(ENEMY)

Princess Tulip was confined to her room. She sat at the table, staring listlessly at the tea in her cup. It had been a week since the incident, and she felt a deep, crushing depression.

The memory of Kairav's betrayal replayed in her mind, each thought piercing her heart anew. Her once vibrant eyes were now dull, and her shoulders sagged under the weight of her sorrow. She barely touched her food and had lost interest in everything she once loved.

The room felt like a prison, and the walls seemed to close in on her as she struggled to make sense of the overwhelming grief.Knock. Knock. The door was gently knocked.

"Tulip," said Kairav, entering the room accompanied by the State's Resource minister. The minister, a young man with a serious expression, stood quietly behind him.

"Enough. I don't want to see your face anymore, Kairav. You're a useless brother. You betrayed me. You almost got me killed," Tulip spat out, her voice trembling with anger and hurt.

"Tulip, they are outsiders. You can't trust them 100%," Kairav replied, trying to keep his voice calm.

"So what? Should I trust you? You and the other princes are all the same," Tulip retorted angrily, her voice shaking with a mix of rage and despair.

"You betrayed me after everything I've done for you. I just asked for one favor, but you accomplished it by breaking my heart." Her eyes flashed with resentment, tears welling up as she struggled to contain her emotions.

"Enough. Please, Tulip. Forget about that for now. I have important guest for you," Kairav said, his tone more urgent. "This is Nefentes, the State's Resource minister. He has something important to discuss with you."

Kairav stepped back, leaving them alone in the room. Nefentes cleared his throat, looking at Tulip with a mixture of sympathy and determination.

"Forgive me, Your Highness. I understand that you are addressing issues in the mining village? Is that true?" Nefentes asked, his voice dripping with feigned sympathy.

"Sigh... Yes, Minister. They are all sick due to the new mining site. I hope you will stop the mining there, no matter how much gold or gems are found. Isn't there already enough resources to export?" Tulip replied, her frustration evident.

Nefentes smiled wickedly, a gleam of cunning in his eyes. He knelt before Tulip, his movements calculated and almost theatrical.

"Ah, Your Highness, the world operates on the principles of give and take. Every request, no matter how noble, has its price. I can fulfill your desires, but I must receive something of equal value in return," Nefentes said, his tone smooth and insidious.

"What do you mean, Minister?" Tulip asked, narrowing her eyes.

"Marry me, Your Highness. In return, I will grant you two significant boons. First, I will issue an immediate order to cease all mining activities at the new site, preserving the health of your beloved villagers. Second, I will release your friends," Nefentes proposed, his smile widening into a sinister grin. He already knew that Tulip's friends had long escaped and were free outside, a fact he cruelly omitted to manipulate her further.

"Marry you? That's not equal value. All of this is your fault. Why should I pay the price for something I didn't cause?" Tulip's voice wavered, a mix of shock and disgust.

"Indeed, Your Highness," Nefentes replied smoothly, his smile never faltering.

"But imagine the relief of your people when the mining stops and your friends are freed. Is it not worth considering? It is a small price to pay for such peace, don't you think?"

He leaned in closer, his eyes gleaming with dark satisfaction.

"After all, sacrifices must be made for the greater good. And sometimes, those sacrifices come from those with the power to make a difference. Your decision could save so many lives. Isn't that worth something?"

Tulip felt torn and conflicted. The thought of marrying Nefentes repulsed her, but the welfare of the villagers and her friends weighed heavily on her mind.

She bit her lip, her heart pounding as she considered the dreadful proposition. Nefentes watched her intently, reveling in her discomfort and uncertainty.

"But why? There are many other things that can be exchanged. Why does it have to be marriage?" Tulip asked, her voice trembling.

Nefentes smiled, a dark glint in his eyes.

"Ah, Your Highness, it's because you are the most precious flower in the entire kingdom. To possess such a treasure, nothing else would suffice," he said.

"You see, I could ask for gold or land, but none of those compare to the value of having you by my side. Your beauty, your status—imagine the power we could wield together. It's a fair exchange, don't you think? A small sacrifice for the greater good."

….

Lantana approached Tatai, who was staring pensively at the campfire. In Tatai's hand was a stick, which he used to poke at the embers of the fire. The forest around them was dark, illuminated only by the flickering firelight, casting eerie shadows on the trees.

