Chapter 94: The moment you’ve all been waiting for (2)
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Y'all are about to hate us... sad chapter incoming! 。・゚(゚><゚)゚・。


Chapter 94:

The moment you’ve all been waiting for (2)

Only moments before the fated reunion, when Silas and Malcolm were still standing together in the bustling ballroom, bodies and voices moving all around them, Malcolm spotted a familiar figure in the distance. That figure was all too familiar to Malcolm, and though he wanted to keep his attention away from that person, he could not draw his gaze away. Just the mere sight of the smoothed, blond hair made Malcolm’s heart ache painfully.

They had not been parted for long, yet seeing the distance between them almost drove Malcolm mad. His fingers trembled in anticipation, wishing he could run his fingers through that man’s curly blonde locks, and kiss his pale lips, covering them with his own, holding him in his arms, enjoying the young man’s gentle caresses.

Malcolm looked forward longingly, regretting the earlier fight him and Alywin had had. They had been separated for so long, he could not believe he let his anger get the best of him in such a way.

But we made up. And now we’re just like we were before. Malcolm looked down, trying to hide the shy grin that grew to his lips, We can be together now. Nothing will pull us apart. The gold tones in his eyes darkened with a sense of oppression.

The slight movement of the blond hair grabbed Malcolm’s attention again. As the figure moved farther and farther away from him, the more anxious he became to follow them. In a trance, he excused himself from his companion, and followed the trail his wisp left for him.

Malcolm bumped into people who gasped in surprise, but he was so focused, he did not notice their annoyed cries. They were like buzzing houseflies, a mere distraction from his goal, which kept moving away from him. Malcolm quickened his step, trying to keep pace, but he kept losing sight of the wispy blond hair.

Malcolm paused, stopping as he glanced around him for any sign of where his wisp had gone.

There! Malcolm thought with relief, seeing Alywin’s blond hair slipping out of the ballroom through opened french doors to the balcony. The inky darkness of the night began to leak through the opened french doors, and darkened further with the slim figure slipping out of the doors. Frantically, Malcolm followed the trail, hurrying towards the door while trying to control the urge to run.

The doors were left open only a crack, as if a hint to the trail to follow. As Malcolm approached the doors, he peeked his head through before stepping through, his pupils growing as they tried to take in the lack of light in the dark night. Even the torches on the wall could only keep the darkness so far away.

To his right, down the long balcony, the familiar form turned a corner, disappearing from Malcolm’s view again, as if leaving hints of crumbs for the young duke to follow. Malcolm’s heart raced again, and he hurried to follow, closing the doors behind him so no one would follow them. Then, he raced down the balcony, calling out to his only love.

“Alywin! Wait!” Malcolm shouted, quickly closing the distance between him and the corner. He sighed in relief when he found Alywin waiting for him, resting his elbows on the railing as he looked out at the delicately manicured landscape.

“Were you looking for me?” Alywin asked with a sly smile as he pushed off his elbows, rising from the railing. He closed the distance between himself and Malcolm, opening his arms to wrap them snugly around Malcolm’s neck as he stood on his tip-toes. Alywin looked up to lock eyes with Malcolm, whose face tinged the faintest hue of red. The skin next to Alywin’s eyes crinkled as he smiled, pulling Malcolm’s face down towards his.

“Wait.” Malcolm said, gently pulling away from Alywin. Alywin was surprised by this, and his eyebrows furrowed in annoyance.

“What is it?” Alywin asked, his arms drooping, but his grip around Malcolm’s neck still like iron.

“I don’t want to rush this. It’s been so long since we’ve seen each other. Let’s talk for a bit. There will always be time for that later.” Malcolm said softly, his gentle smile warming his face. Alywin smiled at this, hiding the annoyance that was building by Malcolm’s continued rejection.

Taking Alywin’s smile as an indication of approval, Malcolm sighed happily, wrapping his arms around Alywin’s waist as he pulled him in for a hug, “All these years.” Malcolm said, dropping his head to nuzzle Alywin’s neck, his chin resting on the other man’s shoulder, “I can’t believe it's been so many years since I last saw you, or touched you. I can’t even begin to describe how much I missed you. There were so many nights I would lay awake in bed, thinking about you. Your eyes, your smile, the way the inner part of your eyebrows drop when you’re angry.” Malcolm laughed at this, his head still nuzzling Alywin’s warm neck.

