Chapter 253: Healing Words And Hidden Rats
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Edward, who had remained silent as he listened to her, reached out to cover the hand resting on her lap and gave it a gentle squeeze. "You will."
Cece looked at him, her eyes beginning to water again as he continued, "And do you know why? Because you are the strongest and fiercest woman I have ever known. There are many things in this world beyond our comprehension, and when we witness something truly horrible, do we allow it to consume our sanity? No. It stays with us....we accept it, and then we move forward, searching for the light at the end of the tunnel, hoping that tomorrow will bring a new sunrise."
Cece felt herself become calmer as she listened to him. Letting his words sink in, she replied with a soft smile, "Just like how you look forward to the sunsets every day."
Edward returned her smile, tenderness softening his features. "Yes. In my case, sunset is what I look forward to, marking the end of one day, but also the promise of another beginning soon."
"You are....so different," she murmured, smiling at him.
"So are you," he replied softly.
They continued to hold each other’s gaze, as though caught under some quiet spell. That was when Cece picked up the sound of fast approaching footsteps outside the door, her attention snapping instantly in that direction.
Edward followed her gaze just as a knock sounded against the wood, followed by an all too familiar voice. "It’s me! I hope everything is well and decent in there!"
Cece quickly released Edward’s hands and wiped at her cheeks before answering, "You can come in, Damien."
Both she and Edward rose from their seats as Damien sauntered in, a wicked grin already plastered over his face. One look at their blank expressions was enough to make his brow arch in blatant satisfaction.
"Oh dear," he drawled, "do not tell me you are both upset to see me. Especially after I so graciously arranged uninterrupted bonding time for the two of you."
He took a step forward, openly assessing them, his sharp gaze narrowing as he took in the faint redness around Cece’s eyes and the soft flush along her cheeks and nose, signs far too obvious to miss. His voice dropped slightly as he murmured, "You know....when I said you could go wild, I did not actually mean it." His dark crimson eyes slid to Edward, suspicion sharpening his expression. "I am, of course, perfectly capable of severing the neck of anyone who dares hurt my sister. Even if that someone happens to be you....Lord Edward."
Edward’s brows drew together in confusion, "What are you talking about?"
Cece rolled her eyes at her overprotective brother, "Oh, cut it out, Damien. Edward and I were just talking." She studied him for a moment before adding dryly, "But judging by how quickly you came running back, something tells me you found something."
Just like that, Damien’s crooked grin snapped back into place. "Well, yes," he replied smugly. "You do know me far too well, dear sister."
The three of them settled back onto the sofa once more. Damien lounged lazily, intentionally stretching the moment before continuing. "Now then, like the considerate brother I am, after leaving you two alone, I found myself in the kitchen in search of a midnight snack." He tilted his head. "And guess what I stumbled upon?"
Edward and Cece stared at him expectantly. When he still did not elaborate, Edward guessed, "A rat?"
"Precisely!" Damien’s grin widened. "A rat no less than a royal court official."
Cece’s brows knitted together. "Who was it?"
"Minister Silas."
"I think I have heard that name before," Edward replied, frowning slightly as he tried to recall where.
"You have," Cece said. "He was present during the court hearing involving Evelyn."
"That is correct," Damien chimed in. "Allow me to refresh your memory. He is the very same man who nearly got strangled by Ivan like a rag doll for disrespecting Evelyn in the courtroom."
"Oh, that guy," Edward said as recognition dawned on him. "Now I remember." His expression shifted to confusion. "What was he doing in the palace in the middle of the night?"
"Exactly," Damien said dryly. "Not the sharpest blade in the armoury, that one. I overheard him whispering to one of the maids in the kitchen." He shrugged. "Naturally, I stayed hidden and listened as he asked about all the food being prepared in the palace."
Cece frowned. "Why would he ask about the food?"
"My guess is that the sneaky little rat wanted to know who all are currently staying in the palace and was trying to estimate it by the amount of food being prepared," Damien said thoughtfully.
"Is he not afraid of getting caught snooping around the palace, especially in Prince Ivan’s wing of all places?" Edward asked.
"As I said, the desperate rat is not very bright," Damien replied nonchalantly.
"Did you catch him, Damien?" Cece asked.
"No, not yet. I want to see where this information is going, since there is hardly anything Minister Silas can do even if he finds out that Ivan and Evelyn are not here," Damien answered.
"Who do you think is behind all of this?" Edward asked.
Damien shrugged. "Who knows? There are many who want their daughters to marry Ivan to secure the position of Crown Princess in the strongest kingdom. So my guess is that it is one of them. Regardless, if we want to catch whoever is behind this, we must be extremely cautious. It is best not to alert the enemy. Considering how many have infiltrated the palace since our arrival, all of the spies have taken their own lives before we could force them to reveal a name."
"If they are being that careful, then how are we supposed to find out who is behind all of this?" Cece asked.
"Hm..." Damien hummed thoughtfully. "There is a ball scheduled to be held soon at one of the ministers’ mansions. With Evelyn and Ivan being so public about their relationship, I am certain many of them are restless by now. And something tells me they will do something foolish and give themselves away before we even have to lift a finger."
"A ball? You want us to attend it?" Cece asked.
"We will have to," Damien replied, letting out a sigh before adding, "but it all depends on Evelyn’s recovery rate. I truly hope she wakes up soon."
Edward pressed his lips together in thought before saying, "Or perhaps she is already awake and simply enjoying a moment of peace with Prince Ivan after everything that has happened."
Damien’s eyebrow lifted before he burst into a chuckle. "Oh my. How did I not think of that? Ivan can be very sneaky when he wants to be."
"If she is awake, then they deserve that respite," Cece said with a soft smile. "I am glad Ivan decided to take her away from this place, especially after all the recent incidents."
"Yes, that was good thinking on his part. But then again, I am not surprised he thought of this," Damien said. "Ivan is very protective of the people he cares about, and Evelyn sits at the very top of that list. He would do anything to ensure her safety before anyone else’s."
Edward listened, one corner of his lips curling into a faint smile. "Yes... and I think he deeply cares about the two of you as well. That is why he allowed us to stay in his chambers within the palace, albeit separately, despite the plan to make everyone believe that he and Evelyn are still here."
Cece and Damien’s eyes widened in unison at the realization.
"Now that you mention it," Cece said slowly, "it makes more and more sense. He could have easily led us to different rooms through the palace’s secret passages, but keeping us here means he is protecting us, too."
Damien nodded in agreement. "No one would ever dare enter his chambers like this, especially with Alex and Caleb stationed outside. Everyone knows it is no joke dealing with either of them."
"Hm, it also makes others believe even more that Ivan is here, because those two are practically his extended limbs, always by his side," Cece chimed in.
Edward nodded in agreement, having learned at least that much during his time in their company.
"We need to inform Ivan about what you saw when he comes tomorrow to collect food," Cece pointed out.
"Yes....and let us hope he does not burn the man alive for snooping around the palace," Damien muttered under his breath, and the others could only silently agree.
