117: 3.57 You're A Coward!

3.57 You're A Coward!

"Your Highnesses!" Derek burst in through the front door and went straight toward them. "Are you both okay?!" Trailing behind him were a few formally dressed men equipped with guns. Judging from their measured steps and alert demeanor, it was clear that they weren't ordinary civilians.  1

Lu Yizhou nodded. "How is it?"

Derek let out a frustrated huff. "I have given the order to search the parameter. It has gotten a bit too dark now and the visibility is not adequate for a thorough search. Fortunately we have been prepared and sealed the area. He can no longer escape."

Rosemane and Ryan had been apprehended with their limbs tied up, dragged forward by the Elite Guards. The Emperor drew close with a dark look, eyeing the men behind Derek suspiciously. "Prince Altair, care to elaborate who these people might be?"

"They are Versatine's soldiers." Lu Yizhou explained in a concise manner. "Identities confirmed by tight procedures, no chance of rebels slipping in." 

Emperor Bernard's face flushed red yet again. First of all, the Crown Prince from another kingdom had been gathering his soldiers and he hadn't got the slightest idea of it! What if he wanted to stage a coup?! He could have died and he wouldn't even know what caused his death until the end. Second, Lu Yizhou's words had painfully slapped him in the face, reminding him of the lack of caution and awareness of his own people. This was a blatant mockery! Alas, Emperor Bernard had no words to retort because it was thanks to him and these people that the situation was quickly brought under control. He couldn't imagine what would have happened if the rebels succeeded in their scheme. 

Gnashing his teeth, Emperor Bernard tried to speak amicably. "And what are these soldiers doing here?"

The corner of Lu Yizhou's lips curled into a mirthless smile as he eyed Princess Rosemane. "Just consider that…I have a hunch that this kind of thing will happen."

Enraged by the implication of those words, Emperor Bernard whipped around to slap Rosemane once again, eliciting a cry of pain from the horse omega. The royal wedding was ruined, many important figures were injured, and he had lost his dignity as the most powerful beastman in the kingdom! He badly needed to vent thus he took out the humiliation on her. "It's all your fault! You ungrateful wench! How dare you conspire with the rebels to kill the Emperor? You're a Princess, for God's sake!"

Blood smeared the corner of Rosemane's lips as she spat. Her eyes blazed in venomous malice and bitterness. "So what if I am a Princess?! My life isn't any better than one!"

"You—"

"Your Majesty!" Ryan cried out, kneeling and banging his forehead on the floor. "Please have mercy on me. I—I have been slandered by Prince Altair! I am really not involved in this horrible mess!"

Lu Yizhou frowned in extreme dislike. He had expected that this would happen. Ryan was a scheming leopard and Lu Yizhou was certain that he had thought of a way out for himself should the plan be foiled in the end. There was no way he would admit his association with the rebels otherwise his life would be ruined from now on. 

How should he force Ryan to confess? Torture? No, he hadn't got the right tools for that and he feared that he would accidentally kill the protagonist if he used his bare hands. He couldn't ask Derek for that either because he had no way to explain how Altair was expertly familiar with thirty six stratagems on how to make someone wish for death. That would result in a lot of mess to clean up. So, no, he shook his head, that wasn't an option either.

[How many points do I have left? Can I use 'Devil's Whisper' to force the confession out of them?]

[666: Sheesh, Host, you forgot, didn't you? 'Devil's Whisper' has become your permanent skill! You can use it anytime you want. It's so cool, right? That's just how OP system store is! But be careful Host, when the skill is active, your eyes will turn crimson!]

Lu Yizhou hummed. That's right. It's so convenient to use the skill without worrying about draining his whole points. As for the crimson eyes... well, let's just say that some dust got to him. As it turned out, there was no need for him to step in. Hearing Ryan's remarks, Princess Rosemane let out a scoff and exposed his lie. "Ha…not involved? The accidents that befell the Elite Guards that are absent tonight, was it not your doing?"

Ryan inhaled deeply and remained in his stance, not even sparing Princess Rosemane a glance. "My apologies, but I have no idea what Her Highness is talking about."

Rosemane promptly burst out laughing, giggling so hard that she almost doubled over if not for the guard that was holding her up. Messy strands of mane framed her face and the gaze she directed toward Ryan was plain maniacal. Foreboding arose in the leopard Alpha's chest and it was proven true in the next second. "I have known since early that you will deny it. That's why I hold onto the evidence." Ryan's eyes finally flew open in shock and brief panic settled on his face. Princess Rosemane smiled mockingly. "Do you think I am that naive to trust you? Like Peter, I trust no one but myself. Look at him, he decisively ditched us the moment we are no longer of use. And you, I know very well the type of person you are. You're a coward!" She spat out, laughing and crying. Tears smudged her eye make-up, making her look horrendous. "You're a fucking coward, do you know that, Ryan? I hate people like you the most! You think you're the most clever, the most brilliant and your ego is so fucking huge that I want to puke everytime I look at your face!"