“Don’t tease me.” Alywin said, pushing Malcolm’s shoulders back as he glared at him, “You know I hate that.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry.” Malcolm said with a happy sigh, pulling Alywin back in for another hug, “And I’m sorry I said those horrible things to you. I shouldn’t have, but when I saw you hanging on my cousin-”

“Shh.” Alywin cooed, gently grabbing Malcolm’s face as he pulled Malcolm’s face towards his, “I think we’ve spoken enough now, don’t you?”

As Malcolm pulled Alywin close, pressing Alywin’s back against the cold, stone wall of the balcony, the french doors the two had entered from were opened again. Malcolm tried to pull away from Alywin, but Alywin pulled him back in.

“We can’t.” Malcolm muttered, his protests quieting as he stared at Alywin’s pouting face,  “What if someone sees us?”

“So?” Alywin said with a nonchalant shrug, sliding his hands up Malcolm’s back with a smile, “You're the king’s nephew. Who would dare say anything against you?”

Malcolm smiled, bringing a hand up to caress Alywin’s cheek, “It’s precisely because I am the king’s nephew that I have to be careful. You know how people here feel about these types of relationships. Besides, if someone were to see that I was with you, it would ruin everything.”

“If someone sees us, then you should just kill them.” Alywin stated matter-of-factly. Alywin’s smile was warm, but his eyes were cold and unmoving, looking into Malcolm’s eyes.

Malcolm paused, his fiery eyes burning with intensity as he looked back at Alywin’s cold stare, “Do you mean that?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Alywin said, his eyes remaining chilled as he pulled Malcolm’s face towards his again. Before their lips touched, Alywin whispered, “You’ve already killed someone before.”

Malcolm opened his mouth, having the intention to say something, but Alywin quickly silenced any growing protests with a kiss.

“I can’t believe he brought himself to the palace. What a fool.” Theo mumbled to himself, his leg hanging off the side of the roof while his other leg was wrapped around his arm. Theo leaned back, using his free hand to support his weight as he leaned back, “At least he made my job much easier.”

Theo looked out, breathing in deeply as he stared at the sky, which had darkened significantly since he first climbed onto the roof. Staring out at the setting sun made him nostalgic, and, without thinking, he released his leg and patted the gritty stone beside him, reaching out for the familiar hand that was next to him.

When Theo’s fingers touched the cold stone of the space next to him, Theo looked down in surprise at his action, then shook his head, grunting in irritation as he pulled his hand back.

What am I doing? Alywin and I haven’t done something like this in years. Not since he entered the palace.

Theo looked down at the scenery below him, suddenly having an urge to go do something. Anything.

Furrowing his eyebrows in irritation, he pulled his legs under him and stood up. It was now that he noticed music was playing below him.

It seems the ball has started. That means Clarence is preoccupied. And, Theo felt himself tense up, his fists clenching, his bruised and cut hands and arms groaning painfully in protest, That means that Malcolm is here.

Theo felt a mixture of fear and anger bubble inside him, and without hesitation, he leapt off the roof and onto the small balcony below. He glanced down, then jumped down again onto another balcony. He continued to hop from balcony to balcony until he was close enough to the ball he could hear muffled voices and laughter from the ballroom. As Theo landed nimbly on the closest balcony, the sounds of approaching voices drew Theo towards the darkness.

Theo held his breath and waited, ready to strike, but he breathed a sigh of relief when two women walked by, trying to stifle their laughter as they hurried to a set of balcony doors. They opened them, the music and voices inside the room growing to an almost deafening rate until the door was shut behind them.

I’m probably too late. Theo thought to himself as he stepped out into the light of the torches, But I need to find Alywin. If I can’t convince him to leave, at least I can protect him. 

Theo glanced up, looking for a way into the party. Though the darkening sky made it difficult to see, Theo’s eyes were becoming accustomed to the dark. As he scanned, he spotted a high window that was cracked open, most likely to let the heat of the crowded room out as it rose.

Theo heavily bent his legs, then used the momentum as he sprang up to grab a protruding stone from the wall. Bracing his feet against the grainy stone, Theo reached for another protruding stone and pushed off on his legs as he climbed upward. Theo repeated these movements over and over until he was beside the cracked window. He braced his arms between the window sill and the window, peeking into the party. No matter how much his eyes scanned, he could not see Alywin anywhere.

