69 Let's Start the Plan

"I think we forgot to tell you something," father said as we were having tea with my mother and Kai.

Luckily, we can spend time like this even if we can only see each other once a day.

Gerald and the other knights were standing far from us since Gerald, who was in a higher rank than the others, ordered everyone to give us space. He definitely is helping me out.

"What is it?" I answered as I sip the chamomille tea.

"King Sorin can sense new magic and power in the kingdom, that's how he managed to catch me when I was secretly meeting with your mother," he answered as he gazes over my mother with a frown.

I'm sure father has a plan back then, and if only King Sorin didn't catch them, they would've been back to our normal life.

"I see. But that only applies to new magic, you said? That means if I use my power right now, he wouldn't sense it?" I said.

Father nodded as he sighs, "That's why we can work secretly without him knowing."

I stare down on my tea and saw my reflection. I saw myself who was frowning badly with sadness in my eyes. It hasn't been that long but I badly want to see Forest again. I want to be in his embrace. I want to pat his fluffy hair. I want to be with him again.

"Do you think there's someone here who can help us to destroy him?" Kai asked.

This kid, if only we were in the human world, he'll be living normally like any teen should without having to deal with a mental uncle or wars and powers. He should be getting home beyond his curfew, getting into fights, or dating some cute girl.

Everyone was silent for a while, they've been here for long and they haven't got any help from anyone in this castle. It's almost impossible. It's as if each and every hair in this kingdom is under King Sorin's deadly shadow.

"I..." Mother whispered, she looks scared, but not for herself, "I know someone."

"Why haven't you told me?" Father asked as he put his teacup down with a slight disappointment in his eyes.

"I don't want him to get involved, he should live peacefully."

"Who is it?" Kai asked.

Mother, who was looking down on her cup, went silent for a while. Of course, father and Kai would be upset after knowing that mother knows someone who could've helped them a long time ago, but she kept it to herself.

"Mother... please, you're not alone anymore." I said with a soft smile, sometimes when I look at her, I feel as if I'm looking at an invisible person, "We're here to help you take back what's yours, and keep the kingdom safe."

She looked at me, for a bit, she was still hesitating, but a few more moments, she spoke the name.

"Akhad, he's part of the Protection Council. They manage the protection, security, and army's magic. In short, they are the right hand of Sorin. Without them, a B-level King wouldn't survive to threaten the other kingdoms. But..."

Mother once again looked away, "He has a family. I don't want him to get involved because of them. He was my childhood friend, and even though we're standing in different lights, he'll still be my friend."

Now I get it. Why she stayed silent for a long time, why she didn't open up this opportunity. But success never comes to people who are afraid, right?

"Mother, if Akhad is against King Sorin, I'm sure he'll be happy to help us. It's only a stupid thing to follow someone who leads you to your death," Kai said with eagerness burning in his eyes.

He definitely wants this to be over, I mean, who doesn't? It seems like aside from the Delta Kingdom who's like a leech to King Sorin, the other kingdoms are opposed to him.

"But it's hard to get close to the council. The group travels together in the castle. We can only talk to them outside. But we can't do that, everywhere we go, we have guards with us." Father said as he glances over the knights.

That means, we can only send someone outside to talk to Akhad about our plans, but we have no one to trust in this place... wait, Gerald.

I looked at Gerald who was standing confidently along with the knights, he seemed to have sensed it and gave me a soft nod without the others noticing.

"I'll handle the communication with Akhad, Father. Just tell me what message we should give him."

"I'm pretty sure you know it, Meteor. If you're able to tame the King's knight, I'm sure you can talk to Akhad into helping us," Father gave me a proud smile and continued drinking his tea.

Mother, who seemed to be scared of what may happen to her dear friend, also gave me a reassuring smile.

Kai just looked at me and scoffed. I'm sure he's trying to piss me off, but still, I know he's counting on me as well — to his 'stupid' sister.

That night, I wrote a letter and asked Gerald to give it to Akhad, and surprisingly, the next morning, I received a reply.

I was sitting on the couch in my room, while Gerald was standing beside me when I opened the letter.

"...I have been waiting for this for so long, Your Highness. Unfortunately, only seven out of 12 councils are in favor of bringing the King down. Even a single one who's opposed to it is dangerous, that is why I'll be waiting for your strategy before we respond to your wish. You may not know it, but everyone has a family to protect..."

I read softly while Gerald was listening.

"It seems like they are willing to help, but they only need assurance that their families will not be harmed, Your Highness," Gerald said as I fold the letter and gave it to him.

He went to the fireplace and burned the letter. As I watch it turn into ash, I finally had a spark of hope in me.

That is right, we should not fear King Sorin too much. He may be powerful, but he's alone in his battle. He's weaker than me and I have Forest and the others. Everyone's only living in fear for their land, their life, and their family.

"Gerald, King Sorin's busy planning his next attack to the Echo Kingdom, right?" I asked.

King Sorin went to Alpha's base that was located near the southern border of the Echo Kingdom.

"Yes, the poor kingdom's already on its knees but they never gave up."

I clenched my fist, Prince Arias is working hard in defending his kingdom. I should start doing the same thing too, not only for the Alpha Kingdom but for everyone else too.

I snorted when I remember waking up in this place for the first time without the memory of what happened in the past. Even in my first time here, I'm sure I never thought that everything will turn this way.

I sat down and prepared to write for my plan. I let Gerald check if it was possible and realistic. He did comment that it was a good plan, but it sounded like it was straight out of a novel. It was too simple.

I spent the whole morning writing, planning, and imagining possible scenarios that may occur throughout the plan, but of course, everything is uncertain.