The cathedral was silent except for the shrill voice of Princess Rosemane cursing and crying. Ryan's face drained of all colors and his body swayed. Legs no longer able to support his body. W—What did she say? She had evidence…? She had evidence over what he had done? How…How could this be?! 

"Have the Princess hand out the evidence," Lu Yizhou commanded, effectively breaking the tense atmosphere. "Take them both to the dungeon until further notice. Do you have any other opinion, Your Majesty? Oliver is quite shaken up and he needs to have a rest."

Emperor Bernard let out a long sigh and pinched his brows. "Take them away."

"N—No…!" The panic finally kicked in. Flustered, Ryan tried to evade the guards' tight hold. "You can't do this to me! I swear, I am innocent—" He was stunned on the back and promptly lost consciousness, enabling the guards to haul him away.

Princess Rosemane turned quiet as the guards pulled her up. She had her head lowered and from Lu Yizhou's position, he was unable to gauge her expression. His gut feeling told him that something was amiss. Princess Rosemane was the female protagonist. Even if she had fallen down from grace, she was still bright, sharp and cunning. And the most annoying trait which all the protagonists had, she was strong-willed, tenacious and wouldn't back down easily. It was a commanding trait indeed. But on her, it was like stomping on cockroaches because they just wouldn't die and the act only made him feel filthy and disgusting about himself.

Whatever it was, it seemed like Lu Yizhou had to investigate it himself.

He turned to Oliver with a sigh. "I have to do something else. Will you return with Derek first? Forget about the ceremony in Versatine, we can go there once you're well enough."

Oliver wrinkled his nose adorably. "Can't you come with me? You're injured…"

Lu Yizhou followed the omega's sight to see the wounds on his wings. "This is nothing," he said offhandedly and placed his palm on Oliver's back, releasing his scent a bit to soothe the omega before he urged him toward Derek. "I entrust him to you, Derek. Escort him back safely."

Words were exchanged through their silent stares. Derek pressed his lips tighter, swallowing all the protest he was going to throw. His Royal Highness had entrusted his omega's protection to him, Derek must make him the first priority like Lu Yizhou had told him earlier. He placed his palm over his chest and bowed. "I will protect Prince Oliver with my life. Please follow me, Your Highness."

Oliver grunted begrudgingly and looked back every three steps to show Lu Yizhou an aggrieved face. Lu Yizhou decisively tore his eyes away and scanned the surroundings. The Emperor was giving an apology speech as he ordered the guards to escort the guests out, promising that he would make it up for them. It was ironic but Princess Rosemane's words couldn't be truer, Emperor Bernard indeed cared about the kingdom and his reputation the most. He didn't even spare the thought to care about why his daughter was rebelling.

Lu Yizhou sighed. There was a lot of work to be done tonight but fortunately, none he had never done before. It was kinda nostalgic, even, to fall back into the old routine and let the thinking lead him to different places. The space gradually emptied out of people as the guests were the first to be escorted out. Lu Yizhou met Oliver's eyes across the room and tried to give the omega a comforting nod.

[Can't you detect anything amiss here?]

[666: Anything amiss? Like what???]

[Anything.] Lu Yizhou pinched his brows. [Anything that isn't supposed to be in a cathedral.]

[666: O—Okay, please wait a moment. 666 will start to scan the area first.]

"Your Majesty, not good!" A guard shoved past the people crowding around the gate and hollered atop of his lungs. Lu Yizhou's heart sank to the pit of his stomach. It was one of the guards that was assigned to bring Rosemane away.

"What is it now?!" Emperor Bernard snapped.

"P—Princess Rosemane…" He wheezed, clearly freaking out. "BOMB! There's a bomb buried somewhere here! Princess Rosemane, she—"

[666: O—Oh. He's right. 666's system has detected a high amount of concentrated explosives in a few areas. Not only one. For a start, there's one under the God's statue, one hidden beneath the podium and the last one…it's near the gate! Oh my God, Host! It's only a few meters away from Oliver!]

All the air was knocked out of Lu Yizhou's lungs. He met Oliver's wide, terrified eyes through the chaos of people scrambling to get out, pushing and knocking each other away. Lu Yizhou took off running before he realized what was happening. Idiot, he cursed himself. He shouldn't have left Oliver alone. Whatever happened, he should have remained by the omega's side. Hadn't he learned the hard way what could happen if he just took his eyes off one second?! Damn it! Damn it all, he wouldn't forgive himself if something happened to Oliver. Hell, he would take everyone down with him if Oliver was the slightest bit injured. The main protagonists be damned. Wind whistled past his ear and blood was rushing into his head. He saw Derek trying to protect Oliver from the throng of people but the force shoved him further and further toward where the bomb was. At one point of a time, Oliver tripped on his feet, panic flashed through his face as he scrambled to hold onto anything.

Lu Yizhou was so close. He leapt forward desperately and—

BOOM!

The bomb near the gate suddenly exploded.

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