Impossible. There’s no way his father would let him miss an event like this. So where is he? Theo scanned the party again, taking the time to look through the multiple faces that began to blur together. Theo stopped when he saw the dance floor suddenly empty. He watched as Clarence took the hand of who he could only assume was his newly-appointed fiancée and walked towards the empty space.

That’s why. Alywin wouldn’t want to watch this. It would bore him to tears. But then, where is Malcolm? Theo’s heart began to race, his mind jumbled with horrible thoughts, as he leaned away from the window, listening for any voices or sounds. He did not hear anything, so, with a tsk, he began scaling up the wall, keeping his eyes and ears alert for any sign of Alywin.

He would come outside. That way he can get away from everyone, but not be too far from the party. Theo quickened his climbing pace as he strained his ears, Please just tell me Malcolm didn’t follow him out. Please tell me I’m not too late.

Theo reached the top of the wall, clutching one hand on the cold stone, then the other, finally hoisting himself up. As his feet hit the solid stone, he took a moment to catch his breath, glancing all around him.

Just when he was about to move, he heard Alywin’s voice shout in protest. Theo’s heart hammered in his chest, feeling like it was about to burst out of his chest with how it pounded. Theo’s legs carried him forward as his mind raced. He knew he needed to calm himself to think clearly, but when he heard Alywin cry out, any sense of rationality was gone.

Theo followed the sound, his footsteps muffled over the sound of his panicked, racing heart. At the edge of the roof, Theo glanced down. A few floors below him, on a balcony that wrapped around the impressive building, was Alywin. He was laying on the ground, his hand resting on his cheek in an attempt to nurse what looked to be a red mark.

When Theo saw the bloom of red peeking out from behind the pale, white hand covering it, he vaulted the roof ledge, using balconies and stone decorations to descend at a rapid pace. When his feet hit the balcony with a hard thump, he turned to see who had harmed Alywin, only to see Malcolm standing in front of him, whose face was pale and whose hands were shaking.

“You bastard!” Theo screamed, lunging at Malcolm. He wrapped his two strong, calloused hands around the neckline of Malcolm’s shirt, slamming him into the stone wall.

“Theo! Stop!” Alywin cried, jumping to his feet. In Theo’s rage however, he could not hear Alywin’s pleas. He wrapped his hands around Malcolm’s shirt collar tighter, cutting off Malcolm’s airflow as he slammed him against the stone wall again.

“Damnit, Theo! You crazy bastard!” Alywin shouted, trying to pull Theo’s arm back. Theo only glanced at Alywin momentarily, his eyes glued to the bright red mark on Alywin’s face. It was like a red beacon in the dark night, glowing against Alywin’s pale skin. This incensed Theo further, who released one hand from Malcolm’s shirt, only to pull it back and punch Malcolm in the face.

Though Malcolm grunted in pain, he did not fight back.

“Theo, stop!” Alywin said, dipping his head under Theo’s arm and sliding his body between the two of them. Alywin gently placed a hand on Theo’s arm, which still held a death grip on Malcolm’s now-bloodied shirt, “It’s okay. I asked him to slap me. So stop.”

“Get out of the way, Alywin.” Theo hissed, his bloodshot eyes looking past Alywin.

“No.” Alywin said, his grip tightening on Theo’s arm, “Don’t do this. There’s no point.”

“Like hell there isn’t.” Theo snapped, attempting to push Alywin out of the way. Alywin remained unmoving, locking his hand around Theo’s arm like a shackle.

“I mean it. Stop.” Alywin said sternly, his voice low and cold, like ice, “If you’re this angry, then punch me, since I asked him to do it.”

Theo’s grip loosened when he saw the resolute look in Alywin’s eyes. He knew that look all too well. Theo finally glanced away, his voice was still raw with anger, “Why would you ask him to do something like hit you? It sounds like an excuse.”

“But it’s not.” Alywin said soothingly, seeing Theo was beginning to calm down. Alywin moved his hand to Theo’s, loosening Theo’s deadly grip on Malcolm’s shirt, “I just wanted to try something new. I was bored.”

Theo looked down at Alywin, the red mark still glowing brightly, then away with disgust, “Don’t do things like that.” Though rage and panic was coursing through Theo, he felt himself calming. With a frustrated sigh, he released Malcolm’s shirt and stepped back, placing a hand over his face as he looked away.

“I didn’t realize you were here.” Alywin said, crouching over Malcolm, who had slumped over when Theo released him.

“I just got here.” Theo said hotly.

