"Make sure these letters will arrive tonight. Let no one know about it."
Isaiah took a step back, watching the raven spread its wings before it flew. Morro was the fastest and the most capable bird the emperor had. The distance never mattered to him because Morro would deliver the letter earlier than any other bird could do.
"I hope he doesn't screw things up." Conan, who was standing several steps from Isaiah, folded his arms and rested his hands on the back of his head. "Morro had this tendency to screw things up in the most important time."
"I hope he doesn't."
Conan smacked his lips, feeling a bit more relaxed now that Isaiah was acting like Abel's advisor. In the past, Isaiah's role was the emperor's advisor while Conan was the emperor's sword.
"Well anyway, since that seemed to settle things, I'd pack my stuff for our vacation." Conan nonchalantly turns on his heel, strutting away. They had a few hours before setting off to the mainland. Thus, Conan wanted to use this time to prepare since he had been sleeping for the past two years.
Little did Conan know, the moment he mentioned packing up, Isaiah's entire body stiffened. The latter slowly turned his head, setting his eyes on Conan's retreating back.
'I need to leave before them,' was the thought that immediately crossed Isaiah's head. This time, he knew he wouldn't be able to get away once Conan found out about what happened to his residence.
*
*
*
"Your Grace?" Lilou, the woman who gave birth to Sunny, flinched as soon as she walked out of her children's chambers, only to feel Isaiah's presence. An awkward laugh slipped past her lips, raising her brows, assessing the grand duke's gloomy face.
"Your Grace, is there something you need?" she asked after several seconds of silence.
"Is Sunny… awake?" Isaiah asked under his breath, lifting his eyes to Sunny's mother.
"Well, I just tucked her in."
"Nevermind, then."
Lilou furrowed her brows, watching Isaiah turn on his heel. "My daughter might not help now, but if you trust me enough, I might find a way to help you."
Isaiah stopped momentarily before turning around to face her. The moment their eyes met, the woman's face contorted at the slight life in his eyes.
"I would like to meet Lady Tilly." Isaiah didn't beat around the bush, but his straightforward attitude made her lips stretch.
"Right." Lilou grinned playfully. "It is your first night as husband and wife."
His expression instantly died, gazing at the mischievous woman. "My lady, please do not tease me."
"I'm just preparing Your Grace lest you don't have any idea what Tilly will think."
"I simply want to ask for a request."
"A request?" she cocked her head to the side.
"That is if she can support me in maintaining the security of the empire. I planned to leave tonight."
Lilou assessed the sincerity in his eyes before a shallow breath slipped past her lips. "Well, we can try. But Your Grace, if you don't mind me asking, is there a reason why you want to hasten our plans?"
"I will die."
"Pardon?"
"Conan Hakebourne will kill me tonight," Isaiah clarified with hundred percent certainty. "Literally."
"..."
Sunny's mother could only stare at Isaiah in puzzlement for a moment. But in the end, she still leads him to where Tilly and Samael were to move and change their plans. All of this for the sake of Isaiah, whose life was in danger.
**********
[ THAT SAME NIGHT IN THE MAINLAND… ]
Ismael sighed for the umpteenth time, sitting on the armchair several steps from the balcony. He let the doors open, allowing the air to cool down his room. The soothing moonlight entered his room through the door of the balcony, all lights in his room were off.
"Just what am I expecting in this summit?" he wondered, propping his jaw against his knuckles. "I seriously don't know what is going on or what she is planning."
Another sigh escaped his nostrils, breaking his record. Since his arrival yesterday, Ismael didn't have anything to do. He simply cooped up in this luxurious room, working on a few matters of the Maganti Empire he brought with him.
Still, whenever it was time to rest, the thought of Aries, the Haimirich Empire, and Abel would cross his mind. Even though Aries and Abel agreed on a trade with him as Ismael's repayment, the latter believed it wasn't enough.
He owed them big time. The entire Maganti Empire owed those two a big debt. If not for them, he could only imagine the worse for everyone under Joaquin's tyranny.
"What did she say again?" he mumbled to himself, recalling the 'different route' of the Maganti Empire and the people in it if Abel wasn't involved. Recalling her remarks made him shake his head. "I don't know what's going in her head. She could just simply ask for help. She knows I can never say no to her." — even if it meant waging a war against the mainland.
He pledged to protect Aries if she needed it, and a part of Ismael believed Aries was simply trapped in her current position. However, without any clarification from Aries, he couldn't just act on his own. His unsolicited help might put Aries in a tight situation. Worse. He would only sabotage her plans.
Right…
Aries was someone who often had a plan and a scheme she had concocted in her head. Even if she was at a disadvantage, Aries wouldn't just let things as they were without a fight.
Tak.
Ismael's train of thought trailed off, snapping his eyes at the balcony. The wind blew a bit stronger, making the curtains flutter with a few feathers dancing in the air. His eyes fell on the shadow that stretched inside, lifting his gaze up until his head slightly tilted back at the towering figure standing on the balcony.
This stature, those distinct shoulders, and aura… all seemed too familiar for Ismael. There was only one person he knew who had such unique features.
"Morro?" Ismael's pupils dilated as a sharp of porcelain suddenly landed on the floor from Morro's razor teeth. "Why… how…. No, what does His Majesty need?"
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