show you a magic trick," Vivian said, clasping her hands together and closing her eyes.

She recited a string of incantations that I couldn't comprehend.

I watched as Vivian shook her head, and the stars and symbols swiftly spun around us, resembling shooting stars whirling past.

In an instant, when I lifted my gaze again, Vivian and I found ourselves no longer standing in the palace corridor.

...

"We've arrived," Vivian exhaled, relieved.

Her robe shifted away from me.

The gray mist gradually dissipated, and I couldn't even perceive our movement, yet everything before me had changed. The underground corridor lay in deep, somber darkness, with flickering torches hanging at intervals on the walls. The air carried the pungent odor of accumulated dust.

This was the palace's most secluded and tightly guarded prison. Its location and exits were known to only a handful of individuals. Unlike the cell where Bernice had been held previously, this place housed condemned prisoners who knew the secrets of the royal family. After all, who could guard a secret better than the deceased?

At the bottom of the underground passageway, a door, stained with rust, emitted a mysterious and dangerous allure. I knew that was my destination.

Inside, my father, Mr. Orban, was imprisoned. Within two sunrises, he would silently perish in this place. I had to get the answers before that time arrived.

"It smells terrible~ I despise this odor," Vivian grumbled, stretching on her tiptoes to take a torch from the wall.

"Hold on, Vivian. I'll be out soon," I reassured her, gripping the key tightly in my hand, and approached the door.

The key slipped into the lock's aperture, turned gently, and a faint sound resonated as the door handle moved.

After a moment, the door swung open.

In the flickering light, I beheld a stooped figure.

"Delia?" My father's visage gradually came into focus, his eyes reflecting my shadowy presence.

……

"Let's go, Vivian," I said as I forcefully closed the door. I put on my hood, hiding my face completely in the darkness.

"Are you okay, Delia?" Vivian's concerned voice reached me as she tilted her head, seemingly trying to see my expression.

"I'm fine, just tired, Vivian," I replied, lowering my voice to avoid revealing my emotions.

"Alright," Vivian unfolded her robe once again.

Back in the royal corridor, I declined Vivian's offer to accompany me back to my bedroom. It was late at night, and she needed rest.

I hid in the shadows, the darkness providing perfect camouflage, concealing my tracks. With my knowledge of the palace, I made my way through the corridors and halls, returning to my room alone. Everything went smoothly, except for the moment I heard a familiar voice in Kral's study.

"I don't care what your plans are, but let me remind you, Prince Kral, of your promise to me."

Despite the lowered voice, I immediately recognized Catherine's provocative and threatening tone.

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