“Clarence has been keeping you busy.” Alywin passively noted, checking Malcolm’s injuries over with a passing glance. He’s completely out. Theo must have hit him pretty hard.

“But I’m not anymore. That’s why we should leave. Now.” Theo stressed, looking down at the unconscious Malcolm, “While he’s unconscious, we should go. You won’t get an opportunity like this to leave again.”

“I know.” Alywin said with a sigh, rising to his feet. He looked over at Theo with a sad smile, one that made Theo’s calming heart lurch, “But I can’t leave Clarence behind. You know that. He needs me more than ever right now.”

“What he needs is for you to be safe.” Theo said, roughly grabbing Alywin’s arm. Though Theo had planned to protect Alywin from the shadows, it was becoming increasingly apparent Alywin would not be safe until he was far away from the Yursear kingdom, “You and I know you aren’t safe here. I can’t protect you here, not with him here.” Theo said, his eyes flicking over to the silent, still Malcolm.

“I know. That’s why I’m trying to handle it.” Alywin whispered, his hand again resting on Theo’s, which was locked around Alywin’s arm, “There’s only two people in this palace I give a damn about: you and Clarence. I’d never forgive myself if I let someone hurt you,” Alywin’s hand trembled slightly as he looked down at their hands, “But I also would never forgive myself if I abandoned Clarence when he needed me the most.”

Theo’s hand loosened on Alywin’s arm, so Alywin wrapped his hand around Theo’s. Theo looked down at their hands, sighing, “I understand, but I can’t let you stay. It’s too dangerous.” Alywin began to protest, trying to pull his hand away from Theo’s, but Theo would not listen, dragging Alywin towards the edge of the balcony to make their escape.

“Let me go, Theo!” Alywin snapped angrily, but Theo ignored him, glancing over the side of the balcony. To their slight right was a lake. If he jumped at the right angle and slid down the grassy side, he and Alywin could jump into the lake and swim to shore. It was a tricky jump, but Theo did not have much choice as Alywin continued to angrily protest.

As Theo reached out his arm, preparing to grab Alywin for the initial jump, he felt his arm suddenly break away from Alywin’s as a heavy force pushed him forward, pushing Theo right over the side of the balcony, face first towards the steep drop to the ground.

As Theo fell over, his arm reaching out to grab something to stop him, he looked back to see Alywin, mouth open in shock and hands reaching out for him. Next to him with a smirk, blood streaming out of his mouth and nose, was Malcolm. The sickening smirk smugly met Theo as he fell.

“Theo!” Alywin screamed, his throat wrenching with horror as he screamed as loudly as he possibly could. Alywin grabbed the railing, ready to jump it to follow after Theo, who was going down the wrong side towards a deep drop. With nothing to grab onto or to slow the fall, it was certain death to anyone unlucky enough to fall down it.

Suddenly, two hands wrapped around Alywin’s waist, pulling him back and away from the balcony.

As Alywin screamed in horror, a sickening thud rang through the air from the drop Theo had tumbled down. Alywin fell silent, realizing the thud that echoed through the air could only mean one thing. As the realization sunk in, Alywin began to scream and fight with all of his might as he began to cry.

“Like you said, I killed the person who saw us.” Malcolm whispered into Alywin’s ear as he pulled a screaming, fighting Alywin away from the balcony’s edge, “Just a few more, and no one will be able to ever pull us apart ever again, Alywin. We can be together forever.” Malcolm stroked the back of Alywin’s head gently with one hand as he held the man’s waist with another. Alywin continued to scream, tears streaming down his pale face, having lost all the color in his cheeks as he tried to reach for the balcony. He was held back by Malcolm as he spoke in a gentle, hushed tone, “Don’t cry. I'm here.” Malcolm hushed into Alywin’s ear, but it was drowned out by Alywin’s cries of agony.

The screams radiated into the ballroom, causing a silence to spill over the guests as they began to pour out of the ballroom to the balcony, their faces full of concern as they glanced over the young marquis and the duke.

“Is he alright?” Someone asked quietly to Malcolm, who nodded and smiled, wiping the blood away from his face with a quick swipe of his sleeve. Guards had already approached the pair, surveying the scene with careful scrutiny to avoid any mishaps on the day of the prince’s engagement.