"Hey, Tatai," called Lantana softly as she walked up to him.

Tatai remained silent, his eyes fixed on the dancing flames.

Lantana glanced over at Adibahari and Litu, who were sleeping soundly on the forest floor, wrapped in their cloaks for warmth.

"I want to ask you something," said Lantana, her voice low and serious.

"Why won't you admit that you are Antler Axinite?" Lantana asked, her eyes searching Tatai's face for any reaction.

Tatai was visibly startled that Lantana had figured out his secret. He stiffened, gripping the stick more tightly.

"How did you know?" Tatai asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I am Manubu. I can see the aura of everyone who possesses Astakona, especially those who are Antler. Furthermore, you aren't saying any Astakona spell to make any portal. Its obvious tho." Lantana replied, her gaze unwavering.

Tatai smiled, a cold and resigned smile. He drew a knife from inside his clothing, its blade glinting in the firelight. Suddenly, he grabbed Lantana's mouth, pulling her to the ground. Lantana struggled, her eyes wide with fear, but no sound could escape her.

Tatai held the knife to Lantana's throat, his grip firm and unyielding. Tears streamed down her face, her body trembling.

"I didn't think your kind still existed. 300 years ago, I destroyed all your people, but it seems some survived. What do you want? Revenge?" Tatai asked, his voice harsh and filled with contempt. But as he watched her cry, a flicker of pity crossed his face, realizing Lantana might not know what happened 300 years ago.

"Promise me. Don't tell anyone about me," Tatai demanded, his voice softening slightly.

He released Lantana, and she sat up, her body shaking with sobs.

"I'm sorry," Tatai said, his voice barely audible, before turning away and staring back into the fire. Lantana continued to cry, the weight of their encounter pressing heavily on her heart.

"You know we're looking for Antler Axinite. But why would you willingly search for us and save us? Especially when you know your own life is in danger if you meet us," Adibahari asked, his voice tinged with curiosity and suspicion as he suddenly appeared before them both.

Tatai was doubly surprised because he thought Adibahari was asleep. Suddenly, he was right in front of him, his presence startling.

Adibahari approached Lantana, his movements gentle as he reached out to comfort her. He rubbed Lantana's back to calm her, feeling the tension in her body. However, Lantana was still crying from the shock, her distress palpable.

Adibahari embraced her, holding her close like a protective older brother. "Shh... Its okay Lantana. You are safe right now. You can rest now." he whispered soothingly, his voice a reassuring presence in the stillness of the forest.

Eventually, Lantana's sobs subsided, and she drifted into a fitful sleep. Adibahari carefully lifted her and laid her beside Litu, arranging their cloaks to keep them warm.

He returns to Tatai side and gazes Tatai eyes searching for answers. "I don't know what your plan is, Tatai. Why didn't you stop them from stealing the Axinite stone? You know the consequences," he questioned, his tone a mix of concern and suspicion.

"Melodiee once told you why she wanted to destroy this country, didn't she?" Tatai's voice was calm but tinged with sorrow.

"Yes. Because you killed her child," Adibahari replied, his voice softening with empathy.

"Indeed," Tatai nodded, a shadow crossing his features.

"Five hundred years ago, I took her child's life to seize the stone, driven by the folly of seeking power, but there was no stone there. My endeavor was in vain, their deaths meaningless. Back then, I was merely a pawn, heeding the king's commands without question. Two centuries later, a war erupted among the Antler, a futile display of dominance. Yet Almaz intervened, mitigating the destruction we wrought. Afterward, I regretted everything that I had done. So, after that chaos, I faked my death and vanished, remaining hidden until now."

"But how did you end up becoming Tulip's bodyguard?" Adibahari asked.

"In brief, ten years ago, she saved me from being robbed. She was quite young then. Despite her delicate appearance, she was remarkably courage. She recognized my potential and noted that I wasn't utilizing it effectively. Upon discovering my destitution, she offered me a position as her personal guard. It wasn't until she brought me to the palace that I learned her true identity," Tatai explained.

"You are not disappointed?"

"Never. The event happened 300 years ago. My former king has already passed away. King Lipyang, he is the 5th ancestor. The Axinite Antler has also become history," Tatai said with a clear tone of disappointment in his voice.