Meanwhile…
Fabian was neither surprised nor appalled why Abel didn't tell them about this person watching them from outside the pub. He had grown numbed of the Grimsbanne's antics that it was no surprise that Abel. currently, the head of the family was the same.
What surprised Fabian was that he didn't notice someone was watching him. Deep in his heart, he was certain that wasn't because he just grew used to being watched since coming back to the mainland with Aries.
Fabian was a person who often had options — he would create them if there were none. And it was his option to ignore the prying eyes that were on him every second of the day. But this one… he had to admit he missed it.
That was why when Abel pointed at the person standing outside the pub, Fabian came after the person like a bolt of lightning. He followed the person, ignoring the narrow and dangerous streets of the capital, but to no avail.
After minutes of running after the person, Fabian found himself in a narrow and dark alley. He gazed up at the towering wall. It was a dead end.
Fabian was so sure the person turned this way. However, when he did, there was nothing but a wall.
He planted his palm on the wall to check if there was any suspicious spell on it.
"There wasn't," came out a mumble, retrieving his hand from it. He took three steps back, eyes on the concrete wall. His gaze then veered to the other establishment from either side of the alley. Unlike the wall before him, the establishment was shorter.
If he thought logically, this height wouldn't be impossible to climb up and get away. He narrowed his eyes, rocking his head in agreement.
"Well, at least now I know I should be faster next time," he told himself, turning on his heel to walk away. There was no point in dwelling on something that was considered a failure. Not that this was his only chance. Fabian was certain there would be another time to catch this little mouse who stole Maleficent's weapon.
Just as Fabian took a step, something glinted from the corner of his eyes. He slowly turned his head, furrowing his brows. Fabian walked towards it, squatting down to pick up what seemed to be a broken anklet.
Fabian raised his hand while holding the anklet, looking at it up close.
The accessory was thin gold, something that one wouldn't normally see on the mainland. This land liked the lavish accessories that could be seen from a mile away. Many people preferred that to flaunt their wealth, status, and position in high society.
Although there were still those jewelers that sold simple accessories, Fabian had seen no one wear them. Perhaps Lilou would, since his madam would rather wear none or those that wouldn't weigh anything.
"This material…" he moved the broken anklet closer before the corner of his lips curled up into a smirk.
The look that suddenly dominated his face appeared as though he was proud of something. Fabian grabbed the broken anklet as he rose to his feet. His other hand fished out a handkerchief inside his pocket, placing the broken anklet inside the open handkerchief before folding it once again.
"I didn't know she was still alive," he whispered, gazing up at the top of the establishment. "How interesting, indeed."
Fabian kept his eyes on the top of the establishment, even though no one was there in there. After looking at the broken anklet close, he figured the material used was something that would never be seen on the mainland.
There was only one place he had gone through before that produced such a delicate yet valuable accessory. A piece would be worth a fortune — just like this one.
"If I haven't gone to the city of gold, I wouldn't know." After another minute, Fabian turned on his heel and walked away with his lips stretched from ear to ear until his eyes were squinting. "I'm looking forward to meeting her."
*******
[ Royal Palace ]
After Aries's coronation, Dexter was announced to be a part of the Queen's cabinet. Since then, he always stayed in the royal library, which was only available to a few people in the country. He was given a chancery of his own, but Dexter preferred doing his work in this place and reading some books in his free time.
Staying in his chancery was troublesome. He wouldn't mind the trouble if this land was the Haimirich Empire. He had grown used to it. However, even if Aries was the queen of the mainland, Dexter didn't have the same passion he had for the empire. Therefore, he would stay in the library day in and out, unless he had to attend the royal court.
So far, no one had entered this place since taking his oath… until tonight.
"What are you doing here?" asked Dexter from the chair on the side of the library to the person who entered this place. His eyes went up and down the man, before locking eyes with him again. "Didn't you say you have important arrangements today? That is why you left the afternoon tea you forced yourself into?
"Well." Lord Miguel smiled, holding his hand behind him while marching to the seat where Dexter was sitting.
There were documents and books stacked up on the desk, but it wasn't high enough to cover their faces, as both men were tall even when they were sitting down. Dexter raised a brow as Miguel casually took the seat across from him without even asking him. Surely, Miguel had a questionable background in etiquette.
"Since you sat down, I assume you are here because you heard I've been hiding in the royal library," Dexter spoke once again, breaking the silence between them before it could dominate them. "I wonder what business your lordship has with me?"
Miguel kept a short smile, staring at Dexter for a moment. "It seemed both sister and brother had held some sort of grudge against me. It would be nice to know the reason for that, so I could either defend myself for something I'm sure I didn't do, or at least understand the roots of this hatred."
The source of this c𝐨ntent is fre𝒆w(e)bn(o)vel