“Of course. One of his prized possessions went over the side, so he’s a little upset. Nothing a good night’s sleep can’t fix.” Malcolm said with a laugh. People who began to crowd around weakly laughed too, but could not shake the uncomfortable feeling in the air as they took in the beaten, disheveled appearance of the two men. As Malcolm smiled, pulling Alywin back towards the emptying ballroom, Alywin continued to scream and sob, echoing his heartbroken voice throughout the palace and shaking many of the guests to their core.

The halls were lined with guards at each corner, holding their swords in their scabbards as they scanned the passing guests with watchful eyes, careful to spot any guest that was out of place. Under their intimidating gazes, Eva quickly walked in her heels, standing tall and striding at a quick, elegant pace. Silas followed behind her, making haste to follow behind her with the fur wrap still circling his cold arms, looking particularly pitiful with his makeup in disarray. The guards that watched the two women pass could only maintain their forward gazes, watching the young woman with hints of pity.

While they knew of the nobles’ affairs, they only took note and did nothing to react.

That screaming person could only hold the crowd’s attention so long. Silas and Eva would have to hurry to the back of the palace and meet with the rest of Eva’s crew. According to the plan, they would meet his family in the passageway between the palace dungeon and the back carriage entrance of the palace. There were carriages prepared to escort them out of the palace, and with the gems prepared by Meredith, they would be able to disguise their appearances and slip them out under the noses of the guards.

I haven’t seen Cirdan and Aurelia since they were children. Ten years have passed already… I wonder if they’ll still recognize me? Silas thought with a lonely stare, following closely behind Eva as he dabbed at his wet cheeks, attempting to repair the mess on his face even a little. Eva glanced at Silas before she turned her gaze forward and took his left hand in her own, sending him a careful look as the pair turned down a narrower hallway, taking one step closer to the dungeon.

“One of my contacts is just down this hall.” Eva whispered, barely loud enough for Silas to hear. “Your family has already been moved to a remote part of the dungeon. We’ll be seeing them soon.” Her eyes narrowed as her strides grew larger, increasing her pace with the air of regalness that Silas could not dare to imitate.

At the end of the hall, there was a narrow corner, leading into two other small hallways. As Eva turned left, a shallow smile grew on her face as she slowed her footsteps, quieting her steps as she approached a shadowy figure near the far corner of the left hallway. “I expect good news.”

“The targets have been successfully relocated, my lady.” The knight was a woman, a tall human woman. If not for her voice, Silas would have thought the knight was a man, donning a full set of armor. “They are stationed in the designated meeting point.” The knight bowed, her armor clinking shallowly with her movements.

Eva crossed her arms as she responded, “Good. And the carriages?”

The knight raised her head, “They have been arranged.”

After the short conversation with the knight, Eva walked Silas further down the hall, allowing the knight to disappear from view.

Though the security had been tightened for the prince’s engagement ball, there were still holes in the defenses that had been widened by Eva’s thorough planning and her companions. This allowed Eva and Silas to use the back hallways often used by servants and guards to escort prisoners and deliver meals. Due to the palace event, the halls were quiet and empty, having no guards in sight. Together, the two trailed silently, ducking through the halls like rats until they were able to find the exit hall, where a small group of figures were standing together, looking disheveled but alive.

Before Silas could approach the figures, Eva grabbed his shoulder in her tight grip, staring him in the eye as she said, “We aren’t safe yet. Once you reunite with your family we need to quickly enter the carriages. It’s only a matter of time before that incompetent prince sends out the guards to find you.” During their short walk, Silas had discussed what happened with the prince with Eva, and her distaste for the young prince only grew stronger.

“I know.” Silas said, his voice shaking as he looked towards his family, tears forming at the corners of his eyes. “Thank you, Eva.” Silas’s words were sincere as he took a step forward, then another, the clacking of his heels bringing the small group to alert.

Silas’s vision blurred as he stared at two faces whose child-like appearance was gone, now replaced with their lean, adult counterparts. Still, as he blinked, trying to restore his vision, he saw the small hints of the baby faces he used to peck with kisses. Their figures were too tall for him to take up in his arms and hug, or pick up and swing around like sacks of potatoes, they were now adults, much like Silas himself. Time had passed too fast for him to enjoy their company as children.

“Cirdan, Aurelia.” Silas stuttered, stopping in his tracks in disbelief, “It’s me.”

