Thankfully, Duke Daysha and his masked men didn’t stop Lai as he approached me. I sent him to the butler standing behind me.
“What’s going on?”
“Not pleased with my gift?”
“Did you kidnap El?”
Daysha smirked instead of answering, his expression confirmation enough. He’d helped the First Consort take El.
“Where is she?”
“I went to great lengths for this gift, yet no thanks, just questions? Disappointing.”
“I’m not here for nonsense. Answer me.”
“I’m under no obligation to answer you.”
“You think you’ll walk away unscathed after this?”
Thanks to the butler’s quick actions, our knights outnumbered his men. Yet, despite the numerical disadvantage, Daysha remained infuriatingly calm, as if he had something up his sleeve.
“Where is El?”
“You’re full of questions, my lady.”
“With the kidnapper standing before me, isn’t that natural?”
He shrugged.
“The First Consort wanted to lure you out, so I lent a hand. I had no intention of harming the children. Isn’t that why I brought this one to you?”
“If you’re giving gifts, why not bring both children? I didn’t realize you were so stingy, Duke.”
“Haha! You’re entertaining, as expected. Perhaps I should’ve brought both.”
“It’s not too late. Bring El to me unharmed, and I’ll treat you with the courtesy due a guest.”
He burst into laughter, shrugging again.
“Sadly, I don’t have her.”
I signaled the butler behind me.
If El wasn’t with Daysha, she was still with the First Consort. The maid had confirmed both children were in her quarters, but there was no guarantee they were still there.
Lai, who’d been with El until recently, might know her whereabouts. The butler, understanding my intent, slipped away with Lai, pretending to flee the masked men, and entered the main building.
Daysha’s eyes narrowed.
“You slipped the First Consort’s trap with a decoy and now pry information from me. You’re sharper than I thought.”
“Thank you, but I’m no match for you, noticing all that.”
“Haha, is that so?”
His laughter was jovial. I stopped guessing and asked directly.
“Are you working with the First Consort?”
“Didn’t I say I just helped a bit?”
“Sounds like you’re not fully aligned.”
“Of course. She wants you dead; I don’t.”
“Not until the barrier’s broken, you mean?”
“Oh? Last we met, you seemed clueless. You’ve learned fast.”
“Are you with the Inayari?”
“And if I am?”
His sly expression taunted me.
“Why?”
If the Inayari broke the barrier, the world would face ruin again. Daysha, who should know this better than anyone, baffled me.
“What do you gain from helping them destroy the barrier?”
“Nothing to lose, either.”
“What’s your reason?”
“What do you think, my lady?”
He raised his hand, and more masked figures appeared, outnumbering our knights significantly. Now I understand his calm confidence.
Clang!
The masked men struck first, swinging at our knights, who formed a defensive line, their backs to me. The clash of steel rang out, piercing my ears. Bodies fell, blood splattering the green lawn.
“Choose, my lady.”
Daysha’s voice cut through the chaos, clear and sharp.
“Will you come quietly, or must I kill them all first?”
“If I go quietly, will you spare them?”
“Sister, no!”
Lant stepped in front of me. Daysha’s brow twitched, intrigued.
“Choose quickly. Surely you don’t want to see your beloved brother die before you?”
“Don’t listen to his nonsense, Sister!”
Lant glared at Daysha, fists clenched so tightly that veins bulged on his sunburned hands. Having rushed from his room, he was unarmed.
I looked at his back, worried.
“An Eliant, protector of Pison’s bloodline. Seeing it with my own eyes is quite moving.”
“How!”
The ancient records were secretly passed down only to the four heroic families. House Eliant’s records were lost, and even Father, the head, knew nothing until Grandfather revealed them.
As if reading my thoughts, Daysha answered.
“Records aren’t exclusive to humans, my lady.”
The Inayari!
I’d overlooked that the Inayari might have their own records, just as the heroes’ descendants did.
That’s why they targeted me.
I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms, to steady my reeling mind.
Daysha was no ordinary foe. I had to stay sharp.
“Why not come quietly? I’ve gone to great lengths to capture you. There’s no escape.”
“Are all these events you’re doing?”
A sly smile spread across his face.
“Your defenses were too tight. I had to shake things up. Wasn’t it thrilling? I planned it carefully for you.”
“Even Canaan Kingdom?”
“I merely leaked false information that the empire planned to colonize them. A cornered rat will bite a cat.”
The First Prince’s death, El’s kidnapping, Canaan’s provocation—all bore Daysha’s fingerprints. Even the nanny’s actions likely involved him.
No, they definitely did. Her use of Kayak was proof.
“You’ve been busy.”
“Time was on my side.”
He shrugged.
“Watching your reactions was entertaining.”
“Did you push Irene toward Sys—the Crown Prince—for the same reason?”
“Pfft, worrying about that now? You’re hopeless.”
His laughter grew louder.
I ignored it, pressing on.
“Were you trying to sow discord between the imperial family and House Eliant?”
“Smart girl. With her beauty, I thought the Crown Prince would fall easily, but he’s devoted to you. My miscalculation.”
He stroked his chin, his eyes scanning the surroundings.
The odds were against us. Not only were we outnumbered, but the masked men were stronger than expected. Father and Sys had left elite knights to protect me, yet they were falling helplessly.
I tried to stay calm, but cold sweat trickled down my back. Daysha spoke, watching me.
“You’re waiting for the palace knights, but sadly, it won’t go as you hope.”
“…!”
His words sent a chill through me. His eyes crinkled.
“It’s been amusing watching you stall, but I’m growing bored.”
“You knew I was waiting for reinforcements.”
“Of course. A pity for you, waiting so desperately.”
“Sister.”
Lant looked at me, worried.
The maids and non-combatants had already fled to the main building with the butler. Fortunately, the masked men focused only on the knights, ignoring the building.
Their actions made it clear: I was their sole target.
More knights fell, injured. Lant stood firm before me, refusing to budge. I wished he’d gone with the butler, but he stubbornly stayed.
“Lant, go inside.”
“No, I’m staying.”
His voice was resolute. I sighed, knowing his stubbornness matched mine.
“Daysha, what’s your endgame?”
I stepped forward, keeping Lant behind me.
“Endgame? Simply to see the barrier fall.”
“And plunge the world into chaos?”
“Chaos breeds opportunity, my lady.”
His nonchalance chilled me. The Inayari’s goal was clear, but his motives remained murky.
“If I go with you, will you let everyone here live?”
“Sister, don’t!”
Lant grabbed my arm. Daysha’s smile widened.
“A noble offer. But can you trust me?”
“No. But I’m out of options.”
I pulled the ring from my finger, pressing the clover to release the poisoned needle, and held it tightly.
If I was to face Daysha and the Inayari, I’d do it on my terms.
“Lead the way, Duke.”
His eyes gleamed with triumph as he gestured for me to follow.