The two stared at him, then each other, confused. Their white-blonde hair was matted, dirtied with dust and dirt. The luster of their pale skin and bright eyes had dulled, and they were taller and skinnier than he remembered, but the childishness of their features was still there. Aurelia’s straight hair reached her waist, tied messily behind her head with a piece of twine. Cirdan’s wavy hair was shoulder length, reminding Silas of his own long hair before he had cut it in the village. Seeing the two, familiar yet unfamiliar, Silas wanted to desperately run to their side and hug them.

Without another thought, Silas ripped the wig off of his head and ripped the mana stone away from his neck, returning to his original, elven appearance. The rounded tips of his ears turned pointed, and his hair rolled out past his ears, brightening his head with a set of white blonde hair, matching his siblings. Even his green eyes were similar to the pair, bringing a strange sense of nostalgia to the three that they had not felt in over ten years.

Squinting her darkened eyes, Aurelia was the first to recognize Silas, her eyes immediately reddening as she cried out in glee and disbelief. As Aurelia raced to Silas, he opened his arms widely, grabbing her tightly in his grasp as they cried. He swayed in a tight hug, gently moving side to side, much like he did when they were children. The dress on his body did not impede his movements in the least.

As Silas and Aurelia laughed and cried, both in shock, Cirdan stood back, unmoving. Tears pooled in his eyes, but he stood still as a statue, his cheeks flushed red.

“Cirdan, it’s Silas! C’mon!” Aurelia shouted at him, refusing to let go of Silas as she did. She turned her pale face towards her younger brother, urging him with her words.

“No.” Cirdan said, his face flushed with anger, “I won’t go near that traitor.”

“Cirdan!” Aurelia snapped at him, but he refused to listen, turning on his heels and walking down the dark hall.

Silas’s heart lurched painfully as he watched Cirdan go, the small, giggling troublemaker he once knew gone, now replaced with someone full of anger and pain. Silas could not help but blame himself, which Aurelia seemed to notice.

“Brother Silas, don’t blame yourself!” Aurelia said, pulling him back in for a hug. She placed an ear against his chest, sighing as she heard his heartbeat, knowing he was truly there. Her eyes misted again as she said, “Cirdan missed you more than Mom and I combined, so he took it the hardest when you were separated from us. Then with Mom being so ill right now-”

Silas froze, hearing Aurelia’s words. As if on instinct, he grabbed her arms, causing her to pause, “What’s wrong with Maeir?” Silas felt odd saying those words, especially to his baby sister. It was as if he was in a dream. If he pinched himself hard enough, he would snap awake to find this was all a false reality.

Aurelia looked down, her chin bobbling as she tried to hold back a sob, “She-” Aurelia squeezed her eyes shut, refusing to let herself cry.

“Why don’t you see for yourself, Silas.” Eva said, resting a hand on Silas’s shoulder as she looked up at him with her intense stare, “We need to move anyway. It’s not safe here.”

“Where’s my mother?” Silas said, refusing to move, “You told me she was fine!”

Eva’s gaze hardened, “Yes, I did. Would you have been able to focus if I told you otherwise? And what could you have done for her? You had a mission to complete, nothing else mattered.” Eva turned towards Aurelia, her gaze softening, “Let’s get moving, shall we? There will be time for tears when the carriage is taking us far away from the palace. Maeir is already there.”

Aurelia nodded, grabbing Silas’s arm tightly as Eva stepped in front of them, leading the way down the corridor. Aurelia’s eyes seemed to focus on Eva, her tears drying as she stared at the wise woman with admiration.

Silas smiled as he stared down at Aurelia, who smiled back at him. Her large smile still reflected some of the child Silas once knew. Cirdan followed behind them with some distance, looking reluctant to move too far away from his older brother.

The group moved quickly, following the lead of Eva and the tall knight towards the doors to the back entry of the palace to hurry to their carriage, unaware of the looming dangers that were soon to come.


11 pages... my God, you are a big'un! We would have posted this earlier but the quality wasn't quite up to standard, and it was 8 pages at that point. Here is our best effort yet (tee hee).

We appreciate all your sweet words, too! I've worked the last two weekends (here I am, still sitting at my work desk now ahaha) so I really haven't had time for anything, and Hunny is actually doing a very time-consuming project of her own so I appreciate her writing over 80% of this chapter!!! I'm sorry, I was useless this week ;A; My students had a lovely prom, and I got to send them off today. Now, I get to take a short break of my own ;u;

I just finished translating more of that game too, so see that here. Thank you all so much for reading, and throw your salt down below :D I want the tea!

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